Myofascial slings

Have you ever wondered how your body works so seamlessly in complicated movements? How your arm swings when your leg steps with walking. How you stabilise your legs and trunk when you twist to look behind you. This complex co-ordination of movement is a reflection of our amazing neuromuscular system and myofascial slings. This sequence and flow in our movement control is something we will be looking at closely in classes this term.

Myofascial slings are complex connections of muscle, fascia, and ligaments that connect our core stabilising muscles of our trunk and the muscles of our limbs. 

Your body has 4 myofascial sling systems.

• Anterior Oblique Sling: when this group of muscles contract together, it provides stability by acting like an abdominal binder, compressing the entire pelvic girdle.
• Posterior Oblique Sling: provides trunk stability and is integral to pelvic stability and force generation from one leg standing and in walking.
• Deep Longitudinal Sling:  This sling allows for movement  when we bend and supports us in being upright.
• Lateral sling:  provides power and stability down the side of our trunk, hip and knee.

Plus the primary sling or deep abdominal corset.

Weakness, tightness or poor neuromuscular control within a sling will cause compensations in the movement pattern. These compensations may make movements less efficient, less effective and contribute to injury or pain.

Using myofascial slings in Pilates training help us to co-ordinate training in movement specific and functional ways.  They help us to sequence local and whole body systems. Pilates is used to train muscles within a sling system and between sling systems.

Unlike some other training programmes Pilates looks at both local and global muscles training. For example rather than looking at increasing knee strength just through simple quadriceps exercises – Pilates exercises can be used to address both the local quads strength and through the slings, the hip and trunk structures that influence every step and action of our knee.

The best bit about physiotherapist led Pilates is they can help you sequence both local and global muscle training. Creating a flowing training programme that works your body exactly where it needs it.

Each week in our group classes our clinical experts will be developing progressive programmes that address all aspects of movement co-ordination

Our classes form bitesize bits in a comprehensive course programme, personalised for you. Your physiotherapist will select the exercise to optimise your movement and function.

They do this by

1) Assessing and observing you (and your class mates): how your body is using the muscles and structures along a myofascial sling can be seen by your physiotherapist as they assess your movement.

2) Developing a bespoke exercise programme: Muscles are trained through repetition. So in Pilates when we perform an exercise repeatedly we make the muscle stronger, more co-ordinated and more efficient. This is the same with stretching too, applying gentle lengthening demands on our muscles and myofascial systems help them develop the flexibility in direction we are training.

Maybe your primary or anterior oblique sling has been affected by weakness from pregnancy, surgery or inactivity. Maybe your posterior sling is affected by tightness in your spine.. By understanding your movements our, physiotherapist can tailor your training.

Pilates is most effective at improving movement sequencing through your myofascial slings when it helps you work on the right bits for you.

Our mobile classes mean that programmes to address core stability can be brought to your doorstep. We remove the barriers to exercise by making our classes convenient, local and affordable.

We have specialist classes for those at risk of certain types of problems. Pregnancy classes, postnatal classes, classes for older adults or beginners. Find out more about the types of classes we run here.

Our team are experts in different areas. We can match you with an instructor that suits your needs. Meet our team and find out more. 

We also offer 1:1 tuition for the total focus of our instructors attention and programmes built around your needs and timetable. Find out more and book here.