Massage-induced morphological changes of dense connective tissue in rat’s tendon

Abstract

Abstract:The aim of the experiment was to determine if possible changes in connective tissue induced by massage could have a positive effect justifing the use of massage in all post-traumatic connective tissue conditions, e.g. tendon injuries. The investigations were performed in a group of 18 Buffalo rats. The rats were divided into two groups (experimental and control). To standardize the massage procedure, it was performed with an algometer probe of 0.5 cm 2 with constant pressure force of 1 kG (9,81 N). To analyse the number and diameter of collagen fibrils, two electron micrographs were performed for each rat of the collected segments of tendons of rat tail lateral extensor muscle. After image digitalization and calibration, the measurements were carried out using iTEM 5.0 software. The number of fibrils, their diameter and area were measured in a cross-sectional area. An increase of the number of collagen fibrils was observed in the tendons of massaged animals compared to the control group. Our study demonstrated that massage may cause a beneficial effect on metabolic activity of tendon's fibroblasts and, in consequence, may be applied for more effective use of massage for the prevention of tendon injury as well as after the injury has occurred.

Effects of Synergistic Massage and Physical Exercise on the Expression of Angiogenic Markers in Rat Tendons

“…It seems that these adaptive processes may not be ascribed to the proliferation of fibroblasts, as no differences between analyzed groups upon histological examination were noted. However, we have recently shown that the massage of rat tendons modifies their structure by increasing the number of fibers with the smallest diameter (<100 nm), a fact which may indirectly corroborate the results obtained in this study [17]. …”

“…Two groups of rats were subjected to massage. In order to standardize the procedure; the massage was conducted using an algometer head (Digital Algometer Pain Diagnostic Gage, Wagner Instruments, Greenwich, USA) of 0.5 cm 2 in area, with a constant compression power of 9.81 N (1 kG), using spiral movements along the tendon of the long flexor muscle of the fingers, at the plantar surface of 1 cm 2 (on each of the rear extremities) [17]. The duration of the massage was 5 minutes per rear leg in each rat.…”

“…Such variability in tendon structure during its remodeling may be linked to a significant risk of trauma manifestation during prolonged physical training, especially between the third and fifth weeks of training. In parallel, the studies that have been conducted using ultrastructural morphometry show that multiple mechanical deformations (massage), combined with compression exerted across the long axis of the tendon, are followed by an increase in the number and in the cross-sectional area of collagen fibers in the tendon [17]. This allows the suggestion that prolonged tendon massage can lead to an intensified transformation of tendon tissue, producing an improved trophic situation within the massaged tissue.…”

Instrument-assisted cross fiber massage increases tissue perfusion and alters microvascular morphology in the vicinity of healing knee ligaments

“…The acceleration of biomechanical healing with IACFM may be due to transduction of the mechanical stimulus into a collagen-synthesis response by fibroblasts, with previous studies suggesting IACFM facilitated the recruitment and activation of fibroblasts and altered the size and density of collagen fibers in rodent tendons [17-19]. However, it is possible that IACFM also influences vascular responses during ligament healing.…”

Integrating osteopathic approaches based on biopsychosocial therapeutic mechanisms. Part 2: Clinical approach

“…It is important to realise that, while basic or primary experimental research may support the plausibility of a variety of mechanisms that produce changes to the tissues or nervous system, there remains a lack of clinical evidence that establishes these changes as relevant and meaningful to clinical outcomes in patients. Some of these plausible, but speculative, therapeutic mechanisms affecting the tissues include drainage of tissue fluids and pro-inflammatory metabolites from injured joints and tissues [21][22][23], short-term changes in joint pressure and motion due to joint tribonucleation and cavitation [24,25], manipulation of extrapped zygapophyseal meniscoid folds [24,26], promotion of tissue healing and collagen remodelling following injury [27][28][29], reduced thickness (densification) and improved viscosity of the loose connective tissue layer in deep fascia [30,31], mechanotransduction 5 and anti-inflammatory cellular responses of fibroblasts [32][33][34][35][36], improvement in sensory motor integration [37][38][39] and proprioception [40][41][42][43], parasympathetic responses following gentle techniques to the neck and head [44][45][46], and increased lymph flux, circulating lymphocytes, and immunity from abdominal lymphatic pump techniques [47][48][49][50].…”