Why Work Fascia?

home || about shawn || massage therapy || coaching || related links || contact

Why Work Fascia?

Fascia is the tissue that gives you body its structural form or shape. How the skeleton is positioned, how the muscles are shaped and the body’s general posture is determined by fascia. The subcutaneous -or superficial -fascia surrounds the whole body and can be described as a living bodysuit. The fascia bags in which your organs develop is the subserous fascia. Deep fascia envelops the muscle groups and individual muscles. The periosteum is the fascia which surrounds the bones and is also considered to be deep fascia.

Each group of muscle has its own fascia and each muscle in the group has a separate fascial sheath. In fact, John Barnes ( a leading physiotherapist and myofascial trainer) believes that the entire neuromuscular and cardiovascular system is composed of tiny fascial tubes - right down to the tiniest microtubule. Research is indicating that each cell can communicate, and that consciousness is communicated through the microtubules, which is part of the fascia. If this is correct, then working the fascia through manual therapy is very powerful. And that has been my experience.

What you are working with is the largest organ in the body - which dictates not only what you will look like, but how you feel, move, move and probably live. I ask then, that you become more flexible in how you treat and how you envision the body and the symptoms with which you are presented clinically. By working the fascia, you are working the whole body’s systems.

FASCIAL ANATOMY

The Basics

Superficial fascia lies under the skin and connects to the deeper fascia. It is one continuous layer of fascia. The deep fascia surrounds al muscles, organs and bones. Between the two layers of fascia is a potential space. Superficial and deep fascia merge at bony margins; e.g., clavicles. These tend to be very sensitive areas.

Some fascia has the strength of approximately 2,000 lbs. per square inch. It is now wonder then, that our patients may be unable to straighten their shoulders and correct their posture.

In fact, within minutes of assuming a poor body position, the body will begin to lay down extra tissue collagen) to support that position. So think about his fact the next time you rise up feeling tight and stiff from leaning excessively over your treatment table!

Cellular Level

At the cellular level, the most important components of fascia are the collagen and the ground substance. Collagen is the main component, representing 40% of the body’s fascia. Fascia holds water in like a sponge and if put under duress, it can dehydrate and become hard, gel-like and sticky. As a side point, remember that 70% of the body is water and 70% of the muscle (which is broken down into fascial sheaths) is also water. The ground substance which surrounds the collagen fibres is made up of GAGs (glycoaminoglycans) and about 70% water. These two components help to maintain something called the critical fibre distance between the collagen fibres, thus serving as a kind of lubricant.

When dehydration of the fascia occurs because of physical and emotional distress, water is pushed out of the tissue. Basically, dehydration turns this lubricant-like solution to more of a gel-like glue. Hence, the critical fibre distance is reduced and the collagen fibres don’t glide as smoothly. This increased fascial compression also places excessive on the capillaries. Poor cardiovascular flow occurs and healing is greatly reduced. The result is, then, that extra fascia (of a shortened and thickened nature) will be laid down, all resulting in faulty movement, decreased cellular communication and poor posture. The final outcome is pain.

Myofascial work strives to reverse this pattern by rehydrating the fascia to a solution-like state resulting in improved movement and posture, and reduction or elimination of pain. As well, the collagen fibres - as part of the fascial network - tend to rearrange and organize to an improved pattern.

Trauma-Dehydration-Glue = Tight Fascia

Fascia and change: The piezoelectric effect

How these techniques change the body, both strucurally and posturally, is due partially to the piezoelectric effect. Molecularly, the myofascial system is arranged as organic crystalline. When pressure is applied to a crystal, it produces a small electrical charge. So when you apply myofascial work, you can generate electrical fields. It is probably here where the nervous system gets involved. As well, tissue that is too tight and under stress is not only dehydrated but also has a lower electrical potential. In short, the tissue moves poorly, and with less strength and power.

When you apply myofascial work, you are increasing the electrical potential which attracts water molecules, thereby re-hydrating the ground substance. This is often referred to as the motility response of the tissue, which can be on of the first effects of myofascial release.

In addition, the techniques used in this work help to rearrange and organize the fascial network-therefore, the collagen fibres, as well. This reorganization to a better, more moveable tissue occurs through a higher brain function. This involves other body systems and incorporates a very important process called integration.

		Why Work Fascia? Fascia is the tissue that gives you body its structural form or shape. How the skeleton is positioned, how the muscles are shaped and the body’s general posture is determined by fascia. The subcutaneous -or superficial -fascia surrounds the whole body and can be described as a living bodysuit. The fascia bags in which your organs develop is the subserous fascia. Deep fascia envelops the muscle groups and individual muscles. The periosteum is the fascia which surrounds the bones and is also considered to be deep fascia. Each group of muscle has its own fascia and each muscle in the group has a separate fascial sheath. In fact, John Barnes ( a leading physiotherapist and myofascial trainer) believes that the entire neuromuscular and cardiovascular system is composed of tiny fascial tubes - right down to the tiniest microtubule. Research is indicating that each cell can communicate, and that consciousness is communicated through the microtubules, which is part of the fascia. If this is correct, then working the fascia through manual therapy is very powerful. And that has been my experience. What you are working with is the largest organ in the body - which dictates not only what you will look like, but how you feel, move, move and probably live. I ask then, that you become more flexible in how you treat and how you envision the body and the symptoms with which you are presented clinically. By working the fascia, you are working the whole body’s systems. FASCIAL ANATOMY The Basics Superficial fascia lies under the skin and connects to the deeper fascia. It is one continuous layer of fascia. The deep fascia surrounds al muscles, organs and bones. Between the two layers of fascia is a potential space. Superficial and deep fascia merge at bony margins; e.g., clavicles. These tend to be very sensitive areas. Some fascia has the strength of approximately 2,000 lbs. per square inch. It is now wonder then, that our patients may be unable to straighten their shoulders and correct their posture. In fact, within minutes of assuming a poor body position, the body will begin to lay down extra tissue collagen) to support that position. So think about his fact the next time you rise up feeling tight and stiff from leaning excessively over your treatment table! Cellular Level At the cellular level, the most important components of fascia are the collagen and the ground substance. Collagen is the main component, representing 40% of the body’s fascia. Fascia holds water in like a sponge and if put under duress, it can dehydrate and become hard, gel-like and sticky. As a side point, remember that 70% of the body is water and 70% of the muscle (which is broken down into fascial sheaths) is also water. The ground substance which surrounds the collagen fibres is made up of GAGs (glycoaminoglycans) and about 70% water. These two components help to maintain something called the critical fibre distance between the collagen fibres, thus serving as a kind of lubricant. When dehydration of the fascia occurs because of physical and emotional distress, water is pushed out of the tissue. Basically, dehydration turns this lubricant-like solution to more of a gel-like glue. Hence, the critical fibre distance is reduced and the collagen fibres don’t glide as smoothly. This increased fascial compression also places excessive on the capillaries. Poor cardiovascular flow occurs and healing is greatly reduced. The result is, then, that extra fascia (of a shortened and thickened nature) will be laid down, all resulting in faulty movement, decreased cellular communication and poor posture. The final outcome is pain. Myofascial work strives to reverse this pattern by rehydrating the fascia to a solution-like state resulting in improved movement and posture, and reduction or elimination of pain. As well, the collagen fibres - as part of the fascial network - tend to rearrange and organize to an improved pattern. Trauma-Dehydration-Glue = Tight Fascia Fascia and change: The piezoelectric effect How these techniques change the body, both strucurally and posturally, is due partially to the piezoelectric effect. Molecularly, the myofascial system is arranged as organic crystalline. When pressure is applied to a crystal, it produces a small electrical charge. So when you apply myofascial work, you can generate electrical fields. It is probably here where the nervous system gets involved. As well, tissue that is too tight and under stress is not only dehydrated but also has a lower electrical potential. In short, the tissue moves poorly, and with less strength and power. When you apply myofascial work, you are increasing the electrical potential which attracts water molecules, thereby re-hydrating the ground substance. This is often referred to as the motility response of the tissue, which can be on of the first effects of myofascial release. In addition, the techniques used in this work help to rearrange and organize the fascial network-therefore, the collagen fibres, as well. This reorganization to a better, more moveable tissue occurs through a higher brain function. This involves other body systems and incorporates a very important process called integration.