SPINE TENSEGRITY- the spine is often described as a stack of blocks but in reality it is a complex Tensegrity structure. Tensegrity is the architectural principle that describes the balance between compression structures (bones, vertebrae in this case) and tension elements (soft tissues- fascia, muscles, tendons) to allow for a structure to remain stable in gravity.
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The quintessential shape of Tensegrity in nature is the tetrahedron which is a 3D pyramid comprised of multiple Triangle shapes. As we see in this drawing of The Transversospinales muscle groups, the triangle shape is prominent. Each level of the spine is LINKED to the next via the triangular lines of pull from each Transversospinales muscle (orange lines represent mulifidus, rotatores).
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Once you see this shape, the mind can begin to imagine how a “distortion” of a triangle from a muscle spasm on one side causes an uneven pull on multiple vertebrae. This could manifest as what the chiropractors called “subluxations”.
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A positional shift of a vertebral motion segment is simply a loss of the Tensegrity balance of The Transversospinales Triangle in this conceptual model. Treating the “tension” elements of the spine including muscles, tendons and fascia via therapy and exercise is an important compliment to facet manipulation in order to allow for the global structure of the spine to remain stable.
