THE DYNAMIC QUALITIES OF FASCIA MIGHT SURPRISE YOU
What does electricity, a sweater vest and acupuncture all have in common? While how these seemingly disparate things can share a common thread may seem like a stretch, let me back up and see if I can explain. I was introduced to the important roles of the connective tissue fascia years ago while in massage therapy school. Fascia is an uninterrupted system of densely woven tissue that connects, binds and penetrates every nerve, muscle, blood vessel, organ, bone and tendon in our bodies. It is a three dimensional matrix that compartmentalizes and connects us from head to toe acting as the glue that binds us together. It is pretty incredible, and yet it isn’t very common knowledge. Unless you have rehabilitated a particular injury or had pain and inflammation of this connective tissue, you may have never even heard of it.
So let’s get back to the connection between electricity, a sweater vest and acupuncture. One analogy used by my teacher in explaining fascia was that of a sweater vest. Specifically, if a strand of yarn within that sweater vest were pulled, the whole area surrounding that piece would be distorted and affected. The effects of the distortion could be far reaching. Since fascia has both superficial and deep layers, this tissue not only underpins the skin, it moves deeper to surround and encase muscles. This biological ordering holds them together and separates them into functional groups. The chest, abdomen and pelvis are compartmentalized and separated by layers of fascia to create unique areas with a shared purpose. The body is vacuumed packed and held together with this connective tissue.
The electricity has to do with an interesting quality of the principle ingredient of fascia called collagen. Collagen, the most abundant protein in our bodies, forms tendons, ligaments, cartilage, the walls of arteries and gives bones their tensile strength. Not only is it incredibly strong, it also has a semi-crystalline structure. Its structure is important because it gives collagen a piezoelectric quality, which is the ability to self generate tiny electrical currents from mechanical stress. If pressure is applied, electricity is formed. This has been studied in bone growth where the tiny electrical currents caused by mechanical stress stimulates bone cells to lay down more in these areas and strengthen it. Collagen fibers are also found along stress lines in fascia, giving it more strength and the ability to generate electrical currents as well. The connective fabric that wraps and joins everything also generates and transmits electrical currents. The body uses electricity for all kinds of functions. Electricity transmits information through nerves, forces contractions in muscles, creates the rhythmic beating of our hearts and informs basic cellular functions. We are electrical beings and our bodies use and generate it constantly.
In my previous article, I wrote about how acupuncture points have been found to contain high concentrations of sensory nerves, immune cells, lymphatic vessels and fine blood vessels. These particular qualities found at the points make them areas of access to influence change. In addition to these things, the theory of fascia to help explain acupuncture channels has been proposed and investigated. Is fascia an overlooked link between acupuncture and anatomy? Many believe that it is. A study in 2002 found a high correspondence between planes of fascia and the location of acupuncture points. An incredibly insightful book called The Spark in the Machine written by Dr Daniel Keown whose expertise in both Chinese medicine and Western medicine explores this very topic in detail. The fact that fascia connects and penetrates the entire body in an uninterrupted fashion could be a link to the internal pathways charted by this ancient medicine. Can this electrical, dynamic living web of fascia help us explain how stimulating an area on the leg can influence the stomach or kidneys? While there is still no universal explanation within Western medicine for the channel pathways of acupuncture theory, perhaps a deeper look at this connective tissue will bring us closer to understanding the phenomena of our bodies and their interconnectedness.
For further information or to schedule an appointment please contact Ramie Holmquist, L.Ac of Saint Sophia Acupuncture at Alison Palmer Physical Therapy and Wellness Center (#307-752-1799). We are located in the Cimarron Lodge at the bottom of lift 7. Wellness is the full integration of mind, body and spirit. We look forward to helping you towards a healthier life.