fascia

Fascia - eminence based practice

please share your discovery and application of techniques that you use in your practice

what works for you what doesnt and what are the pros and cons

i use thai massage to soften muscle/ fascia. i have found it is an excellent technique to initiate treatment as it is comfortable for the patient which helps build bettter rapport. the technique involves knowledge of acupressure points and meridian lines. i also apply this technique along the myofascial slings as descibed by tom myers. technique is important to apply the pressure properly about joints. physio Atit is doing some interesting studies in thailand on the effectiveness of this technique so check it out

Fascia is strong connective tissue which performs a number of functions, including enveloping and isolating the muscles of the body, providing structural support and protection. Fascia is a very important part of the body, and it has three layers, starting with the superficial fascia directly under the skin and ending with subserous fascia.

Fascial stretching is one of the technique which is beneficial for muscle growth, by stretching muscle under specific condition, helps fascia to stretch which is thus beneficial in proper growth of muscles, the most effective fascial stretching is pumping, which is the best way to grow your muscle.

Thanks
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Fascia functions as the body's second line of defense against pathogenic agents and infections after the skin. After injury, it is the fascia that creates an environment for tissue repair. Fascia is thin, but very fibrous and strong. Anyone who has skinned chicken breasts or trimmed meat has encountered fascia.

i have found that an easy way to release fascia is to palpate along a fascial plane until you find a blockage (taut band of fascia). then mobilise the vertebral segment that relates to its segmental orgin in order to release the noxious stimulus that is causing the blockage. you know when you have found the blockage when the blockage will cause limitation in AROM, compensation patterns in the movement and also weakness with motion. they may also refer pain similar to trigger points.

the idea is based on the release of substance P (noxious stimuli) from an irritated nerve to its nerve endings into the fascial tissue (inflammation) causes a local smooth muscle like contraction.

remove the noxious stimuli by settling down the irritated nerve and the inflammation subsides relaxing teh fascia.

I found some good fascia stretches and strengthening exercises within Mavenlive.

to better release the fascial planes. i have found that the way you apply pressure is important to encourage the tissue to release under the tips of your fingers.

the first point is be aware of the sensation under the tips of the fingers; when you push soft tissue, the soft tissue should move out the way unless you are palpating at junctions that connect superficial and deep connnective tissue planes such as the creases in your hands, if it doesnt it wil feel stuck and needs to be released

the second point; dont push too hard because the soft tissue will elicit a protective reflex that will cause more tightness instead of release

the third point; the compartments of fascia form bags and respond better to torque created through twists of the wrist rather than direct p/a pressure imagine a ballon what happens when you poke it a divot is formed only where you apply pressure but what happens when you twist the balloon the balloon lengthens and distorts the shape without too much pressure in one spot

fourth point; it takes time, you wil feel an initial relaxation of the tissue and feel a new barrier this usually does not take long less than a few minutes it is important to maintain pressure at the new barrier to elicit further relaxation of the connective tissue if you do not yo will only have short term improvements

the fifth point; try releasing about the edges of a muscle belly rather than on the muscle belly i have found this also proved better relaxation of tissue

the final point: release with movement to consolidate the therapeutic effects.

to summarise the above follow the FITT principles the frequency should be multiple contacts in one session and the intesity should be light to moderate going to the barrier only never through it. the time is important short term changes could be explained by neural processes and longer term changes can be explained by structrual pocesses. the type of pressure is important torque about the muscle rather than direct pressure elicits better relaxation and focus the pressure about the tissue not through it. apply movement with the release.

it is the fascia that creates an environment for tissue repair. Fascia is thin