Fascia: In a nutshell - What’s all the fuss about?

‘Welcome to the latest buzz term!’ That’s what I thought the first time I heard ‘fascia release’. I honestly thought it was some made up word to describe something we already knew about as a way to market to the masses. So what is fascia? Welcome to my layman’s explanation where I break it down for you. If you’d like to read something more scientific, please go to this wonderful article here.

A Brief History of Fascia

Well, as it turns out I wasn’t that far wrong. People already knew about fascia as far back as 3000BC where it was first found on stone tablets in Ancient Egypt. Here it was described as membranes. It wasn’t until the 17th Century that it entered the English language via Helkiah Crooke, who described fascia as ‘the organ of the sense of touching’.  But only in the past 20 years has it really began to turn heads! The poor thing! Fascia is extremely important. But it’s been neglected for years and is now the latest and greatest thing to learn about. Taking care of it can literally save you from pain and injury!

What is it? Just tell me!

It’s the liquidy spiders web of your body, the white parts in an orange peel, the cellophane holding your sandwich together. Those might be an odd visual reference, but they're pretty accurate. Essentially, it’s a connective tissue.  If you’re not squeamish and prefer visuals, go check out ‘Strolling Under the Skin’ for a look at fascia in someone’s arms. Here is a quick screenshot here for you to decide if its for you:

More details Please- but keep it simple!

Fascia literally connects everything as far as science knows at the moment. There’s superficial (surface) fascia which is underneath the skin between layers of fat through to deep fascia that covers muscles, bones and blood vessels and like all things anatomical, everything is interconnected. That sore muscle that won’t go away or gets worse every time its cold/hot? Dehydrated fascia. That ‘stuck fascia’- it’s causing the muscle pain. You can’t have one without the other. It’s sort of like baked potatoes and butter, or whatever wet condiment you have with them.

If you didn’t look at the video or picture, imagine a wet web inside your body connected from skin to fat, muscle to bone etc. Fascia is an interconnective tissue that we are only just learning more about. And one thing that is known is: it needs hydration. How do you know?

Apart from science telling us, that visual of a wet spiders web is a pretty good indicator. It doesn’t make itself wet on its own and we cant pour water directly into our body except via---yes that right--- our pie holes (our mouths, for those of you not from down under). So, staying hydrated really helps. Remember how in my article ‘Why Water’ its mentioned, hydration helps prevent injuries? Yup! This is it. When your fascia is well hydrated, as well as the rest of your body, things slip and slide more smoothly. Even if you’re just getting up from your desk and walking to the staff kitchen, this stuff is important!

So what about deep fascia massage and surface fascia release?

Great question! Please hang ten for Part Two coming eventually or read the related scientific article up top! Meanwhile, please feel free to check out my Office Pilax 2 class which does some gentle fascia work.

Have a great week!