This is a Chapter 1 summary of “Clinical Neurodynamics” by Michael Shacklock. Concepts When we first started working with the nervous system, oftentimes we called pathological processes adverse neural tension. The problem with this name was that it left out nervous system physiology; it was mere mechanical concepts. Hence, we call the movement and physiology of the nervous system neurodynamics. General neurodynamics account for whole body fundamental mechanisms, regardless of region. Specific neurodynamics, on the other hand, applies to particular body regions to account for local anatomical and biomechanical idiosyncrasies. The System There are three parts to the neurodynamic structure: 1) The mechanical interface 2) The neural structures 3) The innervated tissues The mechanical interface is that which is near the nervous system. It consists of materials such as tendon, muscle, bone, intervertebral discs, ligaments, fascia, and blood vessels. The neural structures are those which make up the nervous system. These structures include the connective tissues that forms the meninges (pia, arachnoid, and dura mater) and peripheral nervous system (mesoneurium, epineurium, epineurium, and endoneurium). The nervous system has mechanical functions of tension, movement, and compression. It also has physiological functions to include intraneural blood flow, impulse conduction, axonal transport, inflammation, and mechanosensitivity. The innervated tissues are simply any tissues that are innervated by the nervous system. They provide causal mechanisms for patient complaints, and are able to create nerve motion. When we have neural problems, sometimes the best treatment is to these structures. You must treat everything affected. Mechanical Functions
Read More