MYOFASCIAL CONNECTIONS Trapezius Deltoid

Lateral intermuscular septum

Extensor group

Extensor retinaculum

Figure 6

Figure 6: Superficial Back Arm Line and skeleton Here we see the Superficial Back Arm Line, draped on a classroom skeleton. The unbroken connec- tion between the trapezius and deltoid is clear, and from the deltoid via the intermuscular septum down to the extensor group and the back of the hand. So many arm injuries, condi- tions and symptoms rely on these types of connections - there are four arm lines; this is just one. Mapping these con- nections will allow current and future therapists to be more precise as they range out beyond the site of pain in search of relief.

Tongue Omolyoid muscle Larynx

Diaphragm Lung

Psoas major & minor

Heart (in pericardium)

Diaphragmatic crura

Pectineus

Adductor longus

Adductor hiatus

Figure 7: Deep Front Line Finally, this strange sea creature is actually a dissection of your core - or Deep Front Line, as we term it. The deep posterior compartment, with its three ten- dons to the toes and foot, is the power section, and this connects directly via the popliteus and the back of the knee capsule to the adductors. The adductors are a large muscle group, flanked by strong fascial intermuscular septa, which connect seamlessly to the psoas complex (psoas, iliacus, pectineus, and the quadratus lumborum).

The psoas and quadratus connect seamlessly to the diaphragm (remember, there are no bones in this specimen), so that tugs we put on either of these muscles put visible strain immediately in the diaphragm. The diaphragm is intimately attached to the pericardium of the heart, which then passes up with the throat and voicebox, on up to that final, important, most forward muscle of the core, the tongue.

This striking creature lives within you, and includes - though not pictured here, your transversus abdominus and your pelvic floor.

This second question asks what exactly is the nature and extent of communication along these lines? Are they communicating biome- chanically, along the fascial fabric? Are they communicating elec- tronically, along the fascial membranes? Or are they simply commu- nicating neurologically, to the muscles involved? We suspect that the answer is: all three and maybe more. Further research, howev- er, is necessary to determine the answer to this intriguing and fun- damental question.

We hope to move in this direction by doing a fresh-tissue dissec- tion within this next year. We also hope that some of the commu- nication questions will be elucidated at the first international Fascial Research Conference, to be held in Boston Mass, USA in October of 2007 (http://www.fascia2007.com). For more informa- tion visit our revamped website www.AnatomyTrains.net and look

18 Popliteus

Deep posterior compartment

Quadratus plantae

Posterior knee capsule

Iliacus Quadratus

Medial intermuscular septum

lumborum

Tibialis posterior

Flexor digitorum longus

Flexor hallucis longus

Figure 7

out for the 2nd edition of the Anatomy Trains book due out in 2008.

THE AUTHOR Tom Myers studied with Ida Rolf, Moshe Feldenkrais, and Buckminster Fuller, and has practiced integrative bodywork in variety of clinical settings. He is author of the world-renowned Anatomy Trains concept and lectures all over the world to a vari- ety of manual and movement-based professions.

SPECIAL OFFER ON ANATOMY TRAINS DVD-ROM Produced by Tom Myers and Primal Pictures, this is an exciting 3D exploration of the myofascial continuities of the body. Buy this DVD for just £99, giving you £59 off this unique DVD by quoting ‘sportEX Matrix’ - see the inside back cover for order details.

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