Fascia...What is it and why should I care?

Hi All,

We're heating up here in Phoenix....summer time.  Ahhh!  I hope you're enjoying summer, wherever you're reading this.

Today I'd like to talk a little about fascia.  Fascia is the web-like structure of tissues that hold everything in the body together.  It gives us our shape and form.  It's very sheer and very strong.  On the photo below you'll see its the gooey clear substance covering the exposed tissues.

Fascia covering tissue.

Fascia is around everything from the cellular level, to muscle fibers, to muscles, organs, under the skin, in and around everything....it's everywhere.  Our nervous system runs thru fascia as well as blood and our energy meridians. 

So why should we care about fascia?  What does this mean to us all?  When our fascia is hydrated and loose and in balance, all is well and the body feels good and functions great.  However, sometimes it gets out of whack.  Parts of your fascia can get dehydrated, or get torqued or get holding patterns from trauma....this will make your body hurt in those areas.

Damaged fascia can block hydration, and inhibit nervous system signals and blood flow.  That can have profound effects on the body.  It's not like you can just drink water and loosen up and hydrate these tissues.  You need to take some action.

Fascia sheath...super strong, sheer and web-like.

There are things you can do.  Getting some body work would be a good start.  There are massage techniques for releasing fascia.  Energy body work can also help unwind those holding patterns and stuck areas of fascia as well.  I practice CranioSacral Therapy, (also known as Cranial Unwinding).  It's a great modality for this kind of body work.

CranioSacral helps unwind holding patterns in fascia and help to bring you and your fascia back to a place of balance...where you feel good.  Ultimately, we want to feel good and be in a place of balance.  Remember - when your fascia is in a healthy balanced state, your body systems flow and work the way they are supposed to.

What else can we do to keep our fascia healthy?  We can drink plenty of water and eat good wholesome food.  You are what you eat right?  Eat junk...then that's probably not going to serve you in the long run.  We can exercise our body...move that thing and do some stretching every day.  Keep the body limber.

Here's the disclaimer.  Body work doesn't take the place of seeking medical help when needed.  However, mainstream medicine doesn't always have all the tools and answers.  That's why an integrative approach to wellness is so important.  I share an office with a Naturopathic Physician.  She has so many great answers that are not always available from your general practitioner.  Everyone has their place.

I hope this is a helpful introduction to fascia and fascial health.  I'm certain you'll be seeing more and more about this as it becomes a bigger focus in the holistic and medical communities.

Have a great summer.  Be good to yourself and others....Life's short.  Enjoy every moment.


Peace and Love,

Tom

Tom Kreienbrink
I'm a massage and holistic therapist located in Phoenix, AZ.
For more information go to:  www.holistictherapysolutions.weebly.com
have a blessed day.