Fascia-What is it?
Fascia is a specialized connective tissue which spreads throughout the body in a three dimensional web. In appearance it is similar to a spider’s web, or a sweater. It covers and penetrates every muscle, bone, nerve, artery, and vein, as well as all of our internal organs. Interestingly the fascial system is not just a system of separate coverings, but is actually one continuous structure that exists from head to toe without interruption.
What Does It Do?
Since fascia surrounds and attaches to all structures in the body down to the cellular level, it plays a vital role in the support and function of our bodies. When our fascial system is in its healthy state, it is relaxed and has the ability to stretch and glide without restriction, allowing us great freedom of movement. It has a high water content and is slippery and elastic, supporting structures in the body and acting as a shock absorber.
Trauma, surgery, scars, inflammation and other factors, cause the fascia to lose its pliability and become adhesive. In turn, this creates restrictions that now prevent the fascia from moving freely. Instead of moving freely and absorbing shock, it becomes tight and stiff, exerting excessive pressure in our body. We experience this as symptoms of pain, restricted range of motion, headaches, unexplained chronic pain and loss of stability to name a few.