“I love this article by Warren Hammer, MS, DC, DABCO who is a soft tissue genius. I especially like it because he addresses this issue the same way I would. I would focus on resetting the tension sensors, and then getting rid of any scar tissue in the area to improve strength and flexibility, says Dr. Andrew Cohen of ProActive Chiropractic in San Francisco.
An interesting article in the sports section of the New York Times1 blamed the “yips” on the buildup of scar tissue in the forearms:
“But if scar tissue is the problem, let’s see why it may be causative. Besides scar tissue (fibrosis) limiting motion due to its increased stiffness, pathological connective tissue affects function because of its sensory input. Fascia contains both numerous proprioceptive and mechanoreceptive receptors. While called muscle spindle cells, spindle cells (proprioceptors) are entirely within the fascia surrounding the muscle. Spindle cells influence motor control and muscle coordination. Restricted fascia in fibrotic areas may be responsible for abnormal firing of the spindle cells and lead to the “yips.”
There are also mechanoreceptors, such as Ruffini and Pacinian corpuscles, within the surrounding fascia. Golgi tendon organs may be affected and are found mostly in the muscular portions of myotendinous junctions, in the attachment transitions of aponeurosis, in capsules, as well as in ligaments of peripheral joints.3 Ruffini receptors are midrange afferents that give information concerning joint angles and limb movements,4 and Pacinian corpuscles are very sensitive to acceleration and deceleration and are used as proprioceptive feedback for movement control (kinesthesia).5-6
The realization of the sensory input from connective tissue implies more possibilities for the effects of tissue manipulation, whether assisted (Graston Technique) or by manual fascial methods.”
References
- Dorman L. “A Grip on the Yips.” The New York Times, June 12, 2011.
- Smith AM, Adler CH, Crews D, et al. The ‘yips’ in golf: a continuum between a focal dystonia and choking. Sports Med, 2003;33(1):13-31.
- Burke D, Gandeva SC. Peripheral Motor System. In: Paxines G. The Human Nervous System. Academic Press, San Diego, CA, 1990;1:133.
- Proske U, Schaible H-G, Schmidt RF. Joint receptors and kinesthesia. Exp Brain Res, 1988;72:219-24.
- Boyd LA. The histological structure of the receptors in the knee joint of the cat correlated with their physiological response. J Physeal (London), 1954;124:476-88.
- Schleip R. Fascial plasticity – a new neurobiological explanation. Jrnl Bodywk Mov Ther, 2003;7(1):11-19, and 7(2):104-116.”
Posted via email from ProActive Chiropractic in San Francisco, California