11
CHAPTER
ARM SUPPORT POSES
I
n spite of their obvious similarities, the upper and lower extremities of the human body
have evolved to perform different functions. The structures of the foot, knee, hip, and
pelvis point to their functions of support and locomotion.
The highly mobile structures of the hand, elbow, and shoulder girdle have evolved to
reach and grasp and are less ideally suited to weight bearing. In fact, when you compare
the proportional structures of the hand and foot, you see an inverse relationship between
the weight-bearing and articular structures within them.
In the foot, the heavy, dense tarsal bones comprise half the length of its structure. Adding
to this the weight-bearing function of the metatarsals, it can be said that four fi fths of the
foot’s structure is dedicated to weight bearing. The foot’s phalangeal structures (the toes)
contribute only one fi fth of its total length.
These proportions are completely reversed in the hand, where half the length of the
structure is composed of the highly mobile phalangeal (fi nger) bones. The hand’s metacar-
pals are also very mobile (compared to the metatarsals), whereas the relatively immobile
carpals (wrist bones) comprise only one fi fth of the total length of the hand. This means
that even if you effectively recruit the metacarpals in arm support, you still have only half
the length of the hand structured for weight bearing.
When you use the upper limbs in weight-bearing poses, you have to take into account
the fact that they are at a structural disadvantage and take extra care in preparation and
execution.
On the other hand, taking the time to learn how to organize support through the hands
and upper limbs can be a wonderful recuperation for the ways in which people stress their
hands, arms, shoulders, and upper backs while sitting at desks and using computers.