Chain of Tension: From the Stomach to the Joint
Fascia also wraps the viscera. This animation uses the stomach as an example of how an irritated organ can show up as tension far from it. Choose a phase to see it on repeat and read the explanation.
Phase 1 of 6
EQUILIBRIUM
Healthy fascia glides.
It wraps muscles, joints, and the organs too.
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Healthy fascia glides. It wraps muscles and joints, and also the viscera, the internal organs.
For professionals
Healthy fascia, gliding freely, wrapping muscles, joints, and viscera. The animation's reference state.
Phase 2 of 6
IRRITATION
An organ becomes irritated.
In this example, the stomach.
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An organ becomes irritated. In this example, the stomach.
For professionals
Visceral irritation; the animation's example: the stomach.
Phase 3 of 6
SIGNAL
The warning travels to the central nervous system.
Nerves carry the irritation signal.
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The nerves carry the irritation signal up to the central nervous system.
For professionals
Visceral afferent input: the nerves conduct information about the irritation to the central nervous system.
Phase 4 of 6
NEURAL RESPONSE
The central nervous system says: protect.
From it comes the order for the fascia to contract.
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The central nervous system says: protect. From it comes the order for the fascia to contract.
For professionals
Efferent response: the command for fascial contraction comes from the central nervous system.
Phase 5 of 6
CHAIN OF TENSION
Tension refers at a distance.
From the stomach, it can reach the left shoulder and the left hip.
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Tension shows up far from the source. From the stomach, it can reach the left shoulder and the left hip.
For professionals
Chain of tension referred at a distance: from the stomach to the left shoulder and the left hip, as the animation shows.
Phase 6 of 6
FROM ORGAN TO JOINT
Pain isn’t always at the source.
That is why SMT assesses the whole body.
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The source is not always where it hurts. That is why SMT assesses the whole body, not just the site of pain.
For professionals
From organ to joint: the source of tension may be far from the site of the complaint; that is why SMT's assessment covers the whole body. Sources cited in the animation: Schleip & Klingler, 2019; Stecco et al., 2016.