What is Fascia?
What Is It?
- A sheath, sheet, or dissectible aggregation of connective tissue beneath the skin that attaches, encloses, and separates muscles and internal organs.
- A three-dimensional continuum of soft, collagen-containing connective tissues that permeate the body, encompassing structures like adipose tissue, neurovascular sheaths, ligaments, and tendons. It surrounds and integrates all organs, muscles, bones, and nerves, supporting functional structure and systemic integration. [1]
Can it be manipulated or distorted through touch?
Our results indicate that compression and shear alone, within the normal physiologic range, cannot directly deform the dense tissue of fascia lata and plantar fascia, but these forces can impact softer tissue, such as superficial nasal fascia.
Our calculations reveal that the dense tissues of plantar fascia and fascia lata require very large forces—far outside the human physiologic range—to produce even 1% compression and 1% shear. However, softer tissues, such as superficial nasal fascia, deform under strong forces that may be at the upper bounds of physiologic limits.
What Are The Benefits of Myofascial Release?
The primary mechanism of myofascial release is its influence on the central nervous system, not the fascial system itself.
It is a remarkable massage modality that has shown tremendous results in managing pain and improving range of motion. Generally speaking, it is a gentle approach that feels good and is easy to experience.
It provides a different kind of sensation. It approaches the body in a new way, leading to sensations most people have never experienced. Why does it feel better?
Why do some people like chocolate more than they like sherbet? They just do.
Myofascial Restrictions
In my article Muscle Knots, I discuss how massage therapists overemphasize the importance of palpable and perceived knots. Massage therapists tend to touch something that feels different and quickly assume something must be wrong.
The reality is that our bodies are asymmetrical; we don’t have the same shape on both sides. Sometimes, a bony landmark may sit slightly higher than the other side, or a muscle may be thicker. In other instances, we hallucinate a difference through palpatory pareidolia [10]. This phenomenon leads to false assessments and a tendency to look for what’s wrong with the body instead of celebrating its uniqueness.
It is entirely possible to feel things in soft tissues when we palpate the body with our hands. But that doesn’t mean every bump, lump, or physiological difference should be treated like an abnormality or pathology.
Just because you feel something, it doesn’t mean you know what it is, and just because it hurts when you touch it, it doesn’t mean it is a knot
Can Fascia-related Tools or Treatment Hurt Me?
Yes, there are tools and treatments that can injure you or cause your pain symptoms to worsen.
Any treatment that could legitimately distort fascia would cause significant trauma to the body.
Fortunately, most people believe that light to medium pressure is enough to distort the fascia, which means injury is unlikely.
However, some manual therapists believe that pain relief can be achieved through tremendous amounts of pressure. If during any treatment, you ever feel uncomfortable for any reason, tell the practitioner; if they refuse to adapt to your needs, end the session.
Book a Massage
Many claims about changing and releasing fascia are overstated. Techniques often called myofascial release can still feel deeply relieving and effective, largely because the nervous system responds to slow, sustained, carefully applied touch.
Pain management massage uses this kind of input to help reduce protective tension and support a greater sense of ease, without relying on outdated ideas about fascial distortion.
If you would like to explore how this approach may apply to your situation, you can learn more about pain management massage.
Disclaimer
Information provided on this website, including educational materials, pain neuroscience explanations, treatment suggestions, and any other content shared during sessions, classes, or coaching, is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
You should always consult a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical concerns. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of information you receive here.
Jennifer Brand Spa
Pain Management at 2717 Hwy K, O’Fallon, MO 63368