Book
Anatomy trains - Les meridiens myofasciaux
Thomas Myers
The body’s stability and movement patterns are governed by interconnected lines of myofascial continuity, called “Anatomy Trains,” which transmit strain and force throughout the entire structure.
What it’s about
Anatomy Trains presents a revolutionary perspective on human anatomy, moving beyond the traditional view of isolated muscles acting on bones. Author Thomas W. Myers maps the body's myofascial network into twelve "meridians" or "trains"—longitudinal and spiral lines of fascial and muscular continuity that function as integrated systems. This holistic model explains how strain, tension, and postural compensation are distributed throughout the body, revealing how a problem in one area, like the foot, can manifest as pain or dysfunction in another, like the neck. The book provides a powerful new framework for manual therapists and movement educators to assess postural patterns, understand complex movement relationships, and develop more effective, whole-body treatment strategies by working with these interconnected lines of pull.
The through-line
- Who it’s for
- A manual therapist, movement educator, or athlete who feels their understanding of anatomy is fragmented and insufficient to explain the complex, whole-body patterns they see in their clients or experience themselves. They want a more integrated, functional map of the body to guide their assessment and treatment, leading to better and more lasting results.
- The problem
- Patients or clients present with chronic pain and postural issues that recur despite localized treatment. Traditional 'muscle-by-muscle' anatomy doesn't explain why treating a sore back doesn't resolve the issue, or why a problem in the foot seems connected to the neck. They feel frustrated, confused, and sometimes ineffective because their treatments provide only temporary relief. They suspect there are deeper connections but lack a clear model to understand and address them.
- The plan
- Learn the fundamental principles of the fascial network and tensegrity.
- Study the twelve specific myofascial meridians, their pathways, and their postural and movement functions.
- Apply this knowledge to a new method of whole-body postural and movement analysis.
- Develop new treatment strategies that address the entire pattern along the lines, not just the symptoms.
- The payoff
- The reader becomes a more effective and confident practitioner, able to see and treat the body as an integrated whole. · They can quickly identify the root causes of complex postural and movement problems. · Their treatments provide deeper, more lasting results, building a reputation for mastery and effectiveness.