FORWARD

A body lacking connective tissue would be a pulsating mass of protoplasm. During man’s evolution, connective tissue provided a material for specialization of his various conceptualized systems and a connecting medium for the bio-energetic regulation of the body. As a part of the musculoskeletal system and thereby influences his energy level within this force field.

Connective tissue is a flexible, all pervading matrix in which the higher organized tissues of the body are embedded. Connective tissue wraps, packs and binds anatomical units into functional systems as well as joining them into an integrated whole.

The intercellular medium of connective tissue surrounds virtually every cell of the body. This substance is the medium through which the osmotic process of nutrition and elimination take place and metabolic products are transported between cells and capillaries.

Connective tissue is a major stabilizing organ of the body. Disturbances in this basic tissue affect mechanical functioning, physiology and, therefore, the emotional stability of an individual. This tissue appears to record the history of trauma, along with the passage of time by its position, plasticity, and texture.

An individual may be reorganized, the trauma removed. Gravity provides a reference system, mechanical energy a force, and connective tissue a plastic medium for the work of structural integration.

RELEVANCE OF CONNECTIVE TISSUE TO STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION

Gravity is a major force in the environment and, in fact, the universe. This energy unites man to the earth, affecting physical and psychological energy levels and velocity of biological aging. Dr. Rolf states that gravity is a major component of stress (dis-ease), and calls man’s current awareness of his gravity relation, the “gravity disaster.” 1

Gravity provides a reference system. Vertical planes are established by the gravity line. Horizontal planes are perpendicular to the gravity line and parallel to the horizon. The physical body obeys the laws of structural mechanics within this system. The downward pull of gravity is balanced, reacted by the uplifting supporting force of the earth.

Dr. Rolf has likened the body to a series of gravity blocks; head, thorax, abdomen, pelvis, thighs and legs. 2 Proper positioning of these blocks calls for the center of gravity of each unit to fall along the gravity line. This “stacking” places the center of gravity of the body at the highest possible potential energy level, with the least moment of inertia around the gravity line. Mechanically, the body is a relatively unstable system allowing a rapid response in any direction. Stored potential energy supplies the minimal energy required to move from a position of equilibrium. During movement kinetic energy is directed and potential energy is maintained at the highest possible level, allowing the highest level of free energy.

Positioning of the weight blocks is controlled by the myofascial system, especially its fascia) component. Adverse mechanical energy inputs and dramatized emotional attitudes disturb the precise positioning of these weight blocks. A shift in one gravity unit necessitates a compensating shift in other masses to counterbalance. Compensations travel through the entire body via the fascia) planes, resulting in a reduction of available free energy.

Imbalances in the gravity masses result in tensions in the myofascial system, especially in its fascia) component, causing a degenerative change in the functioning of man’s various systems; body cavities are reduced in volume, crowding viscera, traction on sensory nerves may produce pain, and so forth. In general, the soft tissues of the body shorten and thicken, reducing plasticity and interfering with the transport of nutrients and metabolic substances.

Strain alters the fascial system both in ultrastructure and position. Tension is a stimulus for additional collagen fibers to be laid down and alterations In the fibrous organization of the tissue. The ground substance becomes more solid and less gel partly to stabilize the collagenous fibers. Also, the collagenous density and altered fibrous organization affect the plasticity of the tissue and mobility of adjacent structures. Additionally, there is less space for ground substance. Reduced ground substance, increased viscosity and Increased fibrous density interfere with the flow of metabolic substances; these areas tend to become stagnant and dehydrated. Fascia) adhesions between planes Interfere with the normal patterned response of muscle groups. Kinetic energy is no longer directed, movement which was once translation now involves rotations in the moving body necessitating a higher level In the body and a reduction in available free energy.

Connective tissue changes on the molecular level occur with the passage of time and randomness of the body. Verzar uses the collagen molecule as an index of biological aging: 3 During aging, covalent bonds increase, resulting in a decrease of plasticity of the tissue. Dehydration has the same affect, an increase in tensile strength and decrease in plasticity is noted. When water is removed from connective tissue, tropocoliagen molecules pack closer together, increasing the normally weak Van der Waal’s forces to the level of newly formed cross-linkages. 4,5 McClain and others sutudied cross-linking of collagen from porcine intramuscular connective tissue. 6 The 1. dorsi and semi-membranosus were examined and a marked difference in cross-linking was noted.
They suggest these differences are due to different activity levels of the muscles. This writer speculates that in the random body where activity levels are higher, increased cross-linking occurs, and at a higher rate. Assuming that increased cross-linking is an index for biological age, I would expect a random body to have an increased rate of biological aging. If the velocity of cross-linking could be modified, human life could be extended.

Connective tissue is a plastic medium which responds to mechanical energy inputs, is widely distributed and has organizational properties. Manipulation of this tissue is a means to reorganize an individual. Taylor implies that by the addition of mechanical energy the energy level of a system is raised and plasticity restored. 7 Through the directed application of mechanical and other energies In patterns which create balanced organization of the myofascial system; Structural Integration systematically reorganizes the misaligned body blocks of the average human Into a body more structurally normal and symmetrical in relation to a core gravity line.

Dr Rolf is tempted to speculate that balance of the body is the outward manifestation of alterations in the collagen molecule. 8 Some of the biophysical changes that probably result are hydration of the molecule and reduction in the quantity and rate of covalent bonding. These changes would affect the plasticity of that tissue and modify the aging velocity.

Re-establishing the verticality relieves the disorganizing effects of gravity. “At this point, as the negative pattern disappears, a new effect emerges. The direction is reversed. Just as imbalance and degeneration are cumulative, so regeneration and movement in the direction of balance, once started, is self-feeding. This is the beneficent aspect of plasticity.” 9 Gravity is the “integrating mother” in this self-feeding, nourishing, environmental process.

Gravity is a reference system, not only for physical reorganization, but a direction for spiritual growth. “Up” Is the result of gravity and points to the universe. Sensing this universal energy on a finer and finer level is a pathway of enlightenment.

1. Ida P. Rolf, Structural integration, A Contribution to the understanding of Stress (Ida P. Roll Foundation for Structural Integration, 1972), p. 2.

2. Ida P. Roll, “Structural Dynamics,” Yearbook, Osteopathic Institute of Applied Technique (1972). 97.

3. Frederic Verzar, -The Aging of Collagen.” Scientific American (April, 1963), 104.

4. David J. Smith, -The Connective Tissue Fiber-Water Interface: Physiological and Pathological Implications,” J. Dent. Res., Vol. 48 (Sept.-Oct., 1969), 677

5. Milos Chvapll, “Physiology of Connective Tissue,” Czechoslovak Medical Press. Prague (London: Buttersworth, 1967), pp. 131-132

6. P.E. McClain. et al., “Cross-Linking Characteristics of Collagen from Porcine Intramuscular Connective Tissue: Variations Between Muscles,” Blochem. Biophys. Act., Vol. 221 (1970), 355.

7. R.B Taylor. “Bioenergetics of Man,” Yearbook, Academy of Applied Osteopathy 1988), 91-96

8. Ida P. Rolf, Op. Cit., p. 12

9. Ida P. Rolf, Op. Cit., p. 10Adult Basic Connective Tissue