The 6 ‘Ys’ of health and quality of life

1.    AdaptabilitY

·       The quality of being able to adjust to new conditions.

·       In university we are taught all about homeostasis and how it is the maintenance of a stable internal physiological environment which keeps us alive in a continuously and at times dramatically changeable environment.

·       So, here’s the paradox – to maintain homeostasis requires massive potential for adaptability from every physiological system. There is no homeostasis without constant change!

·       This necessity exists in every single functional capacity.

·       In terms of the neuromusculoskeletal system examples of adaptability are:

a.    Maintaining balance against the effects of gravity.

b.    Maintaining ideal posture.

c.     Balance and coordination of movement patterns.

2.    FlexibilitY

·       The ability to move through an unrestricted range of motion.

·       There is a range of motion in every capacity to adapt, and that range can be diminished or increased in varying states of health.

·       Eg. There is capacity to how hot or how cold an environment we can survive in. But the end points of these extremes can vary between individuals depending on their own ability to adapt to the extremes.

·       In terms of the neuromusculoskeletal system examples of flexibility are:

a.    Range of motion of specific joints.

b.    Range of motion of regions – eg spinal column.

c.     Range of motion of muscles and muscle groups.

3.    PliabilitY

·       Supple enough to bend or stretch freely or repeatedly without breaking.

·       Pliability is different to flexibility – it’s more like elasticity – the ability of human tissue to stretch under load.

·       As we age our skin and connective tissues generally lose elasticity. This will correlate with, but will be an extra dimension of loss of flexibility.

·       In terms of the neuromusculoskeletal system examples of pliability are:

a.    Pliability of connective tissue components.

b.    Pliability of muscle tissue.

4.    TensegritY

·       Structural stability in tensegrities depends entirely on tensional integrity or ‘continuous tension / discontinuous compression’. The stability of tensegrity structures is due to the way in which their compressive and tensile load-bearing components interact.

·       Many human connective tissue structures follow principles of tensegrity.

·       In terms of the neuromusculoskeletal system examples of tensegrity are:

a.    Most joint complexes are designed demonstrating tensegrity principles.

b.    Intervertebral disc collagen arrangements.

c.     Fascial planes which create the 3d integrity of the human body.

5.    PiezoelectricitY

·       Electric polarization in a substance resulting from the application of mechanical stress.

·       Tensegrity and Piezoelectricity are principles that go well together – one helps to explain the other.

·       Many human connective tissue structures are examples of piezoelectric tissues.

·       In terms of the neuromusculoskeletal system examples of piezoelectricity are:

a.    Bony lattices which follow piezoelectric stimuli for the organization and reorganization of their configuration.

b.    Connective tissues which generate piezoelectric currents under stress and strain, to assist with biofeedback, communication and proprioception.

6.    RenitencY

·       Was a term used by DD Palmer which has received little attention since.

·       Was used to refer to the abilities of tissues to withstand stress and strain. Perhaps similar to resilience. Also related to the idea of ‘limitations of matter’.

·       Probably interlinks with adaptability, flexibility and pliability but offers a component of its own in terms of the intrinsic strength of tissues to not break down under load.

·       In terms of the neuromusculoskeletal system examples of renitency are:

a.    The knife-edge between function and failure most soft and hard tissues are challenged with throughout a day and lifetime of daily activity.

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