What is Fascia?

We know the whole body is connected. But what does that mean to you and I?

According to Tom Meyers, founder of Anatomy Trains, the myofascia (muscle + fascia) can be viewed as a specialized body system of 12 myofascial meridian chains.

Fascia is a continuous connective tissue structure that runs from head to toe without any interruption. Every part of our entire body is connected to every other part by the fascia, like the yarn in a garment. Fascia appears similar to a spider’s web and is densely woven, covering and often permeating every muscle, bone, nerve, artery and vein, as well as, all of our internal organs including the heart, lungs, brain and spinal cord.

Myofascial restrictions and holding patterns from trauma, scar tissue, post-surgical scars, impact injuries, inflammatory responses, and repetitive myofascial strain can produce tensile pressures of approximately 2,000 pounds per square inch on pain-sensitive structures that do not show up in many of the standard tests (x-rays, myelograms, CAT scans, electromyography, etc.) A high percentage of people suffering with pain and/or lack of motion may be having fascial problems, but are not diagnosed.

At One Massage we assess patterns of tension in these twelve myofascial lines that contribute to chronic pain. Identifying patterns in the body’s structure is necessary to properly address challenges in soft tissue that increasingly contributes to our significant nationwide escalation of chronic pain.