What is fascia and how does it impact us?
Fascia is a type of connective tissue that surrounds muscles, organs, and other structures in the body. It plays a critical role in providing support, stability, and structure to the body while also helping to facilitate movement by allowing muscles to glide over one another. Fascia runs throughout our body, and is even found between the sutures of the cranium, around the pulp of our teeth and in our eyes. This fluid, spider-web substance prevents friction between bodily structures during movement, enabling them to move smoothly against each other. Additionally, it interconnects all of our systems, and all of our cells, which is why issues in one area of the body can affect other areas. It turns out that acupuncture has been treating our fascia all along - an acupuncture treatment can relax the entire fascia body. That explains the feeling of deep relaxation post treatment.
Research on fascia indicates that it is richly innervated, brimming with nerve endings that continuously relay information to the brain. This extensive innervation plays a crucial role in our proprioception—essentially, our sense of body position, muscle coordination, and spatial awareness. Any damage or restriction to the fascia can lead to muscles either becoming inactive or overly activated, potentially resulting in balance issues or pain.
Our fascia can be influenced by a variety of factors, both positive and negative. Injuries from falls, slips, car accidents, concussions, and chronic repetitive activities—such as pitching in baseball or spending long hours at a computer—can lead to stiffness in our fascia, resulting in imbalances. Often, we may not recognize these imbalances right away, but over time, they can manifest as unexplained pain and discomfort, including nerve pain, limited range of motion, headaches, reduced muscle tone, balance issues, and confusion.
While we understand that certain issues—like dehydration, poor sleep, an unhealthy diet, and a sedentary lifestyle—can negatively affect fascial health, new research suggests that there’s much more to explore. Even high levels of stress and emotional trauma can significantly impact the condition of our fascia.
To live our best, pain-free lives, it's essential to maintain healthy and flexible fascia.
Drawing on our extensive experience with thousands of patients, using FRT we can identify and alleviate fascial restrictions that have accumulated over time. This treatment is effectively "resetting" your system to help you feel more like yourself after just a few sessions. This gentle and highly effective manual therapy method allows us to release even the deepest fascial restrictions, making it particularly beneficial for conditions such as brain injuries, spinal injuries, falls, and more.
If you have 5 minutes to spare, I invite you to watch this informative video on Fascia, A new anatomical perspective, provided by TheFasciaGuide
How do I keep my fascia healthy once it’s released?
Once released, many patients ask, “How can I keep my fascia healthy?”
•Hydration •Healthy diet •Get good sleep •Movement •Infrared Sauna •Reduce Inflammation •Maintenance Treatments
Hydration plays a crucial role in maintaining your fascia's health. When fascia is restricted, it tends to become dry and brittle. When the fascial strain is released it will absorb surrounding fluid to rehydrate. This may leave you feeling quite thirsty. After a treatment, it's vital to drink extra water and ensure you're hydrated.
Additionally, varying your routine can significantly enhance the benefits of your treatment. If you're accustomed to working out every day, try to mix things up. Take a few days off after your treatment, then engage in different activities. For instance, if you usually lift weights, consider going for a walk or a swim instead. The key is to avoid repetitive actions that your nervous system has automated.
Why is this important? Your nervous system learns your habitual patterns, and if your fascia has been stuck in a certain state, it becomes integrated into your brain’s "normal." We want to disrupt that pattern and help your body retain the changes made during treatment. Since fascial work influences your brain’s messaging, it's essential to give it a new pattern to prevent it from reverting to autopilot.
If you have a desk job, remember to stand up and move around every 30 minutes, incorporating deep breaths and stretches. If your work is more physically demanding, make it a priority to rest. Although it may seem simple, many of us navigate our days without much awareness of our bodies. To help you stay mindful, consider placing a reminder in your workspace.
Breathe. Stretch. Heal. You deserve it!