Re: Upper Neck Muscles influence Hamstring Length?

[Guest guest]

An anonymous reply:

<Could it be that suboccipital muscles and hamstrings are influencing one

another via the posterior

fascia of the body? I think this is what most rolfers/structural integrators

would say.

Just a thought.>

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----------

From: Shanahan

Someone passed the following article on to me. I thought that list

members may like to comment on it.

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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 muscle 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 hip-joint 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 lenthen 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.

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

-------------------------------------

ABSTRACTS from:

Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapies, September 1997;

20:443-447.

http://www.national.chiropractic.edu/jmpt/abstracts.html

A Study of Two Stretching Techniques for Improving Hip Flexion Range of

Motion

Henry Pollard and Graham Ward

Objectives: To compare the effectiveness of a spinal (suboccipital)

stretching technique to a peripheral stretching technique.

Design: Clinical cohort study.

Setting: Macquarie University Centre for Chiropractic Outpatient Clinic.

Method: A reliable hand-held dynamometer was used to determine the end point

of range of motion (ROM) before and after the application of a treatment.

Three groups of subjects were treated: cervical stretch, hip stretch, and

sham/placebo. ROM of the hip in flexion (straight leg raise) was used as the

independent variable.

Sample: Sixty randomly allocated university students aged between 18 and 35

yrs.

Results: The two stretching treatments resulted in increased flexion range

of motion ROM at the hip. Statistical analysis revealed that only the

sub-occipital stretching procedure increased hip flexion ROM significantly.

Conclusion: Manual therapy of the neck may have a role to play in the

treatment of extraspinal, lower-limb musculoskeletal conditions.

---------

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[Guest guest]

Perhaps this is why it is called the posterior chain. Stretching one

end transfers the stretch to the whole chain all the way to the

ends.The flexibility of which plays a role to the flexibility of the

whole chain and thus the parts of it.

It would be interesting to see whether stretching the gastrocnemius

muscles (the opposite end of the chain) could have a similar effect

on hamstring flexibility.

Agapios Makrys

Athens

Greece

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[Guest guest]

Perhaps this is why it is called the posterior chain. Stretching one

end transfers the stretch to the whole chain all the way to the

ends.The flexibility of which plays a role to the flexibility of the

whole chain and thus the parts of it.

It would be interesting to see whether stretching the gastrocnemius

muscles (the opposite end of the chain) could have a similar effect

on hamstring flexibility.

Agapios Makrys

Athens

Greece

* Please don't forget to sign all letters with your full name and

city of residence if you wish your letters to be published *

[Guest guest]

It was written:

>Perhaps this is why it is called the posterior chain. Stretching one

>end transfers the stretch to the whole chain all the way to the

>ends. The flexibility of which plays a role to the flexibility of the

>whole chain and thus the parts of it.

I think you're on the right track, but I wonder what you think this track

consists of. Sunderland pointed out years ago that ventroflexion of the

cervical spine (tucking in the chin) produced a visible migration

cephalically of the sacral nerve roots. This demonstrates quite well the

intimate mechanical connection through the nervous tissue from one end to

the other, to say nothing of the electrical and chemical connections. In

addition, the tissue is homogenous, not continuously changing with respect

to its pliability as is connective tissue, of which the fascia is merely a

part.

Beyond this, we might consider exactly why the upper cervical musculature

is held unconsciously in a shortened state and formulate a treatment plan

that takes that reason into account.

Barrett L. Dorko, P.T.

Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio

<http://barrettdorko.com>

Also <http://rehabedge.com>

* Don't forget to sign all letters with full name and city of residence if you

wish them to be published! *

[Guest guest]

It was written:

>Perhaps this is why it is called the posterior chain. Stretching one

>end transfers the stretch to the whole chain all the way to the

>ends. The flexibility of which plays a role to the flexibility of the

>whole chain and thus the parts of it.

I think you're on the right track, but I wonder what you think this track

consists of. Sunderland pointed out years ago that ventroflexion of the

cervical spine (tucking in the chin) produced a visible migration

cephalically of the sacral nerve roots. This demonstrates quite well the

intimate mechanical connection through the nervous tissue from one end to

the other, to say nothing of the electrical and chemical connections. In

addition, the tissue is homogenous, not continuously changing with respect

to its pliability as is connective tissue, of which the fascia is merely a

part.

Beyond this, we might consider exactly why the upper cervical musculature

is held unconsciously in a shortened state and formulate a treatment plan

that takes that reason into account.

Barrett L. Dorko, P.T.

Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio

<http://barrettdorko.com>

Also <http://rehabedge.com>

* Don't forget to sign all letters with full name and city of residence if you

wish them to be published! *

[Guest guest]

It has been a while since I last posted to the site although I still

keep up to date with it. However, this subject caught my attention.

The importance of the sub-occiptals and their influence on movement

and bodily functions has been recognised for some time. F.M.

wrote the following during his investigations back in the

late 1890s. He coined the phrase `primary control' to describe what

he believed was a vital co-ordinating factor in bodily functioning.

" I discovered that a certain use of the head in relation to the neck,

and of the head and neck in relation to the torso and other parts of

the organism, if consciously and continuously employed, ensures, as

was shown in my own case, the establishment of a manner of use of the

self as a whole which provides the best conditions for raising the

standard of the functioning of the various mechanisms, organs, and

systems. I found that in practice this use of the parts, beginning

with the use of the head in relation to the neck, constituted a

primary control of the mechanisms as a whole, involving control in

process right through the organism, and that when I interfered with

the employment of the primary control of my manner of use this was

always associated with a lowering of the standard of my general

functioning. "

In the 1920s Rudolph Magnus observed what he called a `Central

Control' mechanism in animals that involved neck musculature. He did

look at humans but found it difficult to find due to the higher

degree of cortical control/ interference.

I have a paper somewhere in my archives by a Japanese professor call

Fukuda looking at the influence of the tonic neck reflexes in

sporting activities. Written in the 1950s it contains a number of

photos of athletes displaying the asymmetric tonic neck reflex

(ATNR). This is a primitive reflex that is thought to disappear

during the first year of life, however Fukuda argues that they remain

latent and ready to assist in balance and movement. For example, a

picture of a baseball player leaping high to catch a ball show the

ATNR position, that is, the occiput limbs are flexed whilst the limbs

on the opposite side are extended. Fukuda quotes Magnus's research

and suggests that these latent reflexes may emerge if the movements

are automatic. In the case of the baseball player he is only thinking

of catching the ball and does not need to consciously organise his

limbs to ensure optimum balance. Fukuda also includes examples of

martial artists, gymnasts and tennis players performing well

practised manoeuvres exhibiting tonic neck reflex positions.

Dart also referred to the obvious importance the highly

sensitive sub occipital group of muscles stating the fact they have a

high concentration of muscle spindles alludes to their importance to

the body.

Roy Palmer

Bedford

UK

[Guest guest]

It has been a while since I last posted to the site although I still

keep up to date with it. However, this subject caught my attention.

The importance of the sub-occiptals and their influence on movement

and bodily functions has been recognised for some time. F.M.

wrote the following during his investigations back in the

late 1890s. He coined the phrase `primary control' to describe what

he believed was a vital co-ordinating factor in bodily functioning.

" I discovered that a certain use of the head in relation to the neck,

and of the head and neck in relation to the torso and other parts of

the organism, if consciously and continuously employed, ensures, as

was shown in my own case, the establishment of a manner of use of the

self as a whole which provides the best conditions for raising the

standard of the functioning of the various mechanisms, organs, and

systems. I found that in practice this use of the parts, beginning

with the use of the head in relation to the neck, constituted a

primary control of the mechanisms as a whole, involving control in

process right through the organism, and that when I interfered with

the employment of the primary control of my manner of use this was

always associated with a lowering of the standard of my general

functioning. "

In the 1920s Rudolph Magnus observed what he called a `Central

Control' mechanism in animals that involved neck musculature. He did

look at humans but found it difficult to find due to the higher

degree of cortical control/ interference.

I have a paper somewhere in my archives by a Japanese professor call

Fukuda looking at the influence of the tonic neck reflexes in

sporting activities. Written in the 1950s it contains a number of

photos of athletes displaying the asymmetric tonic neck reflex

(ATNR). This is a primitive reflex that is thought to disappear

during the first year of life, however Fukuda argues that they remain

latent and ready to assist in balance and movement. For example, a

picture of a baseball player leaping high to catch a ball show the

ATNR position, that is, the occiput limbs are flexed whilst the limbs

on the opposite side are extended. Fukuda quotes Magnus's research

and suggests that these latent reflexes may emerge if the movements

are automatic. In the case of the baseball player he is only thinking

of catching the ball and does not need to consciously organise his

limbs to ensure optimum balance. Fukuda also includes examples of

martial artists, gymnasts and tennis players performing well

practised manoeuvres exhibiting tonic neck reflex positions.

Dart also referred to the obvious importance the highly

sensitive sub occipital group of muscles stating the fact they have a

high concentration of muscle spindles alludes to their importance to

the body.

Roy Palmer

Bedford

UK