Posted by: Kevin G. Parker, D.C.
Written by: www.jandaapproach.com
Today is the 10th anniversary of Dr. Vladimir Janda’s passing.
In remembrance of him, the following are quotes and concepts from Dr. Janda, a pioneer in muscle imbalance and chronic musculoskeletal pain.
His philosophy was considered ‘ahead of his time’ and his teachings continue to be seen in daily practice.
Dr. Janda’s philosophy seems timeless…
On movement and control:
There are 2 main schools of thought in musculoskeletal medicine: Structural and Functional
The sensorimotor system is one entity and cannot be functionally separated
The unconscious reaction and speed of contraction are the most important for functional stability, not strength
A muscle can be as strong as possible, but if it doesn’t fire at the right time, it’s useless
Reflexive stabilization is a pre-requisite for coordinated movement
Motor control programs in the CNS are the basis for all human movement
Functionally, muscles work together in slings, chains and loops
The muscular system lies at a ‘functional crossroad’ since it is influenced by stimuli from both the CNS and PNS
3 key areas of proprioceptive input are the cervical spine, SI joint, and sole of the foot
All systems in the human body function automatically except for the musculoskeletal system
Muscles are vulnerable and labile structures that provide a window into the function of the sensorimotor system
On pain and dysfunction:
Pain is the only way the musculoskeletal system can protect itself
Pain symptoms are not a reliable indicator in chronic pain syndromes
Chronic musculoskeletal pain is mediated by the central nervous system
Compensations within chains create more dysfunctional movement
Changes in the sensorimotor system are reflected by changes elsewhere in the system
The pelvic chain is the key in most musculoskeletal dysfunction
Protective reflexes serve as the basis for all human movement and dominate in pathology
Structural lesions rarely cause pain themselves; muscles are most often the cause of pain
Often, the site of pain is not the cause of pain
Altered peripheral input due to pain leads to changes in muscle activation, causing faulty movement patterns
Defective motor learning prevents the motor system from properly reacting or adapting to different changes in the body
Many signs and symptoms of impaired function have a hidden cause in an unrecognized dysfunction located elsewhere –
On muscle imbalance:
Muscle imbalance is a systematic and predictable response of the motor system
Muscles respond predictably to pain and pathology at peripheral joints
Tonic muscles are prone to tightness and phasic muscles are prone to weakness
Altered tension is the first response to nociception by the sensorimotor system
Typical muscle response to joint dysfunction is similar to spastic muscles in structural CNS lesions
Tight muscles are readily activated during movement because of a lowered irritability threshold
The presence of a “crossed syndrome” indicates the presence of CNS-mediated muscle imbalance
Muscle imbalance is compounded by a lack of movement through regular physical activity
Muscle imbalance is an impaired relationship between muscles prone to facilitation and muscles prone to inhibition
Prolonged muscle tightness leads to fatigue, which ultimately decreases the force available to meet postural and movement demands
The patterns of muscle imbalance are based on the neurodevelopment of the tonic and phasic muscle systems
Muscle imbalance is an expression of impaired regulation of the neuromuscular system that is manifested as a systematic response often involving the entire body
Muscle imbalance in todays society is compounded by stress, fatigue, and insufficient movement through regular physical activity as well as a alack of variety of movement
The presence of a Crossed Syndrome indicates CNS-mediated pain
On evaluating and treating muscle imbalance syndromes:
Every ‘body’ tells a story… let the body speak to you
Postural stability is a reflection of the function of the sensorimotor system
Time spent in assessment will save time in treatment
The test is the exercise; the exercise is the test
There are 2 stages in motor re-learning: voluntary and automatic
First and foremost, normalize the periphery and increase proprioceptive input
Stretching the tight antagonist often restores activation of the agonist
Related articles
Nice article on Dr. Vladimir Janda and Karl Lewitt, M.D.written by Craig Liebenson, DC: The Role of Manipulation in Rehabilitation
PAIN-Why Things Hurt-Lorimer Moseley
Fascia-The Secret Life of Fascia-Charles Poliquin blog 2011
Myofascial Release Technique-Active Release Technique (ART)
Muscle Trigger points vs Acupuncture points
Manipulation in Improving Motion and Joint Health ~Review of Medical literature
Back Pain-Insider Secrets revealed-San Fran Gate 2012
A New Gatekeeper for Back Pain
Fish oil-Neurosurgeon for the Pittsburgh Steelers
Exercise Makes Us Feel Good-NY Times 2011
Inflammation-13 Tips To Fight Inflammation
Laser Therapy in Rehabilitation-Irvine California
Muscle Trigger points vs Acupuncture points
Neck pain-Journal of the American Board of Family Practice 2004
Nerve ingrowth into chronic painful disc-Lancet 1997
Nerve Supply of the lumbar disc-JBJS 2007
Omega 3’s-Molecular Neurobiology-January 2011
Omega 3′s and Nerve pain-Clinical Journal of Pain 2010
Sitting-Can sitting too much kill you? Scientific American Jan 2011
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