Massage & Bodywork

JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2023

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L i s te n to T h e A B M P Po d c a s t a t a b m p.co m /p o d c a s t s o r w h e reve r yo u a cce s s yo u r favo r i te p o d c a s t s 71 L i s te n to T h e A B M P Po d c a s t a t a b m p.co m /p o d c a s t s o r w h e reve r yo u a cce s s yo u r favo r i te p o d c a s t s 71 WHAT DO THEY DO? Skin ligaments serve a number of functions we would struggle to live without. Their containment of fat lobules provides a dynamic cushioning system that protects, insulates, and disperses force. The dividing walls in their "honeycomb" organization also protect nerves and blood vessels as they travel to the skin's surface and prevent the fat lobules from f loating around. The morphological variation of their presentation—density and thickness—in different regions gives them the capacity to allow for dynamic movement or resist mechanical loading where needed. Vital to the functions of the subcutis, they also permit passage of lymph f luids. In short, the cute little skin ligaments serve the many needs of your most superficial layer in relation to the complex structure that is you! WHY WE CARE As massage therapists, every time we move the skin, we are also dragging the skin ligaments along for the ride. Understanding how they mechanically link the skin to the Let's Explore Check out the authors' palpation exercise and get additional reading recommendations at abmp.com/ anatomy. This cross-section schematic reveals the different tissue layers and their relationships to each other. Bridging skin ligaments can be seen surrounding and containing fat lobules, spanning from the dermis to the deep fascia, defining their form and shape. Image courtesy of AnatomySCAPES.com. 2 deeper body gives us a glimpse into the mechanisms at play in our most common massage techniques, particularly those that rely on shearing motions (Image 3). From eff leurage to petrissage, we use shearing forces all the time in massage. Since we inf luence so much tissue before ever reaching muscle depth, understanding the anatomy of the skin ligaments can help us be more specific with our touch and give us a deeper appreciation for what lies just beneath the surface. Nicole Trombley and Rachelle Clauson are massage therapists and co-directors of AnatomySCAPES, where they provide anatomy education for hands-on professionals online and in person in their dissection labs and workshops in San Diego, California. You can access more content about this issue's column and discounts for their AnatomyLOVERS eBox mini courses at anatomyscapes.com/ABMP. VIDEO: "HOME OF THE SKIN LIGAMENTS" 1. Open your camera 2. Scan the code 3. Tap on notification 4. Watch! Epidermis Dermis Deep fascia Subcutis Skin ligament Fat lobule Epimysium Muscle From effleurage to petrissage, we use shearing forces all the time in massage. A shearing force occurs when the force vector of the massage stroke is parallel to the tissue plane. The shearing force creates drag or strain within the tissue and deforms skin ligaments in the direction of the massage stroke. Image courtesy of AnatomySCAPES.com. 3 Tissue deformation shear strain Massage stroke force vector Tissue plane

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