Thixotropy is a term that refers to the physical property of certain slimy body fluids that get thinner when agitated or stressed. This is extremely interesting in terms of therapeutics like massage, yoga, or exercise because we can use this principle to help understand how to increase movement/flow in our joints, stomachs, skin and pretty much any body part. Thixotropic fluids in the human body include synovial fluid in joints, mucus, semen, and the gelatinous goo called “ground substance” — the stuff that gristly connective tissue fibers are embedded in like bits of coconut in Jello. Ground substance is the most plentiful thixotropic substance in the body.

When we talk about chronic sore shoulders, low back pain that haunts us at the end of a long day, or swollen achy feet there is a lot to think about! If a large percentage of our body becomes harder and more rigid without movement and more soft and supple with movement or agitation think about how this applies.

If we can soften the density or our tissues through massage, exercise and stretching then we have in our power the tools to help ease our pain. I give you a challenge: get moving in the places that are stiff and sore. Breathe consciously into your body when you experience resistance or pain and see if you can make headway. This isn’t a one-day fix but with consistency therapeutic movement and massage habits can have a large accumulated pay off.