Definition of the week: Fascia

fas·ci·a  noun  

ˈfaSH(ē)ə

Fascia is a sheet or band of fibrous connective tissue that surrounds, separates, and/or binds together muscles, organs, blood vessels, nerves and other soft structures of the body.  It is the soft tissue components of the connective tissue the provide support and protection.

You may here your therapists use the term myofascia work or myofacial release.  The therapist may be referring to a soft tissue manipulation, or trigger point therapy.  Approaches may range from passive or active release therapy (ART), Graston therapy, stripping, foam rolling, or other tools and techniques may be applied both directly and indirectly

Fasciitis is a term most commonly associated with fascia.  Fasciitis is the inflammation of the fascia, connective tissue. This inflammation can be very painful.  Many patients prefer to have deep tissue work to directly  release the tension in the fascia.  A therapist may use tools to help stretch the adhesive tissues to mobilize them.  Our therapists will use their hands, knuckles and elbows to stretch the inflamed tissues with a pressure that is comfortable for you.

An indirect approach will be used for patient's that cannot handle or do not like deep pressure.  This approach would include ART, and gentle stretching to help mobilize the fascia.  The release may affect the muscles surrounding it, causing a sense of relief for the patient, sometimes allowing a deeper massage for the latter treatment.

"Like ligaments, aponeuroses, and tendons, fasciae are dense regular connective tissues, containing closely packed bundles of collagen fibers oriented in a wavy pattern parallel to the direction of pull. Fasciae are consequently flexible structures able to resist great unidirectional tension forces until the wavy pattern of fibers has been straightened out by the pulling force. These collagen fibers are produced by the fibroblasts located within the fascia.

Fasciae are similar to ligaments and tendons as they are all made of collagen except that ligaments join one bone to another bone, tendons join muscle to bone and fasciae surround muscles or other structures."

-Wikipedia

FASCIAL MOBILIZATIONThe fascial system is one continuous, laminated, connective-tissue sheath that spreads without interruption throughout the entire body in a three-dimensional web. Fascial mobilization allows therapists to locate and address restrictions in the fascial system that are causing asymmetries, postural malalignment, abnormal tensions, and pressures that can lead to pain and dysfunction. The goal of fascial mobilization is to produce a well-balanced, symmetrical, and mobile body within the skeletal, soft-tissue, and craniosacral systems.


References:
http://www.massagetherapy.com/glossary/