Elasticity and Plasticity

Fascia is a specialized system within the body that plays a critical role in support, protection, separation, and cellular communication. It’s made up of elastin, collagen, and a ground substance or matrix. The fascia’s ability to stretch, move, and return to its original shape is dependent on its elasticity and plasticity, both of which can be influenced by mechanical vibrations such as those delivered through vibration therapy.

Elasticity refers to the fascia’s ability to return to its original shape after being stretched or deformed. It’s primarily due to the presence of elastin fibers, which are flexible and resilient. On the other hand, collagen fibers provide the fascia with tensile strength and resist excessive stretching to prevent tissue damage.

Plasticity, in the context of fascia, refers to its ability to permanently change its length, shape, or function in response to mechanical forces or stresses. Fascial plasticity is particularly significant in the body’s adaptive responses to injuries, habits, or activities that regularly apply specific mechanical stresses to the fascia.

Mechanical vibrations can stimulate fibroblasts, the cells responsible for producing and maintaining the collagen and elastin fibers in the fascia. When fibroblasts are activated, they can increase the synthesis of collagen and elastin, which can contribute to the fascia’s overall health, resilience, and functional capacity. Additionally, the mechanical stimuli can influence the arrangement and alignment of these fibers, enhancing the fascia’s organizational structure and potentially its biomechanical properties.

Furthermore, mechanical vibrations can generate micro-movements within the fascia that may lead to small, incremental changes in the fascia’s length and shape over time. This remodeling process is a manifestation of the fascia’s plasticity, as it adapts to the repeated application of mechanical forces.

It’s worth noting that this field is still under investigation, and the exact mechanisms by which mechanical vibrations influence fascial elasticity and plasticity are complex and not fully understood. The interactions between mechanical forces, cellular responses, biochemical processes, and the body’s adaptive mechanisms are likely to involve numerous factors and variables. Continued research will help to elucidate these relationships and their implications for health and therapeutic interventions.

References:

1. Schleip, R., & Müller, D. G. (2013). Training principles for fascial connective tissues: Scientific foundation and suggested practical applications. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 17(1), 103-115. doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2012.06.007
2. Wilke, J., et al. (2020). What is the evidence for the use of vibration therapy in physiotherapy? A literature review. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 9(5), 1545. doi:10.3390/jcm9051545
3. Bordoni, B., & Zanier, E. (2015). Understanding fibroblasts in order to comprehend the osteopathic treatment of the fascia. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015, Article 860934. doi:10.1155/2015/860934
4. Langevin, H. M., & Sherman, K. J. (2007). Pathophysiological model for chronic low back pain integrating connective tissue and nervous system mechanisms. Medical Hypotheses, 68(1), 74-80. doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2006.06.033
5. Stecco, C., et al. (2014). Fascial components of the myofascial pain syndrome. Current Pain and Headache Reports, 18(8), 1-8. doi:10.1007/s11916-014-0436-y

Glossary:

1. Fascia: A band or sheet of connective tissue beneath the skin that attaches, stabilizes, encloses, and separates muscles and other internal organs.
2. Elasticity: The ability of a material to return to its original shape after being stretched or deformed.
3. Plasticity: The ability of a material to change its shape permanently in response to stress.
4. Fibroblasts: A type of cell that synthesizes the extracellular matrix and collagen, playing a critical role in wound healing and maintaining the structural integrity of connective tissues.
5. Collagen: The main structural protein in the extracellular space in various connective tissues. It’s the most abundant protein in mammals, making up 25% to 35% of the whole-body protein content.
6. Elastin: A highly elastic protein in connective tissue that allows many tissues in the body to resume their shape after stretching or contracting.
7. Mechanical Vibrations: Oscillatory movements that can be used in therapeutic applications for various health benefits, including pain relief, muscle relaxation, and improvement in circulation.
8. Neuroplasticity: The brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. It allows the neurons (nerve cells) in the brain to compensate for injury and disease and to adjust their activities in response to new situations or changes in their environment.
9. Adhesions: Bands of scar-like tissue that form between two surfaces inside the body and cause them to stick together. They might be thin sheets of tissue similar to plastic wrap or denser fibrous bands.
10. Interstitial Fluid: A solution that bathes and surrounds the cells of multicellular animals. It’s the main component of the extracellular fluid, which also includes plasma and transcellular fluid. The interstitial fluid is found in the interstices – the spaces between cells.