Such a hot topic for many people, as well as a multibillion dollar industry. Diet and exercise are commonly cited as the pillars of weight control. Yet many people practically starve themselves and exercise diligently but can’t shed an ounce. The failure of many pills, elixirs, diets, and exercise regimes perhaps stems from misunderstanding and overlooking basic anatomic and physiologic constructs, beginning with metabolism.
Metabolism refers to the multitude of complex chemical and physical processes that convert and use energy in the body. Examples of such processes include brain activity, breathing, cellular regeneration, circulation of blood & lymph, digestion, elimination, hormone secretion, immune response, muscle activation, and thermoregulation. Rather essential stuff, and all governed by the segment of the nervous system not under our voluntary control: the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and particularly the hypothalamus. Over-simplified as merely dictating fight or flight, the ANS is FAR more complex, orchestrating a myriad of processes simultaneously to maintain homeostasis – a state of equilibrium optimal for the survival of an organism in a constantly changing environment. While debate continues concerning the role genetics play in metabolism, genetics have not been proven to be the sole determinant.
Perhaps diet and exercise often fall short in weight control simply because they are not the only influential factors. I suggest there are actually five components to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, beginning with the less known elements:
1. The Superficial Fascia (SF) & Hypodermis (HD)
This is the tissue below the skin but above the muscle and deep fascia, and is where our adipose (fat), lymphatics, capillaries, and terminal nerve endings reside. Research shows this to be some of the most highly innervated tissue in the body, and the majority of these nerve endings are autonomic. The nerves in the skin are like radar receiving and conveying signals about our environment back to the brain (especially the hypothalamus) to maintain homeostasis. If you step outside wearing shorts in a blizzard, your skin nerves immediately communicate to the brain through the ANS and vasoconstriction is quickly activated to preserve body heat and prevent hypothermia. The same kind of nerves relate to adipose cells and glands for sweat and oil. As long as the SF / HD are elastic, sliding, and not thickened or densified then the lymphatic, adipose, and cutaneous (skin) systems function normally and give accurate feedback from the periphery to the brain.
But introduce overload to the SF / HD in the form of trauma, overuse, surgery, chemical imbalances, or even stress (physical or emotional) and problems can arise. Overload can disrupt the normal thickness of the lubricating fluids in the SF / HD leading to densification and loss of slide in the layers. Such a faulty environment causes blood & lymphatic vessels, autonomic nerves, and adipose cells to get cranky. Leptin, a hormone produced by fat cells, signals the brain how much fat is stored in the body which then influences appetite, fat storage, and metabolism. A fat cell lodged in densified SF / HD will cause leptin to send inaccurate signals to the hypothalamus, triggering inappropriate hunger and fat storage. These areas can also become painful to pinching or compression as when lying on a hip or shoulder, and provide an explanation for the extreme sensitivity some people harbor to even light touch on their skin. This can occur widespread throughout the body or in specific areas like the hips (saddle bags), shoulders into arms (bat wings), torso (love handles), neck (jowls), and upper back (dowager’s hump).
2. The Deep Fascia (DF) & Organs
Organs that participate in metabolism, like the liver, heart, kidneys, pancreas, stomach, small intestine, and thyroid are all encased in fascia that is loaded with autonomic nerves. This is how the ANS governs and coordinates metabolic processes as needed, and the hypothalamus maintains homeostasis. The DF then connects organs to each other and also to the trunk walls. Like the SF / HD, the DF is subject to overload that changes the space and slide between fascial layers to thick, adherent, and not adaptable. When these densified points occur in sites relating to organs, faulty signals are transmitted to the brain through the ANS, potentially disrupting normal organ function and metabolism.
3. The Emotions & Mental State
Stress, both physical and emotional, can be a huge player in many bodily functions. Not all stress is bad, as it can stimulate necessary action. But high levels of frequent or constant stress challenge the hypothalamus (which also plays a role in processing emotions including fear) in maintaining homeostasis. This can manifest as issues with blood pressure, digestion, elimination, immunity, and weight control. Stress can also stimulate abnormally high levels of hormones, such as cortisol and adrenalin, by virtue of the close relationship between the hypothalamus and pituitary gland.
4. Nutrition
Certainly the quality and quantity of food/drinks ingested as well as the timing is an important factor. Information as well as varying opinions concerning proper nutrition surround us.
5. Exercise
As with nutrition, we are bombarded with information and options for implementing activity into our routine. While I totally support the use-it-or-lose-it construct, our tissues must move optimally to minimize wear and tear.
So what does this look like in application? Dysfunctional SF / DF can be identified in a medical history, by appearance, and with skilled palpation. Treatment can then involve manual Fascial Manipulation-Stecco® (FM) techniques to break up densified points and restore proper signaling to the hypothalamus. Cupping can also be a very helpful intervention for improving the environment of the ANS in the SF / HD (I have information on cupping and FM on my website under Resources). Resolution of deep fascia densifications with FM can restore optimal organ function and aid metabolism. Attention to stress and our emotions is also a component. Of course there’s always a place for nutrition and exercise. Ponder these constructs, and consider reaching out to me for further information and assistance. There’s a lot you can do to help make this the year you accomplish that weight loss resolution!
Wishing you health and joy,
Colleen
References:
Kastenmüller, G., Raffler, J., Gieger, C., & Suhre, K. (2015). Genetics of human metabolism: an update. Human molecular genetics, 24(R1), R93-R101.
Fede, C., Petrelli, L., Pirri, C., Neuhuber, W., Tiengo, C., Biz, C., ... & Stecco, C. (2022). Innervation of human superficial fascia. Frontiers in Neuroanatomy, 16, 981426.
Fede, C., Porzionato, A., Petrelli, L., Fan, C., Pirri, C., Biz, C., ... & Stecco, C. (2020). Fascia and soft tissues innervation in the human hip and their possible role in post‐surgical pain. Journal of Orthopaedic Research®, 38(7), 1646-1654.
Stecco, L., Stecco, C., & Day, J. A. (2014). Fascial manipulation® for internal dysfunctions. Piccin.
Stecco, L., Stecco, A., & Day, J. A. (2016). Fascial manipulation® for internal dysfunctions: practical part. Piccin.
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