Architecture developed. Higher buildings were possible to be set up. Cathedrals for example had an incredible development in architectonic features (Romanesque to Gothic) over years. However, pretty much everything is based on distributing stress by having walls, pillars, etc. The same idea still exists in our minds when thinking of the human body. 'Bones are built up on each other with having the head as the top of it.' This is a nature principal, which obviously works.
BUT there's another essential principle which has been more and more defined in the last years. It is used in architecture as well as in technical objects. And like every 'artificial innovation' it has already existed in nature as it does in the human body, for example. I'm talking about tensional integrity or just TENSEGRITY. yihae!
As I would not describe it any better I copied the following quotation:
"Tensegrity, tensional integrity or floating compression, is a structural principle based on the use of isolated components in compression inside a net of continuous tension, in such a way that the compressed members (usually bars or struts) do not touch each other and the prestressed tensioned members (usually cable or tendons) delineate the system spatially." (Goméz-Jáurgegui (2010)).
When it comes to the human body this is a very interesting aspect. The so called fascia is a soft tissue surrounding muscles, bones and organs. It plays a crucial role in supporting the body because there are components in the fascias (the extracellular matrix) that underlie the rule of tensegrity. It's like a three-dimensional body stocking made up of a web of filament-like strands. This fascial system holds the body's bones, muscles and organs in place. Hence it allows structures to slide and to move flexibly (e.g. sliding away of organs while breathing in), but to be very stable at the same time.
The interesting thing for therapist especially is the relation of fascias to pain. Apparently the majority of sensitive (afferent) nerves (free nerve endings, type IIIb) going to the spinal cord lie in this matrix. The amount of sensitive nerves in skin, eyes, ears and the mouth make up an incredible small part of the whole amount of sensitive nerves.
Structural and mechanical functionality depends on a working fascial system. Traumata or repetitive stress can cause the fascia to deform, resulting additional mechanical load on a variety of musculoskeletal areas and leading to symptoms of chronic pain and / or loss of function.
There are a lot of therapies who include this knowledge in their therapy (e.g. Connective Tissue Massage, Fascial Integrative Therapy, Myofascial Release, Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy) and treat this underlying soft tissue. The fascial filaments can be stretched and smoothed to get the body back in a proper balance. Healing and a more efficient detoxication are great benefits same as better general health and well-being.
Check out tensegrity! For the German speaking amongst you there is an interesting website of a pain therapist whose therapy is based on his knowledge about the fascial network. In here's another nice video about the relationship of pain and the fascia.
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| tensegrity model |
As I would not describe it any better I copied the following quotation:
When it comes to the human body this is a very interesting aspect. The so called fascia is a soft tissue surrounding muscles, bones and organs. It plays a crucial role in supporting the body because there are components in the fascias (the extracellular matrix) that underlie the rule of tensegrity. It's like a three-dimensional body stocking made up of a web of filament-like strands. This fascial system holds the body's bones, muscles and organs in place. Hence it allows structures to slide and to move flexibly (e.g. sliding away of organs while breathing in), but to be very stable at the same time.
The interesting thing for therapist especially is the relation of fascias to pain. Apparently the majority of sensitive (afferent) nerves (free nerve endings, type IIIb) going to the spinal cord lie in this matrix. The amount of sensitive nerves in skin, eyes, ears and the mouth make up an incredible small part of the whole amount of sensitive nerves.
Structural and mechanical functionality depends on a working fascial system. Traumata or repetitive stress can cause the fascia to deform, resulting additional mechanical load on a variety of musculoskeletal areas and leading to symptoms of chronic pain and / or loss of function.
There are a lot of therapies who include this knowledge in their therapy (e.g. Connective Tissue Massage, Fascial Integrative Therapy, Myofascial Release, Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy) and treat this underlying soft tissue. The fascial filaments can be stretched and smoothed to get the body back in a proper balance. Healing and a more efficient detoxication are great benefits same as better general health and well-being.
Check out tensegrity! For the German speaking amongst you there is an interesting website of a pain therapist whose therapy is based on his knowledge about the fascial network. In here's another nice video about the relationship of pain and the fascia.
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