'' the neck and neural impingement is a common problem for most people but it affects bodybuilders more than the average person because of the extreme forces strength athletes transfer through their neck.''
in bone, cartilage, muscle, ligaments and fascia. They are found throughout the body and stimulation of these pain receptors can be caused by overuse, chemicals, accidents, inflammation or connective tissue scaring.
Neural impingement affects our bodies in different ways but the main problem is that it plays a big role in disrupting the functioning of our Central Nervous System( CNS). The two main systems of our CNS are the sympathetic and the para-sympathetic branches. The sympathetic branch is the consciously controlled stuff. Things like conscious muscle contraction, technique or the form we use are all controlled by the sympathetic branch. Its your fight or flight nervous system and calls your body to action when needed. The parasympathetic system regulates all your unconscious functions. Breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, hormonal cycles, sleep / wake cycles and healing are all parasympathetic responses and functions. These two branches with their complimentary actions need to be balanced and functioning correctly if you want your body to respond to training and diet.
Another problem with a compromised CNS is the problems it causes with cerebrospinal fluid flow. CSF is probably not often covered in bodybuilding magazines but if you want a body functioning optimally then it’ s vital that this flow isn’ t impeded in anyway. It’ s a clear, colourless fluid and your body produces about 400 to 500ml a day in the choroid plexus of the brain. The brain floats in this CSF and it acts as a cushion for the brain and spinal cord. It also plays a large part in the chemical stability of the CNS as it rinses drugs and metabolic waste from the CNS as well as transports hormones to remote areas of the brain. The natural flow from the brain down the spinal cord and back is important for bodily health( think clear, flowing mountain stream as opposed to a stagnant, green pond and you get the idea). Dr John Upledger( a craniosacral pioneer) believed strongly that tension around the CNS caused irregularities in the cerebrospinal fluid flow.
The pneumogastric nerve, more commonly known as the vagus nerve is the biggest nerve in your body and has 13 main branches. These branches include control over bodily functions such as breathing, swallowing, speaking, heartbeat, digestion, constriction of blood vessels and bronchial tubes, liver function, gall bladder activity and pancreatic function. If tension states within the body impinge or restrict this nerve in any way and compromise the above mentioned functions, your training, digestion, nutrient uptake, waste removal, growth and healing( vital functions for bodybuilders) all become problematic.
A common neural impingement problem among strength athletes is thoracic outlet syndrome. Symptoms of this condition can include neck or shoulder pain, numbness or tingling down the arm as well as circulatory problems or weakness. Clavicle fractures, poor posture, asymmetrical muscle development as well as tension states in the middle and anterior scalenes can impinge on the brachial plexus or subclavian vessels causing discomfort and pain. This makes training at the required intensity level to build lean muscle that much harder. Compression at the angle between the coracoid process and pectoralis insertion can also impinge on the nerves there. This commonly manifests as pain in the anterior deltoid while benching or training the
'' incorrectly performing squats and deadlifts can cause the si joints to“ lock up. this creates an uneven pelvis and can lead to pain and discomfort in different parts of the body.''
pectoralis muscles.
Squatting and deadlifting extreme weights are fantastic exercises to promote strength, growth and an anabolic response. The problem with these exercises though is that if performed incorrectly they place a tremendous amount of strain on the thoracolumbar fascia of the back, most times causing the SI joints to“ lock up”. This creates an uneven pelvis and this situation can lead to pain and discomfort in different parts of the body.
The neck and neural impingement is a common problem for most people but it affects bodybuilders more than the average person because of the extreme forces strength athletes transfer through their neck. The cervical vertebrae can respond to physical and emotional stress in rather unique and interesting ways because it isn’ t embedded as securely in bony and myofascial structures like the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae. There is a lot of dural attachment on the neck and so cervical nerve irritation is very common. This can lead to shoulder or arm pain, neck pain and tempero-mandibular joint( TMJ) problems. If you consider that a TMJ that is misaligned can change the PH of your saliva which in turn affects the intestinal flora of your stomach, you can see why some therapists claim it’ s the most important joint in your body.
Nerve irritation, impingement or restriction can cause misalignment in the body which in turn can compromise CNS functioning. The 1981 Nobel Prize for Medicine Laureate, Dr Rodger Sperry, had this to say about tension states in the body and how they affect the nervous system“ Better than 90 % of the energy output of the brain is used in relating the physical body in its gravitational field. The more mechanically distorted a person is the less energy available for thinking, metabolism and healing.” So train with intensity, diet with conviction and above all else make sure your CNS is functioning at its best. M. E
Sean Johnson is a Bowen Practitioner and Instructor, with a practice based in Randburg, Johannesburg. He has played provincial rugby at senior level in South Africa and in Australia. Following a herniated disc Sean’ s playing career was in jeopardy, but he then found Bowen Therapy and made a successful return to the field. Bowen Therapy did what doctors said was impossible, which had an indelible impact on Sean’ s life. He therefore became a certified Bowen practitioner and later an instructor. Email sean @ bowentechnique. co. za for more info or visit him at The Yoga Republic in Gertrude Road, Fontainbleau. www. muscleevolution. co. za 25