A unique and comprehensive approach to functional anatomy through the lens of myofascial continuities, from the coauthor of Fascial Release for Structural Balance
Whether we describe them as anatomy trains, myofascial chains, meridians, or slings—insights into the interconnected nature of fascial tissue have had a profound impact on our understanding of anatomy.
The concept of tensegrity—the idea that changes in tension may affect the whole body rather than just one part—has likewise opened up new appreciations for the complex and interdependent nature of real-world bodily movements. But musculoskeletal anatomy still tends to be taught in a drastically simplified fashion, through the study of fixed anatomical positions that do little to prepare us for the reality of actual movements.
In Functional Myofascial Anatomy, James Earls suggests that we need a new set of tools and vocabulary for watching and describing anatomy in motion. Earls argues that it is seeing movement in action—in different bodies and in different environments—that should inform our understanding of anatomy, rather than the other way around.
By situating the different theories and metaphors of myofascial continuities against the context of common real-life movements such as sports exercises and yoga asanas, Earls explains how each theoretical system may be useful in different situations and applicable to different issues.
Using up-to-date research, Earls digs into important questions for physical and manual therapists: which tissues really are contiguous? Does continuity of tissue actually show or demonstrate transmission of force and communication along those lines? And does fascial tissue have to be continuous for the body to actually transfer force?
Accessibly written and fully illustrated, Functional Myofascial Anatomy offers practical applications for physical therapists, chiropractors, and bodyworkers, as well as new tools for teachers of yoga and pilates to develop a deeper understanding of anatomy and movement.
Movement is a vivid discovery, a fundamental and explicit teaching in which the return to basics takes on a whole new meaning. In it, author Gray Cook crosses the lines between rehabilitation, conditioning and fitness, providing a clear model and a common language under which fitness and rehabilitation professionals can work together. By using systematic logic and revisiting the natural developmental principals all infants employ as they learn to walk, run and climb, Gray forces a new look at motor learning, corrective exercise and modern conditioning practices.
The discoveries, lessons and approaches you’ll learn—
* How to view and measure movement quality alongside quantity
* How to ascertain dysfunctional patterns with the Functional Movement Screen
* What clinicians need to know about the Selective Functional Movement Assessments
* When to apply corrective strategies and how to determine which strategies to use
* How to map movement patterns and understand movement as a behavior and not just as a mechanical idea
This book is not simply about the anatomy of moving structures. Rather, it serves a broader purpose to help the reader understand authentic human movement, and how the brain and body create and learn movement patterns. Our modern dysfunctions are a product of our isolated and incomplete approaches to exercise imposed on our sedentary lifestyles.
A return to movement principles can create a more comprehensive exercise and rehabilitation model, a model that starts with movement.
Functional Anatomy of Movement is a visual and educational masterpiece! Earls takes you on an incredible journey through the body’s anatomy, breaking down complex concepts with ease. The detailed illustrations and clear explanations have given me a new appreciation for how joints, muscles, and fascia work together. Whether you’re a yoga teacher, Pilates instructor, or manual therapist, this book is a treasure trove of knowledge that you’ll return to again and again.
On the other hand, Functional Movement Systems by Gray Cook is a game-changer in terms of practical application. Cook’s approach to screening and assessing movement is both innovative and effective. The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) has become an invaluable tool in my practice, helping me identify and correct movement patterns that I would have otherwise overlooked. The corrective strategies provided are easy to implement and have already made a noticeable difference in my clients’ progress.
Together, these books provide a holistic and comprehensive understanding of functional movement that is essential for anyone in the fitness, rehabilitation, or movement therapy fields. If you’re serious about improving your practice and helping your clients move better, these are must-haves for your bookshelf!
Don't miss out on the opportunity to elevate your knowledge and skills—these books are worth every penny!
There is a lot of material and context to get to grips with, so it is not a book your read once, it’s more a study resource to keep diving into. I have gained a several insights from the assessment approach that has changed both how and where I look for movement issues in my clients. I particularly like the anatomical illustrations showing how movement ‘strains’ particular tissues and how it changes when the impetus for the movement or ‘driver’ is altered.
Another thing I really value is the way this approach can engage at a somatic level, so the client is actively part of the assessment process. This can start a conversation around what is happening to them and more importantly, why – which is much more motivating and empowering when homework practice is needed.
I think this book is a valuable tool for anyone looking for a realistic way to assess the moving body and who wants to devise a personalised movement interventions.
Expect a book filled with useful info and data. It’s almost an academic book. This is a study. It’s not an easy read for those looking for simple recommendations.
You’ll need a lot of time and write in the margin.
In the end, it’s worth it. Every page.
Tons of content, but all of it is simplified to achieve a single goal, to move our bodies.
This not a book with a list of corrective exercises, nor does it have an anatomy map to pick on isolated muscles.
It's all about moving with full (normal) range of mothion in all joints, in all postures and positions.
I would recomend this book to all trainers, PT's and coaches. Who want their clients to move faster, move efficiently, move for longevity and for rehab.
If I could add one thing it would be a few more pictures.
A must read for movers, athletes, physiotherapists and coaches.
I bought the Kindle version a couple of years ago, and I rebought the book to get the PDF version from the publisher's website (otpbooks.com). You get the Kindle and ePub formats as well for the same price. It's sometimes difficult to read textbooks in Kindle format, but it's nice to have there since it's smaller and more portable than an iPad. I think textbooks are better suited to stay in PDF format because the pictures and diagrams make sense.
This book will make you a more competent health professional and provide a lot of answers to questions you might have otherwise went to the grave asking. Questions as simple as why does the hip compensate when squatting when flexibility is within normal functioning range in all the lower extremities.
Also find answers to questions as complex as. When squat looks functional within reason, with minimal compensation but client (be it yourself of someone else) experiences pain on the return or deceleration phase of the mid part of a squat. You will learn the facial meridians, lines they intersect and the importance and correlation between regions of the body you would have otherwise never thought of. Simple things like rehabilitative fixes for issues like this and many others.
I now use barefoot running as my default way to run. I happily engage in those mindful 'tune-ups' and energetic 'test runs' because I can see real improvements. I use my barefoot running and yoga postural work to gain new insights on how they compliment and improve each other.
I have more understanding of my dysfunctions by studying this book. My guess is postural refinements can be made by everyone no matter how good these patterns may be as long we appreciate and respect nature's gift to us,'movement'. Cook is especially aware of creating neural pathways when automatic resetting of fundamental movement skills fails to spontaneously emerge.
I also like his pithy saying such as: Move well and move often...and don't build sports specific training on fundamental movement dysfunctions.
New York Times writer Broad would not be so negatively criticized by the yoga community at large if they could temper their critiques by first evaluating their own and their students' basic movement skills to see how 'authentic' they really are, After all, Dr Loren Fishman during his webinar at "Yoga-U Online" mentions how injuries while doing 'Hero Pose' are mostly incurred by yoga teachers themselves.
Postures that injure the hamstring tendon at the sit-bone are well known to be epidemic in the yoga community. Gray Cook's and Doug Keller's insights on muscular engagement and whole body movements go a long way to both identify postural problems and apply remedial techniques to both heal and regain better postural health for both our sports and 'practices' and for our everyday movements in life.
body movement and rehabilitating patients, this will be my book of choice to read.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in improving the body's movement patterns.
I would recommend this book to everybody involved in movement, meaning....... the whole world.
But as I am reading his book, it is apparent there are some other sound methods for looking at movement and tying that into better treatments.
I will always run a hands on practice, but this book with also change me for the better.
Thanks Gray,
Shawn
I'm a doctor in medicine and a passionate enthusiasts of these methods. And I recognize good medicine when I see it...
The crux of the book are the seminal screening protocols, the FMS and SFMA, which Gray Cook and his colleagues developed for the fitness/training and allied health care professionals, respectively.
But the book is much more than that as it leads the reader down a path of discovery into how fundamental good movement is to our health, well being and quality of life. This is not for athletes only but all who are interested in improving movement and thus quality of life. It's reach is expansive and all inclusive.
The sister website, [...] is a great resource that reinforces and expands on the information the book provides. This book should be one of the primary reference books for everyone in the training or allied health professions.
She keeps looking at me and waiting for the other pin to drop on my own physical movement shortcomings... *gulp*
The downsides are that this book is very technical, and as mentioned, you will really need to re-read it. Also you are on your own when it comes to exercises and stretches to fix problem areas.