WHAT’S WRONG WITH DUMBING DOWN ANATOMY?

What's Wrong
With Dumbing Down
Anatomy?
Dr. Brian Abelson DC.
Kinetic Health Calgary - Motion Specific Release
Copyright 2017 - All Rights Reserved
kinetichealth@shaw.ca
403-241-3772

Dr. Brian J. Abelson DC
403-241-3772 | kinetichealth@shaw.ca
WHAT’S WRONG WITH DUMBING
DOWN ANATOMY
The human body is an incredible, living, adaptive, selfcommunicating,
always evolving machine that surpasses even our
most advanced technological wonders. Unfortunately, this is not
how standard anatomy classes are taught. With in the medical
educational system we are taught more about separate parts rather
than totally integrated systems. Essentially we tend to
compartmentalize everything as if they were somehow not part of a
complete system. Essentially our education system "Dumbs Down"
the human body to make it easier to teach students.
My specialization is the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions. Over
20 years ago when I first began my practice, I also looked at the body
from this very limited perspective. Fortunately for my patients, my
perspective has changed radically.
You could say that three fundamental areas of knowledge have given
me a personal epiphany on how our entire body works as one
synergetic interconnected system. These are the myofascial system, the
body's kinetic web, and the concept of tensegrity.
About The Myofascial System
[Type 403-241-3772 your address] [Type Kinetic your Health phone #34 number] Edgedale [Type Drive your NW, e-mail Calgary, address] Alberta, Canada
BRIAN ABELSON
The prefix 'Myo’' refers to muscle, whereas ‘fascia’ refers to the
connective tissue that permeates the entire human body. Fascia is
everywhere in the body, weaving through, and connecting every
component of the body. Fascia forms a seamless web of connective
tissue, which connects, holds, and infuses the tendons, organs,
muscles, tissues, and skeletal structures.
To get a better understanding of how interconnected we really are, it is
essential that we first understand the significance of fascia. New
discoveries over the last few decades have shown that fascia plays a
very important role beyond that of simply serving as a packing material
around muscles and organs. Fascia is intimately involved in controlling
both the movement patterns and the neurological control mechanisms
of the entire body. It is an integral component of a body-wide signalling
system. Interestingly, it has been shown that fascia is full of

neurological receptors (even more so than muscle tissue). This is rather
astounding, especially when of realizes that most physicians do not
consider how fascia plays such a key role.
Consider the image to the right, this is a dissection of the elbow
(proximal lateral elbow region). What makes this dissection unique is
that the muscles are dissected away from the body instead of the
fascia. The strands you see show the convergence of this connective
tissue to link all the structures surrounding the lateral elbow (lateral
epicondlye). This is a great example of how convergence of multiple
strands of connective tissue can form a interconnected functional
matrix. If we did the same type of dissection technique in other areas
of the body (shoulders, hips, knees etc.) we would discover a very
similar pattern. Multiple stands of connective tissue, in complete
continuity, with no visible separation from each other.
Text book anatomy looks nothing like this. The anatomist's scalpel has
removed all the fascia leaving the impression of individual muscles, all
by themselves, each performing their own separate actions. Standard
anatomy is actaully an anatomical fantasy, and a rather dumbed-down
one at that!
Image from "The Architecture of the Connective Tissue in the Musculoskeletal System—
An Often Overlooked Functional Parameter as to Proprioception in the Locomotor

Apparatus - Jaap van der Wal, MD, PhD University Maastricht, Faculty of Health, Medicine
and Life Sciences, Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Maastricht, Netherlands
Muscle Contraction - How Things Really Work
Standard texts for anatomy and biomechanics teach us that motion is
created by the contraction of muscles. These muscles have tendons at
each end that insert directly into bone. When a muscle contracts, the
two ends of the muscle (origin and insertion) are pulled towards each
other to create motion.
Although this description is quite true, it is also a reductionist
perspective about what is really happening in the body. Let me explain
how an understanding of fascia can help us develop a new, more
holistic perspective about how the body performs its actions. This will
give us a better understanding about why looking at the bigger
anatomical picture can help us to better resolve many complex
musculoskeletal conditions.
First, consider the fact that the muscle fibers actually originate from,
and insert into, both the surrounding fascial fibers as well as the bone.
These fascial fibers, in turn, insert into multiple regions of other bones,
and even into other adjacent muscles. These additional points of
contact provide muscles the ability to generate force in multiple
directions (a three-dimensional model of movement).
Learning about these multiple points of fascial attachment – all working
across three-dimensions – completely changed my understanding of
the biomechanics of muscle action, and also provides me with a much
more functional understanding of muscle contraction. Now, when I look
at, and analyze muscle contraction, I realize that only certain sections of
the muscle contract to perform an action (not the entire muscle).
In actuality, groups of muscles usually work together as functional units
to execute any action. For example, some muscles may act as the
primary movers (agonists) to perform an action, while other muscles act
as antagonists; while yet others act as synergists and others as
stabilizers. In all these activities fascia is the key component that allows
these muscles to work together as functional units by aiding in
coordinating their actions across multiple joints.
Depending on the degree of motion, and the amount of force that is
needed, each muscle will then contract very specific areas of the
muscle, rather than the entire muscle. These very specific motions are
largely coordinated by the neurological receptors embedded in the
fascia, and are not controlled by the brain alone.

The Kinetic Web
Your body is made up of a remarkable series of kinetically linked
systems which, when working efficiently, store and release impressive
amounts of energy without injury!
Essentially, each body acts as a single large three-dimensional Kinetic
Web, in which force or tension from one area directly affects multiple
structures in both localized areas, and structures far from the site of
tension.
The Kinetic Web can be thought of as a linked series of kinetic chains.
Each kinetic chain is made up of individual links (the various
components of your musculoskeletal system, nervous system, and
cardiovascular system) which are connected to each other to form a
three-dimensional Kinetic Web. When you have changes in one area of
your body, there will be cascading effects throughout the entire body,
and thus multiple structures in your kinetic web will be affected.
Any weak link in this chain not only generates its own set of problems,
but also creates problems and compensations somewhere else in the
body. For example, when a structure in your hip, groin, or pelvis is
injured or restricted, it becomes unable to effectively perform its normal
functions such as walking, climbing up stairs, or even being intimate
with your significant other.
Kinetic Lines
Kinetic Lines (whole body fascial interconnections) are actual physical
structures that have been mapped out and dissected. These are actual
physical structures that connect our bodies together. Researchers and
clinicians such as Thomas Myers (Anatomy Trains), Luigi, Carla and
Antonio Stecco (Fascial Manipulation) have spent decades researching
these interconnections.
Think of these Kinetic Lines as vectors for force transmission, they are
not only connections, but are also a continuous line of tension. In the
case of Thomas Myers, he has mapped out seven primary lines of
fascial connection throughout the body. These are the:
• Superficial Back Line (SBL).
• Superficial Front Line (SFL).
• Lateral Line (LL).

• Spiral Line (SL).
• Arm Lines.
• Functional Lines.
• Deep Front Line (DFL).
Other researches have mapped out slightly different connections, but
the general concepts remain very similar. For example let us consider
the Superficial Back Line (SBL).
Tensegrity – Tension Plus Integrity
A key concept in understanding your body as an interconnected kinetic
web is known as ‘Tensegrity’. Tensegrity is a structural principle that
describes the integrity of a structure based on the balance of tensional
forces rather than just its compressive nature.
First a little history; the term 'Tensegrity' was made popular in the
1960’s by a neo-futuristic architect by the name of Richard
Buckminister “Bucky” Fuller (1895-1983). Fuller came up with this term
when examining the highly creative sculptures of Kenneth Snelson.
Snelson’s sculptural works are composed of both flexible and rigid
components. Snelson uses the term ‘floating compression’ instead of
‘tensegrity’ to describe his sculptures.
The geodesic dome is a superb example of an architectural structure
that uses the concepts of tensegrity. Due to its structure, the geodesic
dome is an incredibly stable building due to all the pressure being
distributed throughout the entire framework. I remember my sense of
awe and wonder when I saw my first geodesic dome as a child at the
1967 World's Fair in Montreal (The Biosphere). Even then, I and many
other, knew that we were looking at something special!
With regards to how tensegrity relates to the human body, I will refer to
an analogy used by Thomas Myers of Anatomy Trains. Standard
anatomical perspectives teach that our skeleton provides a strong
stable framework to support the array of soft tissue structures that are
attach to it. This is a concept of ‘continuous compression’ in which the
osseous structure of the body provides structural integrity.
This is the same concept we use when building skyscrapers, where
each layer of the building provides support for the next layer, and is
built on a strong base of stability (a Linear Model). The problem when
applying this concept to our human body is that this is a static model
(not reality). Yes “continuous compression” works well in building
construction, but not so well in explaining the structural integrity of
dynamic human bodies that are in continual motion.

Think about this, without the muscles, ligaments, tendons, and
connective tissue, the framework (our skeleton) would simply collapse.
Thomas Meyers uses the analogy of a sailboat to describe this
concept. He compares the mast of the boat to our skeletal system and
its rigging to our myofascial system. When the wind catches the sail of
a boat it directs an incredible force into the mast, yet the mast does not
come toppling down because of the tensional balance of its rigging.
When one side of the rigging becomes tight and contracted, while the
rigging on the other side of the boat becomes loose and movable. That
is, until the wind changes and the sail is then pushing in another
direction which requires the line of tension to shift to the other side.
This describes a dynamic system where a rigid structure (the mast) can
take on dynamic qualities because of it tensional system (its rigging).
In the same way, our skeletal system maintains its integrity due to the
balance of tensional forces provided by our myofascial system. We can
run, jump, move, take our bodies into a thousand contorted positions,
and return to a state of balance all because of this concept of
tensegrity.
Tensegrity and Injury Resolution
The greatest thing about understanding how our body is totally
connected is the how this information helps resolve even some of the
most chronic injuries. Consider this analogy.
Consider how a soft pliable ball reacts to compressive forces. An
interesting thing occurs when we take a ball that is about seven inches
in diameter (like the ones we use for myofascial release of the
abdomen), and compress it with our hands.
When we grasp the ball and squeeze hard, the area that we are
squeezing contracts while the rest of the ball expands. If we then take
some type of mechanical device and squeeze even harder until the ball
bursts, we would find the area of rupture in the ball is the weakest part
of the material. Interestingly, the point of rupture is often located far
from the point of applied force.
The same thing occurs in the human body. Previous injuries, muscle
imbalances, lack of exercise, mental stress (anxiety), poor nutrition, and
a host of other problems all create weak links in your body’s kinetic
chain. These are areas where the body is most susceptible to injury.
When increased stress is applied to the body, the entire body tries to
compensate. If the weakest link cannot withstand this additional
stress, then an injury occurs at that link.

This tells us that we not only have to consider where the body has
developed weak links, but we also have to consider the nonsymptomatic
areas that are creating this increased stress. Often, these
are areas where the patient is not even aware that there is any problem.
The Critical Key
Tensegrity is the key to resolving most chronic musculoskeletal injuries.
We must “Look local and Look global”. If there is a problem, we must
address both local and global areas. Treatments that only address the
symptomatic region (the area of pain) are really an equation for failure.
Bottom line, we are so much more than what appears on the two
dimensional pages of an anatomy text (the dumbed-down version). We
are complex three-dimensional beings that work as one synergistic
organism. Recognizing this gives us the path to true healing, ignoring
this leads us down the path to ongoing dysfunction.
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