05 Apr Fascia: The Body’s Overachiever
Kerry is offering a 4 week series “Fascia Fridays: Self Myofascial Release and Listening to your Fascia” at Be Moved Studio beginning April7th. Please register here!
Fascia: The Body’s Overachiever
Fascia is quite the buzzword as of late and rightfully so, but what is it exactly?
Simply put, fascia is a connective tissue that envelops all muscles, organs, vessels and nerves. It
connects the whole body, gives us our structure and creates our posture.
Until recently, fascia was merely known as the touch stuff anatomists cut through when studying the
human body (much like layers of plastic wrap.). Now we understand that fascia is a highly-organized
matrix of collagen fibers suspended in a gel-like ground substance. When healthy, these fibers
balance stability with flexibility.
Where It Goes Wrong (Or Too Right)
The nature of fascia is to thicken and harden under chronic strain or injury to provide extra stability to
vulnerable structures. Similarly, fascia adapts to held postures, such as slouching at the computer or
looking down at our phone. It mirrors the way we hold ourselves, thickening in areas where we are
out of alignment with gravity.
Fascia is very good at its job – often too good. Rigidly bound fascia becomes dehydrated, inflexible,
causing pain and reduced range of motion. It can put immense pressure on the areas it envelops, as
much as 2,000 pounds per square inch – ouch!
Myofascial Release To The Rescue
Myofascial release (MFR) therapy uses our body’s natural processes to promote fascial restructuring
and restore hydration and flexibility. Gentle, sustained pressure into restricted fascia triggers a neuro-
chemical response that increases blood flow, reduces inflammation and elongates tissues.
No two MFR sessions are the same. There are common fascial restriction patterns, but ultimately
your fascia is the unique architectural story of you. A session will often start at “where it hurts” and
lead to unexpected places. Fascia connects your whole body, and like a snag in your favorite
sweater, a pull in one corner may cause a pull in another.
To find a myofascial release therapist near you, visit mfrtherapist.com.
Supporting Your Fascia
● Bring awareness of how you hold your body in stillness. The way you hold your body most
of the time will be reinforced by your fascia.
● Our bodies are designed to move, not to sit. Find time everyday and throughout the day for
gentle movement.
● Yin Yoga, Restorative Yoga, or any class setting where gentle stretches are held for long
durations supports the health of your fascia.
Kerry Hagner is a massage therapist and yoga teacher in Lawrence, KS who specializes in
myofascial release. She is a member of Kinetikos Bodywork Therapy at Vitality Health Collective and teacher at Be Moved Studio.
Her website is www.surefootingbodywork.com.
previously published on Kansas Womens Lifestyle