Causes
In many cases, remodelling processes of the connective tissue are responsible for the development of chronic pain. The connective tissue represents a large network of our body. In addition to the entire muscle apparatus, it also envelops the bones, nerve bundles and organs in our body and thus embodies an all-encompassing, coherent connection.
The connective tissue enables the human body to be highly mobile. It ensures that all organs remain in their intended place and are able to move smoothly. Nevertheless, it ensures that the organs can move when needed.
This allows the lungs to unfold when inhaled, without crowding other organs. Just like the muscles, the connective tissue is able to contract and cramp. There are many different causes that favour the contraction and cramping of the connective tissue.
A lack of exercise, enormous physical effort, operations, trauma, overstretching or even stress can lead to a significant reduction in mobility. The connective tissue shortens, becomes sticky, stiff and hard. This is due to the fact that due to the lack of movement, water is withdrawn from the connective tissue in the course of the procedure, causing it to dry out and constrict the surrounding tissue.
Rebuilding processes begin, which lead to the freely moving, elastic fibres being replaced by rigid, less stretchable collagen-containing fibres. As a result, an increased basic tension of the tissue is created, which can lead to an impairment of the mobility of the joints and cause pain. The pain often has a burning character and is not localised in a specific area, but rather spreads over a surface.
The pain does not only occur during movement, but in many cases it also occurs mainly during rest phases. Since the connective tissue spreads like a net throughout the entire body, tension can be transmitted to all areas of our body. An acquired malposition of the arm or shoulder can thus lead to chronic pain in the neck area. In the course of time, the tension can also spread and transfer to the internal organs. If the connective tissue, which forms a cover for the organs, hardens, the organs are no longer able to absorb important nutrients and release the harmful substances produced in sufficient quantities.
Pain in the back
Pain in the back does not only occur as a result of accidents or degenerative changes. In most cases the cause is a pronounced lack of movement and the associated stiffening and tension. The individual compartments of the back muscles are surrounded by so-called fasciae.
Fasciae are bundles of connective tissue that surround the muscles, pull through them and play an important role in flexibility and mobility. In addition, these bundles of connective tissue are interconnected and provide important support for the back muscles. If there is insufficient physical exercise or strain on the muscles in the back area, the fibres of the connective tissue lose their ability to stretch and become rigid and firm.
The connective tissue sticks together and can therefore no longer guarantee a friction-free and painless gliding of the muscles during the course of movement. In addition, the nerve cords that run in the area of the back muscles can become severely constricted and thus cause pain. The pain usually occurs over a large area and is difficult to localise. Particularly in the case of back pain for which no cause can be found on an X-ray, one should always think of pain originating from the connective tissue bundles (fasciae). Over time, the stiffening and immobility of the connective tissue fibres can lead to a chronic shortening of the lower back muscles, which can be accompanied by permanent lower back pain.
