Dr François Bouchard, chiropractor, offers us some thoughts on the subject - source Foodspring.fr
Here is an article I realy enjoyed reading explaining what fascias are, their role, etc. Enjoy ! :)
* * *
Have you ever removed the white, stringy membrane from a piece of turkey you were about to cook? Well, that fibrous membrane is what we call fascia.
This translucent, very thin, milky white piece of skin doesn't look like much at first glance. The fascia is composed of connective tissue, collagen fibers, water, proteoglycans (water-retaining protein) and elastin (resistant elastic protein). It is only 0.5 to 3 millimeters thick. Together, they support your entire body: muscles, organs, bones, tensors, optic nerves, your brain... Without these thin membranes, your body would simply fall apart.
There are three groups of fascia:
Superficial fascias: part of the subcutaneous tissue. They connect organs and tissues, envelop blood vessels, nerves, glands. They conserve water and fat.
The deep fascias: which are the thickest fascias of all. They support muscles, bones and joints. The deep fascias react to stimuli caused by emotions and are nicknamed the "6th sense organ".
Visceral fascias: which hold up each organ by surrounding them with protective tissue.
In short:
This entire network of fascia envelops every part of your body, from the nervous system to the organs. Without fascia, we could not move.
Roles and functions
Fascias have different body functions. Here are some of them:
Separative function: they are responsible for separating muscles from organs and tissues from bones. They also prevent friction between each muscle.
Force carrier: they are responsible for transporting the force from one muscle to another.
Force-saving: they save the force of the muscles and can release it when needed, with a "spring" effect.
Transport and supply function: they carry lymphatic fluid to the lymph nodes.
Protective function: they take care of each organ and muscle.
Immune defense: as part of the connective tissue system, they protect against foreign bodies.
Conservative function: fascias are a good water reserve.
Communication function: they establish communication between nerves and vessels.
Movement: they participate in the movement and agility of the body.
6th sense organ: they react to mechanical and chemical reactions and transmit them to the brain.
Shock absorber function: each fibrous membrane absorbs shocks and balances forces.
Fascias shape and form our appearance.
They also influence our physical and mental well-being.
In short:
Fascias have a separating and protective function. They generate, transport and safeguard our strength. They conserve our water and protect us from foreign bodies. They influence our agility in general and our silhouette.
Bound Fascias: the why and how
Healthy fascias are elastic, mobile and very moist because they contain a lot of water. If they are not flexible, they are not only painful, they can also cause tension and increase the risk of injury.
There can be several causes for the lack of flexibility of the fascias: the flexibility of the fascias will play a lot with age. If the water content decreases, the elasticity will also decrease. It is often the lack of water that causes the fascias to stick.
Poor posture or lack of exercise can also cause rigid fascia. Sitting for too long, for example, prevents good lymphatic circulation - which helps heal wounds, for example.
Continuous stress and lack of sleep can also disrupt hormones, which will further tighten fascia. A poor diet leading to an acid-base imbalance can also change the quality of the fascia. Their tissue becomes gelatinous, there is a deposit of waste and the functions of movement are disturbed.
Consequences: the fascias clump together
Consequences of bound fascias
If the fascias cannot perform their role properly, it will have an impact on the whole body. Muscles, tendons, organs and joints lose flexibility. Problems such as back pain, shoulder pain, joint pain or even inflammation are common.
Consequences on the musculature
It's not just the muscles that keep your body moving. The fascia also plays a big role in mobility. If your fascia is too rigid, your body will be less flexible and more prone to injury.
Effects on the organs
The fascia that surrounds the organs can "trap" them if they are too rigid. The blood flow in the vessels is not fluid, which affects communication between the cells and the brain. There may also be physical pain.
The lymphatic system will also be disturbed. You may have heavy legs, swollen eyes, etc.
Your organs will be less well maintained. The pollutants in your body will not be properly filtered. In the long run, this will lead to heart, respiratory and digestive problems.
In short:
Due to a lack of water, regular training or an unbalanced diet, your fascia can be disrupted enough to cause pain and even a lack of flexibility. All the more reason to take care of your body!
* * *
If you enjoyed this first article from foodspring.com, come back and visit us for the next part where we will discuss the best exercises for your fascia, fascia training plans, and the importance of nutrition for healthy fascia.
In thoughts of health and balance,
Dr. François Bouchard, chiropractor, D.C.
Clinique du Cap Violet