 Human Silly PuttyBy Erik Dalton, Ph.D. The Freedom from Pain Institute  Although 'creep' is an engineering term, it also applies to human tissue - the lumbopelvis in particular. Spinal and sacroiliac ligaments, joint capsules, facet cartilages and especially intervertebral discs are viscoelastic and are somewhat similar to silly putty. Leave a ball of putty on a table overnight and by the next morning it's deformed into a flattened pancake. So be it with humans (Fig 1). We're taller in the morning than at bedtime, primarily due to disc and fascio-ligamentous deformation that occurs throughout the day. Of course, silly putty is much creepier than discs, fascia or ligaments but, in time, gravity will deform, and sometimes strain, all these materials. As ligamentous creep turns to strain, soft tissues are no longer able to prevent separation of bone and that's when our problems begin. Contrary to what many docs tell their patients, most low back and pelvic pain does not result from a single traumatic lifting, bending or sports injury, but rather from cumulative viscoelastic creep due to lack of rest between loading cycles. According to Bogduk and Twomey, “After prolonged strain, spinal ligaments, joint capsules, and IV discs of the lumbar spine may creep, and may be liable to injury if sudden forces are unexpectedly applied during the vulnerable recovery phase." Bottom Line: Once viscoelastic tissues are strained, they're less likely to return to their original length and, therefore, are more prone to future injury. I often scratch my head in wonder when reading research that dismisses the effects of gravitational exposure on human viscoelastic tissues. It is even more frustrating when scientists and clinicians discount the role distorted postural faults such as pronated feet, crooked SI joints, and forward heads play in commonly seen pain syndromes. Each-and-every day, the weight of gravity (14.7 pounds per square inch) pushes straight down on our bodies. These compressive forces should be equally distributed throughout the neuro-myo-skeletal system...but are they? Prolonged one legged standing (excessive weight bearing on one limb, i.e., performing bodywork) is an oft-overlooked culprit creating ligamentous creep that may be a precursor to more serious conditions like joint laxity, lumbopelvic instability, sprains, and osteoarthritis. To demonstrate the phenomena of creep, let's look at the myo-mechanics of a fairly common pain-generating disorder called iliosacral upslip or 'shear'.  What is an Upslip? In those presenting with true iliosacral upslips, joint apposition between the ilium and sacrum is altered, i.e., "the sacroiliac grooves ain't groovin" (Fig 2). Since these superior shears are more affected by gravity that other iliosacral dysfunctions, they have almost a zero chance of self correction. During history in-takes, clients often report the symptoms to be much more painful than expected from the injury they describe. In fact, many can't recall any precipitating event. Typically, when we see this upward shearing force of ilium on sacrum, the person's SI joints are lacking either form or force closure. In form closure, SI joint stability is dictated by a series of ridges and complimentary depressions that produce friction and help interlock the two bones (Fig 3). But synovial joints like a little movement (joint play), not only to provide spinal shock absorption, but also to enhance lower extremity torque conversions and transverse rotations that travel  up the kinetic chain and propel the body through space. Fortunately, Mother Nature has accommodated this functional demand by installing a back-up system researchers call force closure. Force closure stability is generated by contractive action of core musculo-fascial tissues such as the pelvic diaphragm, transverse abdominis, multifidus, and thoracolumbar fascia. Together, they provide a sophisticated neurologic feedback mechanism that reflexively interacts with the brain to provide joint stability and coordinated movement - or lack of it as is the case in chronic upslips. In the presence of chronic upslips, prolonged cyclical loading can deform SI joint ligaments to a point where an act as innocent as slamming on the brake, tumbling on one hip, or clumsily stepping off a curb, can jostle the joint enough to cause the ilium to 'jump-a-notch' on sacrum. Here's a good 'upslip' case study of a client named Marion who called complaining of stabbing buttock and low back pain. CLICK here for Complete Article on www.erikdalton.com |
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Upcoming Myoskeletal Alignment Workshops
The 2011 Dynamic Body Tour
The 2011 Dynamic Body Tour
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Erik Dalton 2011
Dynamic Body Tour
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