Fascia

---

NOTE: There is a lot of information in these details. I do try to keep it simple, but I know that it can still seem complex. To help, I have linked a short video to provide graphic illustration.

Fascia is a type of connective tissue that runs throughout your body. It runs from head to toe and from superficial, outer layers of your body to deep, inner layers. 

Purpose:

• Provide structural form. 
• Keep vessel and organs open (patent) through which blood, air, or other fluids flow.
• Allow tissues to glide across one another for ease of movement.
• Enable movement by conducting tension between connected body parts.

Features:

• Strong, wavy appearance.
• Usually in a smooth, relaxed and flexible state.
• Appears thin, but actually composed of layers with fluid called hyaluronan in between.
• Highly innervated, almost as many sensory nerves as skin.

Issues:

• Can become sticky making glide between affected body parts more difficult.
• Can become stuck causing adhesions immobilizing affected body parts where it is stuck, and limiting movement of other body parts.
• Stickiness and adhesions in one region of the body can have biomechanical. repercussions in other parts of the body depending upon the severity of the fascial impairment and the vulnerability of the person due to other conditions, such as arthritic changes.
• Adhesions can twist muscle tissue into sensitive muscle knots, also called trigger points.
• If impaired, the fascia can send many pain indicators through the nervous system.

Causes of Impairment:

• Too little physical movement.
• Too much repetitive movement.
• Trauma, which can include injury or surgery.
• Inflammation.
• Endometriosis.

Here is a link to a YouTube video that does a good job of describing fascia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-UsSmD7miI 

• Move regularly.
• Stretch regularly.
• Improve your core strength.
• Improve your posture through strength, stretch, ergonomic positioning, postural supports, adaptive devices, including furniture alternatives or modifications.
• Apply heat.
• Use foam rollers, tennis balls, a TheraCane, and/or massage devices to work out tight and tender areas.
• Eat an anti-inflammatory diet such as the Mediterranean or DASH diets.
• Use an over-the-counter pain relieving medication or cream.
• Manage, manage, manage all inflammatory conditions you may have, including hormonal imbalances, diabetes, and borderline diabetes
• See an appropriate clinician who can provide myofascial release, trigger point release, therapeutic exercises, injections, prescription medication and other interventions based on your needs when your self-management efforts are not working.