Upper Extremity Myofascial Chains

Original Editor - Carin Hunter based on the course by Rina Pandya
Top Contributors - Jess Bell, Carin Hunter, Kim Jackson, Lucinda hampton and Robin Tacchetti

Introduction

A myofascial chain is a line of connective tissue that runs throughout the body.  There is a posterior (back) line, an anterior (front) line, a spiral line, and a lateral line.  These lines help the body to move as a unit.  

Myofascial chains are important for functional movement, coordination and stability.  They can, however, also cause pain within the body and structural weakness. By understanding myofascial chains, you can better understand injuries and movement limitations.

In the upper limb there are four myofascial chains:

1. Superficial front arm line (figure 1)
2. Deep front arm line (figure 2)
3. Superficial back arm line (figure 3)
4. Deep back arm line (figure 4)

• 

  Figure 1. Superficial front arm line.

• 

  Figure 2. Deep front arm line.

Figure 1. Superficial front arm line.

Figure 2. Deep front arm line.

Figure 3. Superficial back arm line.

Figure 4. Deep back arm line.

Stabilisation Tracts

1. Back arm line

1. Latissimus dorsi
2. Thoracolumbar fascia
3. Sacral fascia contralateral to thoracolumbar fascia
4. Gluteus max contralateral to thoracolumbar fascia
5. Vastus lateralis

2. Front arm line

1. Pectoralis major
2. External oblique
3. Adductor longus contralateral to external oblique
4. Gracilis contralateral to external oblique
5. Pes anserine contralateral to external oblique
6. Tibial periosteum contralateral to external oblique