Blog Posts – Anatomy by Planes

March 4, 2026

The Anatomy by Planes Atlas in Clinical Practice

Most anatomy atlases show what skin, muscles, and joints look like. This atlas shows which skin, muscles, and joints work together and when. After three decades working with professional athletes and executives, that distinction has made all the difference in how I assess, treat, and get consistent results.

February 23, 2026

Motion-Based Anatomy for Massage Therapists

Traditional dissection anatomy has a clear and necessary value; it establishes terminology, structure, and topography. But massage therapy requires an anatomical model that also reflects interconnectedness and motion.

February 20, 2026

Walking Involves All Organ Systems: A Systemic View of Movement

This Health Science video explains the health benefits of walking. It highlights a fundamental fact: walking involves all organ systems and positively affects each one.

January 8, 2026

Dented Slipcase Discount

$30 DISCOUNT! Although all atlases are in perfect condition, some slipcases were dented during transport from our printer to our warehouse. You can purchase them at a discount.

January 7, 2026

Motion does not happen muscle-by-muscle

Movement does not occur muscle-by-muscle, but within the anatomical planes of motion—where the integumentary, muscular, skeletal, and other organ systems collaborate as one integrated whole. When anatomy is viewed primarily through static dissection, we are inclined to see and treat parts rather than the movement they create.

January 2, 2026

An Anatomy Atlas for Soft-Tissue Therapists

Movement—the bread and butter of soft-tissue therapists—happens within the anatomical planes of motion, where the integumentary, muscular, skeletal, and other systems collaborate as an integrated whole. This anatomy atlas is movement-based.

December 19, 2025

Anatomy by Planes Shipping Boxes

The protective shipping boxes are currently in production. We'll start shipping the "Anatomy by Planes" anatomy atlas for soft-tissue therapists soon.

December 4, 2025

Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual

"Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual" offers a valuable blend of traditional anatomy, motion, and hands-on therapy.

November 13, 2025

Six Metric Tons of Anatomy Atlases

We just received the first shipment of "Anatomy by Planes" anatomy atlases by Willem Kramer. Ten pallets weighing in at just over six and a half tons or six metric tons. It's a hefty beginning of something extraordinary.

July 31, 2025

Ch. 7.0: There’s One More Thing

For the best possible results, I ask my clients to commit to themselves. To treat themselves with kindness, respect, and honesty, and as important enough to care for. To do what makes them happy.

July 31, 2025

Dissection vs AxP Anatomy: Latissimus Dorsi (L)

Compare dissection anatomy and soft tissue therapy anatomy: The left-sided latissimus left rotates the “transverse thoracic,” moves five complexes in total, has three single-complex synergists and antagonists, five multi-complex synergists, and six multi-complex antagonists.

July 31, 2025

Ch. 6.0: Why Get Your Own Atlas

Honestly, I don’t know whether you should or shouldn’t get your own atlas. I am not familiar with your work or your goals. What I can tell you is why I own and use it.

July 30, 2025

Dissection vs AxP Anatomy: Latissimus Dorsi (R)

Compare dissection anatomy and soft tissue therapy anatomy: The right-sided latissimus right rotates the “transverse thoracic,” moves five complexes in total, has three single-complex synergists and antagonists, five multi-complex synergists, and six multi-complex antagonists.

July 27, 2025

Ch. 5.2: The Range of a Variable

Each therapeutic variable has its own healthy or preferred range. A healthy or preferred range is always organ system-, location-, function-, use-, client-, and therapist-specific.

July 27, 2025

Ch. 5.1: Therapeutic Variables

Although I work to improve the body as a whole, I focus my efforts on the therapeutic variables of the integumentary (skin), muscular, and skeletal (joints) systems.

July 27, 2025

Ch. 5.0: How I Use the Atlas

When a specific movement is painful, “Anatomy by Planes” is my primary reference guide, as it clearly identifies the skin, muscles, and joints involved.

July 25, 2025

Daily steps and health outcomes in adults

Ding D. et al examine the number of steps necessary to help us achieve and maintain better cognitive, mental, and physical health.

July 20, 2025

Ch. 4.6: Complexes and Soft Tissue Therapy

Using the concept of “complexes” - interconnected skin, muscles, and joints that together drive motion - improves the effectiveness and results of soft tissue therapy.

July 20, 2025

Ch. 4.5: A Passive Complex

A complex is designed to move in one, two, or three planes of motion. For example, the "elbow" is built for flexion and extension, which occur in the sagittal plane. It is, however, not built for movement in the frontal and transverse planes. Within these planes, the elbow is considered "passive."

July 20, 2025

Ch. 4.4: Complexes Interlock

Within a plane and between planes, the complexes that make up our body interlock like the gears of an intricate mechanical watch, forming reciprocal relationships.

July 20, 2025

Ch. 4.3: Single- and Multi-Complex Muscles

Muscles cross one or multiple complexes. Single-complex muscles are prime movers, while multi-complex muscles assist with motion, coordination, and stability.

July 20, 2025

Ch. 4.2: Joints of a Complex Move Together

Regardless of whether a complex has two, three, or more joints, they are so closely connected that they function together, as one unit.

July 20, 2025

Ch. 4.1: Each Complex is Unique

Although they sometimes share similar names, appearances, or movements, each complex is unique.

July 20, 2025

Ch. 4.0: A Complex

A “complex” is a group of interconnected skin, muscles, and joints that work together to make motion happen.

July 19, 2025

Atlas 1: Questions 1 through 10

Test your knowledge of soft tissue therapy anatomy with this engaging quiz. These ten questions are about atlas 1 and the sagittal plane. Can you get a perfect score? Let’s find out!

July 13, 2025

Gray’s Anatomy

"Gray's Anatomy" is an indispensable resource. It explains, among others, "relations," the physical and spatial relationships between different structures in the body. It was Henry Gray who introduced me to the remarkable interconnectedness of our anatomy.

July 1, 2025

Dissection vs AxP Anatomy: Tibialis Anterior (L)

Compare dissection anatomy and soft tissue therapy anatomy: The left-sided tibialis anterior inverts the “frontal ankle,” is a single-complex muscle, has one single-complex synergist, two single-complex antagonists, three multi-complex synergists, and one multi-complex antagonist.

June 28, 2025

Dissection vs AxP Anatomy: Rotatores Thoracis (L)

Compare dissection anatomy and soft tissue therapy anatomy: The left-sided rotatores thoracis right rotate the “transverse thoracic,” are single-complex muscles, have two single-complex synergists, three single-complex antagonists, and six multi-complex synergists and antagonists.

June 26, 2025

Ch. 3.4: The Standard Anatomical Position

The anatomical planes of motion are, by default, applied to the human body in a standard anatomical position. Because they are, motion sometimes changes planes, like with throwing overhead.

June 26, 2025

Ch. 3.3: The Transverse Plane

The transverse plane runs horizontally and divides the body into top and bottom parts. The motions in this plane, and around its axis, are lateral and medial rotation.

June 26, 2025

Ch. 3.2: The Frontal Plane

The Frontal plane runs from side to side and divides the body into front and back sides. The motions in this plane, and around its axis, are abduction and adduction.

June 26, 2025

Ch. 3.1: The Sagittal Plane

The sagittal plane runs from front to back and divides the body into left and right sides. The motions in this plane, and around its axis, are flexion and extension.

June 26, 2025

Ch. 3.0: The Anatomical Planes of Motion

Clockwise and counterclockwise, every movement happens within one, two, or even three planes at the same time. Always!

June 25, 2025

Dissection vs AxP Anatomy: Pectoralis Minor (L)

Compare dissection anatomy and soft tissue therapy anatomy: The left-sided pectoralis minor anterior tilts the “sagittal shoulder girdle,” moves two complexes in total, has no single-complex synergists, one single-complex antagonist, no multi-complex synergists, and two multi-complex antagonists.

June 22, 2025

Dissection vs AxP Anatomy: Rotatores Thoracis (R)

Compare dissection anatomy and soft tissue therapy anatomy: The right-sided rotators thoracis left rotate the “transverse thoracic,” are single-complex muscles, have two single-complex synergists, three single-complex antagonists, and six multi-complex synergists and antagonists.

June 20, 2025

Ch. 2.1: The Importance of Motion

All our actions, everything we do as human beings and soft tissue therapists, are rooted in motion and our anatomy.

June 20, 2025

Ch. 2.0: Soft Tissue Therapy Anatomy

A soft tissue therapist must study and understand the connections between skin, muscles, joints, and movement.

June 19, 2025

Dissection vs AxP Anatomy: Peroneus Longus & Brevis (L)

Compare dissection anatomy and soft tissue therapy anatomy: The left-sided peroneus longus & brevis evert the “frontal ankle,” are single-complex muscles, have one single-complex synergist, two single-complex antagonists, one multi-complex synergists, and three multi-complex antagonist.

June 16, 2025

Dissection vs AxP Anatomy: Rhomboids (L)

Compare dissection anatomy and soft tissue therapy anatomy: The left-sided rhomboids posterior tilt the “sagittal shoulder girdle,” are single-complex muscles, have no single-complex synergists or antagonists, two multi-complex synergists, and one multi-complex antagonist.

June 16, 2025

Ch. 1.0: Traditional Dissection Anatomy

While traditional dissection-based anatomy has its advantages, it falls short of being practical and holistic for soft tissue therapists.

Coming Soon!

Therapy by Planes, the clinical application, the how-to, of "Anatomy by Planes."

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