Built from Broken: A Science-Based Guide to Healing Painful Joints, Preventing Injuries, and Rebuilding Your Body

by Scott H Hogan

There are five primary types of joint connective tissue: Tendons: Tendons connect muscles to bones. They’re more compliant (stretchy) than ligaments but more rigid than muscles. Tendons are responsible for much of the force transfer through the body during movement. Ligaments: Ligaments connect bones to other bones. Their primary purpose is joint stabilization. Cartilage: Cartilage acts as a cushioning barrier within joints and between bones. Unlike tendons and ligaments, cartilage lacks blood vessels and nerves, making it a problematic connective tissue for the body to repair. Intramuscular: This is connective tissue that runs directly through and between muscle fibers. It helps transfer force from muscles to tendons and vice versa. Fascia: Fascia is the thin sheath of connective tissue that surrounds muscles. It plays a pivotal role in force transfer between parts of the kinetic chain. Fascia is dense with nerve endings, making it almost as sensitive as skin. This is part of the reason why manual therapy methods like foam rolling and massage have so much support for pain and tension relief.