Dermatomal Testing for Chakra Application

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Dermatomal Testing for Chakra Application

 

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.

 

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.

 

 

A dermatome is the area of skin supplied by nerves orginating from a

single spinal nerve root. The spinal roots innervating the wrist and

hand are C5, C6, C7, C8, T1, T2.

 

If vibration, position sense, and subjective light touch are normal

in the fingers and toes you may assume the rest of this exam will be

normal.

 

Pain

Use a suitable sharp object to test " sharp " or " dull " sensation.

 

Test the following areas:

Shoulders (C4)

Inner and outer aspects of the forearms (C6 and T1)

Thumbs and little fingers (C6 and C8)

Front of both thighs (L2)

Medial and lateral aspect of both calves (L4 and L5)

Little toes (S1)

 

Temperature

Often omitted if pain sensation is normal.

Use a tuning fork heated or cooled by water and ask the patient to

identify " hot " or " cold. "

 

Test the following areas:

Shoulders (C4)

Inner and outer aspects of the forearms (C6 and T1)

Thumbs and little fingers (C6 and C8)

Front of both thighs (L2)

Medial and lateral aspect of both calves (L4 and L5)

Little toes (S1)

 

Light Touch

Use a fine whisp of cotton or your fingers to touch the skin lightly.

Ask the patient to respond whenever a touch is felt.

 

Test the following areas:

Shoulders (C4)

Inner and outer aspects of the forearms (C6 and T1)

Thumbs and little fingers (C6 and C8)

Front of both thighs (L2)

Medial and lateral aspect of both calves (L4 and L5)

Little toes (S1)

 

Application of crystals in dermatomal regions often have a direct

effect on the Chakra centers. It is always good to refer back to your

chakra information and treat according to the pain as well as the

energy center and crystals/colors it is associated with.

 

 

Chakra/Dermatome/Crystal Correlations

 

The Root/Base Chakra

Location: Base of the spine

Color: Red/Black

Associated Gland: Adrenal

*Controls body solids, such as the spinal column, bones, teeth, and

nails. Also the blood, building process of cells, the colon, and

rectal area

Gemstones: Agate, Bloodstone, Hematite, Red Coral, Red Garnet, Ruby,

Black Obsidian, Black Tourmaline and Black Tourmaline in Clear Quartz

Related Dermatomes: L1 - S4

 

 

The Sacral/Spleen Chakra:

Location: Below the navel

Color: Orange

Associated Organs/Systems: Reproductive organs, kidneys, bladder

Gemstones: Carnelian, Coral, Gold Calcite, Moonstone, Blood Citrine

and Orange Jasper

Related Dermatomes: S4 -T10

 

 

The Solar Plexus Chakra:

Location: Above the navel, but below the chest

Color: Yellow

Associated Organs/Systems: Pancreas, liver, stomach, spleen, gall

bladder, autonomic nervous system, lower back, muscles

Gemstones: Amber, Citrine, Tiger's Eye, Topaz, Yellow Sapphire,

Sulphur, Yellow Jasper

Related Dermatomes: T10 - T4, C1 - C4 also innervated the diaphragm

 

 

The Heart Chakra:

Location: The center of the chest

Color: Green/Pink

Associated Gland: Thymus

*Controls the heart, blood circulation, immune system, lower lungs,

rib cage, skin, upper back

Gemstones: Emerald, Green Jade, Rhodonite, Rhodochrosite, Rose

Quartz, Ruby, Kunzite, and Watermelon Tourmaline.

Related Dermatomes: T4 - T1

 

 

The Throat Chakra:

Location: the throat area

Color: blue

Associated Glands: Thyroid

*Controls the jaw, neck, throat, voice, airways, upper lungs, arms

Gemstones: Aquamarine, Blue Sapphire, Chalcedony, Turquoise, Blue

Quartz, Blue Kyanite, Angelite, Blue Obsidian, Apatite, Blue

Tourmaline, Azurite, Calcite, Lapis Lazuli, Sodalite

Related Dermatomes: T1 - C3

 

 

The Third Eye Chakra

Location: Middle of the forehead

Color: Indigo

Associated Glands: Pituitary

*Controls the endocrine system, the left brain hemisphere, the left

eye, nose, ears, sinuses, and parts of the nervous system

Gemstones: Lepidolite, Iolite, Strawberry Quartz, Lapis, Azurite,

Sodalite

Related Dermatomes: C3 - C2

 

 

The Crown Chakra:

Location: the top of the head

Color: Violet or white

Associated Glands: Pineal

*Controls cerebrum, right brain hemisphere, right eye, central

nervous system

Gemstones: Alexandrite, Amethyst, Clear Quartz, Diamond, Selenite,

Herkimer Diamond, Kundalini Quartz, Tiger's Eye, Amethyst, Citrine,

and Smokey Quartz, Tourmalinated Quartz.

Related Dermatomes: C1

 

 

 

Andrew Pacholyk, MS. L.Ac.

Peacefulmind.com

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