What is Fascia?

Fascia is connective tissue that connects muscles, bones, organs, nerves and blood supply to the body. Essentially it is the glue that holds our bodies together.  It also provides the structure and relationships to most parts of the body. Fascia wraps around each of your individual parts, keeping then separated and allowing them to slide easily with your movements. It helps prevent over stretching of your muscles. Fascia is a three dimensional web of fibers that run vertically, horizontally, front to back, and other angles, which is what help makes it so strong. 

It is made up of three components. Elastin, which are rubber like fibers that have stretch and recoil in them, they provide the stretchiness of the fascia. They are similar to a rubber band. The second component is collagen, which act as tough threads and form the strength and support of the fascia. The more collagen fibers the stronger the fascia will be. The third component of fascia is ground substance. This can be thought of as thick goo. It provides shock absorption as well as lubrication to the fascia.

When your fascia is healthy it is smooth and slides easily, which allows you to move and to stretch to your full length in all directions, then it returns back to its normal state. Without activity it is likely that your fibers will become cemented in place. Poor posture and lack of flexibility and repetitive movements will pull the fascia into incorrect patterns.

It is important to take good care of your fascia to help prevent injuries. Below are a number of ways to help to keep your fascia healthy:

• It is important to keep moving, with whole body movement. Also adapting into complex movements instead of repetitive exercise programs is important.

• Drink plenty of water, which helps to keep your fascia lubricated.

• Be sure to stretch your muscles and your fascia. Fascia stretches slower than your muscles.  When stretching your fascia, hold stretches for three to five minutes, relaxing into a hold.

• Don’t forget to relax! This will help to loosen up your tight fascia.