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I t p a y s t o b e A B M P C e r t i f i e d : w w w. a b m p . c o m / g o / c e r t i f i e d c e n t r a l 85 Elastic rebound. Plasticity alters. THE PROPERTIES OF SOFT TISSUES The term "soft tissue" includes fasciae, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, retinacula, adipose, joint capsules, and synovial membrane, as well as muscle tissue/muscles, nerves, and blood vessels. It excludes bones. Soft connective tissues (such as those mentioned above) connect, support, or enclose other structures of the body. Since much of your bodywork will most likely be focused on the soft tissues of the body, let's take a closer look— tableside—at their characteristics. Stretch You're in session, working on Tony. He's supine and you take his hands up overhead for a big pull of his shoulder girdles. His soft connective tissues stretch—they demonstrate the ability to lengthen without being damaged or injured. This elongating capacity is fundamental for motion. (For instance, just try to scratch your ear without lengthening any tissues.) Since chronically shortened structures can be easily injured, your lengthening exercise with Tony is performed slowly and gently (Image 5). Elasticity Tony exhales and you bring his arms back to his sides (Image 6). Due to the property of elasticity, his tissues don't remain in their previously stretched state (that would be awkward). This elastic capacity to recoil or rebound to an original length or shape after being stretched (or deformed) is also seen in rubber bands and trampoline springs. Do Tony's dense connective tissues (like ligaments and fasciae) possess elasticity? Although composed of nonelastic collagen fi bers, they still possess a small degree of pliability—mostly due to collagen's crimped design. Plasticity As a former gymnast, Tony's fl exible ligaments, joint capsules, and fasciae still allow him to possess an impressive range of motion (Image 7). After years of continually lengthening his tissues, they illustrate plasticity—the capacity to be altered and retain that new confi guration. This is different from elasticity. When a tissue is deformed—either compressed or elongated— its elastic quality will restore it to its original length. When a tissue exceeds its elastic threshold, however, then it will behave plastically and remain at that new length. Stretching Tony's tissue. 5 6 7 STORY 2