28th Nov 2007
BODIES… The Exhibition
This exhibit has been traveling the country (and the world), and I have been wanting to see it for months! I’ve developed an interest in anatomy and physiology (A&P to you students) not only through my work at MASSAGE Magazine, but also through my husband, who teaches A&P and biology at a local university.
So far, I’ve only seen the videos on the official site, http://www.bodiestheexhibition.com/.
How does seeing the interior of the body in 3-D affect the way you perform massage? When you study A&P, what surprises you most — the muscles, the skeleton, the organs, or the functions? Do you feel your skills and abilities are improved with this visual knowledge?
I’m in the same Boat…would love to see the Show; I think it will do wonders for all Therapist to “see”what We are touching! During NMT, I’ll close My Eyes and look for what I’m Feeling for!!!
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How does seeing the interior of the body in 3-D affect the way you perform massage? When you study A&P, what surprises you most — the muscles, the skeleton, the organs, or the functions? Do you feel your skills and abilities are improved with this visual knowledge?
When the study of the body was offered in A&P, I found that the size of the muscles shapes and texture depending on use was so vastly different from person to person. Someone who did basketball for an example would have huge deltoids that looked round and large like a gluteus, and a nurse next to him would have a small flat patch for the same muscle all based on use. The texture of the nurses muscle would be smooth and slick. The basketball player would have several tears and the muscle would look rough. I would imagine the translation on the table. The knots in the muscle for the nurse effected other muscles she did use more and the basketball player would have tension in the connecting points etc. This makes you see what is inside the body.
The exhibit of Body world in Boston was amazing. I would tell any one in the medical or related fields even artists to check it out. It is well worth it.
What surprised me the most was looking at the body of a man with an enlarged heart. He had a layer of fat around the heart cage, this must put so much pressure on the organ. The heart was 3 times the normal size and there was no room for his lungs with all the fat around the heart cage. It made me feel sorry for obesity. The fact that they must be in so much pain all the time. I never thought of it that way other than the pressure on the joints. The pain is internal also on the organs.
My skills are improved every time I have insight like that. I can apply a new sensativity and understanding to the work. Knowledge is key to health and well being.
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I have seen the Bodies exhibit in Columbus, Ohio this past year. I was amazed to see the human body without skin. 3-D A&P is a great way to learn.
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I have always wanted to see the exhibit but haven’t had the chance yet, however, I found a great hands on 3D opportunity- make friends with a butcher or a hunter. Mammalian anatomy is pretty much the same across the board so if you can get to “help” someone process and butcher a side of beef or a deer you can really get to appreciate the differences in fascial layering, how muscles attach, layer and work with each other, as well as the complexities of joints. It isn’t as political correct as going to the exhibits but you will learn quite a bit. When I work on people now I can visualize how the muscles are layered and laid out which helps me to manipulate them and get down into the deeper layers without crushing the superficial ones. I also have a first hand appreciation for how important it is to warm up tissue before you work on it.
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I went with my Massage Therapy class to see the Exhibit in Pittsburgh…it was really fantastic…would love to go again.
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I had the privilege to see this exhibit in San Antonio a week or so ago. It is so wonderful to see the muscles without skin to get an idea of direction of fibers, depth of layers, and just put things in perspective. I was thrilled that for the most part I was massaging the right direction on many of the muscles.
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I saw the exhibit three times, each with different friends. The exhibit was alittle disturbing at first. I already visualize the muscles and bones when I work. Seeing the human bodies interior deepened my experiences with my clients. I also realized that we are all created as individuals. Inside and out, emotionally and physically. I did miss the spirit of our brothers and sisters who donated thier bodies for our education.
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