massage therapy & postural alignment for MyoFascial release
A microscopic image of fascia ⬆
Fascia is the thin connective tissue that covers and weaves through our entire body. It's much like a collagen fibre cobweb. It is responsible for the way we are shaped in that it not only weaves through muscle, it also covers them individually in a casing that keeps them in a specific, organized arrangement. It allows muscles to slide over each other.
It is incredibly strong, far stronger than muscle tissue.
It is very flexible, especially when it is functionally aligned and nourished.
It is continuous with no beginning or end.
It supports and connects structures in the body.
It is primarily made up of collagen fibres, but it also has a gel-like ground substance which is vital in smooth movements and flexibility. The stiffness and restricted movement often associated with aging or inactivity are symptoms of dehydrated fascia. Water makes up about 50 to 70 per cent of the human body and is essential for every system to function efficiently. Drinking at least a couple of litres of water a day is ideal. Herbal tea is a good second choice.
When I utilize myofascial release, I use gentle, super slow, and sustained pressure on the the tissue to target and engage with all of the tissue under my hands, including fascia, and I wait for a change to happen. I am thinking about allowing the nervous system to respond and calm down. Patterns of strain and imbalance take time to engage with. There is absolutely no rush to make the tissue yield.