Presents“Important things nobody is telling us...”Gary Ward“Breaking the Mould of Human Anatomical understanding”www.anatomyinmotion.co.ukFOllow us on Facebook and Twitter

IntroductionNeutral nonsenseThe ‘Centres of the body’Joint centreMuscle centreCentre of massCentre of gravity / base of supportCentre of pressureCentre dictates all motion, all compensation and all injuryCentre responds to external influences on the body

Neutral nonsense

The ‘Centres of the body’

Joint centre

Muscle centre

Centre of mass

Centre of gravity / base of support

Centre of pressure

Centre dictates all motion, all compensation and all injury

Centre responds to external influences on the body

NeutralA) The concept of neutral.... Is nonsenseWhen we are considering the body in motionB) Neutral is a static conceptWe can stand in neutral – we can’t move in neutralC) We have to move away from neutral to even consider taking a stepD) Motion is the journey through neutralNeutral is purely a centre point between extreme ranges of motion

The Centre PointConsider neutral at the following structuresThe foot The pelvic girdle The spine The shoulder girdle When each structure is in neutral – the body holds perfect posture.Postural anomalies exist away from neutral

CervicalRibcagePelvisSTJJoint CentresEach joint moves in three planes of motion: in 3DSagittal, Frontal and TransverseJoint centres enable the full range of motion to be experienced on both sides of centreIt’s like a see sawIf this was a scoliotic spine – neutral would be impossible without height adjusters in the heelJoints always have a centre – even if it’s away from neutral

Cervical

Ribcage

Pelvis

STJ

Muscle CentreMuscle output and muscle length are both dictated by joint range of motionLess or more ROM at a joint affects muscle function negativelyMuscle function is optimised by the joints potential for passing through centreLong and short muscles affect the body’s ability to return to centre and limit the body’s potential for optimum output

Centre of MassBiomechanics in Clinic and Research; Jim Richards; 2008A) The centre of mass of the body is the point where all of the mass can be considered to actB) The Body’s centre of mass lies approx 1” to 2” below the naval & roughly at L4/L5C) It is the average point of mass / the sum of all joint and muscle centresD) Perfect neutral = perfect C of M = perfect postureE) Perfect Centre = ability to move away from and return to centre at all joints

Centre of Gravity & Base of SupportA) Base of Support (B of S) is the area that covers the surface on which we stand inside of which the Centre of Gravity liesB) Our centre of gravity (C of G) sits inside the base of support (ideally in the centre) between the two standing feetC) As we stand on one leg, the C of G shifts in a stable foot to the centre point of the standing footD) On one leg – B of S is the area around one footE) Static and dynamic balance is achieved when C of M moves over a stable B of SF) When the C of M moves outside the B of S: we fall over unless we can react

Interaction of C of M, B of S & C of GHere the pronating right foot drives the C of M awayThe net result is that both feet are ‘off-centre’ , mobilising the C of M and affecting change in the whole skeletal posture of the body Feedback from the feet is crucial to C of M alignment, Joint ROM and consequently Muscle length tension relationships

Centre of PressureA) The centre of pressure is the mean average contact point on the sole of the foot as the foot passes from heel strike to toe off. B) The Centre of pressure tracks the position of the body’s centre of mass and therefore has an impact on the whole joint and muscle system as it orbits perfectly around the centre of mass to maintain a stable and efficient systemC) The C of P gives us an accurate determination of joint motion in the gait cycle as informed by the feet

So what...?#1:Centre of Pressure shifts the Centre of Gravity#2: Centre of Gravity lies directly beneath C of M suggesting this too is mobilised#3: All joints orbit around the C of M at all times#4: All muscles respond to joint motionLet’s take a closer look

Let’s take a closer look

We are unstable – thankfullyLeft and bottom right:Base of Support on single legLies directly under C of MTop right:Base of support in standingLies directly under C of MCan you experience that?

Human Beings can’t stand still!!!Our inherent unstable environment60% above the waist40% belowSuggests instabilityWithout an auto-supporting internal system; we would spend most of the time on our arse... And I don’t mean in a chair!If space: stand on one leg and experience it

InstabilityThe key to understanding Motion anatomy is trusting & knowing INSTABILITYInstability mobilises our C of MInstability creates a ‘wobble’ or movement in all jointsAs the C of M moves away from our natural centre what stops the human body from falling over?Muscles learn to react and control this ‘wobble’Muscles are responsible for managing the joint system and returning the body to centre

The Flip SideAnatomy in Motion’s rule of thumb:JOINTS ACT... MUSCLES REACT...In motion...This defines the eccentric model of anatomy

A new tool?There are TWO sides to EVERY storyAnatomy is no differentEccentric motion and concentric motionStabilise and mobiliseStatic and dynamicWe live in a world of polar opposites – black, white and shades of grey in between

Eccentric MotionA)Joints Act... Muscles ReactB)Lengthening muscles & 3dSling systems/contractile chainsC)Dynamic – whole bodyD) Mobility  stabilityEccentric motion is experienced by the body in motion – muscles and joints operate in this way and the gait cycle feeds the whole body with information

Concentric MotionA)Muscles Act... Joints reactB)Shortening muscles (bicep curl)C)Isolated – muscle groupsD) Stabilitylimiting mobilityConcentric activation has no impact on C of M – communicates zero to the joint system -and thus leads to the poor posture we can associate with weight lifting

What are we observing?A )The interaction between our external environment and our internal environment.B)Internally joints and muscles react to each other’s stimulus YET both ultimately are reactors.C)They react to the world around us, to gravity, the ground and momentum The Centre’s of Mass, Pressure & Gravity are all relative to actionoutside of the human body. They react to external stimuli

A bit of energy biomechanicsShock, Vibration & Energy (measured in frequency waves) pass through the body and are largely responsible for the postural structure we hold.Our musculo-skeletal system is designed specifically to absorb this vibration otherwise known as shockUltimately we are observing the body’s ability to record & measure VIBRATIONThe feet communicate the requirement of the rest of the body to the subconscious brain when we are in motion

Let the Feet do the talking!A)The feet measure and record vibration in the bodyB)The feet are the only part of the body in contact with the outside world when in motion (except crawling or sniping – though these too are eccentric motions: they just have a different C of P!)C)The Centre of pressure plots a specific path through the feet during gait that dictates our whole movementD) Our feet communicate our position in space and time to the subconscious areas of our brain responsible for our movement patterns

Let the Feet do the talking!Our Feet give FEEDBACK, Our Feet COMMUNICATE, Our Feet TALK to us...... If we let them Let’s find out how?

Static stanceOn two legs my feet dictate the position of my C of MIf one foot pronates more than the other, the C of M will shift away from the pronating foot – TRY ITThat small pronation equates to a large amount of whole body motion in various planes of motion. The motion of the C of M demands a response from every other joint. Thus , a small amount of pronation creates a whole body response

Dynamic – InMOTION (gait)A) In the same way a small amount of excessive pronation in gait will create a whole body response. B) Different on one side to the other? (highly likely)C) This imbalance is far greater than a muscle imbalance . This is a whole body split. D) Each leg will react differently to the ground and require a different response from the whole body for each stepThis easily leads to compensation, injury, pain & reduced potential

JointsAs discussedA) Joints move in three planes of motion(sagittal, Frontal & transverse)B) Joints have perceived range of motion (ROM) dependant on their awareness of ‘centre’C) ROM is fully available when the joint is perfectly alignedD) ROM is reduced when centre is compromised

MusclesA) Muscles attach to bones and pass over jointsB) In the Eccentric model where joints act and muscles react:Joint range inhibits potential muscle lengthNOT THE OTHER WAY AROUNDC) In the Concentric model where muscles act and joints react:Muscle length tension affects the joints

CorrectionThis means:A) We can stretch muscles to get range at a joint (concentric model)ORB) Mobilise joints to stretch the muscles (eccentric model)

Our subconscious habitsScenario (B) takes into account and mobilises the C of M and all joints involved while (A) simply stretches a muscle for short term gain What now happens to the stretched muscle when we get back on our feet?Old habits die hard: The unaltered gait pattern of the feet dictate the C of M, the surrounding joints and consequently the muscles tooAs it reverts back to it’s “in motion” length You’ll need to stretch it again and again and again...This, ironically, is exactly what we do....

ConclusionA) The C of M moves as we move, the C of G followsB) The C of P is relative to the foot’s ability to move through centreC) Pronation and supination for example sit either side of the foot’s centre – both being vital for effective human motionD) Thus the feet dictate the overall position of the centre of massE) The feet have been tracked through the myofascia and are proven to be connected to the whole body & all joints  All joints orbit around the C of MWhen was the last time you exercised  your feet?Your clients feet? Or more importantly taught feet to subconsciously find centre?Mobilising joints gives an extra dimension to your training programmes and results potential

IncidentallyThe next time someone suggests that the hips dictate the potential of all joints in the body or describes the feet as ‘slave joints’... ...have an open mind and remember there are always two sides to every story... An alternative to consider...AiM teaches 3d stretching, 3d Anatomy and the full ‘FINDING CENTRE’ course“...QUOTE LECTURE TITLE WHEN BOOKING BEFORE END OCTOBER FOR A 10% discount...”For more information visit www.anatomyinmotion.org