Guest guest Posted May 14, 2008 Report Share Posted May 14, 2008 Good Morning! 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 Alternative medicine and therapies for healing mind, body & spirit! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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