What is Fascia?
As a result of injury, disease or the aging process, gravity can certainly work against you. However, one of the aims here at Kinetic Fascial Release is to augment realignment and get gravity working for you.
Fascia
is connective tissue that creates a 3-dimensional intricate web extending
without interruption from head to toe. The fascial system affects every system and
function in your body- musculoskeletal, neurological, metabolic, visceral, etc.
The white fibers you see when you pull a piece of meat apart are fascia.
What is Fascia made of ?
Fascia has three parts and is an organ of support:
1. Elastin fibers - This is the elastic and stretchable part of the complex.
2. Collagen fibers - These fibers are extremely tough and give support to the
structure.
3. Ground substance/matrix: A gelatinous like substance that transports metabolic
material throughout the body
What does fascia do?
A person's wellbeing and vitality depend greatly upon the health of the fascial system. The
fascial system supports, stabilizes, and cushions. Fascia
creates separations between vessels, organs, bones, and muscles and it
creates space through which delicate body structures such as nerves and blood vessels can pass.
What are Fascial Restrictions?
In
a healthy state, the collagen fibers wrap around the elastic fibers in a
relaxed, wavy configuration. Trauma, repetitive motion, inflammation,
or poor posture can cause the fascia to become more rigid and
shortened. These thickened areas are referred to as a fascial
restrictions. Fascial restrictions have the capacity of creating up to
2,000 pounds of pressure per square inch in a restricted area. That
crushing pressure can compromise any physiological system in the body
resulting in pain and dysfunction. Fascial
restrictions can also pull the body out of its normal alignment, compressing
joint surfaces and bulging spinal disks, resulting in pain, loss of motion,
and weakness.
The
fascia throughout the body is all interconnected like a complex spider web. A restriction in one area of the body
creates tension throughout this web pulling on other distant
structures. This explains why some people may have pain that appears
unrelated to their original injury. Furthermore, myofascial
restrictions do not show up on common tests such as x-rays,
MRI or CAT scans.
What are adhesions?
Adhesions are bands of scar-like tissue that form between two surfaces inside the body and cause them to stick together.
As
the body moves, tissues or organs inside are normally able to shift
around each other. This is because these tissues have slippery surfaces. Inflammation (swelling), surgery, or injury can cause adhesions to form almost anywhere in the body, including:
Once
they form, adhesions can become larger or tighter over time. Symptoms
or other problems may occur if the adhesions cause an organ or body part
to twist, pull out of position, or be unable to move as well. The
risk of forming adhesions is high after bowel or female organ
surgeries. Surgery using a laparascope is less likely than open surgery
to cause adhesions.
Kinetic Fascial Release is very useful in the treatment of fascial restrictions and adhesions throughout the body.
2011 Kinetic Fascial Release
Updated 22 July 2011
