Muscle Testing. A Concise Manual

Introduction – how to use this book

• Principles of muscle testing – an overview
• Introduction to musculoskeletal palpation, assessment, evaluation and rehabilitation advice

List of muscles

Head and neck

• Upper trapezius
• Sternocleidomastoid
• Scalene
• Splenius capitis
• Levator scapula

Anterior torso and trunk

• Rectus abdominis
• Transverse abdominis
• Pectoralis major (clavicular)
• Pectoralis major (sternal)
• Pectoralis minor

Posterior torso and trunk

• Quadratus lumborum
• Erector spinae group (sacrospinalis)
• Latissimus dorsi
• Mid trapezius
• Lower trapezius
• Serratus anterior
• Rhomboid group

Upper extremity

• Supraspinatus
• Infraspinatus
• Teres minor
• Subscapularis
• Anterior deltoid
• Medial deltoid
• Posterior deltoid
• Coracobrachialis
• Biceps brachii
• Triceps brachii
• Brachioradialis
• Supinator
• Pronator teres
• Pronator quadratus
• Opponens pollicis
• Opponens digiti minimi

Pelvis

• Psoas
• Iliacus
• Piriformis
• Gluteus maximus
• Gluteus medius

Lower extremity

• Quadriceps as a group
• Rectus femoris
• Hamstrings as a group
• Medial hamstrings (semitendinosus and semimembranosus)
• Biceps femoris
• Adductor group
• Gracilis
• Popliteus
• Sartorius
• Gastrocnemius
• Soleus
• Anterior tibialis
• Posterior tibialis
• Fibularis group (peroneus)
• Extensor hallucis longus
• Flexor hallucis longus
• Extensor digitorum longus and brevis

Gait testing

• Ipsi lateral gait
• Contra-lateral Gait
• Side Gait 1
• Side Gait 2
• Abdominal Gait

Muscle testing – a concise manual, provides a reference for understanding how structure relates to function, and how by knowing function we can learn structural configurations. Often muscular anatomy is taught as a dry subject whereby each muscle is painstakingly reviewed and the learner is expected to cite origin, insertion, action, nerve supply and blood supply. This commonly used approach may not necessarily aid understanding of muscle function, nor does it demonstrate muscular positioning. Through muscle testing, one is better equipped to consider how muscles function individually and in working groups. It is the knowledge of symmetrical movement, range of motion, contractile patterns, resistance and gravity that provides the fuller picture for muscle function and dysfunction.

The text is organised in such a way as to enable the reader to understand anatomical position and assessment of muscular contractile strength. The manual provides movement-relevant illustrations to aid understanding of muscle location and testing positions. This is further enhanced through links to video footage for each test.

The book summarises the key anatomical facts and figures, give methods for muscle testing by several techniques, and provides clinically useful information to supplement the tests.

Earle ABRAHAMSON

Biography

Earle Abrahamson holds qualifications in human movement sciences, clinical psychology and pedagogy. He is a principal fellow of the Higher Education Academy and senior lecturer in sports therapy at the University of East London. He has over 20 years experience in education and clinical practice and module leads the functional clinical anatomy course. Together with Jane Langston, Earle wrote Making Sense of Human Anatomy and Physiology, a text that focusses on teaching and learning strategies for anatomy and physiology. Earle is director at LearnAnatomy and hands-on Training. He is the national chairman of the Massage Training Institute, vice chairman of the General Council for Soft Tissue Therapies, and elected member to the massage therapy professional subject board on the Complementary and Natural health Council. Earle is a practising soft tissue therapist who actively uses muscle testing to assess and treat a wider range of injuries and pathologies.