Historically, the field of anatomical research has very much favoured the investigation of nerves and muscles. Fascia, has been relatively overlooked in its composition and importance. I realised this through discussions with clients and my own lack of knowledge, before studying. To put it simply, I had never heard of “fascia”.
To comprehend fascia is to understand the stability and movement of the human body. It is the “glue” that connects elements in the body together to form an inter-related and cohesive network. It’s omnipresent nature gives form and function to our bodies various systems (tissues, organs, muscles). “The fascial tissue has a ubiquitous distribution in the body system; it is able to wrap, interpenetrate, support, and form the bloodstream, bone tissue, meningeal tissue, organs, and skeletal muscles.” (1)
But firstly, what is “fascia”? To put it simply, fascia is a “web” of connective tissue, primarily made up of collagen, a protein. Researchers in the field of fascia toy with the idea of a singular human muscle separated by pockets of fascia, as opposed to the current model of “600 different individuals muscles” making up the human body.
“The fascial system interpenetrates and surrounds all organs, muscles, bones and nerve fibers, endowing the body with a functional structure, and providing an environment that enables all body systems to operate in an integrated manner. It is this continuum itself that assures the health of the body.” (2)
However, what I find most fascinating about fascia is its ability to change and remodel its own cellular/ tissue structure in response to the mechanical stress placed upon it, “mirroring the functional necessity of the environment where the tissue lays.” (3) This phenomena creates tensegrity; the ability to create stability through balance of its composite elements. In other words the capability to disperse the load elsewhere in the body. This is great in some ways, but it means that when there is an issue in one area of the body other areas will over compensate, “pull” and become affected.
This design structure differs from structures like buildings, that will collapse when too much stress is placed on one part of them. For example, when too much snow collects on one part of a houses’ rooftop, that part alone will collapse leaving the rest of the building intact. When too much load is placed on one part of the body, it will distribute that weight elsewhere, thanks to fascia. The point at which a structure with tensegrity (the human body) collapses is at its weakest point and not necessarily the place directly where the load is placed.
That is why, when you come in for a massage and complain of a specific point hurting, a therapist will often treat another area of the body as part of the session. To your surprise, that place really hurts, but you may have had no idea. That is your “weakest” spot and not necessarily the origin of the pain, however its treatment is integral for healing.
Analysing the body requires not just touch in the places that hurt, but a view of the whole being as a holistic entity. Fascial trains, compensation patterns, injuries and postural imbalances will distribute your bodies load unevenly and therefore cause these “weak spots” to flare up.
Physiology of fascia
Fascia is not just important for structural integrity, it also lubricates muscles and organs allowing them to slide over each other during movement. This is fascinating, because to do both of these jobs, it must act as a solid and a liquid! Fascia can actually change its material properties to suit the bodi’s needs. When the tissue needs to be more rigid it transforms to a gel like solution, but when it needs provide lubrication it can liquify. Due to lack of research scientists are unsure as to how fascia achieves this transformation. Some speculate on its “thixotropic” qualities - the ability under static conditions to be thick and viscous, and then reduce in viscosity when stressed or prompted to do so. In other words; time dependant viscosity.
Fascia and dehydration
Fascial layers require hyaluronic acid to slip over one another. Hyaluronic acid is amazing at holding and storing water. Therefore fascial health is very dependant on adequate hydration to support its lubricating and stabilizing features. Interestingly, it’s not just a matter of drinking water but making sure the body is absorbing it where it needs. Sometimes the fascia becomes so sticky, or there is a decreased or non homogenous distribution of hyaluronic acid that it has trouble absorbing hydration and can become adhesed. This can cause trains of misalignment throughout the body, joint stiffness and muscular aches and pains. Mechanical separation of the fibrotic fascial fibers is believed to assist with the alleviation of stress and tension and increase water absorption.
Myofascial release (MFR)
MFR is an important part of any remedial massage. To allow the thixotropic fascia to relax and stretch; gentle and slow repeated pressure must be employed to manipulate fascial tissue. Warmth is also super important, so hot stones, electric blankets and warm hands are great ways to target fascia, which is often done at the end of the session as the body is already warmed up.
Research into fascial properties, how to adequately treat fascia and “fascial trains” has really grown only very recently. It is relatively unexplored territory. But as we continue to investigate, it’s importance in healing and how to treat it we are able to more comprehensively grasp the human body…any why its often so sore!
References
(1) Anatomy, fascia by Bruno Bordoni; Navid Mahabadi; Matthew Varacallo. - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493232/
(2) https://www.anatomytrains.com/fascia/
(3) https://functionalfascia.com/whats-it-all-about/fascia-facts/
(4) https://www.anatomytrains.com/blog/2016/05/31/review-jan-wilkes-evidence-based-myofascial-chains-holly-clemens/
(5) http://www.scholarpedia.org/article/Tensegrity#:~:text=Tensegrity%20is%20a%20design%20principle,that%20stabilizes%20the%20entire%20structure.
(6) https://www.anatomytrains.com/fascia/tensegrity/
(7) https://www.physio-pedia.com/Fascia#:~:text=within%20the%20fascia.-,Fasciae%20are%20similar%20to%20ligaments%20and%20tendons%20as%20they%20are,a%20fascinating%20introduction%20to%20fascia.
(8) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-UsSmD7miI&ab_channel=SciShow
(9) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thixotropy#:~:text=Thixotropy%20is%20a%20time%2Ddependent,(time%2Ddependent%20viscosity).
(10) https://delostherapy.com/water-iv-hydration-and-the-implications-for-tight-muscles/