Originally posted by djjane
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Tom is giving me too much credit, I'm at Level 1: Knowledge, yet I'm being forced to act at Level 6: Evaluation. Since he asked, I'll explain what I think is happening. Because of MedX's CTR restraint system, the unit forces the paraspinal muscles (deeper muscles) to do the majority of the work. Add to this the muscles used on the roman chair/VARC and I think paraspinal muscles discussed in the literature refer to the longissimus, iliocostalis, spinalis, semispinalis, splenius, & multifidis (transversospinalis). Yes, the two units work other muscles as well, but other exercises can and have addressed the other muscles—with minimal to no positive results regarding scoliosis. (There are always a few exceptions) I think it is the combination of these groups of muscles that are responding during accelerated, uneven growth. (I am not talking about uneven strength; rather I am suggesting that the additional strength is allowing these muscles to do “their job” during growth spurts.)
The reason I think the roman chair is an important part of the mix is because research suggests focusing only on the apex of the curve is not as effective as focusing on the curve from top-to-bottom. This explains why I added the “mermaid dip” to the back extension exercise on the roman chair.
I am hesitant to mention this, but I have a poorly founded idea that CTR works better if the motion begins across the mid-line (frontal), ROM setting #2 or higher. However, I’ve noticed, the higher the ROM number (3, 4, or 5), the more I have to watch her pelvis to make sure she maintains a level seat when turning to a particular side. I’m not sure if that is due to a difference in strength, flexibility, or something I haven’t yet considered.
It is fairly frightening if one stops to think of what I am doing. I’m operating during the most dangerous stage of learning, I know just enough to be dangerous, but not enough to recognize when I’ve made an error. In spite of minimal knowledge & comprehension, there are a lot of little details in what we are doing….
I believe asymmetric core torso rotation (CTR) is both being considered by some and rejected by others. I chose to use symmetric CTR because my daughter has two curves (right thoracic & left lumbar). If her workout was asymmetric, which curve would I choose to address? Some would say we should focus on the thoracic curve because it is structural, but since neither curve exists in a vacuum, I’m not sure how I would correct one without making the other worse over a long period of time. (I simply do not have the background to figure that out.) I did consider that symmetrical workouts might make one of those curves worsen, however per the last two x-rays, that has yet to occur. Note: Mooney only tracked one curve in each subject so he couldn’t have noted that occurrence and while McIntire tracked one - three curves in each subject, he did not mention this occurring during his study.
FYI: Remember, contrary to logic, the concave side has not been shown to have stronger muscles.
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