Anatomy Trains
Ever wondered why it is that when you have a sore shoulder, your wrist can ache? Or when you have a sore point in your low back, your entire leg can throb? Or maybe you have a sore knee and you feel as if your pelvis is ‘out’. There are a number of things that can explain the connection of one part of your body to another - whether it be radicular pain (ie. nerve pain), somatic pain (ie. referred pain from a musculoskeletal structure) or viscero-somatic pain (ie. referred pain from dysfunction of an internal organ). In addition to this, we need to consider the link that connective tissue can create.
Connective tissue can be thought of as a thick layer of glad wrap that envelopes muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints. This layer of glad wrap is continuous throughout the body, connecting one part of the body to the next. This concept has been very well detailed by Thomas Myers, whom has come up with the concept known as “Anatomy Trains”. Think of a train line with multiple stops and tracks in between. A bony landmark (eg the fibula head & the ASIS) make the stops, and the connective tissue in between these bony landmarks make the tracks.
Just like any train system, there can be 2 maybe 3 train lines, potentially servicing one particular stop. This is where things get interesting (and somewhat complicated!). Where overlapping train lines are concerned, consideration needs to be taken as to which line is causing what effect. Think of it as a connecting service - you take the Sandringham line to Flinders St and from there, you can take the Craigieburn, Epping or Williamstown line (just to name a few) to each take you to a totally different place.
The same goes for Anatomy trains. The bony prominence at the front of your hip (aka the A.S.I.S) acts a ‘station’ to 3 different anatomy trains. If you take any one of these trains from the ASIS, where will you end up? Multiple fascial lines (or anatomy trains) need to be considered in any case where this approach is taken. Any one line doesn’t necessarily need to be treated in its entirety however in most cases, a portion of multiple lines do need to be addressed.
This thought process demonstrates the approach Osteopaths are taught to take as ‘holistic’ practitioners. Presenting with knee pain doesn’t necessarily mean it’s only the knee that needs consideration. There are so many other factors that could be influencing the knee, and as already described, there are multiple fascial lines which could be contributing.
It can seem a little overwhelming however, give your body the respect it deserves by delving into the potential cause of the dysfunction, rather than the dysfunction alone. Osteopaths are brilliant investigators when it comes to finding the cause, so make sure you consider that next time you may need some help - even if you do have to take the train to get there.
...Do yourself a favour and watch til the end.
