Massage Therapy Journal Spring 2025

Spring 2025 • 33

AMTA Continuing Education

range of movement and are the most common type of joint in the body. Synovial joints can be further classified based on their shape and movement capabilities. Functional Classification: Functional classification categorizes joints based on the degree of movement they allow. There are three primary types: 1. Synarthroses: These joints offer very little to no movement and instead provide stability. They are often found in areas where protection of the structures inside the bone is important, such as sutures in the skull. 2. Amphiarthroses: Amphiarthroses allow limited movement. They are found in areas that require both stability and slight flexibility, such as the vertebral discs in the spine. 3. Diarthroses (synovial joints): Diarthroses are freely movable joints and include most joints in the body. These joints allow a wide range of movement, with each synovial joint having its own individual joint capsule. The capsule has two distinct layers, the outer fibrous capsule and the synovial membrane. The fibrous joint capsule is continuous with the periosteum of the bone and may contain ligaments. This layer is innervated with joint kinesthetic receptors (which report the joint positions) and nociceptors (which indicate pain or danger). The synovial membrane also produces synovial fluid. This layer is highly vascularized and produces fluid that is similar in consistency to egg whites. Synovial joints can be further subdivided into six types based on their shape and movement patterns. A. Pivot joint : Allows rotation around a single axis. Some examples are the proximal and distal radioulnar joints in the forearm and the atlantoaxial (C1-C2) joint in the spine. This is a one plane movement joint. B. Hinge joint : Allows movement primarily in one plane, like a hinge on a door. Examples include the elbow, ankle, interphalangeal and knee joints. C. Ellipsoidal (condyloid) joint : Allows movement in two planes with

no rotation. Examples are the radiocarpal (wrist), atlantooccipital (C1-occiput), metacarpophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal joints. D. Saddle joint : Allows movement in two planes with a wide range of motion. An example is the first carpometacarpal (trapeziometacarpal) joint of the thumb. Some sources also include the sternoclavicular joint in this category. E. Ball-and-socket joint : Allows a wide range of motion in multiple directions. Examples include the glenohumeral and hip (coxal) joints. These joints move in all three planes. F. Gliding (plane) joint : Allows sliding or gliding movements between somewhat flat surfaces. Examples include the intercarpal (wrist), intertarsal (foot), acromioclavicular, proximal tibiofibular, and facet (zygapophyseal) joints of the spine. This type of joint moves in all three planes. Planes of movement are ways to reference and define the different ways in which the human body can move. These planes serve as a useful framework for understanding and describing the three-dimensional movement of joints. There are three planes of movement, each perpendicular to the others, and it is quite common for complex joint movements to occur in multiple planes. 1. The sagittal plane divides the body into a left and right side. Movements that occur within this plane are typically joint flexion and extension. 2. The frontal plane divides the body into anterior and posterior halves. Movements that occur within this plane involve sideways or lateral movements. Lateral flexion of the spine and most abductions and adductions of joints happen in this plane. 3. The transverse plane divides the body into superior and inferior. Most rotational movements happen in this plane. Joint Movement: How the Human Body Moves

CONTINUE THIS COURSE! This is the first half of AMTA's continuing education course, "Orthopedic Massage Technique for the Upper Body." Continue reading online at amtamassage.org/ learn .

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