Readings on the Scientific Basis of Bodywork and Movement Therapies:

The connective tissue and myofascial systems

The connective tissue is a continuous fabric extending throughout the animal body, even into the innermost parts of each cell. All of the great systems of the body --the circulation, the nervous system, the musculo-skeletal system, the digestive tract, the various organs -- all are ensheathed in connective tissue. It is an organ of form, relationship, support, communication, and movement.

Connective tissue is a composite material, consisting of strong insoluble collagen fibers embedded in a gel-like ground substance. The fibers are arranged in highly ordered, crystalline arrays. Like many other crystals, connective tissue is piezoelectric, i.e. it generates electric fields when compressed or stretched. Hence any movement of any part of the body, muscle, bone, skin, blood vessel, etc., generates characteristic electrical fields that spread through the surrounding tissues. Since collagen is a semiconductor, the connective tissue is an integrated electronic network that allows all parts of the organism to communicate with each other.

The structure of the adult body is not fixed or permanent--tissues are constantly being replaced. Electrical fields generated within the tissues may regulate the replacement process, so that structure can change in response to changes in activity. This is how athletes and other performers optimize their structure and function by practicing a movement again and again. Perfect performance implies total interconnection, the free flow of information through the connective tissue fabric.

An energetic model of the body can account for the observations of Rolfers and other somatotherapists. Specifically, the parts of the organism are joined together and composed of an interconnected electronic fabric, the connective tissue system, whose properties (elasticity, flexibility, length, resiliency) depend upon a continuous flow of energy/information. When this flow is diminished or restricted because of physical or emotional trauma or lack of movement, the mechanical properties of the tissue are affected, awareness may decrease, and pain may arise. Restoration of flows can be accomplished by applying appropriate pressure to the affected areas, or by restoring movement. From the physics of gels, we can predict that pressure or movement may cause the connective tissue ground substance to dissolve for a short period of time, during which the tissue becomes more hydrated, and trapped toxins and metabolites can be released. When the matrix gels again, it is softer, more open, more hydrated, a better medium for electronic communication, and for diffusion of nutrients. Cells and tissues can then re-enter the natural cycle of renewal and replacement. Pain-free movement and flexibility are restored.

Structure and properties of groundsubstances

Studies of arthropods and other animals including man have revealed that the interstitium, cytoplasna, and nucleus each contain a matrix or ground substance composed of various biopolymers. The extracellular ground substance consists of chains of glycosaminoglycan molecules which may be linked with hyaluronate to form supramolecular complexes called proteoglycans. The cytoplasmic ground substance contains microtubules, microfilaments, microtrabeculae, and intermediate filaments, and constitutes a movable cytoskeleton. This framework interconnects the cell surface, the various organelles, and the nuc!ear envelope. The nuclear matrix consists of a peripheral pore complex lamina and an internal matrix. Glycophorin, fibronectin, and other proteins appear to provide specific linkages between the extracellular and cytoplasmic ground substance. The nuclear matrix has peripheral elements that appear to interact with the cytoskeleton at specific sites. Intimately associated with the ground substances is a dynamic matrix composed of water and counterions. The structure of the whole system, macromolecules, water, and ions, is being built up from basic laws and principles, enabling quantum mechanical descriptions to be extended to domains containing many interacting components.

Bioelectromagnetic communications

To develop a scientific approach to concepts such as “life energy” and “healing energy” we need to consider the energetic mechanisms by which the various parts of an organism communicate with each other.

When a physiologist is asked to discuss communication, the nervous system is usually given most of the attention, but many other forms of communication take place within the organism. Bioelectromagnetic communications are involved in the formation of the parts of the body, both small and large, for the integration of structures, for hormone/receptor interactions, for cells to recognize each other so they can join together to form tissues, and for the maintenance and regulation of body shape. Communications are also involved in healing processes such as regeneration, tissue repair, and activation of the immune system.

The various tissues and the body as a whole are not electrically or magnetically shielded. Hence signals used in bioelectromagnetic communications tend to leak into the surrounding tissues and into the spaces around the body. This article presents the hypothesis that the various tissues in the body “listen in” on the signals that initiate actions such as muscle contraction, secretion, sensation, etc. It is also suggested that this is an important mechanism of communication and integration. Non-neural cells, for example, may listen to the steady stream of messages that radiate out from nerves and muscles, and use this information to adjust their activities.