Snap, Crackle, Pop
Snap, Crackle, and Pop: Joint noises and their meaning
by Jarlo Ilano, M.P.T.,C.S.T.
There many types of sounds that our joint structures elicit during the various motions we engage in, whether in specific exercise, or simply getting up in the morning. Depending upon who you speak with these sounds are either to be avoided like the plague, glossed over, or sought after like the Holy Grail.
The distinct nature of the sounds, in general, also gives some insight into their physiological underpinnings. What exactly is happening when you hear a click, pop, snap, clunk, or grind?
In truth, it is very difficult to say with great accuracy what is occurring, though we can make quality inferences. Especially after examining and assessing a variety of individuals in person. Needless to say, the accuracy significantly diminishes if you are not present to both hear and feel the sounds as they are happening.
Intu-Flow and Biotensegrity
Intu-Flow® and the Biotensegrity Concept
by Jarlo Ilano, M.P.T.,C.S.T.
In a previous article, I had written about MultiPlanar Mobility (MPM) in the more isolated terms of specific joint mobilities. In this “micro” view, each joint can be assessed in the manner of the 6 degrees of freedom (top/bottom, left/right, front/back). Full mobility requires total range of motion into all of these degrees. Restrictions in any of these degrees of freedom can lead to a cascade of differing problems, not the least of which is undue stress/strain on the joints in question. This is a great diagnostic tool, and leads the beginner to understand the necessity of working through IntuFlow or Warrior Wellness exercise thoroughly. However, as the CST athlete progresses through daily personal practice, it behooves them to understand some of the deeper implications of MPM.
By “deeper meaning”, I am referring to the concept of BioTensegrity. A terse definition may be that the body’s structure is arranged in a manner that forces are attenuated and distributed by a delicate balance of tension and compression. I had introduced the concept in a simple manner in the last written examination, indicating that In the body as a whole, free and complete multiplanar mobility of each of its “parts”, contributes to the optimal arrangement of these forces. With this definition, it is easy to see that we can “sum the parts” of every joint motion in our body and note its effect on our overall body movement and condition. This is a nice, mechanistic way of viewing our structure. This is a nice bridge from current educational models of physiology to the holistic “whole body” models. It is not a great leap to say that we would be improve movement performance in any chose endeavor if all of our joints were moving freely and easily.
Intu-Flow and MultiPlanar Mobility
Intu-Flow® and the Development of Full Multiplanar Mobility
by Jarlo Ilano, M.P.T.,C.S.T.
Multiplanar mobility (MPM) refers to our ability to move our body (as a whole and in parts) in all available directions. Again, we can begin the discussion by relating what a lack of MPM entails. “Stiff”, “Tight”, “Bound up”, are all terms related to the feeling of lack of mobility. Simply, we cannot move in the direction we wish our body to go. The general implications of this are obvious. Lack of mobility lessens our options in performing a task. How can I work this particular exercise if my arm can’t rise above a certain angle? How can I capitalize on my opponents lowered guard, if my hip is too stiff to allow me to kick that high? The specific implications are less obvious. If I cannot move my body in a particular angle of a particular plane of movement, then motor patterns will not be explored in this specific range of motion. It’s not just that I am not “flexible” enough to do a particular movement; it is that that movement will soon be “not there”. The neural pathways for the motion will degrade, and the option to respond with that movement is lost.
Taking MPM in its specific form, we can examine its importance as it relates to joint health. Synovial joints in the body can only acquire their nutrition through movement. Movement of the joint allows imbibition of the nutrients in the synovial fluid surrounding it. Without such absorption of vital chemicals, degeneration of these tissues set in. In effect the joint surfaces must be “scoured” by movement in order for nutrition to be delivered to all parts of the joint. Considering this, it is easy to imagine the condition of a joint that is not going through its motion appropriately and regularly. Also of concern, are the stresses that can be placed upon a joint that cannot move in all of its degrees of freedom. If a particular range is restricted, then strain occurs because force is often not dissipated throughout the structure, but instead is borne by one area, over and over again. If not allowed to regenerate and heal, structural failure can occur.
