Fascia
your adaptable onesie
What is Fascia?
Fascia is the linking element in your body. It is the tissue that surrounds muscles (myofascia), organs and bones. Even tendons, ligaments, vertebral discs or the menisci belong to it. It is one big tissue connecting all parts of the body with each other. You could see it as your muscle-fascia onesie. This is why fascia is often referred to as connective tissue.
Fascia is very well innervated and responsible for informing our brain about body position, pressure, tear or pain. It is according to this information, that the brain adapts muscle tension.
Our muscles, tendons, discs, ligaments and menisci belong to one large unity - your connective tissue onesie.
How does Fascia change?
We form our fascia with activities during our days. Strong and heavy movements like weight lifting lead to thicker and more resilient fascia. Jumps, forefoot running or dynamic stretching lead to a fascia that is more dynamic and springy. Yoga or static stretching will change our fascia to be more mobile and adaptable.
But on the other hand immobility, stress, repetitive movements and high demanding activities can lead to negative changes in our body structure too. Over time we might have to deal with restrictions in the fascia and reduced glide between different parts of the fascia. This can result in muscle tension, pain and a feeling of stiffness.
There might even be areas of the body that get no or lesser movement compared to normal. These fascia parts will send less nerve messages to the brain than they normally would. A phenomenon occurs that we like to call an amnesia of a body region. This shows for example wen we can't really feel or coordinate some simple movements - like moving the spine or the pelvis consciously through their various range of movement.
You have a saying in how your fascia is shaped.
