Fascinating Fascia

Whether or not you are specifically trained in and practicing myofascial release techniques, every massage addresses fascia.

The reason most clients seek out massage therapy is due to stiffness and discomfort. This tension, and sensation from the tension and low pliability, comes more from the fascia than the actual muscle.

Essentially as a massage therapist you are a manual “facia-ologist” !

You are also, as my massage therapy instructor told me when I was in massage school, a “thixotropist”.

(Thixotropy is a term for any material being in the state of more soft or more firm, like clay or a gel, pudding or paint, for example, or fascia!)

Fascia has everything to do with proprioception, so as a sports massage therapist and/or therapist that applies stretching techniques, you should be familiar with fascia and its attributes.

What is fascia?

Fascia is a firm, flexible, connective tissue sheath that surrounds and supports every structure in the body. It's made up of elastic collagen fibers and has a consistency that can range from thin and pliable to dense and resistant.

What is it for?

Fascia's primary function is to connect bones, organs, and other soft tissues together. It also provides support, shape, and suspension for these tissues.

Here's what else you should know about fascia:

Structure

Fascia is one continuous layer that moves with the body.

Function

Fascia helps transmit force and provides proprioceptive feedback. It also contains nerves, making it almost as sensitive as skin.

Tightness

When stressed, fascia tightens, which can restrict muscle and tissue movement, causing pain and other health issues.

Organs

Organs have specialized names for their visceral fascia, including meninges in the brain, pericardia in the heart, pleurae in the lungs, and peritonea in the abdomen.

How do you release tight fascia?

Fascia can be released through various methods, including foam rolling, stretching, massage, and heat therapy. These techniques aim to loosen tight fascial tissue, which can restrict movement and cause pain.

What is myofascial release technique specifically?

Myofascial release is a gentle, manual therapy technique that aims to release tension and restrictions in the body's fascia, the connective tissue that surrounds muscles, organs, and nerves. It's often used to address pain, improve movement, and restore balance in the body.

Here's a more detailed explanation:

Fascia is a network of connective tissue that surrounds and supports muscles, organs, and nerves, creating a continuous web throughout the body.

What happens during myofascial release?

A therapist uses their hands to gently apply sustained pressure to areas of restricted fascia, often focusing on trigger points (knots or tight spots).

How does it work?

The sustained pressure is thought to help elongate the fascia, release tension, and allow the body's tissues to return to a more natural state of movement.

What are the benefits?

Myofascial release can help reduce pain, improve flexibility and range of motion, and enhance overall body awareness.

Who might benefit?

People with muscle tightness, pain, limited movement, or postural imbalances may benefit from myofascial release.

Is it safe?

Myofascial release is generally considered safe when performed by a trained professional.

How does it relate to trigger points?

Trigger points are specific areas within muscles that are tight and painful.

Myofascial release can help release tension in these areas.

In essence, myofascial release is a manual therapy that targets the fascia to address pain, stiffness, and movement restrictions, often by focusing on trigger points and using gentle, sustained pressure to release tension.

Everything that we do as a massage therapist relates to fascia. It’s basically what we do.

In addition, many have theorized that fascia in essence is where our energy systems dwell, like in ancient healing systems, such as Chinese medicine, Thai massage, yoga and Ayurveda.

Think where the meridians of Chinese medicine, and energy lines in yoga and Thai massage lie!

This is quite fascinating!

In alternative medicine, when we say we store our trauma or stress in our body, where you do think that goes? In my opinion, the fascia of course.

Please let me know your comments and questions. I love this topic.