A Spidey Sticky Substance Called Fascia

Myofascial release is a form of slow, deliberate pressure used on a client. It helps soften up one’s fascia which becomes hardened after experiencing stress, engaging in repetitive activity, suffering an injury, driving over long periods of time, sitting at a desk, and the list goes on. Fascia resembles a spider web filled with fluid instead of air. The three-dimensional web of spidey substance encompasses a human body holding together a person’s nerves, organs, bones, cells, blood vessels, and muscles. It is very flexible and adaptable. Myofascia has no beginning or end. The fascia is like a dense forest with endless amounts of vines and snakes. Don’t worry though. No snake will attack a person in the interconnected web because the real snakes live in the woods!

Because fascia is so resilient and so connected, if one particular area becomes triggered or pulled, the effects are felt throughout the body. People may also feel pain in a different part of their body from where it originated. This type of response is called referred pain. If one has knee pain, the person may feel the pain in their lower back. A protection response is enacted by peoples’ bodies when they feel pain which is initially a good thing.

Over time, however, more pain will be felt, an accumulation of toxins will occur, and there will be a decrease in blood flow and oxygen to the area. “When people experience a slight amount of tissue damage—this can be due to a physical injury, or a psychological one like depression, or even something like an ulcer—pain signals are sent to the spinal cord which then triggers the muscles around the injury to contract in order to provide support and protection for the surrounding tissues” (https://deeprecovery.com/is-myofascial-release-real/).

If the response is left unfixed, a downward spiral of pain will occur as an increase in blood flow will be impeded to the area. An increase in signals will be sent and more muscles will constrict to protect the pain area. A small injury will be exacerbated and treatment may need to be sought. A slow, sustained pressure will need to be applied to the area. This will help to relieve the knots of the restricted area.

Some of the trauma that tight fascia can cause are as follows:

[if !supportLists]• [endif]Muscle pain and spasms

[if !supportLists]• [endif]Recurring injuries

[if !supportLists]• [endif]Breathing problems

[if !supportLists]• [endif]Sciatica

[if !supportLists]• [endif]Numbness and pins and needles

[if !supportLists]• [endif]Poor posture and limited flexibility

[if !supportLists]• [endif]Chronic neck and back pain

[if !supportLists]• [endif]Headaches

A few causes of tight fascia are as follows:

[if !supportLists]• [endif]Inflammation

[if !supportLists]• [endif]Work injuries

[if !supportLists]• [endif]Poor posture

[if !supportLists]• [endif]Emotional/psychological stress

[if !supportLists]• [endif]Repetitive motions such as typing or doing factory work

[if !supportLists]• [endif]Traumas such as a fall or car accident

[if !supportLists]• [endif]Not stretching/ sitting for too long

[if !supportLists]• [endif]Bad posture

Here is what a Myofascial Release Treatment Feels Like:

[if !supportLists]• [endif]Touch varies from deep to soft

[if !supportLists]• [endif]May feel a delicate burning sensation

[if !supportLists]• [endif]Lasts from 15 mins to over an hour

[if !supportLists]• [endif]Aid in readjusting and lengthening the bundled up tissue which increases movement and health

So go ahead and book a myofascial release treatment. It will ameliorate soft tissue and correct orthopedic issues. One’s dense web forest WITHOUT snakes will appreciate it.

Bibliography

1) https://deeprecovery.com/is-myofascial-release-real/