I felt led to go back to the beginning, so to speak and talk about our fascia and the healing art of myofascial release that filled me with enough passion to even start this business. If you keep reading, there is a video showing our fascial system as well as a message from me!
Fascia
Fascia is a specialized system of the body that has an appearance similar to a spider’s web or a sweater. Fascia is very densely woven, covering and interpenetrating every muscle, bone, nerve, artery and vein, as well as, all of our internal organs including the heart, lungs, brain and spinal cord. The most interesting aspect of the fascial system is that it is not just a system of separate coverings. It is actually one continuous structure that exists from head to toe without interruption. In this way you can begin to see that each part of the entire body is connected to every other part by the fascia, like the yarn in a sweater. It is thought that an extremely high percentage of people suffering with pain and/or lack of motion may be having fascial problems, but most go undiagnosed.
The study of fascia and it’s function has been largely neglected and ignored for many years. Fascia is not seen on standard diagnostic tests, such as an MRI or X-ray. Fascia provides the environment for all of our nearly 37 trillion cells and is responsible for critical elements, such as providing structural integrity, support, protection, and shock absorption throughout our bodies. Almost more importantly, fluid sits in that system and surrounds and fills every cell. Inflammation causes that fluid to thicken and eventually solidify which affects mobility and cell’s ability to communicate with each other and get nutrition they need.Â
Fascia plays an important role in the support and function of our bodies, since it surrounds and attaches to all structures. In the normal healthy state, the fascia is relaxed and wavy in configuration. It has the ability to stretch and move without restriction.
When one experiences physical trauma, emotional trauma, scarring, or inflammation, however, the fascia loses its pliability. It becomes tight, restricted, and a source of tension to the entire body, producing approximately 2,000 pounds per square inch on pain sensitive structures. Trauma, such as a fall, car accident, whiplash, surgery or just habitual poor posture and repetitive stress injuries has cumulative effects on the body. Fascial restrictions affect our flexibility and stability, and are a determining factor in our ability to withstand stress and perform daily activities
Myofascial Release is the art of realigning your fascia and restoring fluidity to the body. We do this by sinking into an area and waiting for the body to shift. It is critical that we create a safe space so that the body feels able to let go.
We look for areas that are hot, hard, tender or not moving. We never force or lead. This helps to undo holding patterns and the bracing that comes from our protective responses with traumas or falls.
Unwinding and Rebounding are the other 2 critical pillars of fascial release beside the structural releases and often occur during sessions.
This work can also facilitate thawing or shaking that is literally the resolution of the freeze response. Anyway, this has become quite long so thank you if you actually read it all and listened to the message from me. I’d really love to hear about some of your best moments. A client this week sent this to me:
“I just trained legs and felt so good and wanted to let you know!
I did split squats, abductor machine, squats and hamstring curls and felt like night and day!  I really focused on breathing and not clenching muscles. I know we have been doing a lot of internal work and it’s amazing to see it reflected in these movement and motions on the external level as I used to feel strain and pulling!! I AM SO EXCITED and happy about the tremendous amount of progress I feel inside and out. You are truly a magic worker. For so long I have been seeking out body workers, PTs, chiropractic’s, massage therapists, acupuncture, cupping, reiki, and haven’t felt this much relief and fluidity in my body on a physical and energetic level. The medicine I didn’t know I needed. It is all so connected and by divine intervention I know it’s where I am supposed to be. So grateful to have connected and crossed paths!”
‘d love to hear your stories and where you’ve found healing on your journey! Please know that I’m always here, even as we go through so much transition. I appreciate the grace and understanding so many of you have expressed and I pray you believe I will always do my best to only bring genuine healers into the space to serve you!
Blessings,
Amy
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