“Fascia forms a continuous tension network throughout the human body, covering and connecting every single organ, every muscle and even every nerve or tiny muscle fibre”Fascia: the tension network of the human body
What is fascia?
Fascia is the biological fabric that holds us together. It is a thin, tough, elastic type of connective tissue found between the layers of muscle fibres, between muscles, around organs and connected in a web throughout the entire body.
Fascia is the biological fabric that holds us together. It is a thin, tough, elastic type of connective tissue found between the layers of muscle fibres, between muscles, around organs and connected in a web throughout the entire body.
Many people hold stress in their muscles, causing the muscles to become contracted or inhibited. It is believed that fascia can create tight knots or adhesions that act as trigger points, constrict muscles, and decrease blood supply, causing pain and decreased range of motion.
Decades ago Fascia was only thought as an unimportant membrane that covers the organs that was easily dispose off in surgery. Only recently a lot of attention has come to this tissue, it has been recently discovered that is an organ itself and has more sensory nerve endings than muscle or other tissues.
This organ participates in the mechanics of our body and it is important that it is healthy in order to have a vital functioning life. It allows the muscles to move freely alongside other structures and reduces friction.
Movement and massage therapy play an important role in keeping connective tissue hydrated and mobile. When we are in similar postures for prolonged periods of time, such as sitting and working at a desk or on a computer, our bodies adapt to support these positions, and the fascia become tight if we do not undertake compensating movement or therapies.
What is fascial release therapy or myofascial release?
Fascial release therapies are known to increase tissue flexibility and joint mobility.
Massage therapists can help with a technique called Myofascial Release that uses sustained pressure to loosen and lengthen constricted fascia. Cupping therapy is another technique that stretches and lengthen fascia with the use of vacuum cups.
Fascial release therapies can help:
- break down adhesions between the tissues, softens and re-aligns them,
- free up muscles
- allow easier and more effective movement
- reduce pain,
- improve posture,
- ease areas of muscle tension
- improve flexibility.
If you are interested in fascial release therapies book an appointment with one of the following therapists and discuss with them how applying a fascial release therapy to your treatment could be beneficial.
