| Equine |
| A Bit About Tendons |
| Wherever
there is muscle, there is tendon! |
| Tendon
attaches muscle to bone. |
| Tendons
are a connective tissue, composed of dense white
fibrous tissue. |
| The
'periosteum' part of the bone has a similar collagen make up to that
of tendons. |
| Tendons
fibres are similar in their composition to that of the ' periosteum' part
of bone. This arrangement enables the fibres to blend together forming their attachment. |
| There
are two forms of tendon attachment. |
| Origin
Tendon - attaches
muscle to bones that are least pliable, flexible and moveable. |
| Insertion
Tendon - attaches muscle
to bones that are more pliable, flexible and moveable. These
tendons experience the greatest force of their muscles contractile force
(see muscles), thus, this is where the stress
points form when muscles are worked beyond their recognised levels of exertion. Every
action the muscle performs, its associated tendon performs its own
strenuous task. |
| Although
tendons
possess high levels of strength with more tension and endurance than any muscle
can achieve,
the elasticity properties of a tendon is less generous than that of its
muscle, although
more generous than that of a ligaments. |
| When
Problems Develop |
| Although no muscles
are present beneath the horses knees or hocks, tendons from the
upper limb run down to cover and protect the bones and joints of the lower
limbs. For
this reason, tendons
of the lower limbs have their own protection sheaths, although due
to
their physiological position remain continue to remain easily irritated
and vulnerable to injury. |
| Although
the strength and flexibility of tendons leaves them rather difficult to tear. However, hard exercise can cause
a tendon to overstretch resulting in its tearing and inflammation. |
| A
muscles is designed to absorb concussion, however, if the muscle is
housing a spasm it will lose its ability to effectively absorb concussive
forces. Subsequently,
concussive forces will then take the next available route - the muscles
accompanying tendon! |
| Tendons
are not designed to absorb concussion. |
| Tendons
receiving too much tension and / or pressure will suffer their own structural breakdown. |
| How
Massage Benefits The Tendons |
| The
Intellectual Application Of Equine Massage Therapy can assist in the
prevention of tendon injuries as well enhance the healing process. |
| Increased
blood flow promoted through equine massage therapy delivers increased fresh supplies of oxygen
and nutrients to each tendon, promoting its ability to maintain its own optimal level of strength and
flexibility to provide an uninterrupted flow of safely absorbed energy. |
| A
Bit About Ligaments |
| Wherever
there is bone - there is a ligament. |
| Wherever
there is a joint - there is a ligament. |
| Ligaments
attach muscle to bone. |
| Ligaments
are a connective tissue, composed of
fibrous collagen tissue. |
| The
periosteum part of the bone has a similar collagen make up to that
of ligaments. |
| Ligament
fibres are similar in their composition to those of the ' periosteum' part
of bone, enabling the fibres to blend together forming their attachment. |
| As
well as working to connect bone to bone, ligaments also work to provide
support to the joints, structural protection to the vertebral column, pelvis, neck and
limbs as well as prevent
excessive or abnormal ranges of motion that could cause injury. |
| When
Problems Develop |
| Ligament
injuries generally deliver more severe consequences than tendon injuries. |
| Overstretching
or repeated stretching of a ligament results in its own loss of power and strength,
sometimes by as much as 25%. Subsequently, a ligaments optimal working power
can be lost for ever through injury, and due to their restricted blood supply,
consequently healing is a slow process, sometimes up to one year. |
| How
Massage Benefits The Ligaments |
| The
Intellectual Application Of Equine Massage Therapy can assist in the
prevention of ligament injuries as well enhance the healing process. |
| Increased
blood flow promoted through equine massage therapy delivers increased fresh supplies of oxygen
and nutrients to each tendon, promoting its ability to maintain its own optimal level of strength and
flexibility to provide an uninterrupted flow of safely absorbed energy. |
| Ultimately,
this promotes each ligaments ability to maintain its own optimal level of strength and
flexibility, helping to stabilise the skeletal
structures, especially within high impact areas of the knees, hocks and fetlocks. |
| Top
of Page |
