What is Fascia?
(provided by CORE INSTITUTE Manual)

Fascia is the one universal tissue in the human body that integrates with most physiological systems and supports the various mechanical functions of those systems. Deane Juhan claims that fascia “binds specific cells into tissues, tissues into organs, organs into systems, cements muscles to bones, ties bones to joints, wraps every nerve and every vessel, laces all internal structures into place, and envelopes the body as a whole.” In simplest terms fascia connects every part of the body to every other part.

The resurgence of the therapeutic massage in the American culture reflects the need for effective soft tissue therapies that promote systematic homeostasis and nurture the emotional desire for non-threatening intervention. Massage therapists, through a variety of techniques and modalities, can assist in the alleviation of soft-tissue injuries, chronic dysfunctions, and stress-induced syndromes. While many may, perceive that massage therapy primarily affects the superficial portions of the muscular, circulatory, and neurological system, it is now widely accepted that proper care of the myofascial portion of the connective tissue system is integral to achieving optimal health and function.

Deep fascia and myofascia share many properties and functions, outstanding of which are contractility and elasticity. The fascial network has the capability to support and stabilize muscles, tendons, ligament, and bone. It assist in the production control, and interrelationship of motion between related parts. Fascia helps maintain balance and plays a critical role in the dynamic relationship between posture and structural alignment.

Fascia helps to regulate circulation, especially that of the venous and lymphatic system. In may conditions that result in deformities of chronic nature, and in degenerative diseases characteristic of the aging process, fascial changes will precede the change found in bone and cartilage. Fascial contraction and thickening predisposes the body to chronic, passive congestion. Therefore, fascial can easily be an arena for inflammation and infections.

Fascia is provided with extensive sensory nerve endings. Sudden stress of fascial membranes will often be accompanied by a burning type of pain. The contractile phase of fascia persists through life, while its elasticity decreases with age. This ever increasing contraction creates enormous stress on sensory nerves throughout the body, producing an increasing sensitivity to touch, full-range joint movement, and general movements of all kind.

Finally, even dura mater is a specialized connective tissue that surrounds the central nervous system. In the skull, it is attached to the bone. Changes in its tension and structure produce various types of headaches and other disturbances of the brain, the brain stem, and the spinal cord.

Properties and Functions of Fascia:

1. It is provided with sensory nerve endings.
2. Its outstanding properties are ctractility and elasticity
3. It gives extensive attachments to muscles.
4. It helps to regulate circulation, especially the venous and lymphatic systems.
5. It both supports and stabilizes, to help maintain balnce. Balance is suggestive of motion.
6. It assist in the production, the control, and the interrelation of motion between related parts.
7. In many of the conditions resulting in deformities of a chronic nature and the degenerative disease characteristic of the aging process, fascial changes will precede the change found in cartilage and bone.
8. Fascial contraction and thickening predisposes the body to chronic, passive congestion.
9. Many of the fascial specializations have special postural functions. In these, definite stress bands can be demonstrated.
10. Sudden stress on fascial membranes will often be accompanied by a burning type of pain.
11. Fascia (connective tissue) is the arena for inflammation
12. Infections and fluid often tract along fascial planes.
13. The dura mater is a specialized connective tissue surrounding the central nervous system. In the skull, it is attached to the bone. Changes in its tension and structure produce headaches and many disturbances of the brain.
14. The contractile phase persists throughout life, but it’s elasticity decreases with age. The contractile phase not only persists but supersedes all other qualities of fascia.
15. Fascial attachments have a tendency to shorten after a period of great activity followed by a period of inactivity. With advancing biological age, the ligaments become thicker and tighter. Although the arc of forward bending is not expected to be agile in the very aged person, the arc should not be restricted at 20, 30, 40 years of age, as is so frequently seen