Fascia, and the important role it plays in the body

Fascia is the connective tissue that holds muscles together throughout the body. It normally surrounds an egg and sperm after conception, and later segments into ligaments. GRAPHIC| FILE

What you need to know:

  • Fascia has an important role in the support and functioning of the body because it surrounds and connects all bodily structures. It can move and stretch freely.

  • When the body is in a normal healthy condition, the fascia is usually calm and assumes a curvy pattern.

Fascia is the connective tissue that holds muscles together throughout the body. It normally surrounds an egg and sperm after conception, and later segments into ligaments.

It has a web-like appearance, and is thickly woven. It interpenetrates every bone, muscle, artery, vein, nerve, and internal organs, including the brain, heart, spinal cord, and lungs.

What makes fascia fascinating is the fact that it is not a separate system, rather, a continuous structure that runs from head to toe. This means that every part of the body is joined to each other by the fascia.

Fascia has an important role in the support and functioning of the body because it surrounds and connects all bodily structures. It can move and stretch freely. When the body is in a normal healthy condition, the fascia is usually calm and assumes a curvy pattern.

However, when the body becomes inflamed, is scarred or suffers trauma, fascia loses flexibility - it gets restricted and rigid, causing tension in the entire body. When fascia is restricted, it can put too much strain in the body, triggering headaches, pain, and restricting movement. Fascia restrictions can greatly affect the stability and flexibility of the body, and consequently reduce the ability of the body to endure stress and even carry out everyday activities.

About 99 per cent of skeletal pain is related to fascia. Most people who experience pain or decreased movement may have problems related to fascia because its build-up affects mobility. Often, chronic pain is due to scar tissue (fibrous tissues that substitutes normal skin following injury) and build-up of too dense fascia. Treatment may therefore be needed to melt the dense fascia.

Treatment

To keep your fascia healthy;

 Do stretching exercises to help relax muscles and melt dense fascia. When the muscles are constantly rigid, the enclosing fascia also becomes rigid. With time, the fascia tightens, putting pressure on the nerves and muscles. Once fascia gets tight, it is not easy to loosen it. Stretch out your body from head to toe first thing after you wake up in the morning. When working, especially if the work involves lengthy sitting, take breaks regularly to stretch.

 Form roll using a form roller at least two times a week.

Apply slow and gentle movements, and once you feel a tensed area, hold continuous pressure for about three to five minutes. Similarly, going for massage can help to release tension in fascia.

 Avoid intense activities such as running when you have an injury, or have just recovered from one.

This is because the fascia usually responds to the new mechanics, so after you have recovered from the injury, the body might continue with the same pattern of movement. To avoid persistent pain, give yourself ample time to heal first before engaging in any strenuous activities.

If you have an injury that does not get better, the problem could be with fascia.

It is therefore advisable to consult a physiotherapist or a chiropractor who will advise you on the right therapy to help release tight fascia.