WHAT EXACTLY IS FASCIA AND WHAT DOES IT DO
The first and most important thing to know is the constitution of fascia, and it is connective tissue present in the body that forms a covering around all the muscles, bones and internal organs of the body. The role of this fascia is to form a protective covering around these organs and any kind of restrictions can lead to stress on that particular area which in turn is manifested as discomfort and even pain in severe cases. This fascia is also found under the skin, and it gives way to the lower layers of the skin called the dermis. This layer consists of fat molecules, and it is surprising to know that this actually provides shape to the organs and even the body. It also helps in storing water as well as fat and it allows the blood and lymphatic vessels to pass through easily. The superficial fascia is the one that lies below the skin while the deep fascia is the one that is present around the internal structures of the body.
The superficial fascia is loose in consistency while the deep layer is dense and more rigid in comparison. The deep layer provides a lot of strengths to the organs it surrounds and even gives some sort of resistance to injuries. Any form of trauma can damage this layer and in such cases it either extends down into the injured areas or in nearby areas. These fascial restrictions can lead to a lot of stress in that particular area which in turn leads to discomfort that must be managed. Even if the patient undergoes diagnostic tests such as CT scan or even an MRI nothing is found which complicates the management even more. It is more reliable to get these adhesions located by a specialist who can treat them with care.
Trained practitioners know how to locate the restrictions by palpation, and there are various techniques that are utilized to resolve these. The specialists are trained to move their hands along the direction of these adhesions until a point wherein the area stops moving from its initial position. Sustained pressure is applied at this point for some time and gradually the tissue begins to get displaced which is when the pressure is gradually removed. There are a lot of people who have benefited from such techniques in terms of pain relief, stress relief and even a change in the quality of lifestyle.
