[libribook.com] Traumatic Scar Tissue Management 1st Edition

16.06.2020 Views

Clinical ConsiderationMechanoreceptors in skin gather and relay any external (touch)information being provided. In addition to this information being relayed tothe brain, the skin can communicate globally across its own expanse anddeeply as it is contiguous with the various layers of fascia, and all that thefascia is connected to (Abu-Hijleh & Harris 2007, Chaitow 2014). TheECM within the hypodermis or superficial fascia sends out projectionstowards the surface of the skin providing a communication route betweenthe deeper layers of fascia and the surface. Therefore movement, touch orother forms of stimuli can be communicated across all layers, fromsuperficial to deep, and from the subterranean to the surface (Paoletti2006). This connection pathway provides a plausible mechanism forvarious manual therapy approaches to achieve the ‘tissue release’ or tonuschanges we feel beneath our hands during treatment. Release can bemediated by the nervous system (responding to mechanoreceptorstimulation) or via the mechanotransduction pathway, as discussed inChapter 2 (Schleip 2003a, 2003b, Langevin 2006).

Pathophysiological ConsiderationTrauma, mechanoreceptors and proprioceptive disinformationTrauma, including pathophysiological scars, can result in aberrantmechanoreceptor function. Fibrosis and adhesions that occur withpathological scars can lead to innocuous mechanical stimuli beingperceived as noxious, resulting in the subsequent relay of incoherent ormisinformation to local, regional, or central nerve centers (i.e.proprioceptive disinformation). Under- or overestimation of the mechanicalstimuli received results in inappropriate muscular reactions, such asinterference with recruitment and timing of recruitment, which endangersequilibrium, coordination and stability. Consequently, proprioceptivedisinformation can adversely impact the rehabilitative process or increasethe incidence of comorbid injuries (e.g. falling with subsequent sprains orfracture).The interoceptive system, considered the substrate of recognition of self, plays afundamental role in the relationship between one’s subjective state of well-beingand physiological health. Volitional cortical control in humans can directlymodify homeostatic integration (Petrovic et al. 2002, Craig 2003, Critchley et al.2002, Damasio et al. 2000, Derbyshire et al. 2003). This supports that how wefeel about how we feel can influence how we function, right down to thephysiological level.

Clinical Consideration

Mechanoreceptors in skin gather and relay any external (touch)

information being provided. In addition to this information being relayed to

the brain, the skin can communicate globally across its own expanse and

deeply as it is contiguous with the various layers of fascia, and all that the

fascia is connected to (Abu-Hijleh & Harris 2007, Chaitow 2014). The

ECM within the hypodermis or superficial fascia sends out projections

towards the surface of the skin providing a communication route between

the deeper layers of fascia and the surface. Therefore movement, touch or

other forms of stimuli can be communicated across all layers, from

superficial to deep, and from the subterranean to the surface (Paoletti

2006). This connection pathway provides a plausible mechanism for

various manual therapy approaches to achieve the ‘tissue release’ or tonus

changes we feel beneath our hands during treatment. Release can be

mediated by the nervous system (responding to mechanoreceptor

stimulation) or via the mechanotransduction pathway, as discussed in

Chapter 2 (Schleip 2003a, 2003b, Langevin 2006).

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