Carlina Soderberg, Licensed Massage Therapist

02/28/2026

Cervical Spine: “A sagittal drawing of the cervical spine depicting the degenerative changes involved in degenerative cervical myelopathy.

Degenerative changes within the cervical spine include changes to the vertebral body such as loss of height, increased anterior-posterior length, and hourglass reshaping. The vertebral body can become hypermobile and lead to spondylolisthesis. Osteophyte formation can occur leading to anterior compression of the spinal cord. The intervertebral (IV) disc can degenerate and lead to loss of IV height and protrusion. The posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL) and ligamentum flavum (LF) can also be affected through hypertrophy and ossification. Points of compression are highlighted in red on the illustration.”

- Physical Therapy E-Learning

Image: Saunders L M, Sandhu H S, McBride L, et al. (December 12, 2023) Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy: An Overview. Cureus 15(12): e50387 doi:10.7759/cureus.50387

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http://www.secretlifeoffascia.com/

02/23/2026

Peroneus Longus — The Hidden Stabilizer of the Foot and Ankle 👣

The peroneus (fibularis) longus is one of the most important yet often overlooked muscles of the lower leg. Located on the outer side of the calf, it originates from the head and upper lateral shaft of the fibula and travels downward as a long tendon. What makes it unique is its course — the tendon wraps behind the lateral ankle, passes under the foot through the cuboid groove, and inserts into the base of the first metatarsal and medial cuneiform. This long, curved path gives it powerful mechanical influence over foot stability.

Functionally, the peroneus longus plays a major role in ankle eversion and plantarflexion, but its deeper biomechanical value is in arch support. Because it inserts on the medial side of the foot after crossing from lateral to plantar, it acts like a dynamic sling that helps stabilize the first ray and supports the medial longitudinal arch. During walking and running, it becomes especially active in mid-stance and push-off phases.

From a gait perspective, this muscle helps control lateral ankle stability and prevents excessive inversion — making it a key protector against ankle sprains. It also works with the intrinsic foot muscles and tibialis posterior to maintain arch integrity under load. Weakness or delayed activation can contribute to lateral ankle instability, arch collapse tendencies, and inefficient force transfer during propulsion.

Clinically, overuse of the peroneus longus may lead to tendinopathy, especially in runners, athletes on uneven terrain, or people with poor foot mechanics. On the other hand, targeted strengthening and neuromuscular training of this muscle improves balance, first-ray control, and push-off efficiency. Footwear, orthotic design, and lateral posting strategies often consider its biomechanical role.

In simple terms: the peroneus longus is not just an evertor — it is a cross-foot stabilizer, arch supporter, and propulsion assistant that quietly keeps every step more stable and efficient. 💪

02/22/2026

Breathing is not only a respiratory function but also a fundamental biomechanical process that supports spinal stability and postural control. The diaphragm, abdominal wall, pelvic floor, and deep spinal stabilizers work together to create a pressure-regulating system that stabilizes the trunk. The illustration highlights how diaphragmatic breathing distributes pressure evenly throughout the abdominal cavity, forming a supportive internal cylinder.

During proper inhalation, the diaphragm contracts and descends, increasing intra-abdominal pressure. Instead of the abdomen pushing forward only, pressure expands in all directions — anteriorly, laterally, and posteriorly — creating 360-degree expansion. The pelvic floor responds by lengthening slightly, while the transverse abdominis and oblique muscles regulate the expansion. This balanced pressure supports the lumbar spine and reduces excessive reliance on passive structures like ligaments and discs.

From a biomechanical standpoint, intra-abdominal pressure functions like an internal brace for the spine. When pressure is evenly distributed, it enhances trunk stiffness and stability without excessive muscular tension. This mechanism is crucial during lifting, walking, and athletic movements, as it improves force transfer between the upper and lower body while minimizing spinal strain.

The side-view illustration shows how pressure interacts with spinal alignment. With efficient diaphragmatic breathing, pressure supports the lumbar curve and maintains trunk integrity. In contrast, shallow chest breathing elevates the rib cage, limits diaphragm descent, and shifts stabilization demand to the neck, shoulders, and lower back. Over time, this inefficient pattern may contribute to neck tension, lumbar pain, and reduced core stability.

Poor pressure management can also overload the pelvic floor. If pressure is directed downward without coordinated muscular support, it may contribute to pelvic floor dysfunction. Conversely, excessive abdominal gripping without diaphragm coordination can increase spinal compression and restrict breathing efficiency.

Restoring optimal breathing mechanics involves retraining diaphragmatic function, improving rib cage mobility, and strengthening deep core musculature. When the diaphragm, abdominal wall, and pelvic floor coordinate effectively, the body gains a stable foundation for posture, movement, and injury prevention.

Efficient breathing creates a stable yet adaptable trunk, enhances movement efficiency, and supports long-term spinal health — demonstrating that proper respiration is essential not only for oxygen exchange but also for biomechanical integrity.

02/17/2026

01/15/2026

Correcting scapular motion helps optimize function of the whole upper limb

Disclaimer:
👉 Sharing a study is NOT an endorsement.
👉 You should read the original research yourself and be critical.

01/13/2026

🦴 Snapping Hip Syndrome – What’s That Click or Pop in Your Hip?

Ever feel or hear a snap, click, or pop in your hip during movement? This image explains Snapping Hip Syndrome — a common but often misunderstood condition.

🔍 What’s happening biomechanically?

A muscle or tendon slides over a bony prominence around the hip

During hip flexion–extension or rotation, the structure suddenly shifts → “snap” sensation

📌 Common types shown here:
➡️ Internal snapping hip
• Iliopsoas tendon snapping over the femoral head or pelvic brim
• Often felt in the front of the hip/groin

➡️ External snapping hip
• Iliotibial band or gluteus maximus snapping over the greater trochanter
• Felt on the outside of the hip

⚠️ When does it become a problem?

Repetitive snapping

Pain or inflammation

Reduced hip control or strength

🧠 Key contributors:
• Muscle tightness
• Poor hip stability
• Altered pelvic mechanics
• Repetitive movement patterns

✅ Management focuses on:
✔ Improving hip and core control
✔ Addressing muscle imbalances
✔ Restoring smooth movement patterns
✔ Not just stretching — but movement retraining

📌 Takeaway:
Snapping isn’t always dangerous, but painful snapping is a sign of faulty mechanics that shouldn’t be ignored.

12/28/2025

12/26/2025

12/19/2025

Everyone is starting to realize how important fascia is when it comes to training the body, but most people still underestimate how deeply it influences movement.

Hydrated fascia behaves very differently, down to the cellular level. Not only does it participate in bioelectric signaling, it also plays a major role in how much range of motion your body can access during exercise. When this tissue is loaded correctly, it becomes elastic and responsive. Your muscles coordinate better, your posture improves, and energy becomes more stable because your body isn’t fighting itself to move.

When this tissue loses its elasticity and structural organization, your body begins moving in ways that increase tension, stiffness, and joint stress in the wrong areas. This is when people start experiencing the movement degradation that eventually leads to pain. Hydration in the body isn’t just about drinking more water. It depends on restoring the mechanical conditions that allow fluid to move through your tissue with minimal friction.

The visual on the left is exactly what we help you overcome through our training. This is what you see in the transformations we help people achieve, where their bodies begin to look more viscoelastic and full.

If you want to improve your movement, you not only need to strengthen the muscles that are weak, you also need to build the mechanics that distribute tension efficiently throughout your fascial system. The quality of your movement determines the quality of your tissue.

12/18/2025

infraspinatus and teres minor