The fascia is a spatial structure made of connective tissue that supports and protects muscles and their entire groups. Fascial dysfunction can cause pain and other unpleasant symptoms. Find out what the fascia is for, how it is built and what are the most effective forms of fascia therapy.
Fascia(Latinfascia ) is designed to create a specific scaffolding for muscles and internal organs. The latest scientific reports suggest that the fascia is not only a passive "envelope" for organs, but an active tissue that performs a number of important functions.
Fascia: construction
The anatomical division distinguishes 3 basic layers of the fascia:
- superficial fascia, which is one of the layers of the subcutaneous tissue
- deep fascia surrounding muscle groups and dividing them into subunits
- visceral fascia around internal organs
The microscopic structure of the fascia is closely related to its function. The huge amount of collagen and elastin fibers gives it adequate elasticity and strength, thanks to which the fascia can act as a support for other organs and is resistant to damage.
It was also discovered relatively recently that the fascia structures contain numerous blood vessels and nerve endings.
These properties suggest that the fascia is an important organ of communication between the body's cells, as well as proprioreception, i.e. deep feeling (this type of feeling allows us to determine the position of our limbs without looking at them).
Fascia: functions
- Support fascia function
The fascia is a scaffold for muscles and internal organs and determines their correct location. By tightening or stretching individual parts of the fascia, it is possible to activate entire muscle groups, while relaxing the opposing muscles. The fascia is also a key organ for balance.
- Protective fascia function
The fascia plates are separated from each other by a thin layer of fluid containing large amounts of hyaluronic acid. This substance reduces friction and allows slip, which is a condition for the proper functioning of the muscles. Due to the flexible fibers of the fascia, it is capable oftransfer of mechanical energy, and thus protects the entire body against injuries.
- Communication fascia function
As mentioned earlier, numerous nerve fibers and blood vessels run through the fascia. For this reason, fascia allows the transport of substances between tissues, as well as the reception and transmission of stimuli between them. The rich innervation of the fascia also makes it a source of pain sensations.
Fascial Disorders
- Fascia injuries
Fibrinous exudate occurs in response to mechanical trauma or fascia damage, such as during surgery. A fiber is a substance that has the task of repairing a damaged surface. This is similar to the scarring process. The damaged tissue, unfortunately, does not fully recover to the state it was from before the injury.
The fascia repair process can cause fibrosis and increased stiffness. Often there are also adhesions. The low flexibility of the fascia can cause difficulty in movement and restriction of organ mobility.
- Contracture of the fascia
Contracture is one of the most common disorders of the fascia. There are many theories about their causes.
In some types of contractures, genetic predisposition is important, in others the role of microtraumas and overlapping overloads of specific parts of the fascia are emphasized.
Contractures most often affect the deep fascia because it contains fewer elastic fibers than the superficial fascia. Generalized fascial contractures are often associated with daily living habits.
Spending many hours in a sitting position, incorrect posture, and lack of physical activity cause chronic muscle tension, and thus also of the fasciae.
Excessively tense fascia protects itself by generating pain stimuli. In extreme situations, as in the case of injuries, the formation of adhesions within the fascia may occur, which results in a further increase in tension and, consequently, pain.
Some types of fascial contractures have been listed in the literature as separate disease entities. These include, among others:
- Dupuytren's contracture, involving the fascia. It results in a permanent flexion contracture of the fingers. The disease is progressive and may run in families.
- Fascial Division Syndrome (ZCPP), most common in athletes. The increase in pressure within the fascia compartments during exercise causes a local disruption of blood supply to the muscles, resulting in severe pain and pain.the necessity to stop the effort
- Fascial infections
Infections within the body can spread through continuity and affect other organs, including the fascia.
Pleurisy, pericarditis and peritonitis are very serious conditions, usually requiring hospitalization.
One of the most severe forms of fasciitis is necrotizing fasciitis (NF). It is a rare, but very serious infection of the superficial fascia, which can spread rapidly and affect its fragments. Rapid surgical intervention is the most effective treatment for necrotizing fasciitis. Unfortunately, patients often suffer from numerous complications, and the mortality rate in this disease is as high as 30%.
- Genetic diseases
As mentioned earlier, one of the most important building blocks of fascia is collagen fibers. Each genetic disease that impairs the process of collagen formation also results in pathology and weakening of the fascia.
Congenital diseases of the connective tissue, such as Marfan syndrome or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, are complex diseases of the entire body. Abnormal collagen structure results in decreased resistance of the fascia, excessive mobility within the joints and numerous organ complications.
- Autoimmune diseases
Autoimmune connective tissue diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and dermatomyositis are characterized by relatively frequent involvement of the myofascial system.
It is now believed that patient-reported muscle pains may actually originate from the fascia. Research shows that when faced with inflammation, the number of pain receptors in the fascia increases and the fascia can act as a 'pain generator'.
Fascia therapy
- Fascia exercises
In order to prevent contractures of the fascia, it is worth taking care of alternating tensioning and stretching of its individual fragments. The easiest way to do this is through physical activity that involves multiple muscle groups. Spending many hours at a desk creates a high risk of tension and adhesions within the fascia. Remember to break your work for a few minutes, keep your muscles moving and relax the fascia.
- Fascia diet
The fascia is made of connective tissue. Make sure you are adequately hydrated to ensure that it functions properly. It is also worth taking care of the right amount of collagen in the diet. We will find him, among others injellies, gelatin and meat offal. We should also remember that vitamin C and vitamin E are necessary for the synthesis of collagen.
- Fascia stretching
Muscle stretching exercises are a great way to stretch your fascia. They should be done slowly and carefully, staying in each position for a minimum of a few minutes. A very beneficial practice in terms of stretching the fascia is rolling with the use of special devices such as rollers and balls.
There is currently a lot of research on the effectiveness of fascia roll. Preliminary results indicate that rolling improves the flexibility of the fascia, reduces its tension and increases muscle endurance.
- Fascia massage
Fascia rolling belongs to massage techniques, specifically the so-called SMR (self-myofascial release), i.e. independent fascial massage.
In the case of severe fascia contractures or chronic pain syndromes, it is worth asking an experienced physiotherapist for advice, who will identify the problem and select the appropriate massage technique.
About the author
Krzysztof BialaziteA medical student at Collegium Medicum in Krakow, slowly entering the world of constant challenges of the doctor's work. She is particularly interested in gynecology and obstetrics, paediatrics and lifestyle medicine. A lover of foreign languages, travel and mountain hiking.
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