Myofascial Meridians and Functions

What are myofascial meridians?

Myofascial meridians are lines of muscles (myo) and connective tissue (fascia) that run throughout the body that work together in patterns and shape much of our movement. The 12 meridians connect the whole body in an integrative way and establish connection and balance within the body.

The Superficial Front Line

This line connects the entire front of the body from the feet to the sides of the skull in two parts. From toes to the pelvis and from the pelvis to the skull.

The function of the movement is to create flexion of the torso and hips, stretch the knees and dorsal flex the foot.

The Superficial Back Line

This line acts as a protective shield for the back, running from the top of your skull all the way down to your toes. It’s divided into two parts, with one from your toes to your knees and the other from your knees to your eyebrows.

When your knees are extended, this line works together as a whole to keep your body upright and stretched.

However, a delicate point along this line is the plantar ligament under the arch of your foot. Any problems here can create issues further up the line, so it’s crucial to treat your feet well. As clinical analysis shows, it’s essential to strengthen this line to support healthy posture and a strong back. Keeping your body in alignment along the entire dorsal line will help you maintain proper balance and posture..

The Lateral Line

Running from the foot’s center out and weaving in a zigzag pattern over the shoulder, this line helps balance the right and left sides of the body.

Not only does it stabilize the torso in relation to the legs, but it also coordinates movements while controlling and distributing forces from other lines. Learn how this unique line works in a side bending manner, lifting hips and controlling rotations and flexions.

The Spiral Line

This fascinating line wraps the body in two opposing circles, running to the right and left. Its journey starts by combining each side of the skull and crossing over the thoracic spine to the opposite shoulder. From there, it embarks on a path around the chest, crosses the navel, and gracefully glides down to the hip.

As if skipping rope, the spiral line descends down the outside of the front thigh, passes the foot, makes a loop underneath, and ascends again towards the rear side of the ischium. Finally, it crosses and merges into the erector spinae fascia.

This line not only stabilizes the body in all planes through its double-loop but also connects the foot to the pelvis. Its role in regulating the knee position during walking cannot be underestimated.

When disturbed, this line induces misalignments and instabilities throughout the body.

The Arm Lines

Unlike our legs, which prioritize stability, our arms require more lines and support to keep up with their endless possibilities. The arm lines, complete with deep and shallow lines on both the front and back of the arm, play a crucial role in all types of movements from pushing to pulling and everything in between.

Collaborating with our eyes, these lines, named after their location at the shoulder, seamlessly integrate with all other lines to perform infinite, advanced movements we do with our arms and hands..

The Functional Lines

As we trace the functional lines of the body, we can see how they intersect and interact with one another. These lines crisscross in a dynamic X pattern, running from the opposite outer side of the pelvis and legs. One line ventures across the front, while the other explores the back, creating a symmetrical balance. And let’s not forget about the ipsilateral line, which journeys from the shoulder all the way down to the inside of the same-side knee.

Engaging in sports that require stabilization and counterweight, such as a baseball throw or tennis backhand, will bring these lines to life. When you draw strength from the ground and push power up diagonally towards your throwing hand for instance, you are activating them.

The Deep Front Line

The body’s Myofascial “core” is nestled within the deep front line, located between the lateral lines in the front plane. Imagine tracing it from the roots under the foot, up the back leg, behind the knee and inner thigh, through the hip, pelvis, and front lumbar vertebrae. Another path runs along the back of the thigh to the pelvic floor before reconnecting with the first path. This intricate network is surrounded by functional and spiral lines, making it a crucial part of the body’s stability and movement.

The deep front line is like a multi-branching network that extends upward through the chest, encompassing the thoracic organs, and ultimately converging at both the neuro and visceral cranium. It’s not just any ordinary line – this one stands out as the most three-dimensional, occupying a larger space than others. In fact, it wraps around the stabilizing muscles of our legs, and maintains the sync between our walking and breathing patterns. When it comes to the deep front line, it’s all about making impactful connections.