I want to make a short post here on myofascial slings. Myo- refers to muscle, fascia to… fascia. The weaving of the two is myofascia. As Tom Myers, author of Anatomy Trains (and our father of myofascial anatomy) says, muscle without fascia is just hamburger. Fascia is the body-wide web of connective tissues that also functions in different “tracks” or “trains” that weaves the shape and functioning of muscles that some consider as separate and disparate parts of the body (See Anatomy Trains, Superficial Backline, for an example of how the cranium is fascially connected to the bottom of the feet).
Tom describes different myofascial meridians of the body that help us understand more completely what adapations are optimal for the human body. This myofascial perspective will help one become more curious about what your priorities should be in your training, as many people have defaulted to the simplicity of scaling up deadlifts and back squats, without considering the fascial meridians that run in Spirals, and are intimately connected to rotation (as opposed to the linear up and down of a squat or deadlift). For those that are starting to get concerned about how they are going to strengthen their legs and glutes, I won’t leave you hanging: we will discuss how FP addresses strong leg and glute development in a different post.
For now, understand what Tom Myers calls the “Functional Lines.” A few examples are: 1) Front Functional Lines- myofascial bands that weave the pec, diagonal across to the opposing obliques, and into the opposing adductor (inner thigh) — the so-called anterior oblique sling. 2) Back Functional Lines- the myofascial bands of the posterior (backside) oblique sling, where the large latisimmus dorsi is weaved into the thoracolumbar fascia (lower back) down to the opposing glute, even wrapping down through the hamstring to the front of the knee.
These bands are stimulated and used through a relationship of the trunk and pelvis, and are contracted and lengthened when there is a relative rotation between the two. If you just squat heavy all the time, you may decondition this rotational and slinging capacity. Some adaptations that might seem to feel or look good in the short term can Mal-adapt the body for other functions. Deconditioning myofascial slings through maladapted posture and insufficient rotation sacrifices far too much! These slings function in throwing (as when you imagine serving the ball in tennis, throwing a baseball or football), as well as the vital functions of bi-pedal walking and running (possibly some of our oldest and most unique functions as a species).
In FP training, I can help you reconnect to these myofascial slings through careful postural and rotational training, which is a process that should leave you feeling more athletic, buoyant, and capable (not less). The Functional Patterns 10 week online course lays out an ingenious process of human regeneration, and gives the principles and priorities for more sustainable training that I am only hinting at here. Working with an experienced specialist like me can help accelerate your progress.