Motor dominance and Back Pain
August 29, 2009 – 9:15 amCerebral lateralization has been a hot topic in neuroscience for centuries. How does it apply to body patterns we see in clinic, i.e., does right motor dominance cause hypertonicity in highly innervated tissues such as iliopsoas, rotatores, multifidi, scalenes, suboccipitals? Recall that the 11th cranial nerve innervates the upper traps and SCM. Do you look for and/or expect to see certain repeated structural patterns possibly due to motor dominance?
Check out this intriguing article in the new Scientific American:
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=evolutionary-origi…
5 Responses to “Motor dominance and Back Pain”
Do you notice a pattern with short legs? Which ilium is usually anteriorly/inferiorly rotated? What about foot pronation?
Check out my July e-newsletter about foot posture, pelvic imbalance & compensatory low back pain @ http://erikdalton.com/NewslettersOnline/May_09_Newsletter.htm
By Erik Dalton on Sep 3, 2009
Great post, I am pleased to read your article, please let me know when you
update current one. Fully Impressed Thanks.
By Driving lessons in Wrexham on Sep 15, 2009
Howdy Driving lessons in Wrexham:
Thanks for your interest in this subject. In my opinion, motor dominance and cerebral and vestibular lateralization are two of the most under-utilized and mis-understood aspects of manual therapy today.
I have two chapters devoted to it in my Advanced Myoskeletal Alignment textbook and several articles on my website including the Short Leg Syndrome at: http://erikdalton.com/article_shortlegsyndrome_part2.htm.
Am on my way out the door to teach in Atlanta and then on to the AMTA National Convention next week so I’ll get back to you on this soon…thx again for your interest…ERIK
By Erik Dalton on Sep 16, 2009
When treating any client in my office, I always want them to prove me wrong in my findings for a Common Compensatory Pattern, (CCP). I have observed my child from birth watching for a preferred head turn, i.e., Cervico-cranial (L), Cervico-Thoracic (R), etc. When turning over in her crib, she always rolls left. Don’t know the rest yet cause she’s 4 1/2 months.
When assessing people… children to the elderly… common patterns often appear….possibly due to cerebral lateralization or from an ascending syndrome. Many aberrant patterns can be corrected by careful alignment at the OA joint…
Fetal development in third trimester definitely seems to be determining factor as to the presence of vestibular dominance and can be seen as the infant develops. I am documenting this as my daughter grows…
To Be Cont.
Paul Kelly BS, CSCS, LMT.
By Paul Kelly on Dec 15, 2009
Thx for the comment Paul:
Their are some interesting new studies confirming that cerebral lateralization is not unique to humans as previously believed. One of the most interesting findings is that whales are right motor dominant (left brained) when it comes to eating. Researchers began tracking eating patterns of whales and noticed they always moved to their right to gather food guided by right eye dominance. They decided to observe the mouth of whales more closely and , sure enough, they presented with gashes and worn spots around the right side of their mouths.
Another study blinded baby chicks’ right eye and they were unable to peck accurately at the food. Not so when the left eye was blinded.
That’s a good reason for therapists to always check for eye motor dominance before assessing clients. You’re get inaccurate readings if you assess with you non-dominate eye. Anyone NOT know how to determine your dominate eye?
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By Erik Dalton on Dec 15, 2009