Soft Tissue Therapy for Nerve Entrapments

Free Course with Every Purchase

Currency

Language

 

Simeon Asher demonstrates techniques for improving mobilization of the spine

 

Learn More

 

Poor posture is a powerful “activator and perpetuator” of myofascial trigger points

Poor posture is a powerful “activator and perpetuator” of myofascial trigger points (Simons et al. 1998) and is always worth considering in chronic trigger point syndromes.

Postural muscles tend to have a greater percentage of type 1 fibers. This characteristic may lead to a more resistant type of trigger point.

Human beings are four-limbed animals, and like our cousins, we are designed to move around and hunt for food. We are sure that if we put a gorilla in a chair all day, he'd develop a bad back!

In both the developed world and the developing nations, many occupations involve prolonged sitting, often at a computer screen.

In evolutionary terms, this form of daily posture is relatively new.

 

 

"Postural muscles tend to have a greater percentage of type 1 fibers. This characteristic may lead to a more resistant type of trigger point."

 

 

Postural Abnormalities

Whilst ergonomics is a booming industry, focusing on the interactions of people and their working environments, not all workplaces can afford to implement anything more than basic ergonomic interventions.

For many clients, long and monotonous days spent in front of a computer screen often lead to chronic and maladapted postures.

Where possible, it is essential to identify the postural abnormalities and how they impact the client's symptoms, and offer to remedy the situation via ergonomic advice, treatment, and/or exercise. 

The most common mechanical maladaptations are:

• Head-forward posture (upper crossed pattern, Janda)
• Round shoulders (upper crossed pattern, Janda)
• Head to one side—telephone posture
• Occupational/ergonomic stressors 
• Slouched standing (lower crossed pattern, Janda)
• Slouched sitting (e.g. computer screen/ ergonomics)
• Cross-legged sitting
• Habitual postures
• “Sway-back” posture (lower crossed pattern, Janda)
• Driving position
• Scoliosis
• Joint hypermobility
• Lifting/carrying

• Primary short lower extremity (PSLE)

Trigger Points

Trigger points are typically common in the following postural structures: upper trapezius, levator scapulae, sternocleidomastoids (SCM), erector spinae, musculoligamentous apparatus of the lumbar spine, gluteus medius, and gastrocnemius/soleus complex.

Postural Trigger Points and “Cross Patterns”

Osteopathic, chiropractic, and other physical therapeutic modalities have all observed “cross-patterned” relationships within the body, from upper to lower and left to right.

Janda (1996) recorded the two most common “crossover” postural strain patterns—upper and lower.

Myers (2001) has further explored and developed these observations in his seminal book Anatomy Trains.

These myofascial strain patterns have a profound effect on the pathogenesis and chronicity of trigger point development. Trigger points can be found throughout the muscles listed below.

Upper Crossed Pattern Syndrome

This can be observed in the “round-shouldered, chin-poking, slumped posture,” which also compromises normal breathing.

In such cases, pain is often reported in the neck, shoulder, chest, and thoracic spine (these areas are often restricted).

An oblique cross can be drawn through the glenohumeral joint, indicating the functional “crossover” changes in muscular relationships.

The main muscles in the upper cross pattern affected are shown in the illustration below.

 

Upper Crossed Pattern

Lower Crossed Pattern Syndrome

This can be observed in the “sway-back” posture, with weak abdominals and gluteals and over-tight erector spinae, quadratus lumborum, TFL, piriformis, and psoas major (see below).

 

Lower Crossed Pattern

 

Work Posture

Some clients may have manual or repetitive activities in the workplace and these may well have a role to play in trigger point pathogenesis or maintenance.

Many clients spend their time at work sitting. The illustration below shows an ideal sitting posture at work.

 

 

Postural Trigger Points

 

 

Habitual Activity, Hobbies, and Sports

Similarly, it is important to ask the client if they perform any repetitive or habitual activities apart from at work.

Standing all day for example, may well overload the TFL muscle. Sitting in a cross-legged position may affect a range of muscles, such as the hip flexors (iliopsoas), the buttock muscles (gluteals and piriformis), and the thigh muscles (quadriceps).

Certain hobbies and sports may also lead to an increased incidence of trigger point pathogenesis. It is important to enquire carefully about such activities.

What is the clients level of competence at their particular sport? Do they warm up, and cool down? How competitive are they? Is their level of activity realistic for their age/ Posture/Body type/Physical health.

You may want to explore these areas further. It is often useful to run through these activities and set the client certain activity goals to achieve in between treatment sessions.

 

Links

Find a Trigger Point Professional in your area

Excellence in Education Award 2017

Visit Online Store

NAT 5-Step Shoulder Technique

NAT Professional Courses

Certify as a Trigger Point Therapist

Trigger Point Therapy Tools and Accessories

Courses for Exercise Professionals

 

About NAT Courses

As a manual therapist or exercise professional, there is only one way to expand your business - education!

Learning more skills increases the services that you offer and provides more opportunity for specialization.

Every NAT course is designed to build on what you already know, to empower you to treat more clients and grow your practice, with a minimal investment in time and money.

Help Desk

  

About Niel Asher Education

Niel Asher Education is a leading provider of distance learning and continued education courses.

Established in the United Kingdom in 1999, we provide course and distance learning material for therapists and other healthcare professionals in over 40 countries.

Our courses are accredited by over 90 professional associations and national accreditation institutions including the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB). Full details of all international course accreditations can be found on our website.  

Printed course materials and other products offered on our websites are despatched worldwide from our 3 locations in the UK (London), USA (Pennsylvania) and Australia (Melbourne).

More About Us

 

NAMTPT AWARD 2017

We are honored to have received the 2017 "Excellence in Education" Award from the National Association of Myofascial Trigger Point Therapists.

Since 1999 Niel Asher Education has won numerous awards for education and in particular for education and services provided in the field of trigger point therapy.

Read Full Article 

 

Award Winning Instructors

Niel Asher Healthcare course instructors have won a host of prestigious awards including 2 lifetime achievement honorees - Stuart Hinds, Lifetime Achievement Honoree, AAMT, 2015, and Dr. Jonathan Kuttner, MD, Lifetime Achievement Honoree, NAMTPT, 2014.

Meet the Instructors

 

NAT Certification

If you are a qualified/licensed manual therapist or exercise/fitness professional you can expand your credentials with NAT certification.

In addition to national accreditation for continued education, each course that we offer includes "NAT Learning Credits". By taking and completing courses you can accumulate NAT credits to qualify for NAT certification.

There are currently 3 levels of NAT certification. Certifying NAT is a valuable way to show your clients that you take continued education seriously, and to promote your skills and qualifications.

About NAT Certification

 

Accreditation

NAT courses are accredited for continuing education by over 30 professional associations in North America, United Kingdom, Australia, and European Union countries. These include The National Academy of Sports Medicine, Physical Therapy Board of California, AAFA, National Certification Board for Manual Therapists and Bodyworkers, Sports Therapy Institute, and Myotherapy Australia.

See Full List

 

Niel Asher Technique

Since 1999 the Niel Asher Technique for treating trigger points has been adopted by over 100,000 therapists worldwide, and has been applied to the treatment of a number of common musculoskeletal injuries.

The Niel Asher Technique for treating frozen shoulder was first introduced and published in 1997 and has been widely adopted by therapists and exercise professionals working within elite sports and athletics.

Read More

 

International Students

Most of our courses are available as either "Printed" or 'Download" editions. When you purchase a download edition, you receive immediate lifetime access to all course material. Course texts can be downloaded and printed if required. 

When you purchase a "Printed" edition, you will also receive free access to the download edition.

We ship Worldwide from locations in the USA, UK, and Australia. Most items are despatched within 24 hours and shipping is FREE for all orders over US$50.

Shipping 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

This trigger point therapy blog is intended to be used for information purposes only and is not intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment or to substitute for a medical diagnosis and/or treatment rendered or prescribed by a physician or competent healthcare professional. This information is designed as educational material, but should not be taken as a recommendation for treatment of any particular person or patient. Always consult your physician if you think you need treatment or if you feel unwell. 

 

  

   

 

Learn More for Less

Get unlimited access to streaming education from just $19.95/mo.