Just a comment or two on the importance of stretching during a massage session and developing a stretching program of your own. I do not want to get too technical so let me start by explaining what “Fascia” is and how it is important to the human frame.
“Fascia” A sheet or band of fibrous connective tissue enveloping, separating, or binding together muscles, organs, and other soft structures of the body.
Now to put this into terms we all can understand. If you have ever prepared raw chicken you will easily be able to figure out what I am talking about. When you get under the skin of the chicken have you ever noticed that thin lining that covers the actual meat of the chicken?? That is Fascia
The human body is covered in a multi-layer matrix of Fascia. This covering is integral to maintaning ” Homeostasis” “Homeostasis” is defined as the ability or tendency of an organism or cell to maintain internal equilibrium by adjusting its physiological processes, in another words all systems of the body working in harmony and keeping in balance. For example, think how the body works to regulate heart rate, sugar levels, blood pressure etc. If all are in normal ranges then that would be an example of the body’s system’s working in harmony.
As indicated earlier we are talking about the “Human Frame” Every person has what is called a “center of gravity”. The center of gravity for a person is somewhere in the abdomen below the belly button. The location is about two inches infront of the second sacral vertabra. During normal movement the center of gravity moves up to two inches in a vertical direction.
When there is some sort of distortion or imbalance in the body, the center of gravity goes off kilter. The really fascinating thing about the human body is that it will do all it can to compensate to bring itself back to center.
Now back to the Fascia. As stated this web like covering covers every structure in the human body. To give another life like example,if you have ever wrapped anything in saran wrap, we will go back to the chicken example. You have wrapped chicken in saran wrap and had it get caught up on part of the bone and it bunches that is exactly what happens at times to the human body with fascia and that buching can cause imbalances in our structure. A simple thing as not being hydrated can cause fascia to adhere to muscle, tendon or bone. This can cause an imbalance in the human structure . Where there is an imbalance in the human structure there is compenstation somewhere else trying to correct the imbalance causing stressors on two parts of the body.
Ok, so what does this have to do with massage and stretching. Deep muscle body work does a tremendous amount in breaking down adhesions in joints, ligaments, tendons and muscles. It promotes clearing of metabolic wastes in muscles by bringing in fresh oxygen enriched blood. This action also promotes proper healing of damaged or injured structures. There are many other benefits of deep muscle work.
What I have found in my practice is that deep muscle body work and strectching go hand in hand. Here are some of the benefits of stretching.
1) Improves oxygenation and nutrition to myofascial structures promoting repair and growth.
2) Circualtion and drainage of lymph fluid . Lymph fluid is what helps structures to glide over each other. This helps avoid any structures adhering to one another causing imbalances.
3) Improves flexibility and health of muscles, tendons and ligaments.
4) Helps reduce the the risk of muscle spasm and tear.
These are just same of the basics of what strecthing and massage can do to help promote health and balance to the human frame. When you make your next massage appointment make sure you speak to your therapist about a good stretching regimine.
Remember to always take great care in stretching. Stay within your own body’s limits. To gain or re-gain flexibility takes time. Everyone gains felxibility at their own pace. Never compare yourself to another. Set realistic goals for yourself and progress with a consistant daily regimen.
Remeber life is a marathon not a sprint. Be kind to your body by getting regular body work, proper eating, exercise and sleep. These four things are really all about what we can control in our lives. By following these priciples it will go along way in keeping our lives in balance and empower ourselves to tackle the stressors of life
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