Dr David McGrath

Spine Physician

MB BS (Hons) FAFOM, RACP, FAFMM
Master of Pain Medicine

Muscles are often viewed as structures that generate force to bones thereby changing the geometry of joints. This is true. Muscles however are much more than this simple "effector system " . Special muscle cells have a unique relationship to nerves. (spindle cells) Through this connection the muscles are in continuous communication with the spinal cord and brain, in much the same way that the retina of the eye talks to the brain.
This understanding has important consequences for how we view muscles and treat them. Rather than a structure which needs to be punished into shape by stretching and strenghening would could equally view muscles as a delicate instrument akin to a retina. Muscles have exquisite sensitivity to tension and rate of change of length. Retinal cells have exquisite sensitivity to light intensity and wavelengh. When there is too much or too little light, the nervous system transmits an impulse to the iris muscle to regulate the amount of light entering the eye chambers. When tension in muscles is excessive the nervous system also regulates muscle tension back to acceptable limits to prevent damage. This regulatory system can be damaged by various forms of abuse or neuromuscular disease.
The Bottom Line is: Care for your Muscles in much the same way you would care for your Eyes

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