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Terminology explained:

Neuromusculoskeletal - our muscular, myofascial and nervous systems operate as a team and are mostly inseparable. Any applied therapy will affect all 3 systems.

Neurokinetic - a thorough examination of the whole body employing a system of resisted movement tests.

Kinematic chain - a series of interconnected myofascial continuities and sequences that work together to transfer motion and forces in a mechanical system.

Fascia is completely removed from the prosected specimens students see when studying anatomy. This provides a simplified visual that allows labels to be adhered to muscles and their origins and insertions however, this simplification of the true anatomy results in a singular approach that negates incorporating actual function. As an example consider the iliotibial band which, is in fact an artefact cut out with a scalpel from the fascia lata that covers the entire proximal (upper) thigh. Unfortunately there are many of these misunderstandings in anatomy.

The decisions to remove fascial tissue originate from the time when fascia was removed and discarded during dissections simply because its function was unknown, thus it was deemed unimportant. Unfortunately what this has done is encourage one dimensional and singular approaches to a three dimensional and complex system.  Despite the evidence available many still want to take a section of fascia and apply it to a single area rather than look at the system functionally, this allows practitioners to stay in the comfort zone of diagnosing a problem, treating one area and naming a portion of related fascia or a muscle, tendon or ligament. However, the system simply does not work that way, injury, tension and poor slide in one area will affect another area distally or proximally. Therefore the full kinematic chain must be addressed in order to have a true picture of the problem.

In neuromusculoskeletal treatment and exercise intervention approaches, rarely are biomechanics and the myofascial system put together.  There is an enormous amount of credible research released in the last 40+ years in relation to the myofascial system yet still, it is often not taken into consideration. This seems somewhat negligent given the advanced knowledge and treatment benefits it provides. The issue with incorporating it is, it signifies learning some things all over again and moving away from those comfortable diagnostic labels. 

The myofascial and nervous systems are intrinsically related and have a documented and researched solid scientific foundation, therefore effecting the myofascial system reflects in the nervous system. This is just another re-enforcement of its importance.

Carla, Antonio and Luigi Stecco have revolutionised knowledge and research into the fascial system. Their work is extensive and provides unequivocal evidence of its function and relevance in neuromusculoskeletal treatments.  Carla's book "Functional Atlas of the Human Fascial System" is by far the best depiction of fascial anatomy I have ever experienced.  

In recent years Thomas Myers “Anatomy Trains”, has provided us with the visuals he designed which, are integral in simplifying the understanding of how the systems synergise. He discovered the fascial continuities and has been able to describe them in such a way that the visuals are a fantastic learning tool to help you look at anatomy from the kinetics perspective.

My aims are to help dispel the singular approaches and teach patients and practitioners to think outside the box.