Chong Mai (Nerve Focused)

 Chong Mai (Nerve Focused)

1. Branch 1: Origin and Lower Abdomen

·         Anatomy: Originates in the lower abdomen and pelvic cavity.

·         Cranial Nerves: None specific.

·         Spinal Nerves: Lumbar plexus (L1-L5), Sacral plexus (S1-S4).

·         Reflexes: Pelvic floor reflexes.

2. Branch 2: Ascending Through Abdomen

·         Anatomy: Ascends through the abdominal cavity, following the anterior aspect of the spine.

·         Cranial Nerves: None specific.

·         Spinal Nerves: Lumbar plexus (L1-L5).

·         Reflexes: Abdominal reflexes.

·         Plexuses: Enteric nervous system (submucosal and myenteric plexuses).

3. Branch 3: Connecting with Kidneys

·         Anatomy: Connects with the kidneys, traversing the paravertebral muscles and fascia.

·         Cranial Nerves: None specific.

·         Spinal Nerves: T12-L2 (innervation of kidney area).

·         Reflexes: Renal reflexes.

·         Plexuses: Renal plexus.

4. Branch 4: Thoracic Ascent

o    Anatomy: Continues to ascend through the thoracic cavity, impacting the diaphragm.

§  Cranial Nerves: Phrenic nerve (C3-C5) for diaphragm control.

§  Spinal Nerves: Thoracic spinal nerves (T1-T12).

§  Reflexes: Thoracic and diaphragmatic reflexes.

§  Plexuses: Celiac plexus, Splanchnic nerves.

5. Branch 5: Reaching the Chest

§  Anatomy: Extends into the chest region, influencing the thoracic organs.

§  Cranial Nerves: None specific.

§  Spinal Nerves: Thoracic spinal nerves (T1-T12).

§  Reflexes: Intercostal and upper thoracic reflexes.

§  Plexuses: Cardiac plexus, Pulmonary plexus.

Reflexes:

• Moro Reflex: Affects trunk and limb movements.
• Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR): Influences core stability through head positioning.
• Spinal Galant Reflex: Involves lateral trunk flexion.
• Sucking Reflex: Coordinates muscles of the mouth, tongue, and throat, connecting with deep neck and chest muscles.

Overlap and Integration

The Chong Mai and Deep Front Line both highlight the importance of central stability, connecting lower and upper body functions through deep core pathways.

Chong Mai and Neurological Correlates

1. Branch 1: Origin and Lower Abdomen
• Spinal Nerves:
• Lumbar plexus (L1-L5)
• Sacral plexus (S1-S4)
• Reflexes:
• Pelvic floor reflexes
2. Branch 2: Ascending Through Abdomen
• Spinal Nerves:
• Lumbar plexus (L1-L5)
• Reflexes:
• Abdominal reflexes
• Plexuses:
• Enteric nervous system (submucosal and myenteric plexuses)
3. Branch 3: Connecting with Kidneys
• Spinal Nerves:
• T12-L2 (innervation of kidney area)
• Reflexes:
• Renal reflexes
• Plexuses:
• Renal plexus
4. Branch 4: Thoracic Ascent
• Cranial Nerves:
• Phrenic nerve (C3-C5)
• Spinal Nerves:
• Thoracic spinal nerves (T1-T12)
• Reflexes:
• Thoracic and diaphragmatic reflexes
• Plexuses:
• Celiac plexus
• Splanchnic nerves
5. Branch 5: Reaching the Chest
• Spinal Nerves:
• Thoracic spinal nerves (T1-T12)
• Reflexes:
• Intercostal and upper thoracic reflexes
• Plexuses:
• Cardiac plexus
• Pulmonary plexus

Additional Middle Jiao Plexuses and Nerves  (Enteric Nervous System;  TCM Spleen and Stomach)  AKA

• Liver Plexus:
• Nerves:
• Hepatic branch of the vagus nerve
• Celiac plexus contributions
• Enteric Nervous System:
• Submucosal Plexus (Meissner's plexus):
• Controls glandular secretions in the gastrointestinal tract
• Myenteric Plexus (Auerbach's plexus):
• Coordinates peristalsis and motility in the gastrointestinal tract
• Splanchnic Nerves:
• Greater splanchnic nerve (T5-T9)
• Lesser splanchnic nerve (T10-T11)
• Least splanchnic nerve (T12)

Cranial Nerves

1. CN V (Trigeminal nerve):
• Innervates muscles involved in chewing and sensation in the face, influencing the upper portion of the DFL through facial and jaw muscles.
2. CN VII (Facial nerve):
• Involved in facial expressions, indirectly affecting hand grasp and facial expressions, connecting with the upper portion of the DFL.
3. CN IX (Glossopharyngeal nerve) and CN X (Vagus nerve):
• Influence muscles of the pharynx, larynx, and soft palate, affecting the deep structures in the neck and upper chest, integral to the DFL.
4. CN XI (Accessory nerve):
• Innervates the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles, which are part of the DFL's pathway through the neck and upper chest.

Spinal Nerves

1. C1-C4 (Cervical plexus):
• Innervates the neck muscles, including the deep flexors and extensors, directly involving the DFL.
2. C5-C8, T1 (Brachial plexus):
• Innervates the muscles of the shoulder, arm, and hand, connecting with the DFL's extension into the arms.
3. T1-T12 (Thoracic spinal nerves):
• Innervate the intercostal muscles and muscles of the upper back and chest, which are part of the DFL's thoracic portion.
4. L1-L5 (Lumbar plexus):
• Innervates muscles of the lower abdomen and thigh, including the iliopsoas and other hip flexors, which are core components of the DFL.
5. S1-S4 (Sacral plexus):
• Innervates muscles of the pelvis and lower limbs, including those involved in pelvic floor stability and leg movement, critical to the DFL.
Additional Considerations

• Phrenic nerve (C3-C5):
• Innervates the diaphragm, crucial for breathing and core stability, directly affecting the DFL.
• Pelvic floor nerves:
• Including the pudendal nerve, which innervates the pelvic floor muscles, a vital component of the DFL's stability and function.

Primitive Reflexes

• Rooting Reflex (CN V):
• Involves the trigeminal nerve, affecting muscles and fascia in the face and neck.
• Sucking Reflex (CN V, VII, IX, XII):
• Involves multiple cranial nerves, coordinating the muscles of the mouth, tongue, and throat.

Fear Paralysis Reflex (FPR)

• Description: The FPR is an involuntary response to perceived threats, leading to a freeze response, which can involve overall body tension and immobility.
• Anatomical Pathways:
• Cervical Plexus (C1-C4): Innervates muscles in the neck, crucial for head and neck positioning during a freeze response.
• Brachial Plexus (C5-T1): Innervates the muscles of the shoulder and upper limb, which can become tense during the freeze response.
• Chong Mai Influence: The Chong Mai's trajectory through the abdomen, chest, and spine can be influenced by the body's response to stress and fear, affecting core stability and internal organ regulation.

Startle Reflex (Moro Reflex)

• Description: The Moro Reflex is an automatic reaction to sudden stimuli, resulting in an extension and then flexion of the arms, legs, and neck.
• Anatomical Pathways:
• Cervical Plexus (C1-C4): Involved in the neck's response to sudden stimuli, facilitating head movement.
• Brachial Plexus (C5-T1): Controls the muscles of the upper limbs, which extend and then flex during the startle response.
• Chong Mai Influence: The sudden activation of the Moro Reflex can impact the internal organs and diaphragm through the Chong Mai, affecting breathing and heart rate.