|
|
Some thoughts on this study??
|
Logged in as: Guest
|
|
Users viewing this topic:
none
|
|
Login  | |
|
Some thoughts on this study?? - April 19, 2008 4:07:52 PM
|
|
|
jesse14
Posts: 21
Joined: October 16, 2006
Status: offline
|
As i'm not a PT, MD, or DC i really don't know how plausable this really is. I'm just wondering if there is any validity to the ideas presented here: From
http://www.somatics.de/NeckAndHams.html
How Upper Neck Muscles Influence Hamstring Length
Below are the abstracts of an interesting research study. The researchers used PNF (or active resistance) stretching to examine the effect of upper neck muscles on hip joint range of motion.
Stretching the hamstrings caused 9% increase in hip extension range of motion as measured with the passive 'straight leg raise' (SLR) manouver. Yet stretching the small suboccipital muscles(which connect the occiput with the upper two vertebrae) resulted in almost twice as much (13%) increase of hamstring length as measured with the same SLR test.
The explanation for this extraordinary finding has probably more to do with the neurological importance of the suboccipital muscles. These small muscles have the highest density of muscles spindles in the whole body (and apparently on the whole planet!) and have a major sensory function for antigravity organization. Via the so called 'Tonic Neck Reflex' (which we share with most other mammals) an extension of these muscles tends to trigger a tonus decrease of the hipjoint extensors.
My suggested conclusion for bodyworkers & movem. therapists: if a client shortens the upper neck, his hamstrings will stay short no matter how much he wants to stretch or lengthen them. Whereas if he lowers the tonus of these upper neck muscles (either passively via myofascial manipulation or via active ideokinetic movement facilitation) lengthening the hamstrings and increasing hip flexion range of motion will be much easier.
This fits also with a verbal report I heard from Hubert Godard about an interesting research in Italy: runners on a treadmill would unconsciously increase their running speed when a bioelectrical device on their neck lowered the tonus of the upper neck muscles. Whereas increasing the tonus of these muscles made them slow down their speed, although they were not aware of this and perceived their speed as constant. So a stiff occiput-neck connection will tend to 'put a break' into the legs via shortening of the hamstrings, and a long and loose occiput-neck connection will take 'the break out' by lengthening the midrange of hamstring length and will make the legs swing much faster and easier.
Robert Schleip
P.S.: For more info on the suboccipital muscles see: McPartland J M, Brodeur R R, Rectus capitis posterior minor: a small but important suboccipital muscle, Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, January 1996[link=http://www.somatics.de/articlesprof.html][/link]
< Message edited by jesse14 -- April 19, 2008 4:29:48 PM >
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Some thoughts on this study?? - April 19, 2008 7:35:02 PM
|
|
|
PTupdate.com
Posts: 1478
Joined: October 8, 2001
From: Pittsburgh, PA USA
Status: offline
|
Jesse14: What you are seeing with the study is what David Poulter already displayed with his "retlouping" procedure. In your instance, you are probably just mobilzing the neural system, thus the increase in "hamstring flexibility", which is more a neural mobility issue versus true muscular "shortness" in many cases (some say all)
As far as the neck muscles when running, 25 years ago in high school track, we were all taught to relax our face, neck and shoulder muscles to improve performance.....we were told to have an apathetic look (which I have chosen to retain to this day) and even let our lips flap like a big golden retriever. I'd bet it's just permitting the nervous system to pay more attention to the important task at hand (running) instead of contorting all those face/neck muscles......kind of like your stuffed nose opening up when you walk up a flight of stairs...your blood found somewhere more important to go.
_____________________________
John M. Duffy, PT
Board Certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist
www.PTupdate.com
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Some thoughts on this study?? - April 20, 2008 8:45:39 AM
|
|
|
jma
Posts: 2414
Joined: August 24, 2000
From: NY
Status: offline
|
I agree with PTupdate. This sounds like something Butler's courses talked about with his neuromobilization courses.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Some thoughts on this study?? - April 20, 2008 12:56:05 PM
|
|
|
Dr.Wagner
Posts: 1242
Joined: January 24, 2003
From: Indianapolis
Status: offline
|
Much of these are basic osteopathy principles taught in the first and second semester of the first year. In fact, just in 2007 my first medical school research project (which was continued long after I left) was REJECTED for publication by SPINE :(
The title was "The effect of cervical spine position on lumbar forward bending". Pretty cool, but took forever to finally submit.
_____________________________
Dr. Wagner DO
Moderator of Medical Complexity Forum
|
|
|
|
 New Messages |
 No New Messages |
 Hot Topic w/ New Messages |
 Hot Topic w/o New Messages |
 Locked w/ New Messages |
 Locked w/o New Messages |
|
 Post New Thread
 Reply to Message
Post New Poll
Submit Vote
Delete My Own Post
Delete My Own Thread
Rate Posts |
|
0.078
|
Printable Version
All Forums >> [RehabEdge Forum] >> Open Forum >> Some thoughts on this study?? 
