The shoulder blade is connected to the pelvis
Rotation is crucial for functional activities
How is the shoulder blade connected to the pelvis? The shoulder blade sits on the back of the rib cage and attaches to the arm and axial skeleton through the collar bone. The pelvis is definitely lower down in the body, so where is the connection? The shoulder blade connects to the pelvis by way of muscles and fascia. Muscular and fascial connections include the serratus anterior which has fibers that connect to the external oblique on the same side. The external oblique has fasciae connections to the internal oblique on the opposite side which then connects to the pelvis.
What strikes me about this connection from the shoulder blade>serratus anterior>external oblique>internal oblique>pelvis on opposite side related to the shoulder blade is that this creates a spiral. Picture a winding that wraps around the core from the shoulder blade on one side of the upper back area wrapping around the front of the core to the opposite front of the pelvis. All of this working together as we walk and swing one arm opposite to the advancing leg. There’s a reciprocal rotation in one direction of the upper body in relation to the rotation of the lower body. It’s a melody, really, a rhythm. The rhythm and movement of muscles, bones, and fascia advancing through space and time at a pace that is uniquely ours.
The same type of rotation movement occurs with overhead activity like throwing a ball, completing a tennis serve/swing, swimming, golfing, throwing a frisbee, and so many others I am sure I am forgetting! Rotation and the connection between the upper body and lower body is crucial to our navigation in the world because of the functional role rotation plays in our everyday life. I think sometimes, we get so focused on moving forward that we forget to explore all of the ranges and movements our bodies are capable of. My opinion is that rotation is important to incorporate into our daily activity. One way is to allow your arms to swing freely as you walk. If walking is not your means of locomotion, it is important to incorporate some type of body rotation during your daily activities. Things like reaching up and over, reaching down and across or reaching side to side.
Loss of trunk rotation both actively and passively is a consequence for people who have neurological dysfunction such as Parkinson’s disease multiple sclerosis, stroke, and spinal cord injury. Scoliosis, or curvature of the spine, can affect the body’s ability to rotate as well. Sometimes, when we stay in one posture for extended periods of time, the muscles that help with rotation can get either stiff or weak which can cause loss of motion and mobility.
The reciprocity of arm and leg movement during ambulation is key to functional walking speed, improved core engagement, improved breathing and connecting the transfer of force from the lower to the upper body and vice versa. With children, proper motor development of high-level tasks includes the ability to rotate the trunk. This starts early with tasks like rolling, transitioning to sitting, reaching for toys, crawling and then walking.
Working with people in the clinic, I am always intrigued by the number of people who tell me they sleep in a recliner or they have difficulty with rolling from side to side. I would invite you to spend some time practicing this fundamental movement and notice how and where your body moves. Where do you initiate movement? How does your body feel? Is there any stiffness or difficulty with the movement? Can you roll to the right and left equally well or is it easier to go in one direction versus the other? Do you hold your breath as you roll? Can you get onto your stomach and then roll back onto your back? Connect with your breath and your body as you move through space. Pause and stretch into areas that need attention and breathe into those spaces as you explore this movement. Allow yourself to take up space and exist freely and safely within that space. Explore how your body rotates with this rolling activity.
Some ways to explore this movement:
Initiate the roll with your eyes. Laying on your back, look to the right or left, turn your head and the notice what part of your body follows
Initiate the roll with your upper body. Reach with one arm across the body
Initiate the roll with your leg. Cross one leg over the other and allow the rest of the body to follow
Initiate the roll from your back to your stomach and then back to your back without using your arms and legs
Initiate the roll by bending one leg and pushing with your foot
Take good care,
Sharon