Connective tissue is found between other tissues in the body and is defined as tissue that supports, protects, and gives structure to those other tissues and to organs. It consists of cells, fibers, and a gel-like substance, and includes bone, cartilage, blood, and lymphatic tissue, among other fabric.
Additionally, connective tissue also stores fat and plays an important role in the immune and detox system by helping to move nutrients and other substances between tissues and organs.
Connective Tissue Release Massage (CTRM) or simply Connective Tissue Massage (CTM) aims at manipulating the connective tissues in the body, especially those directly under the skin. The core idea behind CTM is that, connective tissue being an interconnected “web,” the treatment of connective tissues in one part of the body can induce reflex healing activities in various other tissues (and organs) in other parts of the body.
Some benefits associated with CTM are:
- better performance for athletes and dancers
- faster rehabilitation after injury or surgery
- improvement of posture and better body balance
- pain relief
- improvement of tendonitis, scoliosis, sciatica, and carpal tunnel syndrome
- alleviation of arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple sclerosis, and other neuromuscular disorders
- improved range of motion
- increase energy and overall feelings of well-being
A well-known type of connective tissue is the fascia. See our post Myofascial Release Massage for a deeper understanding of this topic.
