Family Run Time


This is the 3rd of a 4 part series focusing on how myofascial lines influence running. This series is not supposed to overload you with information, but hopefully provide you with just enough for contemplation.
Enjoy the article and enjoy your run!


Welcome back! You must be ready for the 3rd installment in the series of Myofascial Lines For Running!

If you’ve only just arrived, take a look at 1 (Superficial Back Line) and 2 (Lateral Line) to get you up to speed:) You’ll be glad you did!

There are 4 myofascial lines that take prominence when we run

The third myofascial line we will concentrate on is the SPIRAL LINE (SPL)

Anything involving rotation in the body, will encompass the SPL.

It’s job . . . to maintain postural balance across all planes of motion, keeping the trunk steady and the knees tracking correctly during all types of body movement.

It is a complex ‘Curly Whirly', bi-laterally, wrapping it’s way around the body like a “jump rope”.

Left and right lines mirror each other. Starting at . . .

Spiral Line

Resource: Thomas Myers Anatomy Trains

  • each side of the base of the skull . . .
  • crossing over the upper back to the opposite shoulder . . .
  • around the front chest . . .
  • crossing over for a 2nd time at the navel . . .
  • then moving straight down over the front of the hip . . .
  • along the outer thigh and outer side of the knee . . .
  • finally crossing down the front shin to the inside of the foot . . .
  • looping underneath and heading back up the outside leg . . .
  • through the hamstrings . . .
  • passing around the coccyx area . . .
  • and working its way along the spinal muscles . . .
  • only to end where it pretty much started on the skull.

As you can see, this SPL is an important factor when considering it’s impact on running (and many other sports . . . but focusing on running/jogging for now.)

Thoracic Mobility

The external and internal obliques are hugely important for power generation in the run.

On each “stride" (rotation of the upper body), one set contracts and the other stretches which stores energy for the following contraction.

Take a look at the diagram above. The SPL crosses over at the upper back and navel. This is a continuous sling. So if you are tight in the thoracic area . . . it makes sense that its’s going to affect your abdominal’s performance and vice versa.

An e fficient runner should have good thoracic rotation and shoulder mobility to enable the obliques to function fully and to enhance breathing techniques.

Resource: Take a look at Tim Keeley’s video on how to safely work on your thoracic mobility.

I am aligned with his approach to mobility. Stacking and stabilising the hips during this mobility exercise (takes the hips out of the equation), and allows true focus on the thoracic area, making this a very good example for effective thoracic mobility.

Supination / Pronation of the Foot 

Analyse your gait . . . Get someone to film you while you run. I know . . . not always the most pleasant of experiences. BUT it is always good to giggle at yourself and more seriously, is a great way to obtain insight into what is happening in your body. Take a look from top to bottom. Head, Shoulders, Hips, Knees and Feet. Then, keep your video to show your Therapist or Coach.  

  • Do you know if your heel or forefoot strikes when you run?
  • Have you ever really inspected your feet?
  • Do you have a high arch or is it flat to the floor when you stand barefooted?

 A good runner usually has the ability to pronate and supinate the feet. This allows shock absorption and forward propulsion . . . very important in running.

We have to work with what we’ve got, but we also need to know what we are working with 🙂

Heel strikers tend to have propensity for pronation and possible knee issues.

Whereas a forefoot striker tends to have propensity for supination of the foot and are generally more susceptible to ankle injuries.

Because of the complexity of the Spiral Line, it criss-crosses over other myofascial lines simultaneously (mentioned in articles 1 & 2 of this series), which may cause confusion when trying to understand where the dysfunction or compensation may lie. 

Our body has ways of communicating with us, but the trick is being able to decode these messages and knowing what to do about it - or - if anything needs to be done about it.

Making an appointment with a good Intrinsic Biomechanics Coach or a Physiotherapist who would be able to help you locate the dysfunction in your SPL.

So, to make it easier for you . . . if you look at yourself and notice:

  • ankle pronation / supination
  • knee rotation
  • pelvis rotation when standing
  • rib rotation when hip is square
  • one shoulder lifted or shifted
  • or a head tilt

. . . then you may have something going on with your Spiral Line and if this concerns you and you would like an assessment, get in touch with your nearest Intrinsic Biomechanics Coach.

. . . and keep an eye out for 4/4 . . . The Superficial Front Line . . . coming soon!

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