The effects of long held stresses on connective tissues

This section provides an opportunity to share scientific articles and studies that shine some light on how Yin Yoga affects us. When you post a link to a study or article here, please include one or two paragraphs summarizing the important findings and/or provide the salient quotation from the article. Please do not simply cut and paste the whole study: provide only links and your summary.
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Bernie
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Location: Vancouver

The effects of long held stresses on connective tissues

Post by Bernie »

Here is an article by Helene M. Langevin where she discusses her research into long held (~30 minute) stresses on connective tissues and how it can cause a remodelling of the tissue and the architecture of the fibroblasts. She also discusses a mechanism that may reduce pain, which may be how acupuncture works.

From The Science of Stretch May 1, 2013, in The Scientist.
  • Ongoing studies in my lab are addressing why the fibroblasts change shape in response to sustained stretching. So far we have found that the changes are associated with a large-scale relaxation of the connective tissue. We also saw that the fibroblasts initiated a specific Rho-dependent cytoskeletal reorganization that was required for the tissue to fully relax. Rho is an intracellular signaling molecule known to play a role in cell motility and the remodeling of cell-surface proteins that connect the fibroblast to its surrounding matrix. The molecule's involvement in fibroblast shape change suggested that the cells are able to reduce the tissue tension by adjusting how strongly and where they are gripping the surrounding connective tissue or muscle. In addition, we found that the shape change is also associated with a sustained release of ATP from the fibroblast. Within the cell, ATP acts as fuel, but outside of the membrane, ATP can function as a signaling molecule. Extracellular ATP can be converted to other purines such as adenosine, which can act as a local analgesic, thus providing a possible cellular and physiological mechanism to explain the pain relief experienced by some acupuncture patients.
YuangYoga
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Joined: Thu May 04, 2017 11:10 am
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Post by YuangYoga »

awesome, I got lost towards the end but got the gist of it. Thanks for the share =D
You are what you eat!
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