The Real Science Behind Fascia Ailments
Apparently mainstream media, CNN in this case, is paying attention to fascia which I think is awesome. This kind of publicity for the tissue in the body that historically has been shuffled under the rug in the interest of studying the rest of the human organism. I find it adorable that they refer to fascia as “new” when we’ve been talking about it for a very long time. I mean Ida Rolf began discussing this work as a technique for changing fascia in the 1950’s. I come across this when new clients see me at times, they are so excited about this “new” therapy called Structural Integration. While I’m happy they found me, I also give them a brief history of the work that reaches back much further than they may have realized.
A shot out to my dad for sending me this article, thank Dad!
“Most of you have probably never heard of fascia, or if you have, it may be in the context of “blasting” it to treat cellulite. But talking about fascia has become trendy recently, and not only in the context of looking better in your swimsuit. A Google search returns more than 79 million hits for the term, and there is even a conference, now in its fifth year, that is entirely devoted to fascia research.
What is fascia?
According to Stedman’s Medical Dictionary, fascia is “a sheet of fibrous tissue that envelops the body beneath the skin; it also encloses muscles and groups of muscles and separates their several layers or groups.”
But this definition is incomplete. Fascia can actually be classified into four types, each with different properties, functions and characteristics. The superficial fascia surrounds the body and includes subcutaneous fat; the deep fascia surrounds the musculoskeletal system; the meningeal fascia surrounds the nervous system; the visceral fascia surrounds body cavities and organs.
In mainstream medicine, fascia is rarely considered in isolation as the cause of chronic pain disorders. One exception is plantar fasciitis, a painful and relatively common condition in which the fascia that is responsible for maintaining the arch in your foot is inflamed. The inflammation is directly attributed to a stiffening and a decrease in the flexibility of the fascia, according to orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine physician Dr. Shabi Khan.
The Mayo Clinic references fascia when describing myofascial pain syndrome (“myo” is short for muscle), but according to Khan, there is “little sophisticated knowledge in terms of the functionality or treatment of problems with the fascia,” and “when compared with the muscle and tendon structure, fascia has a much less dynamic role.” He does note that fascia, like most connective tissue in the body, stiffens with age, overuse and injury. The direct role of fascial changes in causing pain and structural changes in conditions such as chronic lower back pain, headaches and cellulite is less clear.
Some body work practitioners including massage therapists, osteopaths, Rolfers, craniosacral therapists and physical therapists claim that fascial restrictions (essentially tightening) — caused by injury, inflammation, trauma, disuse, overuse, misuse or abuse — play an important role in contributing to the pain associated with a wide array of conditions including migraines, fibromyalgia, headaches, lower back pain and women’s health issues…”
Read the full article here.
Liberated Body
I found this podcast a bit late. By that I mean Brooke Thomas has somewhat recently stopped creating new episodes. But there’s an archive of episodes that I think are quite a collection of gems. Brooke is a Rolfer® who works out of New Haven, CT and this series of audio interviews and musings is […]
Rolfing, Cryotherapy, DNA testing: four new wellbeing trends
Move over massage, it’s time to welcome Rolfing. Developed in the 1950s this is a hands-on process used for the treatment of injuries and chronic pain.
Fascia: The Secret Organ
I help people see that when they hold stress from overwork, physical and emotional behavior patterns, repetitive strain, and even trauma, it is transmitted to the body. You can see it, whether it’s a compressed diaphragm, hunched and sloping shoulders, or thickness through the upper thighs. When I help clients release those stresses, I can empower them to heal the deeper issues that manifest themselves as physical symptoms.
Foam Roller Video
This video shows a simple and superficial way to use the foam roller on a number of areas. This quick rolling technique is good for superficial muscles.
The Perfect Sleep Position
Okay, so there is no perfect sleep position for everyone. We can each attempt to find our own perfect position though through trial and error. Here is an article in the Wall Street Journal that seeks to help you do just that. Most of the information is pretty good, give it a look and see […]
What is Rolfing – and can it fix my running injuries?
Rolfing is slightly different from each of these methods, in that a practitioner can actually lift up and move the myofascial layer back into its correct place, as well as helping to flush out waste products, as any tough massage might.
Moving X-Ray Shows Joint Movement
These x-rays of joints in motion are really cool. It shows the proper function Structural Integration seeks to promote.
How a Mysterious Body Part Called Fascia Is Challenging Medicine
The scientific community has developed an interest in fascia research as of late. Rolf Structural Integration works primarily with fascia, how will this research relate?
Structural Integration Can Be Emotional… in a good way.
In my early 20s, I went through Rolfing, a form of deep-tissue bodywork, and I nervously anticipated the fifth session, the one that goes deep into the belly. But instead of gobs of repressed emotional pain, what poured out was love…
Rolfing Structural Integration for a Shoulder Injury
Competitive swimmer Hilary MacGregor hurt her shoulder. While she received some relief from more traditional therapies she wasn’t pain free until she tried Rolfing Structural Integration.
Harvard Study – Structural Integration for Low Back Pain
We have been presented with a rare opportunity to have an amazing study done in regards to Structural Integration and its effect on low back pain. Unfortunately the study has run out of money and needs a cash injection to continue on. We are close to our goal and any support you could give would be enormously helpful.
Rolfing Structural Integration 10 Series Testimonial
“Rolfing isn’t like any other bodywork modality I have experienced before. The sensations are totally new, interesting, strange, and enjoyably intense.”
Deadly Issues That No One Ever Told You About Sitting
We all know the pains of sitting for too long and many of us do this every day. Whether it be at work for hours on end or long commutes, the fallout can range from stiff and sore to chronically debilitating. But new research suggests that the negative effects can go much deeper than these more obvious issues.
Understanding Your Fascia
Ida Rolf, who created Rolf Structural Integration, has been speaking about the importance of and creating change within the body’s fascia since the 50’s. Mainstream science is finally catching up to her.
Rolfing Testimonial – Pro Football Player
The Seattle Seahawks Golden Tate praises Rolfing in this video testimonial. Rolfing, good training and diet keep him healthy and feeling fresh throughout the football season.
Rolfer Helps Seattle Seahawks Football Players
Tate, from the Seattle Seahawks football team, vouched for what Rolfing has done for his body. “I feel like I benefitted from it after just having one session,” Tate said…
Rolf Structural Integration Helps Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
This woman avoided surgery by using Rolf Structural Integration. She had been diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome and didn’t realize she had alternatives.
Rolfing Structural Integration Helps Professional Hockey Player
Rolfing Structural Integration is helpful for all walks of life. People who are serious athletes especially can be helped by the work. Structural Integration helps to break down unnecessary scar tissue from past injuries or surgeries. Check out this hockey players experience: “After Mark hurt his back playing hockey for the Philadelphia Flyers in 1990, […]
Why Are You Holding Your Breath?
This is a blog post from a colleague of mine Buffy Owens. She practices the Feldenkrais Method in upstate New York. If you’re ever in the area check her out, she’s great at what she does. – – – – Have you ever wondered why you hold your breath when doing something new? We often […]
