Massage and the Dermatomes

December 7, 2005

Good Morning!

There are many different approaches to massage and applications of

it. " Massage Therapy " is a holistic procedure that affects all

systems of the body; digestive, elimination, respiratory,

circulatory, lymphatic, endocrine and nervous systems. It is

accomplished through specific manipulations with the hands on the

soft tissue of the body for therapeutic effect.

Basic anatomy explains that our central nervous system (CNS) is

comprised of the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system

(PNS) consists of cranial nerves, which 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.

You can find a dermatome map by Dr. Netter here:

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/epollak/PSY255_pix/dermatomes-

netter2.JPG

Motor fibers and sensory fibers emerge from the spinal nerves. The

motor fibers innervate particular muscles, while sensory fibers

innervate particular areas of the skin. A skin area innervated by the

sensory fibers of a single nerve root is known as a Dermatome.

A group of muscles primarily innervated by the motor fibers of a

single nerve root is known as a Myotome (muscle). There is a total

of 31 sets of nerves branching out of the spinal cord.

A Plexus is formed by the remaining anterior nerve divisions, which

then distribute to the rest of the body. The nerves from each plexus

innervate specific muscles and areas of skin in the body and are

numbered according to the location in the spine from where they exit.

The following are the four main plexuses:

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.

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 very important.

Coupled with other sensory stimulants such as aromatherapy and

sound/music therapy and you can create the most insightful massage

you have ever given!

Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac.

Peacefulmind.com

Therapies for healing

mind, body, spirit

December 8, 2005

Andrew,

I am a national certified massage therapist for 8 years now. This is a

very well written and helpful article. I would love to see the map of

dermatomes, but the link is not working. Any way to fix it and repost?

Thanks,

Robert

On Behalf Of yogiguruji

Tuesday, December 06, 2005 9:49 PM