June 16th, 2024

Effortless posture: it really is effortless!

Would you like to stand up straight without even trying?  You can.  I see it every day in my practice.  A client comes in somewhat bent forward, and leaves my office standing up straight.

After their treatment, I have them walk down the hallway so we can both see our handiwork.  As they pass by the hallway mirror, I have them look at themselves.  They're amazed.  Their shoulders are back, their head is on top of their shoulders, and it's happening with absolutely no effort on their part.

Superficial Frontal Line.

In the Myofascial Release world, there is something called the "Superficial Frontal Line".  The term was coined by Thomas Myers, a Myofascial Release guru. www.anatomytrains.com.  It is a line of muscles and connective tissue that runs from the neck down the front of the body all the way to the feet.  These muscles often shorten when we are bent forward.  Repeatedly bending forward, these same muscles can become stuck in that position.   They become like tight rubber bands, pulling us forward.

Our society bends forward. 

We bend forward to look at our phone.  We bend forward to look at the computer.  Children bend forward when they carry their backpacks.  (We older folks had lockers, but that's another story.)  Our bodies get used to this position, then the muslces and fascia get locked in this position.

A string pulls the head up?  Really?

Young ladies are told by their mothers to imagine that there is a string fastened to the top of their head, and the are to pretend that the string is pulling her head up.  This is supposed to correct the posture problem.  It does help - for a second.  But as soon as she stops thinking about it, her body bends forward again.  That's because of 'muscle memory'.  These muscles and fascia act like tight rubber bands.  They are actually pulling the body forward.  As soon as you stop thinking aobut it, bingo, the body is pulled forward again.  

What can be done about this?  Simply put, release the muscles and fascia in the front of the body.  The neck muscles, the pecs, the rib cage muscles, the belly muscles.  I use three techniques to make good posture effortless:  Myofascial Release, Trigger Point Therapy, and Ortho-Bionomy.  These three help the body release the tension in these 'rubber band-like' muscles that make up the Superficial Frontal Line.  Once they are released, voila, the body simply straightens up on its own.  No effort, no thinking, just good posture.  Effortless posture.

For better posture, better health, and even a better golf game, please contact me to see how this might help you and your friends and family. Roberts Massage (760) 826-3220  

Robert Sherman is a state certified massage therapist in Carlsbad, CA. He specializes in treating old injuries and surgical scars with Trigger Point Therapy, Myofascial Release, and Ortho-Bionomy which includes Phase 7 Healing. ​