What is Fascia?
fascial tissue within the muscle
The fascial tissue is a continuous connective tissue that interpenetrates everything within the body including muscle, bone, organs, brain and spinal cord, circulatory tissue, nervous tissue, ligaments, and tendons. It is a densely woven structure that connects everything together much like a 3 dimensional net or web.
It is made up of 3 main compontents:
1. Collagen-which provides our tensile strength
2. Elastin-which provides an elastic component much like a rubber band
3. Ground substance-which provides the lubricant allowing for gliding of the tissue to occur
The fascial system, until recently, has been largely ignored in the health care system but new research by many fields of scientific study and new clinical techniques of working with the fascial system have brought this much neglected system into the forefront and is helping many people with conditions that previously had only been treated with medications that only addressed the symptoms.
It is made up of 3 main compontents:
1. Collagen-which provides our tensile strength
2. Elastin-which provides an elastic component much like a rubber band
3. Ground substance-which provides the lubricant allowing for gliding of the tissue to occur
The fascial system, until recently, has been largely ignored in the health care system but new research by many fields of scientific study and new clinical techniques of working with the fascial system have brought this much neglected system into the forefront and is helping many people with conditions that previously had only been treated with medications that only addressed the symptoms.
How does the fascia function?
The fascial system is very much like a 3-dimensional net or web that infuses throughout the entire body. It is what gives us our strength, flexibility, and fluidity. During our lifetime, our fascial system is constantly adjusting at subconscious levels to keep us functioning. The fascial tissue can exert tensile forces of up to 2,000 pounds per square inch! During times of trauma to the body: i.e. accidents, injuries, repetitive movement, long periods of inactivity, stress, and medical procedures the fascia shifts to withstand these trauma and the ground substance solidifies resulting in restrictions which limit our mobility, fluidity, and pliability. This tightening of the fascia not only impedes the functioning of the body where the restriction occurs but, much like a snag in a sweater, it also pulls on adjacent structures and further throughout the body. These changes that occur in the fascial tissue are cumulative, building one upon the other, and at first may just be an annoyance and a feeling of "I just feel a little stiff when I wake up" or "I feel a little sore today" but gradually they tighten down more and more causing dysfunction within the body. Feelings of tightness or pain may vary in intensity and come and go but once a restriction is formed it remains until released. Because fascia is connected to all structures in the body, restricted fascial tissue can be the cause for many misdiagnosed symptoms and conditions.
How is fascial dysfunction diagnosed?
The fascial tissue does not show up on any standardized medical tests such as X-rays, MRI's, or CT scans. Therefore, people with conditions due to fascial restrictions are often undiagnosed, misdiagnosed, over medicated, or just left to suffer.
What is John F Barnes' Myofascial Release?
The John F. Barnes’ Myofascial Release Approach® is a whole body, integrative therapy. A medical history is taken as well as an assessment of range of motion and structural imbalances. The therapists works closely with you to find the cause of the problems, rather than just the symptoms. John F Barnes' Myofascial Release can be described as gentle insistence. It is a non-invasive, consistent, and gentle application of sustained pressure into the fascial restrictions. The therapist will sustain this pressure for a period of time depending on the restrictions in the body. The pressure can vary depending on the depth of the restrictions in the body but should never feel forced. Often, the releasing of the fascial tissue is described as the feeling of "pulling taffy" or "the body just softening". Since the fascia is completely connected and integrated throughout the entire body you may feel the softening, or releasing, anywhere even if the therapist is not touching there. It is important to recognize that the whole person integrates thoughts and feelings as well and emotions can cause physical holding patterns. Therefore, from time to time emotions that are trapped within restrictions may surface as well. This is all a part of the healing process.
Watch this wonderful, informative video about Myofascial Release by Richard Harty, PT