Does fascia hold memories?

Indigenous Epistemological Frameworks and Evidence-Informed Approaches to Consciousness and Body Representations in Osteopathic Care: A Call for Academic Engagement

Background/Objectives: Indigenous perspectives, which emphasize non-materialistic dimensions of healing, such as the interconnectedness of the body, mind, and spirit, align with one foundational principle of osteopathic care. Integrating these perspectives into person-centered care may enhance therapeutic effectiveness by accommodating diverse understandings of health and well-being. This perspective paper explores how various epistemological frameworks, including Indigenous non-materialistic approaches, can inform manual therapy techniques and therapeutic alliances to advance person-centered care. Methods: We synthesized the best available evidence with expert insights and interdisciplinary viewpoints to address the gaps in the scientific literature. Our approach integrates conceptual analysis and emerging research to provide a comprehensive discussion for a broad professional audience. Results: We focused on detailing the existing sociocultural and experiential frameworks available to describe patients' bodily perceptions rather than abstract intellectual constructs. Our findings were divided into two sections. The first examines the incorporation of diverse body representations that extend beyond purely biomechanical interpretations, emphasizing the role of non-materialistic components in therapeutic processes. The second explores recent neuroscientific research on self and consciousness, demonstrating how these insights intersect with Indigenous perspectives to enrich the theoretical and practical applications of osteopathic principles in different clinical contexts. Conclusions: Epistemological flexibility has the potential to refine clinical frameworks and ensure that they reflect the full scope of osteopathic practices beyond musculoskeletal care. By integrating diverse sociocultural perspectives without reinforcing stereotypes or rigid cultural constructs, this approach clarifies the diversity of body representations in osteopathic practices, addresses gaps in academic discourse, and promotes the integration of multiple worldviews as a foundation for truly person-centered care.

Fascia as a regulatory system in health and disease

Neurology and connective tissue are intimately interdependent systems and are critical in regulating many of the body's systems. Unlocking their multifaceted relationship can transform clinical understanding of the mechanisms involved in multisystemic regulation and dysregulation. The fascial system is highly innervated and rich with blood vessels, lymphatics, and hormonal and neurotransmitter receptors. Given its ubiquity, fascia may serve as a "watchman," receiving and processing information on whole body health. This paper reviews what constitutes fascia, why it is clinically important, and its contiguous and interdependent relationship with the nervous system. Unquestionably, fascial integrity is paramount to human locomotion, interaction with our environment, bodily sense, and general physical and emotional wellbeing, so an understanding of the fascial dysregulation that defines a range of pathological states, including hypermobility syndromes, autonomic dysregulation, mast cell activation, and acquired connective tissue disorders is critical in ensuring recognition, research, and appropriate management of these conditions, to the satisfaction of the patient as well as the treating practitioner.

Practical implications from distinguishing between Pearl blankets and Friston blankets

Analysis provided in The Emperor's New Markov Blankets reveals that there is limited potential for practical application of Pearl and Friston blankets. However, Bruineberg and colleagues' analysis includes a simple diagram that has potential to better enable shared understanding of interactions between free energy principle constructs during the design and implementation of biosocial-technical systems.

Virus-Induced Membrane Fusion in Neurodegenerative Disorders

A growing body of epidemiological and research data has associated neurotropic viruses with accelerated brain aging and increased risk of neurodegenerative disorders. Many viruses replicate optimally in senescent cells, as they offer a hospitable microenvironment with persistently elevated cytosolic calcium, abundant intracellular iron, and low interferon type I. As cell-cell fusion is a major driver of cellular senescence, many viruses have developed the ability to promote this phenotype by forming syncytia. Cell-cell fusion is associated with immunosuppression mediated by phosphatidylserine externalization that enable viruses to evade host defenses. In hosts, virus-induced immune dysfunction and premature cellular senescence may predispose to neurodegenerative disorders. This concept is supported by novel studies that found postinfectious cognitive dysfunction in several viral illnesses, including human immunodeficiency virus-1, herpes simplex virus-1, and SARS-CoV-2. Virus-induced pathological syncytia may provide a unified framework for conceptualizing neuronal cell cycle reentry, aneuploidy, somatic mosaicism, viral spreading of pathological Tau and elimination of viable synapses and neurons by neurotoxic astrocytes and microglia. In this narrative review, we take a closer look at cell-cell fusion and vesicular merger in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders. We present a "decentralized" information processing model that conceptualizes neurodegeneration as a systemic illness, triggered by cytoskeletal pathology. We also discuss strategies for reversing cell-cell fusion, including, TMEM16F inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, senolytics, and tubulin stabilizing agents. Finally, going beyond neurodegeneration, we examine the potential benefit of harnessing fusion as a therapeutic strategy in regenerative medicine.

People Who Chose the Preventive Natural Bioenergetics (NB) COVID-19 Treatment Safely Experienced a Significant Reduction of COVID-19 Symptoms Compared to the General Population

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The aim of this study is to assess if people who chose to receive the preventive Natural Bioenergetics (NB) COVID-19 treatment would experience safely a strong reduction in frequency and severity of COVID-19 major symptoms (fever, cough, and shortness of breath) compared to the general population. Experimental procedure: The preventive NB COVID-19 treatment is a double acupuncture meridian-based procedure that primes the immune system using acupuncture points and specific substances and sounds on precise body locations. Four hundred and thirty-nine people from seven countries (Canada, USA, Mexico, UK, France, Israel, and Belgium) voluntarily received the non-invasive preventive NB treatment. Data used for this study have been gathered between April 2020 and December 2020. The severity of cases experienced by the general population was statistically compared with those of the 42 infected people of this study.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

Our analysis suggests the population who chose to receive the preventive NB COVID-19 treatment experienced a strong reduction in frequency and severity of the three major symptoms of COVID-19 (p<0.01) compared to the general population. Nobody in that population needed hospitalization, including the elderly, which can be interpreted as a very significant clinical improvement. Most people did not report any side effects. Only small side effects were reported.

Psychomotor Predictive Processing

Psychomotor experience can be based on what people predict they will experience, rather than on sensory inputs. It has been argued that disconnects between human experience and sensory inputs can be addressed better through further development of predictive processing theory. In this paper, the scope of predictive processing theory is extended through three developments. First, by going beyond previous studies that have encompassed embodied cognition but have not addressed some fundamental aspects of psychomotor functioning. Second, by proposing a scientific basis for explaining predictive processing that spans objective neuroscience and subjective experience. Third, by providing an explanation of predictive processing that can be incorporated into the planning and operation of systems involving robots and other new technologies. This is necessary because such systems are becoming increasingly common and move us farther away from the hunter-gatherer lifestyles within which our psychomotor functioning evolved. For example, beliefs that workplace robots are threatening can generate anxiety, while wearing hardware, such as augmented reality headsets and exoskeletons, can impede the natural functioning of psychomotor systems. The primary contribution of the paper is the introduction of a new formulation of hierarchical predictive processing that is focused on psychomotor functioning.

Imaging of muscle activity-induced morphometric changes in fibril network of myofascia by two-photon microscopy

Myofascia, deep fascia enveloping skeletal muscles, consists of abundant collagen and elastin fibres that play a key role in the transmission of muscular forces. However, understanding of biomechanical dynamics in myofascia remains very limited due to less quantitative and relevant approaches for in vivo examination. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the myofascial fibril structure by means of a quantitative approach using two-photon microscopy (TPM) imaging in combination with intravital staining of Evans blue dye (EBD), a far-red fluorescence dye, which potentially labels elastin. With focus on myofascia of the tibial anterior (TA) muscle, the fibril structure intravitally stained with EBD was observed at the depth level of collagen fibrous membrane above the muscle belly. The EBD-labelled fibril structure and orientation in myofascia indicated biomechanical responses to muscle activity and ageing. The orientation histograms of EBD-labelled fibrils were significantly modified depending upon the intensity of muscle activity and ageing. Moreover, the density of EBD-labelled fibrils in myofascia decreased with habitual exercise but increased with muscle immobilization or ageing. In particular, the diameter of EBD-labelled fibrils in aged mice was significantly higher. The orientation histograms of EBD-labelled fibrils after habitual exercise, muscle immobilization and ageing showed significant differences compared to control. Indeed, the histograms in bilateral TA myofascia of exercise mice made simple waveforms without multiple sharp peaks, whilst muscular immobilization or ageing significantly shifted a histogram with sustaining multiple sharp peaks. Therefore, the dynamics of fibre network with EBD fluorescence in response to the biomechanical environment possibly indicate functional tissue adaptation in myofascia. Furthermore, on the basis of the knowledge that neutrophil recruitment occurs locally in working muscles, we suggested the unique reconstruction mechanism involving neutrophilic elastase in the myofascial fibril structure. In addition to the elastolytic susceptibility of EBD-labelled fibrils, distinct immunoreactivities and activities of neutrophil elastase in the myofascia were observed after electric pulse stimulation-induced muscle contraction for 15 min. Our findings of EBD-labelled fibril dynamics in myofascia through quantitative approach using TPM imaging and intravital fluorescence labelling potentially brings new insights to examine muscle physiology and pathology.

INFLUENCE OF FOAM ROLLING ON ELBOW PROPRIOCEPTION, STRENGTH, AND FUNCTIONAL MOTOR PERFORMANCE

CONTEXT

Foam rolling has recently been used frequently to increase flexibility. However, its effects on proprioception, strength and motor performance are not well known. In addition, very few studies have examined the effects of foam rolling in the upper extremity.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of foam rolling on elbow proprioception, strength, and functional motor performance in healthy individuals.

DESIGN

Randomized controlled study.

SETTING

Exercise laboratory of X Department, X University.

PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS

Sixty healthy participants (mean age=22.83±4.07 years).

INTERVENTION(S)

We randomly assigned participants into two groups: the foam rolling group (FRG) (4 weeks of foam rolling for the biceps brachii muscle) and control group (CG) (no foam rolling).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

We evaluated proprioception (joint position sense [JPS] and force matching), biceps brachii muscle strength, and functional motor performance (modified pull-up test [MPUT], closed kinetic chain upper extremity stability test [CKCUEST], and push-up test) at the baseline, and at the end of the 4th week and 8th week.

RESULTS

JPS at 45° elbow flexion, muscle strength, CKCUEST, and push-up test results improved after foam rolling and improvement was maintained at the follow-up (p<0.017). While the changes in groups for the results of proprioception and CKCUEST were similar among the three time points (p>0.05), there were significant improvements for the muscle strength from baseline to the second evaluation, and from baseline to the follow-up (p<0.001) in the FRG compared to the CG (p=0.004). The FRG was superior to the CG in the improvement of push-up test results among the three time points (p=0.040, p=0.001, p<0.001). Other data did not change (p>0.05).

CONCLUSION

Foam rolling is effective in improving elbow JPS in small flexion angles, biceps brachii strength, and some parameters of upper extremity functional motor performance. These effects are maintained 4 weeks after application.

Integrating mental imagery and fascial tissue: A conceptualization for research into movement and cognition

Mental imagery (MI) research has mainly focused to date on mechanisms of effect and performance gains associated with muscle and neural tissues. MI's potential to affect fascia has rarely been considered. This paper conceptualizes ways in which MI might mutually interact with fascial tissue to support performance and cognitive functions. Such ways acknowledge, among others, MI's positive effect on proprioception, body schema, and pain. Drawing on cellular, physiological, and functional similarities and associations between muscle and fascial tissues, we propose that MI has the potential to affect and be affected by fascial tissue. We suggest that fascia-targeted MI (fascial mental imagery; FMI) can therefore be a useful approach for scientific as well as clinical purposes. We use the example of fascial dynamic neuro-cognitive imagery (FDNI) as a codified FMI method available for scientific and therapeutic explorations into rehabilitation and prevention of fascia-related disabling conditions.

The Awareness of the Fascial System

Fascia is a cacophony of functions and information, a completely adaptable entropy complex. The fascial system has a solid and a liquid component, acting in a perfect symbiotic synchrony. Each cell communicates with the other cells by sending and receiving signals; this concept is a part of quantum physics and it is known as quantum entanglement: a physical system cannot be described individually, but only as a juxtaposition of multiple systems, where the measurement of a quantity determines the value for other systems. Fascial continuum serves as a target for different manual approaches, such as physiotherapy, osteopathy and chiropractic. Cellular behaviour and the inclusion of quantum physics background are hardly being considered to find out what happens between the operator and the patient during a manual physical contact. The article examines these topics. According to the authors' knowledge, this is the first scientific text to offer manual operators’ new perspectives to understand what happens during palpatory contact. A fascial cell has not only memory but also the awareness of the mechanometabolic information it feels, and it has the anticipatory predisposition in preparing itself for alteration of its natural environment.

The biomechanical model in manual therapy: Is there an ongoing crisis or just the need to revise the underlying concept and application?

Different approaches to body biomechanics are based on the classical concept of "ideal posture" which is regarded as the state where body mass is distributed in such a way that ligamentous tensions neutralize the force of gravity and muscles retain their normal tone, as result of the integration of somatic components related to posture and balance mechanisms. When compromised, optimal posture can be restored through the balanced and effective use of musculoskeletal components; however, various research findings and the opinion of experts in this field suggest a move away from the dogmas that have characterized the idea of health dependent on ideal posture, to promote instead dynamic approaches based on the interdependency of the body systems as well as on the full participation of the person in the healing process. Following these concepts, this article proposes a revised biomechanical model that sees posture as the temporary result of the individual's current ability to adapt to the existing allostatic load through the dynamic interaction of extero-proprio-interoceptive information integrated at a neuromyofascial level. Treatments using this revised model aim to restore the optimal posture available to the person in that particular given moment, through the efficient and balanced use of neuro-myofascia-skeletal components in order to normalize aberrant postural responses, to promote interoceptive and proprioceptive integration and to optimize individual responses to the existing allostatic load. The latter is achieved via multimodal programs of intervention, in a salutogenic approach that, from a traditional perspective, evolves on an anthropological basis, to the point of centering its work on the person.

Understanding Fibroblasts in Order to Comprehend the Osteopathic Treatment of the Fascia

The osteopathic treatment of the fascia involves several techniques, each aimed at allowing the various layers of the connective system to slide over each other, improving the responses of the afferents in case of dysfunction. However, before becoming acquainted with a method, one must be aware of the structure and function of the tissue that needs treating, in order to not only better understand the manual approach, but also make a more conscious choice of the therapeutic technique to employ, in order to adjust the treatment to the specific needs of the patient. This paper examines the current literature regarding the function and structure of the fascial system and its foundation, that is, the fibroblasts. These connective cells have many properties, including the ability to contract and to communicate with one another. They play a key role in the transmission of the tension produced by the muscles and in the management of the interstitial fluids. They are a source of nociceptive and proprioceptive information as well, which is useful for proper functioning of the body system. Therefore, the fibroblasts are an invaluable instrument, essential to the understanding of the therapeutic effects of osteopathic treatment. Scientific research should make greater efforts to better understand their functioning and relationships.