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Fascia is not just a structural element. It is an active, living tissue deeply connected to the nervous system. For years, fascia was misunderstood and underestimated. Initially, it was thought to be little more than passive connective tissue, simply holding things in place. However, scientific research has proven that fascia is far more complex and vital than we once believed. In this article, we will explore the incredible role of fascia, how it works, and why it is so much more than just “packing peanuts.” We will also discuss how fascia interacts with the nervous system, its ability to shape the body’s response to stress, and its healing potential. The Transformation of Fascia Research For many years, fascia was regarded as little more than a passive structure. It was thought to simply surround muscles and organs. However, advancements in imaging technology and research have transformed our understanding of fascia. Scientists such as Robert Schleip, Carla Stecco, and Helene Langevin have studied fascia in depth, revealing its importance in both physical movement and emotional response. Fascia is Alive: A Complex Network of Communication Fascia is not a simple covering; it is a highly intricate communication network. Researchers found that fascia is filled with sensory nerve endings that report back to the brain. This makes fascia more active and responsive than previously thought. It has been shown that fascia is even more richly innervated than muscles themselves in some areas, meaning it plays an essential role in how we feel and move. Fascia’s Connection to the Nervous System One of the most groundbreaking discoveries in fascia research is its connection to the nervous system. Fascia works closely with the brain, relaying information about pressure, stretch, and movement. This constant flow of information allows the body to react almost instantaneously to changes in the environment. Fascia helps us sense our surroundings and coordinate our movements. The role of fascia in proprioception, the body’s ability to sense its position in space, is becoming more widely recognized. Fascia is integral to this process, helping us maintain balance and move fluidly. The Fascial Web: How Fascia Works Fascia behaves more like a three-dimensional spiderweb rather than a passive wrap around muscles. It connects muscles, joints, and organs, creating a continuous fabric throughout the body. This interconnectedness means that any movement in one part of the body can influence other areas. Fascia does not simply sit around muscles; it is woven into every part of the body. Fascia Responds to Stretch and Movement When you stretch, fascia reacts. It adapts and responds to changes in the body. This dynamic response helps the body move efficiently, transmitting force, sensation, and information in all directions. Fascia, much like a musical instrument, senses vibration and tension. Any change in tone or tension is immediately felt throughout the entire system. This understanding of fascia has led to a broader view of the mind-body connection. Fascia is not just a passive material that holds muscles together; it is a responsive tissue that contributes to the body’s ability to adapt and move. Fascia’s Role in Stress and Trauma One of the most remarkable aspects of fascia is how it reacts to emotional stress and trauma. Just as the nervous system adapts to a stressful event, fascia also adjusts. It can tighten in response to physical injury or emotional strain, much like a seatbelt locking during sudden braking. When emotional trauma occurs, fascia can “remember” this stress, leading to long-term changes in its structure. Over time, fascia can develop creases and patterns that reflect these experiences, even if the original trauma has long passed. How Fascia Influences Healing and Recovery The role of fascia in the healing process is one of the most exciting aspects of current research. As researchers like Helene Langevin have shown, fascia responds to gentle touch and sustained pressure. This means that therapies focused on the fascia, such as myofascial release, can help realign and rehydrate fascia to promote healing. Fascia’s Hydration and Structure Fascia responds to hydration and mechanical input. When fascia is adequately hydrated, it remains flexible and resilient. However, when fascia is dehydrated or damaged, it can become stiff and restrictive. This stiffness can lead to pain, limited movement, and discomfort. Gentle manipulation of the fascia, such as through touch or massage, can help improve its hydration and mobility. Carla Stecco’s work in anatomical mapping has shown the precise nature of fascial planes, which has improved our understanding of why pain sometimes follows specific patterns. Supporting Fascia’s Healing Process Research suggests that the fascia’s ability to change and heal is influenced by external factors, such as touch and movement. A well-supported fascial system can help the body recover more quickly from injury and trauma. As Robert Schleip discovered, fascia is involved in autonomic regulation, meaning it can influence how we feel safe, grounded, or connected in our bodies. Healing fascia is not about fixing something broken. It’s about supporting the natural intelligence of the body to restore balance. With the right conditions, the body’s fascia can soften and adapt, allowing for increased movement and reduced pain. The Mind-Body Connection: Fascia as a Sensory Organ One of the most fascinating revelations in recent years is the idea that fascia acts as a sensory organ. It is not just a passive structure; it plays an active role in how we perceive the world around us. Fascia helps us sense pressure, stretch, and movement, and it is deeply connected to our emotions. Fascia and Emotional Responses When we experience emotional stress or trauma, fascia adapts alongside the nervous system. This is a protective mechanism. Fascia may tighten to protect us from further harm, much like the body’s natural “fight or flight” response. This process is intelligent and adaptive, designed to help us survive and heal. As fascia adjusts to emotional trauma, it can create lasting patterns in the body. These patterns can affect posture, movement, and even the way we feel emotionally. Understanding this connection between fascia and emotional

Why Is My Body Stiff? I get this question a lot in my therapy spa. Most people have no idea what is the root cause of their limited mobility is. And most have no idea that it will keep getting worse as they age if they do not do anything about it! I am going to talk about a word that most of you have probably never heard of, and that word is called “Fascia”. I will explain what this is and how it is the root cause of most body aches, injuries, joint pain, and all-around stiffness, then I will tell you what you can do about it! What is Fascia? Fascia is a band or sheet of connective fibrous tissue, primarily collagen, beneath the skin that attaches and surrounds muscles, groups of muscles, blood vessels, and nerves. It also stabilizes, encloses, and separates muscles and other internal organs, which allows some to slide smoothly over each other within movement and others to restrict movement to protect your joints from injury. There are different types of fascia: Deep Fascia, which is mostly associated with muscles, bones, blood vessels, and nerves Superficial fascia is mostly associated with the skin Visceral(or Sub-serious) fascia- mostly associated with internal organs. Basically, if you didn’t have fascia, your muscles and organs would not stay intact or attached to the bones in your body, which also would not allow you to walk upright. Your skin is not strong enough to keep your muscles intact, but fascia is. Not much has been written or known about this material, but thankfully, a lot of new studies are being done, and we are now learning a lot more about it and what it does. Some studies have been done that say fascia is the body’s brain. They are finding that it can send signals to the brain about how the body is doing, this allows the body and brain to collect data together and offer solutions to help heal an injury, help heal an organ, or help protect an unstable movement, or even where to compartmentalize emotional stress, but the longer that emotion is kept in the body the harder and dehydrated it gets. Why Does My Body Feel Older Than It Should? The main reason is sticky, dehydrated fascia. When fascia gets dehydrated from either lack of use or excessive movement (meaning overuse, for example, a repetitive motion at a job or in a sport), physical trauma (like a car accident or surgery), or even stored emotional trauma, yes, emotion. We are emotional beings that vibrate at different frequencies; some tissue can vibrate at lower frequencies as well, and that is what we call stuck emotions or stored trauma in the body. Chances are sticky dehydrated fascia could be the culprit of your body stiffness, joint pain, and or lack of mobility. Just think of fascia as a layer of Saran Wrap wrapped around your muscles, and when it gets sticky, think of layers of Saran Wrap wrapping around the muscles, getting tighter and tighter. Eventually, the mobility will be limited. Inflamed fascia can cause a lot of restriction in movement, poor posture, and muscle imbalances can cause your body to be stiff and cause more layers of sticky fascia as well. How Do I Know If I Have Dehydrated Fascia? Does your body hurt when you sleep? Do you have a hard time doing normal daily movements, like bending down, kneeling, squatting, or crossing your legs while sitting on the ground? Does your back hurt? Have you had any injuries or breaks? Have you had any sprains or strains? Have you pulled a muscle? Do you feel stiff? Have you had emotional trauma in your life? Are you stressed? Are you active and or play a sport? Do you lift weights? Do you sit for hours at a time? Do you stand for hours at a time? Do you do repetitive motions at work? Do you sleep on your side? If you answered yes to any of these, chances are you have fascia issues. I know you are saying, Well, everyone has or does most of it. Yes, that is what I am saying, so many have it, and no one is talking about the root cause of why they feel older than they should in their bodies. Sticky dehydrated fascia could be the culprit and should be addressed, as it gets more hydrated when we get older. Here Are Some Ways Your Body Will Benefit By Having Hydrated Fascia Improved body alignment and symmetry Increase blood flow Faster recovery from exercise Reduces the appearance of cellulite, stretch marks, and uneven skin texture breakdowns Scar tissue Reduces the risk of injury Reduces pain Improves sports performance Better mobility Faster muscle growth How Do I Hydrate My Fascia? Well, you can never get rid of it, but you can release it by hydrating it! And how do you hydrate it, you might ask? By stimulating blood flow to allow it to become lubricated again. You can do this with many forms: Deep Tissue Massage Scraping Cupping Percussion/vibration Foam rolling Movement Assisted Stretching or self-stretching Heat/ hot showers/bath Acupuncture Releasing emotional trauma Having less stress in your life Positive thoughts Detoxing your body Getting your chakras aligned so emotions can flow through easily Here at Body Therapy and Skin, we focus on the range of motion assessments to tell us where the fascia is sticky in the body. We apply all types of fascia release techniques for all types of individual needs. From traction of the spine to scraping of the feet and body, to full-body Assisted Stretching, we do it all here! If you are in pain, come see us at our Manhattan Beach, CA location.