The connective tissue forms
the three dimensional appearance of the body. If you
remove all of the tissue in the body except for the connective
tissue, you would still be able to see the shape of the body.
You would still be able to see the skeleton and the shape of the
muscles along with the blood vessels and capillaries.
The
organs and duct systems would be intact along with the central
nervous system. Connective tissue does just that -
connects the body from head to toe and from the skin to the
deepest part of the bones.
Connective tissue has a rich blood supply
except for cartilage. That is the reason why it is hard to
heal cartilage. CT cells have a multitude of jobs in the
body -from storing fat, ingesting bacteria and protect against
disease. CT is an essential ingredient in health but is
one of the least studied.
CT is found in the interstitial spaces of all
structures of the body. It forms the membranes through
which the body uses to deliver nutrients and remove waste
products from normal cellular metabolism. Tissue tension,
adhesions and lesions within the tissue can lead to interference
with the distribution of body fluids essential for life and can
influence organ function.
CT is also known as fascia.
It allows compression, lengthening and stretching as well as
twisting and rotational movement of the body. It acts as a
shock absorber to reduce the impact of movement. If fascia
is restricted, the elastic ability is reduced and the potential
for trauma or injury is increased.
Ligaments, tendons, joint capsules, fascia
and bone all fall into the category of connective tissue.
CT is made up of collagenous and reticular fibers, elastic
fibers, fibrin and ground substance. These tissues work
together to allow movement. CT can become adhered to
adjoining structures and itself affecting the range of motion in
movement.
Healing
injury or trauma to the body requires the formation of
connective tissue. The process of inflammation is what
actually starts the healing process. During the healing
process, adhesions can form which bind the injured area to other
connective tissues.
Connective tissue may become thickened or too thin. It may
dry out or become over hydrated. Managing connective
tissue is the goal of a massage therapist. Some methods
address the ground substance - the part that liquefies with more
movement and turns more solid (gel). Some types of massage
address the fibers within the ground substance such as the
fascia. Slow effleurage or other gliding methods as well
as kneading, pettrissage and skin rolling can help stretch the
fibers.
[ Home ] [ Anatomy and Kinesiology Links ] [ Neck Nerves ] [ Muscles - Head/Nec ] [ Neck Muscles (deep) ] [ Shoulder Arteries ] [ Shoulder Veins ] [ Shoulder/ upper arm nerves ] [ Neck and Shoulder Lymphatic system ] [ Chart- Shoulder/ arm ] [ Head and Neck Arteries Picture ] [ Neck Nerve Plexus ] [ Brachial Plexus ] [ Laws of Physiology and their applications to massage ] [ Stages of Inflammation ] [ Inflammation Overview ] [ Connective Tissue Characteristics for Massage Therapists ] [ Connective Tissue - for massage therapists ] [ more on Connective Tissue ] [ Fascia ] [ Connective Tissue Resources for massage therapists ] [ Connective Tissue for Massage Therapists ] [ Inflammation and Healing ] [ Physiology ]
