Fascia is a thin casing of connective tissue that surrounds and holds every organ, blood vessel, bone, nerve fibre and muscle in place. The tissue does more than provide internal structure; fascia has nerves that make it almost as sensitive as skin. When stressed, it tightens up.
It is important because consequently flexible structures able to resist great unidirectional tension forces until the wavy pattern of fibres has been straightened out by the pulling force. These collagen fibres are produced by the fibroblasts located within the fascia
Anatomical Structure: A fascia is a layer of fibrous tissue. It fascia is a structure of connective tissue that surrounds muscles, groups of muscles, blood vessels, and nerves, binding some structures together, while permitting others to slide smoothly over each other. Like ligaments, aponeuroses, and tendons, fasciae are dense regular connective tissues, containing closely packed bundles of collagen fibres oriented in a wavy pattern parallel to the direction of pull.
Myofascial Release with a Physiotherapist or sports therapist?
It is a combination of light stretching and massage to release muscle tension and break up scar tissue. The physiotherapist will apply moderate traction and twisting techniques in combination with gentle stretching to achieve muscle relaxation.
How does Myofascial help?
The technique is used to lengthen and allow muscle to relax, also helps to break up scar tissue that can be formed from tense, overused, or injured muscles.
It can also prevent injury occurring by maintaining strength, flexibility and range of movement.
What causes unhealthy fascia:
Sedentary lifestyle, Bad posture, Dehydration, Overusing or over-training muscles causing injuries, Unhealthy eating habits, Poor sleep quality, Stress.
Benefits
Muscle injuries, muscle spasms, Contractures, Carpal tunnel Syndrome, Arthritis, Whiplash, Fibromyalgia.
By Vidushi Tiwari, Chartered Physiotherapist
