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Hand Benefits from SMRT
I recently taught an advanced SMRT arm & hand course. We were exploring how to increase our knowledge of the hand, working with muscles, connective tissues, and bones. One of the therapists fell into a deep state of relaxation while on the table.Her partner was working on her left thumb. Specifically working to increase range of motion of the trapeziometacarpal joint and the metacarpophalangeal joint. After the trade was finished, she reported feeling structural changes to her elbow and shoulder, as well as muscle tension decrease in the muscles of her forearm, upper arm, and upper back.
Restoring the Kinetic Chain
She was surprised that small movements of the small bones and muscles of her hand had caused such profound shift in her body and had relaxed her so fully. These small movements changed the tension patterns of the muscles coming from her humerus, traversing the forearm, and attaching in the hand. This allowed a partial restoration of the kinetic chain in her left upper extremity.
Continued Sessions Using SMRT
Yesterday, this same therapist came to me for a session. She wanted to continue the work on her thumb (among other things). Using SMRT, I began to explore the balance between abduction and adduction of her wrist. She adducted quite a bit, but her abduction was limited.
Within 3 minutes her wrist abduction and adduction were in balance. I explained to her what I felt and where she was limited. She said she believed this was a direct result of her trigger point therapy because when she did this work she lined her thumb up with her radius, moving her into an ulna deviation or adduction of the wrist. Over time, this may have limited her abduction.
Reestablishing balance between the abduction and adduction of her wrist was the final piece to correcting the kinetic chain in her left arm.
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Tags: anatomy, continuing education, hand, massage therapy, SMRT, spontaneous muscle release technique, thumb
