What are fasciae?
What are fasciae?
The term ‘fascia’ (Latin for bandage or binding) is commonly known as connective tissue. Since the first international fascia congress in Boston, 2007, the term “fascia” has been widespread and is still the focus of numerous research.
The structure of a fascia.
The fascia structure can be described by an orange. A fascia is like a fine, white fibre that holds the individual orange pieces firmly together and coats and separates the individual slices inside. Human fasciae are fine, tough connective tissue skins that run through our entire body like a three-dimensional mesh. They envelop all the muscles, bones and organs in the body and ensure that with every movement the individual body parts slide past each other and do not leave their position. In addition, fasciae act as a messenger between muscle fibres, enabling us to use our muscle power. At the same time, the tension energy between the tendons and bones is stored and released abruptly when relaxed.
Our fasciae contain fibroblasts. These produce various biochemical substances such as elastin and collagen (collagen fibres). While elastin is responsible for the suppleness and elasticity of our tissue, the collagen fibres combine to form firm strands. Thus, fasciae provide support and strength and at the same time mobility and flexibility.
Where are fasciae in the body?
Fasciae can be fundamentally divided into three different types. They build a coherent network through our body and merge seamlessly into one another. They can be very thin or up to several millimeters thick.
1. superficial fasciae
Superficial fasciae are located directly under the skin and carry the main part of the mechanoreceptors. They work as a communication system and ensure good metabolism and fluid exchange.
2. deeper fasciae
Deeper fasciae enclose the muscles, bones, and joints as well as tendons, ligaments and capsules. In doing so, they provide stability and feedback about the position of the body in three-dimensional space.
3. visceral fasciae
The visceral fasciae enclose the internal organs, keeping them attached and stable in the body so that they stay in place during movement.
What makes fasciae so special?
Fasciae occupied with sympathetic nerve endings and thus establish constant communication between muscles, organs, the autonomic nervous system and the brain. In addition, fasciae have significantly more pain receptors and movement sensors than muscles and joints. So, it is not surprising that sticky and hardened fascia are often the trigger for acute and chronic pain. Recent scientific ultrasound studies also provide the groundbreaking insight that fasciae can contract independently of muscles and react as an independent system to stress, shock and fear. In doing so, they store perceptions in stress and pain memories. This is another reason why fasciae are often described as the largest sensory organ in humans.
What can I do against fascia pain?
Bonded and hardened fasciae can radiate and cause pain. In order to reduce such bonding and hardening, we recommend two measures.
1. exercise and sport
Bonding and hardening of fasciae are often the result of little or linear movement sequences in everyday life. Linear motions are often found in everyday working life – for example, operating a keyboard or computer mouse. Exercise and sport provide a quick remedy and make the fasciae supple again. In particular, Yoga and Tai Chi may be seen as suitable.
2. self-therapy with Fascia-ReleaZer® and Deep-ReleaZer®.
Through self-treatment techniques, stuck and hardened fascia tissue can recover and regain suppleness and elasticity. For this reason, Christopher-Marc Gordon developed the Fascia- and Deep-ReleaZer. To release the bonding and hardening, the instrumental self-help treatment combines pressure and twisting movements using different edges in combination with deep, but gentle vibration.
Self-therapy with Fascia- & Deep-ReleaZer® – that’s how!
Use our online seminars to professionalise your self-help treatment techniques with Fascia- and Deep-ReleaZer®. We also offer trainers, coaches, and therapists, specific training in the field of Interdisciplinary Fascia Therapy. Have a look at our website!