Often in the study of physiology, we ignore the tissue that performs the most important function in the work of our body – holding parts of our body together. The author of the theory of anatomical trains, Tom Myers calls the fascia "Cinderella"; among the tissues of the human body. At the same time, less attention is paid to it, unlike other tissues of the body. Meanwhile, by examining the fascia, it is possible to achieve an objective understanding and functioning of the body and maintain health throughout life.
4 Surprising Facts About Fascial Tissue
Fact 1. Everything that is learned about muscles – erroneous
Myers notes that the familiar illustration of red muscles on the human body actually shows a body from which fascial tissue has been cut. In fact, everything does not look like that at all, but thanks to this image, the process of studying muscles is greatly simplified.
In fact, it is not muscles that are attached to the bones, but fascia. The muscles are enveloped by fascia inside and out, the fascia outside and from the middle of the muscle is twisted into a tendon.
When creating movement, the brain does not refer to individual muscles at all, but to large fascial networks and individual motor neurons.
Fact 2. Fascia – more than just wrapping material
Fascia is not just a "wrap material", it is a living, biological tissue that is responsible for the distribution of load and the direction of movement in the body. In addition, she is able to react and remodel at the moment of changing the forces applied to the body.
So far, it has not been possible to find out exactly how the network that envelops the entire body is capable of transmitting information within its structure. One option proposed by Helen Langevin indicates that the fascial network corresponds to a map of acupuncture points and meridians. In this case, it is possible to achieve changes at the cellular level by influencing these points. A similar effect is achieved during yoga, massage and physiotherapy.
Fact 3: Redefining Chronic Pain
The fascial tissue may lose its elasticity, become stiff and inactive due to the following factors:
- regular stress;
- experienced traumas;
- poor posture;
- emotional trauma.
Thus, the body is stabilized during the period during the period of injury, thereby causing constant tension and deformation of the body.
This process can be described by taking as an example the silk suit you are wearing. If you pull on one of the edges of the suit, the tension will be felt throughout the product, which will cause discomfort. Similarly, fascial tension patterns spread throughout the body, so they affect the entire body as well. This phenomenon – the cause of such chronic pains as rheumatic pains, lower back pains, migraines.
In this regard, it is the techniques of working with the body that affect precisely the fascial tissue that can be called more effective. The effects of exercises that focus only on muscle or skeletal work are usually short-lived.
Fact 4. A new look at fitness
While we think about training only in terms of building muscle mass and increasing cardiovascular endurance, we ignore such an important fascia at our peril.
So, if you keep your fascial tissue in good shape, you will not only be able to train more efficiently, but also keep your body functioning at the proper level throughout your life.
For example, if you limit your workouts to exercise machines, such exercises can only train the muscles, while completely ignoring the fascial tissue.
Myers advises choosing activities that have a variety of directions of movement and load, so you will be able to create a balanced body stability.
Hatha yoga asanasyoga are ideal for working with fascial tissue. These activities contribute to the study of long chains of fascial tissue in various directions. In addition, yoga can provide an effective systemic full body workout.
Remember, excessive or repetitive loads cause fascial fibers to stick together and cause injury
Add a comment