Systems of the Body- The Musculoskeletal System...

My post contentWe have come to the last part of our main systems. We will finally cover the system that keeps us together and it is also referred to it as the body's 'matrix'

The musculoskeletal system is the body's support structure. It is comprised of bones, muscles, and joints that provides stability and protection and allows the body to move. The musculoskeletal system is dynamic and constantly remodeling itself to keep you healthy.

Some of the roles of this system are:

• Gives your body shape.

• Supports the body's weight.

• Allows you to move.

• Shields vital organs from impact damage.

• Stores essential minerals like calcium and phosphorus, which are crucial for bone and cell maintenance.

• Produces red and white blood cells via bone marrow.

• Operates breathing (respiration) via muscle contractions.

The parts included in this system are:

• Bones- Consist of a hard outer part made of proteins (mostly collagen) and hydroxyapatite (mostly calcium and other minerals). There are approximately 206 bones in the body.

• Muscles-There are two types of muscles- skeletal and smooth muscles. Skeletal are voluntarily muscles the person is conscious of and controlled by the brain. An example is bending your arm. Smooth is involuntary and is also controlled by the brain. An example is the uterus works for a female based on bodily need. The female isn't making it move.

• Joints- Where are two plus joints come together. The two types of joints are Synovial- able to slide without friction and is able to pivot. An elbow is a good example of this joint. Cartilaginous joints are fully connected by cartlidge. There is more limited movement. An example is the pelvis.

• Cartlidge- Enhances cushioning of bones, reduce friction during movement and acts as a shock absorber.

• Ligaments-Are tough, bands of tissue that connects bones. They are also described as fibrous.They assist with movement and help to regulate stiffness in joints. They are durable; however, they are sensitive to damage and will take longer to heal in comparison to a bone injury.

• Tendons- Responsible for connecting bone to muscle. Mainly made of collagen. Helps to protect the muscles from injury.

• Bursae-Cushion spaces between bones, tendons and the muscles. They are described as small fluid filled sacs. Mainly found in the shoulder, knees, and hip joints.

When there is a deficiency or compromise in this system, it can cause major alignment issues in the body. Frail or fragile bones causes the rest of the structure to work harder to keep the body going and also protect the injured or weak area.

Conditions that affect this System:

• Osteoporosis- a condition in which bone density decreases, resulting in weak, brittle bones.

• Muscle Strain- occurs when a muscle is overstretched, causing muscle fibres to tear. This is often called a 'pulled muscle'.

• Rheumatoid Arthritis- a chronic inflammatory disease in which the immune system attacks its own tissues, causing inflammation around joints and sometimes organs.

• Psoriatic Arthritis -another form of inflammatory arthritis that affects some people with psoriasis, an autoimmune skin and nail disease.

• Gout- an inflammatory disease that occurs when there is too much uric acid in the body. The uric acid crystalizes and causes inflammation.

Ways to support this system:

Collagen is important for healthy function throughout the body and rapidly declines with age. Bone broth is a great way to help with collagen production.

Herbs like silica, also known as horsetail, are also amazing for keeping the bones and muscles healthy and strong.

Calcium contributes to healthy bones. This can be found in foods like, milk, cheese, broccoli, almonds.

Spices like ginger, cayenne pepper, turmeric and cloves have powerful anti-inflammatory properties which allows the keep limber and flexible.

Magnesium helps to soothe and relax muscles. This can be found in foods like, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, squashes, and nuts.

Restful sleep is essential for allowing the body to recover. This is especially important if the body is repairing any bone, muscle, or joint damage.

Hydration helps with keeping the muscles from contracting unnecessarily which can also be taxing on the body. It also helps to flush toxins and reduce inflammation.

Stretching exercises and practices like yoga, pilates help elongate muscles. These definitely help with structure and better posture. The better the posture, the better alignment throughout the body.

Our bones are critical to our day-to-day function. When we are mobile, pain free we are so much better for it. Simple things like stretching, resting the muscles after a long day and some nutrient dense foods can make all the difference. You can always consult with a healthcare provider to explore options.

We hope this breakdown of the systems helps you to understand the basic mechanics and ways to support this amazing machine called the body.