Muscle Injury and Healing
The subject on Muscle Injury has many layers, just like the layers of muscles within the body. But how do muscles heal after injury?
Leslie Williamson, Senior Lecturer.
We often hear owners being told an assortment of information in regards to muscle injuries and the healing of the “connective tissue being the most important”.
Connective tissue actually includes ligaments, tendons, bursae and fascia, covering over muscles. It is less vascularised, less resistant, can be distorted and lacks contractility and elasticity.
Fascia is divided into three layers. The superficial layer contains fat, nerve endings and blood vessels. The second layer is potential space which can enlarge to accommodate the escape of fluids into surrounding space.
Individual muscle groups are enveloped by fascia. Fluid between the fascia allows free movement of one muscle over another. The membranous fascia fibres are interwoven rather than in one direction. Fascia tends to shrink when it is inflamed and is a point of pain due to the rich nerve supply.
The application of varying massage techniques has a gentle pull on the fascial area and will stimulate the skin-to-organ reflex. The physiological effect of both connective and soft tissue massage helps to harmonise the circulation between organs and other tissues, along with lengthening of connective & muscle fibres, aiding in the prevention and break down of adhesions and reducing fibrosis. Every time you are massaging, you are assessing, stimulating, releasing and aiding in the optimum function of this amazing interwoven system within the body.
Now…… how does this pertain to muscle “healing”?
The healing of tissues can be divided into three phases:
- Inflammation
- Proliferation
- Remodelling
Initial inflammation is a good thing. It brings all the emergency tools to the area and helps to break down and remove damaged tissue. However, the enzymes which help break down the damaged tissue will also break down healthy tissue if inflammation is allowed to continue and extend beyond the area of injury.
This stagnant build-up of fluids and cells results in tissues adhering to one another and deposits of fibrous tissue, causing adhesions.
One can apply this whole scenario to a less obvious situation. After a heavy exercise session with some exertion, some muscle damage occurs. This results in inflammation with lymph, fibroblasts and enzymes clogging up the circulation. The traffic jam causes a buildup of acids and a feeling of being ‘stiff and sore’. The animal becomes reluctant to move freely, so even less circulation causes more clogging up, putting pressure on nerve endings, causing more pain.
Proliferation is the repair process. When blood vessels mend, usually within one week of injury, new blood is brought into the area. This fresh supply of blood brings in the repair materials and takes away the damaged cells and fluid deposits.
Remodelling is the third and final stage of healing. It is a long process involving cellular activity to restore previous structure and function. It is a stage, which is often overlooked or underestimated.
