What is Fascia?
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Fascia (also known as connective tissue) is the body's web, interlinking everything together to create shape, feel, stability and mobility. Fascia has been described as the body's brain because it contains nerves that react quickly to many stimuli we encounter, relaying information, transporting fluid and food and metabolising the body. Fascia varies in thickness (it's thickest on the soles of the feet) depending on how it is used, and can become sticky and stiff through lack of use. Fascia comprises mainly water (stored as a gel-like substance) and collagen. Some people suffer too much mobility in their fascia and can damage joints and tendons easily as a result of instability (hypermobility). Healthy fascia allows us to sail along effortlessly walking for hours at a time. With correct use, fascia also enables us to throw, rotate, bounce, run and jump without overtiring our muscles or jarring ourselves.
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Restorative Treatment
Fascia responds very well to massage, particularly, when following an assessment of the individual, with an understanding of posture and how the fascia feels. Because of the high connectivity of fascia, you may benefit from a release in a stiff pain-free area of the fascia in order to relieve pain elsewhere in the body. For example, tight fascia under the arm, could be restricting arm movement, making the shoulder hurt.
In the photo, tension was released in the fascia between the shoulders, bringing relief from pain and stiffness, and the area is red, showing an increase of blood flow and hydration. Moving and stretching the fascia can act like a sponge, squeezing out toxins and enabling fresh hydration to the area. Obviously, some areas don't get enough movement and a massage incorporating fascial release can be a big help.
In the photo, tension was released in the fascia between the shoulders, bringing relief from pain and stiffness, and the area is red, showing an increase of blood flow and hydration. Moving and stretching the fascia can act like a sponge, squeezing out toxins and enabling fresh hydration to the area. Obviously, some areas don't get enough movement and a massage incorporating fascial release can be a big help.
Regular maintenance
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At Shropshire Massage the problems that inhibit recovery will be addressed and healthy goals for recovery will be worked on.
Once the problems have been alleviated, why not consider a regular 'maintenance' massage to prevent and treat niggles before they become a problem? Many of my clients now book a regular maintenance massage which allows me to identify potential problems early on, and then work with my client to prevent future injury. |
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Heather Smith, PhD, ISRM (Dip)
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Based from my clinic in Pant, near Oswestry in Shropshire and just over the border from Powys, I'm ideally located off main arterial routes for consultations, one-off or regular treatments of remedial massage, sports massage, soft-tissue therapy treatments and as you need. Please contact me for more information or to book a consultation or treatment. |