Fascia is What Keeps Us Together
Fascia is the thin layer that covers our muscles, organs and bones. Like saran wrap, this covering was once thought be just that, a flimsy shell that did not do very much.
When Dr. Jim and I were in the Anatomy Dissection Lab at Chiropractic College, we actually cut through the pushed aside fascia to delve deeper into the more “interesting” stuff like blood vessels, nerves, bones and muscles. Back then, this is where the importance was put when studying the movement of the body. Fast forward to today and the focus has shifted.
Fascia Plays An Important Role In Our Body
We now know that the fascia has a much more important role. Not only does it create pockets to hold our organs and muscles, but it forms an entire system that meshes with and becomes part of the outer layer the bones, tendons and ligaments connecting us from the tip of our toes to the covering of our skull – in one continuous piece – so, your hip bone really is connected to your thigh bone.
We also now know that tension is created in the fascia with movement of our body. It is this tension that helps coordinate our movements. When the knee bends and pulls on the fascia, the foot and hip are also pulled into movement to make the full action happen.
How Many Layers of Fascia Are There?
There are two layers of fascia which need to move on each other. Hyaluronic acid is the lubricant that allows this movement to happen. The hyaluronic acids attracts water molecules in the area which helps keep it plump and springy (yet another reason to make sure you are drinking enough water). When there is an injury to an area of the body, the fascia can become damaged and is no longer able to slide and/or glide easily. Overuse, repetitive strain, trauma and even surgery and scars can cause damage to the fascia.
Why Should I Consider Fascial Therapy?
Without the sliding and gliding, the layers tend to stick together, and the hyaluronic acid gets stiff (like old glue drying out). If not treated properly, this injured area and stiffness will change the surrounding areas and cause you to move differently. The tissue can act like two pieces of tape stuck together. Think about how sometimes when you get up in the morning it takes a few steps before you feel like you can move easily.
Symptoms of Fascia Problems:
- feel pain when turning over in bed or putting on your socks
- feel clumsy
- have chronic pain, low level pain that doesn’t go away even with other treatments.
- experience a general loss of flexibility
- if you feel like an injury has taken longer to heal than you think it should.
How Corbett Family Chiropractic Can Help With Fascial Problems
Through the Graston Technique for soft tissue and Myofascial Manipulation, we are able to detect the areas of dysfunction and treat the source of the problem. Treatment helps stimulate the production of collagen in the tissue, helps revive the hyaluronic acid and restore the slide and glide of the fascia.
Interested in more information? Have questions? Call or get in touch with Corbett Family Chiropractic today! We’re conveniently located in downtown Burlington, Ontario and we welcome walk-ins!
