Impaired flow and mobility
Fascia that has thickened will become stiff and will get impaired flow and gliding ability. This can causes a lot of symptoms. The body feels heavy and sluggish, it causes pain, you get edema, have poor balance and so on. The flow in the fascia will be impaired and gets slower. Then the collagen fibers come closer and can “stick together”. Nerve receptors are subjected to higher pressure and hence, signal pain, while other signals will be impeded due to the pressure. Muscles can go into convulsions as they constantly get a signal to contract. Inflammation may occur when transport and communication throughout the tissue are disturbed and the immune system tries to solve the problem. A tight connective tissue chain can distort the skeleton so that the balance is disturbed and joints wear.
The entire locomotion system is affected by poor coordination and endurance as a result. The causes may be many, overload, damage by external trauma, inflammation due to lifestyle, poor diet, nutritional deficiencies, anxiety, depression or other issues.
It is clear that our bodies need motion to maintain optimal metabolism and circulation to the tissues. If we stop moving the flow will decrease and the fascia sticks together. It is a good way to pandiculate after rest or sedentary. Yawning with a deep inhalation and then a slow exhalation also stretch the lungs. If it hurts and the movement is obtuse, however, it is easy to avoid to move which instead leads to stagnation in the flow.
Studies have shown that after a stroke in which the central nervous system is damaged, the tissues slow down. It does not happen immediately, but as body parts affected by the stroke are not consciously moved, muscles enter a spastic state. Passively getting help to move the body can help a lot and treatment with soft vibrations may help the spasm to relax.
Hyaluronan, which is found in the ground substance of the fascia, binds a lot of water and it can quickly change viscosity (‘thickness’ of a liquid) and is therefore an important component to control the flow. It has many functions in the body and is one of the most important components of the fascia (if one can say that something is more important than the other since everything isa whole). Read more about hyaluronan on the Fascia Anatomy page.
Thus it is important to regularly maintain the entire locomotion system, both training strength, mobility and flexibility. Muscles must be strong to sustain, but they also have to be able to stretch and follow a movement.
Psychological aspects also affect our patterns of movement. A person who is nervous and tense keeps their movements tight and builds up tension. The person who gesticulates and flaps is more mobile and relaxed.
- By Camilla Ranje Nordin, Teacher in Fascia & Fascia Treatment
Problems linked to Fascia
Why do so many female football players suffer from cruciate ligament injuries?
A lot of injuries after a long break might not be that unusual – but why do so many female athletes suffer from cruciate ligament injuries?
Scar tissue
As the body builds scar tissue after damage to the skin, scar tissue build up in the Fascia inside the body when it is damaged. Therefore, we can get a chronic reduction in movement inside after an operation in which the Fascia is sewn together.
Shock absorption
Thanks to the linked connective tissues, we can absorb a shock throughout the body. A blow to the foot from a stone can thus provide an impact at the end of that connective chain, right up to the base of the skull.
Hyper-extension
In places where the body has become stiff and numb the nervous system cannot signal the situation as quickly as it should so that we can control our movements.
Stress and sugar harms fascia functions
What we do know for sure is that the abundance of sugar has a negative effect on the fascia and makes it less elastic. Stress also affects the fascia in a disadvantageous way
Lack of Sulphur and Vitamin C
Fascia has different firmness depending on how well the collagen is deposited into the tissue.
The importance of vitamin C in pregnancy, childbirth and jaundice in newborns.
Vitamin C has many different actions in the body. It is a coenzyme, which assist in various physiological processes in the body and it is a powerful antioxidant.
Is cancer fascia related? New insights presented in Boston 2015
New research leads to insights and by looking at the body in a completely new way we get new perspectives and explanations to symptoms and diseases. At the 2015 Joint Conference on Acupuncture, Oncology and Fascia in Boston, research was presented regarding Fascia and Cancer
Is your Fascia acidic?
When the food we eat is metabolized, metabolites are formed. The metabolites can be acidic or alkaline, depending on what we eat.
Can you heal osteoarthritis?
The function of the articular cartilage is to reduce friction between the two articular cartilage surfaces and facilitate sliding when the joint moves, and to absorb the load when the joint is exposed to pressure, compression
Oxidative stress – Is your body also rusting?
Oxidative stress – Is your body also rusting? As the cells in the body metabolize the food we eat and convert it into energy (ATP) in the mitochondria, most of the residual products become carbon dioxide and water (or lactic acid if there is insufficient oxygen in the cell). The mitochondria are the powerhouse of…
Problems linked to Fascia
Fascia is a system of flexible connective tissue encapsulating everything in the body. If the system is running smoothly, all is fine, but when some parts become stiff, tense or inflamed, there will be consequences.
What causes back pain?
New research shows that low back pain is caused by inflammation in the Fascia. But why are we getting low back pain and what happens in our body when we get back pain?
What is back pain?
Explaining various forms of back pain such as Low back pain / Lumbar pain / Lumbago / Crick
Straining – Lumbago
Lumbago follows the same pattern as hyper-extension. We usually have built up tension and stiffness that eventually impair the reaction of the nerves and muscles of the rigid area.
Inflammation in Fascia causes pain – new discoveries presented in Stockholm
Dr Heike Jäger, Professor Karl Arfors and innovator Hans Bohlin presented the latest research regarding Fascia, inflammation and Fascia treatment in Stockholm, May 2017.
Impaired flow and mobility
Fascia that has thickened hardened and has impaired gliding ability causes a lot of symptoms.
Growing interest in Fascia treatment: “Fascia problems are often under diagnosed”
David Lesondak is a structural integrator and a myofascial specialist who has been working for many years trying to explain what fascia is, as well as the benefits you get from treating different problems with fascia treatment. In an interview at the Fascia Research Congress in Berlin 2018, he describes the basics of what fascia is and what challenges it is facing in the strive for recognition in the medical field.
Inflammation and autoimmune inflammation
Inflammation is a very important function for the process of healing infections. Heat and pain occur and the immune system works actively to process bacteria or to heal an injury.
Hypermobility
Hypermobile people build up enormous tension in their muscles that give painful tension in the joint, and they often get nerves pinched.
Strolling under the skin: How does it look inside a living body?
Strolling under the skin is a fascinating journey inside a living body. With small camcorders, Dr. Jean Claeude Guimberteau has managed to capture how Fasica actually looks in a living human body.
The importance of vitamin C in pregnancy, childbirth and jaundice in newborns.
Vitamin C has many different actions in the body. It is a coenzyme, which assist in various physiological processes in the body and it is a powerful antioxidant.
Anatomy Trains by Tom Myers helps us understand functions of movement
Tom Myers is perhaps best known for his book Anatomy Trains, where he describes the Myofascial lines which help us understand movement and functions of the body
The discovery of a new cell at the 2018 Fascia Research Congress in Berlin
Fascia research has sparked a wildfire of new insights that are challenging conventional belief about how the body works – and the latest insights are presented at the 2018 Fascia Research Congress in Berlin.
Can you heal osteoarthritis?
The function of the articular cartilage is to reduce friction between the two articular cartilage surfaces and facilitate sliding when the joint moves, and to absorb the load when the joint is exposed to pressure, compression
Why do so many female football players suffer from cruciate ligament injuries?
A lot of injuries after a long break might not be that unusual – but why do so many female athletes suffer from cruciate ligament injuries?
Is cancer fascia related? New insights presented in Boston 2015
New research leads to insights and by looking at the body in a completely new way we get new perspectives and explanations to symptoms and diseases. At the 2015 Joint Conference on Acupuncture, Oncology and Fascia in Boston, research was presented regarding Fascia and Cancer
The mysterious world under the skin – German Fascia Documentary from 2018
Get a deeper introduction to new Fascia Research with the 2018 German documentary “The mysterious world under the skin”.
What is Fascia? Connective tissue in a system with no beginning & no end
What is Fascia? New research shows that it is more than the layer around the muscles. It is a network without beginning or end, from the skin, through the entire body, to the smallest cell.
Fascia Expert: “An explosion of new research in the last 10 years”
In 2015 veterinary Vibeke S Elbrønd published the first report on Fascia and horses. To make that happen she had to learn all there was regarding fascia, she had to become a fascia expert.
Fascia Lines are the intersections of the body
The concept of Fascia Lines is a great way to understand how the body functions and how treatment can be optimized to increase mobility and functionality. The main principle is that muscles, no matter what they do individually, also affect tissues throughout the entire body.
How do we learn to understand Fascia?
Fascia is a new perspective, a completely new way of looking at the body, a new way of conducting research and a new way of understanding the world. So how do you learn to understand Fascia?
Fluid flow in the fascia & how it is affected by treatment & vibrations
Recently, a German researcher showed that the connective tissue in a human transports 15 l of water in 48 hours, which is a relatively large amount compared to for example the amount of blood and the lymphatic system.
Frequently Asked Questions about Fascia
On the Fascia Guide FAQ we have gathered the most common questions and answers about Fascia. Is there anything you would like to know? Visit the page and submit your question.
Growing interest in Fascia treatment: “Fascia problems are often under diagnosed”
David Lesondak is a structural integrator and a myofascial specialist who has been working for many years trying to explain what fascia is, as well as the benefits you get from treating different problems with fascia treatment. In an interview at the Fascia Research Congress in Berlin 2018, he describes the basics of what fascia is and what challenges it is facing in the strive for recognition in the medical field.
Fascia in Horses – Danish veterinary exploring uncharted territory
In 2015 veterinary Vibeke S Elbrønd published the first report on Fascia and horses. Through autopsy she found that the horse has the same kind of chains and networks of connective tissue through the body, as found in humans.
Understanding Fascia in 10 minutes – the must see German documentary
In early 2013, a German documentary was broadcast based on the latest research on the Fascia. It provides a very basic introduction for newcomers. To help you get a quick overview of Fascia, we have cut together a 10 minute version.
We have been preparing our whole lives to NOT be able to understand the importance of fascia
To truly understand Fascia, you must understand the whole. But how do you do that if you have trained all your life to divide and separate?
What is Biotensegrity? Interview with Dr. Stephen Levin
Exclusive interview with Dr Stephen Levin, the worlds leading expert on Biotensegrity, at the Fascia Research Congress 2015.
Training for strengthened Fascia
Exercise increases collagen production in tendons, ligaments and all Fascia. To stimulate collagen formation in tendons and ligaments, it doesn’t matter if the exercise is eccentric (muscle contraction during extension) or concentric (muscle contraction during shortening).
What is fascia and in what way does fascia change the whole way of looking at the body?
Fascia is a network of connective tissue, without beginning and end, which encloses everything in the whole body, from muscles and bones, to organs and cells. But what does that mean?
Fascia helps us understand the body as a whole
Look at a ballet dancer, a gymnast or a drummer and study their movement, feeling, timing, it is easy to be fascinated by how fast it is. Fascia helps us understand how the body is able to function in such an incredible way.
Inflammation in Fascia causes pain – new discoveries presented in Stockholm
Dr Heike Jäger, Professor Karl Arfors and innovator Hans Bohlin presented the latest research regarding Fascia, inflammation and Fascia treatment in Stockholm, May 2017.
To understand Fascia we need to cross the bridge & see things from another perspective
Exclusive interview with Gil Headly explaining how Fascia changes the perspective on how we look at the body at the 2015 Fascia Research Congress in Washington DC.
Get the lymph flow!
Keep the flow of lymph alive! What can I do to increase the lymph flow?
9 tips: How to keep your Fascia healthy and balanced
One of the best ways to keep yourself healthy, free from pain and injuries is to take care of your Fascia. Here are 9 tips on how to take care of your Fascia.
7 things you should now about Vitamin C
Vitamin C is good for the immune system, but did you know that it also supports tissue regeneration or that we use up 7 times more Vitamin C during stress?
Stretching the fascia is vital when recovering from injury
David Lesondak describes how stretching the fascia is vital for rehabilitation from injury at the 2018 Fascia Research Congress in Berlin
Fascia: New research changes the way we look at pain
From Newton, to Einstein, to the new wildfire of Fascia Research. How do we understand things from a different perspective?
Fascia does not only envelope the whole body, it turns the way we look at the body upside down
At the 2015 Fascia Research Congress in Washington DC, Tom Myers, the author of Anatomy Trains, gives a short introduction to Fascia and how new research changes the way we look at pain and discomfort.
New Fascia Research has taken us back to an observing stage
The new discoveries and knowledge about Fascia has taken us back to an observing stage – we have to investigate our surroundings to get an understanding for what to measure.
The immune system: How it works & how to boost it
You probably know that the immune system is our defensive wall protecting us from the threats from the outside world – but do you know how it works and how to boost it?
Why Fascia is still relatively unknown
Here are three major reasons why the Fascia’s central importance to the body’s functionality is not nousehold knowledge. It might be helpful to bare these in mind when relating to current and previous research.
Fascia loads and unloads pressure
What do we know about the Fascias function and what affects the Fascias ability to rebuild – and how can we use that knowledge in our everyday lives?
Biotensegrity: How did the dinosaurs handle the pressure of gravity?
In the 70s when the orthopedic surgeon Dr. Stephen Levin was at a natural history museum and saw the wires holding up the neck of a dinosaur, he did not get the picture to go together. How could his neck have been held up originally?
Stress and sugar harms fascia functions
What we do know for sure is that the abundance of sugar has a negative effect on the fascia and makes it less elastic. Stress also affects the fascia in a disadvantageous way
What causes back pain?
New research shows that low back pain is caused by inflammation in the Fascia. But why are we getting low back pain and what happens in our body when we get back pain?
The influence of mechanical forces on Fascia?
Connective tissue / fascia is an incredibly adaptable and plastic tissue. It is transformed, remodeled and strengthened or weakened according to the mechanical stimulation (load) to which it is exposed. If we don’t move, the tissue will diminish.
Problems linked to Fascia
Fascia is a system of flexible connective tissue encapsulating everything in the body. If the system is running smoothly, all is fine, but when some parts become stiff, tense or inflamed, there will be consequences.
Fascia Guide Research Database
Fascia research has sparked an ongoing global revolution in the anatomical research field. In The Fascia Guide Research Database we have gathered hundreds of research articles about fascia.
Fascia as a flow – a new way of explaining the body’s function
By beginning to see the body as something that is alive, and not something that is dead, we have been able to begin to notice other things.
