How Really Small Muscles Can Be A Real Pain In The Neck – A NYC Chiropractor/Applied Kinesiologist/NKT Practitioner Explains

When a patient complains of neck pain or headaches, I first muscle test both the cervical flexor and extension muscles and muscles which when they test bilaterally weak such as the psoas or gluteus maximus suggest a fixation of the cervical vertebrae.

I ask questions: are the muscles weak and therefore affecting the alignment, movement of the cervical vertebrae?

Are one set of muscles weak or inhibited because of compensating (facilitating) muscle.

Or is the opposite true? Is it the hypertonic or facilitated muscle the problem?

Sometimes it’s not the bigger cervical flexor/extensor muscles that are causing pain either directly or by pulling vertebrae out of alignment and putting pressure on the nerves supplying the cervical area.

Sometimes it’s the half inch to inch muscles just below the occipital (base of your skull) that attach it to either the atlas (C1) or the axis (C2) or attach atlas to axis.

These muscles are called the Rectus Capitis Posterior Major, Rectus Capitis Minor, Obliquus Capitis Superior and Obliquus Capitis Inferior.

The Rectus Capitis Posterior Major extends, laterally flexs and rotates the head.  The Rectus Capitis Minor extends and laterally flexes the head. The Obliquus Capitis Superior extends and laterally rotates the head. The Obliquus Capitis Inferior  rotates C1 and cranium.

Problems with these muscles can pull vertebrae out of alignment and put pressure on the cervical spinal roots and cause neck stiffness, pain and headaches. See dermatome map below for areas of innervation.

Note there is no C1 dermatome. The C1 root innervates the meninges of the posterior fossa of the skull and has no cutaneous branch; the posterior fossa also contains the meningeal branches of vagus and hypoglossal nerve. Neck stiffness may be a test of the C1 root that innervates the meninges.

For more information, please see the following blogs:

https://drvittoriarepetto.wordpress.com/2014/08/09/the-use-of-applied-kinesiology-in-a-chiropractic-examination/.

https://drvittoriarepetto.wordpress.com/2010/12/13/spinal-pain-not-being-helped-see-an-applied-kinesiologist-it-may-be-a-fixation/

https://drvittoriarepetto.wordpress.com/2016/06/23/how-a-combination-of-applied-kinesiology-neurokinetic-therapy-and-chiropractic-works/

For discussion about meninges:  https://drvittoriarepetto.wordpress.com/2016/05/28/why-is-my-neck-problem-causing-low-back-or-leg-pain-a-nyc-chiropractor-applied-kinesiologist-nkt-practitioner-explains-the-lovett-brother-effect-on-the-spine/

https://drvittoriarepetto.wordpress.com/2010/05/17/cranial-sacral-therapy-in-applied-kinesiology/

© 2016-Dr. Vittoria Repetto

Want more information on Dr. Vittoria Repetto and her NYC Applied Kinesiology/Chiropractic/ NKT practice at 230 W 13th St., NYC 10011; please go to www.drvittoriarepetto.com

And please check out the Patient Testimonials page on my web site.

 Want to be in the know on holistic information and postings? 

https://www.facebook.com/wvillagechiropracticappliedkinesiologynkt/

Or join me at Twitter: www.twitter.com/DrVRepetto

 

How a Combination of Applied Kinesiology, NeuroKinetic Therapy and Chiropractic Works

A patient comes in with a problem, maybe low back pain. Most chiropractors would figure out what vertebrae /spinal nerve is involved and then adjust the segments involved.

However what is missed is why did the problem happen and how can it be fixed so that it does not happen again.

First we need to look at the muscles innervated by the spinal segment

As a Applied Kinesiologist, I test for the function of individual muscles. For example, we may find the latissimus dorsi muscle weak; that is a muscle that internally rotates, extends and adducts the arm/ shoulder. It also attracts into the lumbar and sacral vertebra and part of the pelvic crest. The weakness may seen either as a higher shoulder on the weak side or a rotation of the lumbar vertebrae. The questions to be asked are: why is the muscle weak? Is the muscle on the other side hypertonic or “too stronger.”

Is there a problem with the vascular or lymphatic drainage of that muscle? Is there a problem with the cranial-sacral system?

Is there a Lovett Brother association where a twisting of the spinal meninges affects an upper vertebrae as well as a low back spinal segment.

As a NKT practitioner, I ask “Is there a dysfunction in the coordination of muscles working in patterns?”

Is the above mentioned latissimus dorsi inhibited by the muscles that attach to the shoulder like the upper or middle trapezius or the levator scapulae or is it compensating (facilitating) for weak or inhibited muscles like the gluteus maximus or the quadratus lumborum or core muscles, for example.

Is the patient using their neck muscles in the movement of their low back?

NeuroKinetic Therapy works with the concept that movement is performed in systems or patterns. The human brain has an affinity toward habits.

NKT identifies muscle imbalances by using muscle testing to determine what muscles are inhibited and what muscles are compensating (facilitating)for them.

I would test the muscles involved in the problematic movement. After an inhibited/weak muscle is found, I would muscle test a synergistic (a helper muscle) or an antagonist muscle (an opposing muscle} which is strong/facilitated that may be affecting the inhibited muscle.

That facilitated muscle would be therapy localized (the muscle is either touched or put in motion) and the inhibited muscle retested. If the TL strengthens the inhibited muscle, then I know that the TLed muscle is affecting the inhibited muscle.

And I can use AK techniques to release the TLed muscle. The inhibited muscle is then retested which should test strong now, the retesting causes a “neural lock” which reprograms the motor control center in the brain.

After balance is restored to the muscles, the vertebrae  ( or extremity joint) are adjusted.

Stretches are given to the previously facilitated muscles and exercises given to the previously inhibited muscles in order to break the pattern that caused the problem.

For more detailed information, please click on the following blogs:

https://drvittoriarepetto.wordpress.com/2014/08/09/the-use-of-applied-kinesiology-in-a-chiropractic-examination/.

http://neurokinetictherapy.com/what-is-neurokinetic-therapy

https://drvittoriarepetto.wordpress.com/2010/06/21/muscle-balancing-in-applied-kinesiology/

https://drvittoriarepetto.wordpress.com/2010/05/06/the-art-and-science-of-muscle-testing-in-applied-kinesiology/

https://drvittoriarepetto.wordpress.com/2015/09/20/a-nyc-chiropractorapplied-kinesiologist-starts-adding-neuro-kinetic-therapy-to-the-mix/

https://drvittoriarepetto.wordpress.com/2016/05/28/why-is-my-neck-problem-causing-low-back-or-leg-pain-a-nyc-chiropractor-applied-kinesiologist-nkt-practitioner-explains-the-lovett-brother-effect-on-the-spine/

https://drvittoriarepetto.wordpress.com/2014/01/01/a-nyc-chiropractorapplied-kinesiologist-talks-about-chiropractic-adjustments/

https://drvittoriarepetto.wordpress.com/2010/05/17/cranial-sacral-therapy-in-applied-kinesiology/

 

© 2016-Dr. Vittoria Repetto

Yesterday, a woman from Chicago wrote me, “had thyroidectomy in August and my scar attached to muscles pulling my chest up when I was swallowing while applying lots of pressure to throat it has loosened up a bit but I feel that my hyoid bone might be dislocated or pulled down by muscles that was stitched too tight and adhered”

 

She asked me if exercise and stretches would help.

“No, you need to know what muscles are unbalanced”

There are 26 muscles in the neck–10 pairs of 2 and 2 sets of 3, to be precise. The neck muscles attach to various bones of the skull, spine, thoracic cage, and shoulder girdle.

You need to see a practitioner who knows how to muscle testing – a chiropractor who does applied kinesiology or neurokinetic therapy and fiqure out which are inhibited and which are hypertonic.

 

So I give her links on where to find a practitioner who could help her.

for more on possible clues in  this case:

Hyoid Bone – Its Importance – A NYC Chiropractor/ Applied Kinesiologist / NeuroKinetic Therapist Explains

Scars & Muscle Control – A NYC Chiropractor/Applied Kinesiologist/NeuroKinetic Therapist Explains

© 2019-Dr. Vittoria Repetto

Muscles, Connective Tissue Between Organs Influence Illness

Want more information on Dr. Vittoria Repetto and her NYC Applied Kinesiology/Chiropractic/ NKT practice at 230 W 13th St., NYC 10011; please go to www.drvittoriarepetto.com

And please check out the Patient Testimonials page on my web site.

 Want to be in the know on holistic information and postings? 

https://www.facebook.com/wvillagechiropracticappliedkinesiologynkt/

Or join me at Twitter: www.twitter.com/DrVRepetto

 

Looking At Posture As A Clue To Helping Patients – A NYC Chiropractor/Applied Kinesiologist/NKT Practitioner Explains

Two weeks ago, a relatively new patient who has been to other chiropractors paid me a compliment by saying that I was “unlike other chiropractors, I think about what is happening and what I need to do.”

One of the things I look at is posture. How does the patient present as they stand in front of me?

The other question that is relative to their posture is: How did they get that posture? Was there an accident where they were, for example, thrown forward and had to catch themselves when their bus suddenly stopped. What position was their body in? Hands forward? Head turned?

Postural findings may be due to muscular inhibition either as individual muscles or as a group of muscles that work together to do a certain movement

Or they may be due a compensating muscle inhibiting a muscle

Are the involved muscles hypotonic or hypertonic?

Or has a problem with their foot, for example, caused muscles to get inhibited or to compensate up the length of their body causing further joint and spinal pain?

Here are some examples of muscles that may be involved in postural findings:

• High Occiput – upper trapezius, neck flexor/extensor, gluteus medius, SCM, rectus capitus
• Head rotation – latissimus, gluteus medius, lower trapezius
• High Shoulder – opposite upper trapezius, quadratus lumborum
• Low Shoulder – quadratus lumborum, latissimus
• Elevated Ribs – rectus abdominal, oblique abdominals, quadratus lumborum
• Lumbar deviation – psoas, lumbar erectors, multifidus, gluteus medius/maximus, tfl
• High pelvis – sartorious, quadratus lumborum, hamstrings
• Genu Valgus (Knock Knee) – TFL, gluteus max, adductors
• Genu Varus (Bowed Knee) –adductor, popliteus, hamstrings

I use manual muscle testing to see if the muscles are hypotonic or hypertonic or inhibited by a compensating muscle.

I also look to see if there is a problem with the alignment of the joint the muscles cross or the vertebrae involved in the spinal innervation of the involved muscles.

For more detailed information, please check out the following blogs:

https://drvittoriarepetto.wordpress.com/2014/08/09/the-use-of-applied-kinesiology-in-a-chiropractic-examination/.

https://drvittoriarepetto.wordpress.com/2010/06/21/muscle-balancing-in-applied-kinesiology/

https://drvittoriarepetto.wordpress.com/2016/03/22/a-nyc-chiropractorapplied-kinesiologist-adds-neurokinetic-therapist-to-her-skill-list/

 

 

© 2016-Dr. Vittoria Repetto

Want more information on Dr. Vittoria Repetto and her NYC Applied Kinesiology/Chiropractic/ NKT practice at 230 W 13th St., NYC 10011; please go to www.drvittoriarepetto.com

And please check out the Patient Testimonials page on my web site.

 Want to be in the know on holistic information and postings? 

https://www.facebook.com/wvillagechiropracticappliedkinesiologynkt/

Or join me at Twitter: www.twitter.com/DrVRepetto

 

A NYC Chiropractor/Applied Kinesiologist Adds NeuroKinetic Therapist to Her Skill List

 

On Friday, March 18th I took the exam for certification in Level 1 NeuroKinetic Therapy and passed w/ flying colors. I now can call myself a NeuroKinetic Therapist.

As you know with Applied Kinesiology, I test for the function of individual muscles. For example, we may find the latissimus dorsi muscle weak; that is a muscle that internally rotates, extends and adducts the arm/ shoulder. It also attracts into the lumbar and sacral vertebra and part of the pelvic crest. The weakness may seen either as a higher shoulder on the weak side or a rotation of the lumbar vertebrae. The questions to be asked are: why is the muscle weak? Is the muscle on the other side hypertonic or “too stronger.” 

Is there a problem with the spinal innervation?,  asks the chiropractor in me.

Is there a problem with the alignment of the joints that the muscles cross? Is there a problem with the vascular or lymphatic drainage of that muscle?

Now I will be adding the question, Is there a dysfunction in the coordination of muscles working in patterns. Is the above mentioned latissimus dorsi inhibited by the muscles that attach to the shoulder like the upper or middle trapezius or the levator scapulae  or is it compensating (facilitating) for weak or inhibited muscles like the gluteus maximus or the quadratus lumborum say involved in low back pain, for example. 

NeuroKinetic Therapy works with that concept that movement is performed in systems or patterns. The human brain has an affinity toward habits.

For example when we sit down , we use a variety of muscles to both lower ourselves,  to keep the upper body straight and to control our balance.  An injury to one of the muscles involved in sitting down can cause a patient to favor a compensating muscle and not use the injured muscle which in time becomes inhibited and the compensating muscle becomes a facilitated muscle which does not allow the inhibited muscle to switch back on.

NKT identifies muscle imbalances by using muscle testing to determine what muscles are inhibited and what muscles are compensating (facilitating) for them.

I would test the muscles  involved in the problematic movement.  After an inhibited/weak muscle is found, I would muscle test a synergistic (a helper muscle) or an antagonist muscle (an opposing muscle which is strong/facilitated that may be affecting the inhibited muscle. That facilitated muscle would be therapy localized (the muscle is either touched or put in motion) and the inhibited muscle retested. If the TL strengthens the inhibited muscle, then I know that the TLed muscle is affecting the inhibited muscle.

And I can use AK techniques to release the TLed muscle. The inhibited muscle is then retested which should test strong now, the retesting causes a “neural lock” which reprograms the motor control center in the brain.

Stretches are given to the previously facilitated muscles and exercises given to the previously inhibited muscles.

For more detailed information, please click on the following blogs:

http://neurokinetictherapy.com/what-is-neurokinetic-therapy

https://drvittoriarepetto.wordpress.com/2010/06/21/muscle-balancing-in-applied-kinesiology/

https://drvittoriarepetto.wordpress.com/2010/05/06/the-art-and-science-of-muscle-testing-in-applied-kinesiology/

https://drvittoriarepetto.wordpress.com/2014/08/09/the-use-of-applied-kinesiology-in-a-chiropractic-examination/.

https://drvittoriarepetto.wordpress.com/2015/09/20/a-nyc-chiropractorapplied-kinesiologist-starts-adding-neuro-kinetic-therapy-to-the-mix/

 

© 2016-Dr. Vittoria Repetto

 

Want more information on Dr. Vittoria Repetto and her NYC Applied Kinesiology/Chiropractic/ NKT practice at 230 W 13th St., NYC 10011; please go to www.drvittoriarepetto.com

And please check out the Patient Testimonials page on my web site.

 Want to be in the know on holistic information and postings? 

https://www.facebook.com/wvillagechiropracticappliedkinesiologynkt/

Or join me at Twitter: www.twitter.com/DrVRepetto