We’ve talked about the superficial lines in our previous blog and in this article we will move onto the lines that affect rotational movement. These are still superficial lines and they provide support for movement and basic postural adaptions, but perhaps their more primary function is to enable the all important rotational aspect of movement which is so important to us as a biped. We twist and work contralaterally (opposing side) with so many of our basic movements that these lines are vital to ensuring we move well.
Lateral Line - this line criss crosses along the lateral body running from the base fo the foot and moving laterally along the ankle and tibia and the all important ITB. At the hip it takes on a criss-cross pattern that travels along the lateral side of the body, under the armpit and up into the mastoid process and occipital ridge on the side of the skull. Its primary function is to assist with lateral stability and stabilising opposing forces in rotating and flexion of the alternate side body. For example, tightness along the ITB which is a common complaint can create limitations in the movement of the hip which then transfers to the lower back. This line also balances our posture from Left to Right and works to transmit forces that are transferred through the other superficial lines (anterior/posterior) and helps to co-ordinate these forces. It very much acts as mesh pattern that encases the whole side body and helps to stabilise the torso and reinforce rotational movements involved in walking and running.
Spiral Line - this important (and decidedly pretty) line starts at the side of the skull and envelopes the torso in a circular fashion, wrapping from its origin to the opposite shoulder and ribs, weaving back around the abdomen to the front of the hip, down the anterior fibres of the ITB to the outside of the knee, inside the ankle and under the foot to then come back up the hamstrings and up to the skull via the erector spinae group. PHEW. It’s like a caressing pair of hands that crosses ALL PLANES OF MOVEMENT so it is a very important and vital line to understand. Traversing both superficial and deep fascia it really does stabilise us in complex combinations of movement such as foot to pelvis and positions of the knee in flexion. Issues in this complex line can lead to pelvic imbalances that affect the knee and ankle in gait. It’s also involved in issues such as head tilting, shoulder and rib imbalances and associated rotations in relation to the pelvis. As it is so convoluted and complex and traverses so many lines and groups of muscles it does have a great impact on biomechanical forces such as jumping off one foot, rotational pulling or pushing, throwing… pretty much all movements.
Perhaps the most important aspect of the Lateral Line in biomechanics is it’s limiting affect on adverse rotational movement of the trunk. This factor alone is vital for when we are trying to limit excessive rotations in our movement patterns. Take sprinting for example, and remember being told by the coach to keep your head still and your arms pulling along in a line with elbows straight backwards in the stride. This was to maintain the most efficient technique to maximise output of the body in a forward direction. If we throw excessive rotation into this highly powerful movement, much of the energy expended in propelling the body forward could be lost as excessive movement lateally would dissipate the forward motion of the body.
This is a very simplistic example but may help to give a basic understanding of how important the Lateral line is ensuring the stability of the body in motion. The same goes for swimming, excessive rotation and undulation in the body in the water creates drag which effectively decreases your speed. The example holds true in both cases that the Lateral Fascial line is vital for minimising unwanted movement and stabilising the moving sections of the body.
In movement the Spiral line helps to keep the trunk stable. It also prevents the leg from rotating medially in flexion and this is most important for any running activity. The runners gait is that wonderful elusive grail of perfection. A beautiful stride is what most runners aspire to and you can hear the sighs of heavenly adoration when you watch a person who has an ambulating ease of motion in a running stride. In this way, the lower part of the spiral line connects the hip to the arch of the foot. Any issue with foot gait or impact or that rolling pendulum that we come to rely on as our lateral foot rolls through a stretch reflex motion can be linked directly to an anterior tilt of the pelvis via the spiral line. A bad longtitudinal arch of the foot links directly to an anterior tilt of the pelvis according to the spiral line and this in turn can create a shortening of the hamstrings and issues in this area.
Another area to consider in the Spiral Line is the rib cage muscles. The intercostals and serratus muscles that help us to breathe and indeed take deep breaths when we are in need. These muscles directly link to the opposing hip via the spiral line and issues here can also illicit reactions in the anterior hip which can then in turn create all sorts of problems with the leg chain via the ITB and Tibialis Anterior. If you follow the line of the Spiral Line you can begin to see how these muscles directly relate to tension and rotation. It is also very prominent in a rowers stroke. With the spiral line running across the abdomen you can see a direct rotational relationship to a rowers L ribcage and R pelvis via the spiral line when they are involved in a stroke. A shortening here in the ribs can result in a displacement of rib alignment and internal rotation fo the pelvis.
Whilst these rotational lines are superficial, they also traverse the deep fascia and go beyond the superficial soft tissues of the body. They begin to lead us toward the deep lines of the body which we will discuss in the next section of this series.
