Massage and the Dermatomes
Find Out More about Dermatomes in Massage
How do dermatomes have a part in an effective massage? Thankfully, there are many different approaches to massage and applications of it. “Massage Therapy” is a holistic procedure that affects all systems of the body. This includes the digestive, elimination, respiratory, circulatory, lymphatic, endocrine, and nervous systems. Massage accomplishes this through specific manipulations with the hands on the soft tissue of the body for therapeutic effect.
Anatomical Clues for Effective Massage
Basic anatomy explains that the brain and spinal cord comprise our central nervous system (CNS). The peripheral nervous system (PNS) consists of cranial nerves. These branch out of the brain, and spinal nerves, which branch out of the spinal cord. The region where the nerve branches out from the spinal cord is known as the Nerve Root. Each nerve travels from the spinal cord and then divides into a posterior division (dorsal rami) and an anterior division (ventral rami). The dorsal rami innervate the posterior muscles and skin of the trunk; the ventral rami, from, T1 to T12, innervate the anterior and lateral muscles and skin of the trunk.
Motor fibers and sensory fibers emerge from the spinal nerves. The motor fibers innervate particular muscles, while sensory fibers innervate specific areas of the skin. A skin area innervated by the sensory fibers of a single nerve root is known as a ‘dermatome.’
What about the Myotome Factor in Massage?
A group of muscles primarily innervated by the motor fibers of a single nerve root is known as a ‘myotome’ (muscle). Overall, there is a total of 31 sets of nerves branching out of the spinal cord.
The remaining anterior nerve divisions form a plexus, which then distribute flow to the rest of the body. The nerves from each plexus innervate specific muscles and areas of skin in the body. These are numbered according to the location in the spine from where they exit. The following are the four top plexuses:
Physically, the Cervical and Brachial plexuses innervate the upper limbs. The Lumbar and Sacral plexuses innervate the lower limbs.
Cervical plexus, C1 – C4, innervates the diaphragm, shoulder, and neck
Brachial plexus, C5 – T1, innervates the upper limbs
Lumbar plexus, T12/L1 – L4, innervates the thigh
Sacral plexus, L4 – S4, innervates the leg and foot.
Effective Massage Therapists Know Dermatomes and Myotomes
Having knowledge of dermatomes and myotomes can help us to differentiate different dysfunctions. Certainly, if there is no dysfunction, massage techniques that focus on massage in the direction of the dermatomes and myotomes make for a soothing, intuitive experience in touch therapy.
The sensory perception is what our body acknowledges. This is another reason why the “flow” of the massage is so critical.
Coupled with other sensory stimulants such as aromatherapy and sound/music therapy and you can create the most insightful massage you have ever given!
