• Continuous three-dimensional spider web-like mesh: This means that it’s a single piece of fabric, it doesn’t divide. This is key in understanding pain, postural patterns and movement dynamics. The fact that it doesn’t divide means that restrictions in one area of our body can show consequences in a completely different area. It’s the job of the skilful therapist figuring out where the issue might be. This involves a whole body approach treatment approach where usually several structures must be addressed.

• Contains nerve endings/It’s the largest sensory organ in the body: More nerve endings than the skin! This makes the fascia incredibly sensitive and responsive, in constant communication with the brain/nervous system. These nerve endings or receptors have different functions, some respond to pressure changes (like posture), some to chemical changes (like hormones) some are there for proprioceptive or interoceptive feedback (communicating to our brain how we feel internally). This means that there’s a two way communication system, brain-to-fascia (body) and fascia-to-brain (mind). For this reason, the unhappier the fascia is the harder our life is both physically and mentally, the unhappier our mind is the unhappier the facia is (perpetuating the cycle). This is how we explain scientifically how stress directly impacts the body and how (the other way around) myofascial tension can also perpetuate the cycle of stress.

• It adapts to pressure changes/habits, it’s an ever changing plastic organ: The fascia can change its structure based on how we use our body. Repetitive movements, habitual postures, and injury patterns can create lasting restrictions most of which go unnoticed for a lifetime. Take a walk by Brighton & Hove seafront and watch people walk or run! You’ll notice all sorts of twists and funny habits developed by their bodies in an attempt of adapting so that they can carry on walking or running! These movement habits are necessary adaptations of their myofascial system but they show dysfunction, exposing the system to injury, increased wear and tear and pain. Good news are, same way the fascia adapted to these bad habits it can adapt to good ones as well; these postural and movement patterns can be corrected with the appropriate treatment and training.

• It likes to be looked after: It requires time and dedication as well as good healthy habits, good diet/hydration, good sleep, good grounding, good mental health etc.

• It’s highly responsive to manual therapy: The fascia responds remarkably well to treatment. Different receptors respond to different kinds of touch. Some to steady and gentle sustained pressure, others to a feather-like touch. This is why myofascial release therapy is so effective – the therapist locates restrictions, communicate with the fascial tissue through appropriate technique and the fascia releases.

• Fascia can store and release elastic energy: Like a spring, healthy fascia can capture mechanical energy during movement, this stored energy is then released during the movement return phase adding extra power and efficiency without requiring additional muscular effort, a much more effective way of movement. This is a mine gold for athletes looking to increase their performance but also for everyone else! Everyone would choose feeling incredible and light over feeling heavy and constantly tired because the fascia is sleeping in the laurels. A functional body functioning on elastic energy is way less prone to injury! Studies show that the fascial system’s ability to store and return elastic energy reduces the metabolic cost of movement and decreases stress on muscles and joints. When this system functions properly, forces are distributed more evenly throughout the body, reducing localised strain that can lead to injury.

If you read through the previous 6 points you can probably imagine the huge benefits associated with Myofascial Release