| The tensor fascia lata (TFL) is a muscle continuous | | | | that addresses one leg at a time. |
| with the fascia lata (iliotibial tract), a tendon of | | | | Problems of apparent unequal leg length often involve |
| unusual shape, that of a broad sheath that runs along | | | | a habitually contracted TFL on the longer-leg side and |
| the lateral aspect of the thigh and inserts at the | | | | contracted psoas and obliques on the shorter leg side. |
| lateral epicondyle of the tibia. | | | | Hip joint compression due to contracted glutei may |
| Its function is distinct from those of neighboring | | | | also be involved, a problem that often leads to hip |
| muscles, the gluteus medius, which abducts and | | | | joint replacement surgery. Heightened tension of the |
| extends the thigh, and gluteus minimus, which flexes | | | | TFL places strain on the fascia lata, inducing "IT Band |
| and internally rotates the thigh. Despite analysis based | | | | Syndrome," which can be relieved by freeing the |
| upon its location, the TFL functions as neither an | | | | person with a tight TFL from the reflexive muscular |
| abductor nor flexor of the thigh at the hip in | | | | tension holding the TFL and its synergists tight, |
| common movement behavior, but elevates the | | | | generally through sensory-motor training (a |
| opposite side of the pelvis by pulling down on its | | | | sub-speciality of somatic education). |
| attachment near the AIIS (anterior inferior iliac spine) | | | | Leg retraction (along its length - as would result from |
| during the foot-down phase of walking or running. | | | | action of the same-side QL or obliques) inhibits or |
| That is, when ones weight is on one leg and stabilized | | | | interferes with, or otherwise confuses the action of |
| by the ground, the tensor fascia lata contracts, pulls | | | | the same-side TFL and must be addressed for |
| down on its side of the pelvis and elevates the | | | | movement training to be optimally successful. That |
| opposite side, as the opposite leg swings forward. | | | | means the movements of both leg protraction |
| The action of the TFL is aided by the quadratus | | | | (reaching) and retraction (pulling short) must be freed |
| lumborum (QL) of the opposite side, contraction of | | | | and improved, When working with the TFL of one |
| which helps elevate that side of the pelvis. | | | | side, a movement of knee toward chest of the |
| In effect, the TFL and QL together cause a reaching | | | | other leg is useful. |
| action of the leg. The abdominal obliques of the QL | | | | Unequal leg length generally indicates an injury to one |
| (opposite) side usually participate, as well, | | | | side of the body (not necessarily a lower extremity |
| Movements of these muscles are synergistically aided | | | | injury) at some time in life, where the change of leg |
| by a movement of the opposite leg knee-forward in | | | | length came not from the injury, but from the |
| hip flexion, as the iliopsoas muscles and gluteus | | | | protective cringing at the site of injury, leading to |
| minimus bring the free leg forward. | | | | retraction of the extremity. Activity in stressful |
| This synergy is better understood not as "muscles | | | | athletic situations (such as downhill walking or running) |
| helping each other," but as "the brain coordinating | | | | may further trigger the retraction response. |
| movements," since coordination is a brain function | | | | With this understanding, it is evident why movement |
| and coordinated leg action is inherent in organisms | | | | training via somatic education is a superior approach |
| with legs. For movement education purposes, a | | | | to unequal leg length than massage, stretching, |
| higher level of brain-integration results from | | | | orthotics, icing, or cortisone injections, and how |
| movement training that involves both legs at the | | | | somatic education can complement and accelerate |
| same time, each leg doing its respective, opposite, | | | | progress in physical therapy. |
| contra-lateral movements of walking, than of training | | | | |