Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/296580
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 89 Fascial tissues being stretched. Bones compressing on the way up. THE PUSH AND PULL OF YOUR TISSUES What do compression and tension have to do with your connective tissues? Pretty much everything. You see, between gravity, hard fl ooring, chairs, contracting muscles, and more, there are many internal and external forces that will affect your soon-to-be-built body. We'll have to construct your connective tissues accordingly so they can best support you. Other functional aspects such as location, usage, and design need to be considered, but it really comes down to this question: Will a type of connective tissue mainly need to withstand compression or tension? In other words, is it going to be primarily squished or stretched? Bones and cartilage are built to bear your weight during most types of activities (for instance, when you are charging up a trail). They will serve as your compression tissues (Image 17). Although they possess tensile attributes, their material— cellular on up—will primarily be pushed together. All of the other connective tissue types, known as fascial tissues—proper fasciae, tendons, ligaments, and many others—will serve as your tension tissues. When you perform activities such as bounding up that trail, they will be predominately stretched (Image 18). In this way, bones (your body's "sticks") will serve as spacers and prop up your mass, while your fascial tissues (your "strings") will suspend your limbs, organs, and other structures. This dynamic duo of pushed and pulled tissues will together create an ideal, internal framework for your moving body. 17 18 The Connective Tissue Tent Sure, fascia and muscle depend on each other, but so do fascia and bone. Fascia's naturally tensile (pulling) disposition relies on the space and lift provided by rigid bones. Without your osseous "tent poles," your fascial "tent fabric" would collapse to the ground. On the other hand, without your fascial rigging, your skeleton—which is really just an unstackable ensemble of compression-ready sticks—would collapse in a heap. Each needs the other, with your body ultimately stacked, as well as suspended. The poles The fabric Both together The poles The fabric