Connective Tissue .. Use it or Lose It...

Good morning dear ones!  Today I thought I would throw in some interesting information about connective tissue (CT).  This is the tissue that if the rest of your body "disappeared" your connective tissue would remain --  leaving a COMPLETE replica of your physical body.  Pretty cool, huh...  With that said, here are some amazing facts about connective tissue:  It is one of the most abundant and widely distributed tissue of the body.  It is a continuous substance, and every single part of the body is connected to every other part of the body by virtue of its network.  In its various forms, connective tissue has many functions -- it binds together, supports and strengthens other body tissues; protects and insulates internal organs, compartmentalizes structures such as skeletal muscles, and is the major transport system within the body (blood and adipose tissue are both connective tissue); and is the main sit of immune responses.  The things that I find fascinating and amazing (which of course it the entire human body -- wow what a gift we have received!) about CT is that all healing begins here.  CT generates energy - as in electrical currents -- and it can then communicate (conduct) to every other cell in the body - WOW!  Interestingly enough, when warmed (like through massage) CT becomes a shape shifter.  The hyalouronic acid in dense connective tissues ground substance enables it to shape shift from a more solid state to a more gell state.  This process is called thixotrophy.  Working with CT can help increase range of motion and improve posture and body alignment.    So if you think about it, you can change your shape by working with your connective tissue.  With movement (and massage) your CT becomes more fluid, pliable and resilient, being more solid and inflexible when it "sits without being disturbed".  With disuse the CT surrounding your muscles becomes a little colder, less energized, sluggish and loses its full quality and ability to soften, stretch and flex.  

So now that you know about connective tissue the choice is up to  you...  Get massage, exercise, stretch and drink LOTS of WATER... or FREEZE...  

Signing out to go to our local gym (Groton Fitness Center) and begin my "shapeshifting" for the day!!  J.