Umbilical Hernia?

So… I began a new chapter in my career.  One that involves another 8 years of study. When I first began this journey I attended a “knee course” in LA with Guy Voyer MD, DO.  I spent 27 hours that weekend re-learning knee biomechanics and knee anatomy.  There are structures that he described that are not in the medical anatomy textbooks in the US!   Needless to say, I was a little surprised, confused and bewildered at the same time.  That was June of 2010.   Since then, the level of insight and applicable anatomy/ biomechanics gets more and more insightful.  Here is but another example!

The level of anatomy and biomechanics far exceeds what I’ve been taught thus far.  By simply applying anatomy at its highest level, I have been able to assist patients with hernias, that I never understood before to be possible.

Patient:  Reports to my office complaining of an umbilical hernia that she got 14 years prior, from carrying twin girls.  She also has a more recently found inguinal hernia on the R, but that’s not for this blog!  Below is the picture of the size of her umbilical hernia.

After prescribing one abdominal exercise to properly close the hole at her belly button.  This is the after picture that I took 3 weeks later!

The original size was palpable and not visible.  In the ‘after’ photo, the hernia was no longer palpable outside of the belly button ring.

Before                                                                                                  After

Side Effects:  a tighter overall abdomen as we ‘tightened her corset’ around her abdominal wall.

Next up.  Her inguinal hernia!  Please check the testimonial section of the website for her testimonial.

If you know any women or men with umbilical hernias, diastasis recti or other issues with the abdominal wall, please refer them in for a consult.

Please email me with any questions that you may have!

In Health.

Dr. Jason Amstutz DC, RTP, CCSP, CSCS

DrAmstutz@LINKMedicalCenter.com

STRUCTURE DICTATES FUNCTION Function 3 of 3

The final of a 3 part series on Function.  I could write a 10 part series, but I will save you all the boredom!

So… we’ve discussed what Function isn’t.  So how do we create it?  What are the parts involved?

Without plunging deep in the proverbial ‘rabbit hole’ we will keep it simple.

I’m going to argue the following

Structure Dictates Function!  Most of us have heard and/or used this before.  Its been a mantra of mine since I first graduated Chiropractic school.  Not until recent did I truely understand what 10% of this means.

The Structure:  primarily starting with the Pelvis.  (Without making this into an anatomy lesson, I will attempt to make this brief and poignant)

• Based upon Tensegrity = Force of Compression (using bones) combined with Tension (using ligaments and fascia)
  

  Human as a Tensegrity Model!

                                                                  copyright  T. Flemons 2006  www.intensiondesigns.com

Therefore…  The pelvis is literally the ‘center’ of the balance of the entire Tension and Compression (tensegrity) system!

Specific Example.  Scapula is directly influenced by the Pelvis via 1 direct link!  How is that?  Simple.  Latissimus Dorsi (lat) is continuous with the thoracolumbar fascia which is connected directly to the pelvis (1).  Continuous with the Latissimus Dorsi is LeBlanc’s Fascia, which connects directly to the scapula.

What does that mean for a patient or athlete?  A pelvis that is not properly balanced will directly cause a shoulder issue (of many varieties;  labrum tears, tendonitis, impingement, scapula dyskinesis, etc)

The basic KINETIC CHAIN theory that we have all learned or heard about, needs some clarifications.  Mainly that the CHAIN is not the ‘shin bone connected to my thigh bone’ approach, but better explained…’the shin bone is held in relationship to my  thigh bone via a vast complicated network of fascia and ligaments and muscles’ AND the mechanics of the knee (joint between the shin and thigh bones!) is NOT ONLY determined by the bony interface, but also highly influenced by the tension in the system in the anterior, posterior, medial and lateral sides (to simplify)…

This explains many more complicated interactions of the body that Dr Guy Voyer has been introducing to many Therapists, Doctors and High Level Trainers in the US and Canada.  If the structure isn’t properly balanced and mobile, proper Function isn’t achievable.

So if you’ve given up on your Shoulder, Lowback, Neck, Headache Pain OR you are desperately trying to get your 95mph fastball back, 4.1sec 40…or ….  Give us a call and find out exactly the disturbance in your Tensegrity system that is causing your pain!

In Health

Jason Amstutz DC, RTP, CCSP, CSCS

Somatherapy and Somatraining Student of Dr Guy Voyer.

DrAmstutz@LINKMedicalCenter.com