SOFT TISSUE THERAPY

 WHAT IS FASCIA?

Fascia is a thin sheath of fibrous tissue that encloses a muscle, group of muscles, blood vessels, and nerves.  While fascia connects different structures and sometimes different regions of the body (see Anatomy Trains), it also allows those structures to move smoothly along and over one another.  The more that fascia is studied, the more we realize the intricacy of its framework and just how deeply it is rooted within us to coordinate every structure of the body.  What we do know is that fascia transmits movement from muscles to bones, provides structural support, and may function as our largest proprioceptive sensory organ.

WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT?

Having some kind of role in every movement and function our bodies perform is reason enough to draw attention, but what most still don't understand is that fascia may be why they have been experiencing pain in various areas of the body for extended periods.  Fascia can explain why a person's neck pain can eventually turn into knee or even foot pain, because fascia is one long, elaborate, densely packed fibrous network.  To solidify this thought, think about what happens to a sweater when you snag a single piece of it; if you pull hard enough, the whole sweater gets distorted.  This is what happens when fascia is damaged: the body responds with altered movement, decreased function, and loss of flexibility between layers of fascia and muscle due to adhesion formation.  

WHAT ARE ADHESIONS?

Adhesions are basically a ‘tangle’ or a sticking together of layers of muscle and fascia.  This ‘tangle’ distorts movement, decreases range of motion, and slows the body's greatest sensory organ.  The best analogy I can provide is running a comb through perfectly straight hair, and then through tangled hair.  Tangled hair has strands of different lengths that distort where one begins and ends.  While tangled hair may not be painful, adhesions within the fascial network are; until they are addressed, the fascia can't move and rehydrate, maintaining a restricted motion pattern that allows pain to persist.  

TECHNIQUES USED TO 'RELEASE' ADHESIONS:

At Revive Sport & Spine, we use many different techniques to release these adhesions, reduce pain, and restore range of motion.  This release can be accomplished through active stretching and release methods, tool-assisted techniques, dynamic cupping therapy, as well as some forms of self-myofascial release techniques that are often taught to patients to help maintain motion when away from the office.   Myofascial treatment can also be uncomfortable at times.  Some adhesions require more pressure or more repetitions to release, but once the treatment is complete and the tissue has healed, the restored pain-free motion will balance the discomfort.