Dr Maggie Ju Acupuncture London Chelsea, Kensington and Richmond

Back pain is a prevalent health issue that affects millions of people worldwide. One crucial but often overlooked component of the back is the thoracolumbar fascia, a deep connective tissue structure situated at the posterior thoracic and abdominal region. This fascia plays a vital role in providing support and stability to the back, and any injury or overuse can result in inflammation, leading to pain and discomfort. In this article, we will explore the significance of the thoracolumbar fascia and its association with back pain. Additionally, we will delve into the potential benefits of acupuncture as a method to alleviate thoracolumbar fascia-related back pain. The thoracolumbar fascia is a robust and dense connective tissue that extends from the lower thoracic spine to the lumbar region and pelvis. It consists of three layers: anterior, middle, and posterior. The anterior layer is the thinnest, while the posterior layer is the thickest, forming the deepest layer of the fascia. This

Connective tissues in the body Connective tissue is the tissue between organs and tissues and it provides structural and metabolic support for other tissues and organs. It links whole body together. All connective tissue consists of three main components: elastic and collagenous fibers, ground substance and cells. Cells are spread through an extracellular fluid. Variations of the fibers and ground substance determine the property of the tissues. For example, Bones, tendons, cartilages have specific forms of fibers and ground substance. There are three types of connective tissues: loose connective tissue, dense connective tissue and special connective tissue such as bone, cartilage adipose, reticular connective tissue and blood etc. Loose connective tissue contains many cells, a loose arrangement of fibers and moderately viscous fluid substance such as the tissue in lymph gland. Dense irregular connective tissue contains a dense network of collagenous fibers arranged irregularly, for ex