It’s time to nerd out on some science!
I’ve been recently rereading a book called the Tao of Physics which is about how modern science and ancient wisdom are starting to come together. Many recent scientific discoveries are mirroring the long held wisdom found in ancient Hindu, Buddhist and Taoist lineages. And its not just physics – its biology too. Reading this book has reminded me of recent discussions I’ve had with my ZenThai colleagues about working with fascia – let me explain.
Many ancient practices like Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture, acupressure, and yoga have long believed that there exists a network of energetic meridians or channels in the body that are essential for both physical and emotional wellbeing. Fascia (strong connective tissue that wraps around muscles and organs) is considered the pathway for this energy flow. These channels act as bridges between the physical and energetic body. The teachings say if your energy flow is blocked you will have issues in many parts of your body, even seemingly unconnected ones. There was no widely accepted scientific explanation for this until recently.
The structure we call fascia was known to science but discarded as merely an inert structural part of the body. In 2018 the interstitium was discovered as a new organ in the human body. It is the fluid that lives within the fascia. It was previously undiscovered as it was not visible with standard imaging. We have been disecting and looking at dead tissues for ages but the magic of the interstitium only happens in live tissue. A new imaging technique called probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy has allowed scientists to see the interstitium at work in live tissue.
This new imaging has shown that the interstitium is a microscopic 3D network of collagen fluid filled sacs within the fascia. Its a body wide continuous structure that helps maintain homeostasis by facilitating communication throughout the body. Its a superhighway for nutrients, waste and cellular communication. It is piezoelectric – the collagen fibers convert mechanical pressure (like squeezing or needling) into small electrical charges. And studies are showing that the network corresponds to the traditional meridian structure.
This new discovery explains the mechanism of fascia work, acupuncture and acupressure. This interstitium network provides channels of low hydraulic resistance that create pathways for the interstitial fluid to move and helps distant parts of the body communicate with each other. The piezoelectric charges also move though these channels and keep the whole body healthy.
ZenThai is a massage technique that uses fascia work, acupressure and meridian work. So if you’ve been on the fence about trying out ZenThai now is the time. Your fascia and interstitium will thank you!
Raven's Breath Somatic Facilitation 