The musculoskeletal pump is a well-studied phenomenon that operates primarily in the arms and legs, and depends on the fact that the arms and legs have one-way back-flow valves in the veins that only allow the movement of blood in the direction of the heart. When the muscles in the arms and legs alternate between states of activity and inactivity (tension and relaxation), blood is moved though the veins. Muscle activity in the limbs increases pressure around the veins and ‘pushes’ venous blood towards the heart, causing proximal one-way valves to open and distal (situated away from the centre of the body) one-way valves to close. During muscle relaxation the pressure around the veins is reduced (released), and this ‘pulls’ blood towards the heart, causing distal one-way valves to open and proximal one-way valves to close. Therefore, the musculoskeletal pump prevents any movement of blood away from the heart in the veins and only encourages the flow of blood towards the heart. Due to the valveless nature of the veins in the trunk and especially in the spine, the musculoskeletal pump is not able to function properly in the trunk. The musculoskeletal pump is also unable to operate in regions of the limbs where there’s chronic muscular tension, or where the muscles are weak or paralysed as it will be unable to create any changes in pressure necessary to open and close the one-way backflow valves and move the blood in the veins. In hatha yoga it is stressed that the ability to fully relax every muscle at will is as important as the ability to activate (tense or contract) it. The most potent effects of the musculoskeletal pump come from the ability to rapidly achieve the greatest difference in pressure between muscle activity (tension) and muscle relaxation.
Figure 4 Contraction (activation), and relaxation of skeletal muscles (e.g. the calf muscles can ‘push’ and ‘pull’ blood through the veins when you raise the heels up and
- Use the 12 Circulatory Pumps Inside Your Body to Improve Blood Flow & Joint Health while Staying Calm
- The Twelve Different Pumps of Blood in Your Body
- 1. The Cardiovascular Pump (The heart)
- 2. The Gravitational Pump
- 3. The Musculoskeletal Pump
- 4. The Respiratory Pump
- 5. The Postural Pump
- 6. The Centripetal Pump
- 7. The Coactivation Pump
- 8. The Carbon Dioxide (pH) Pump
- 9. The External Temperature Pump
- 10. The External Energy (Pressure) Pump
- 11. The Anti-Gravity Pump
- 12. The Consciousness Pump (Thought-control)
- Conclusion
- Videos
- Video 1: Practical Theory Lecture on the 12 Ways to Move Blood in Your Body (105 min)
- Video 2: Theory Summary & Beginner-Intermediate Level Verbally Instructed Practice (40 min)
- Video 3: Beginner-Intermediate Level Fluid Practice to Music (27 min)
- Video 4: Supplementary Beginner-Intermediate Level Fluid Practice (12 min)
- Supplemental Practice: Practice to Improve Energy & Blood Flow With Low Heart Rate, While Reducing Back Pain
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