As explained in an earlier post, the fascia is the tissue that connects each and every one of the structures of our body.
In the abdomen, the fascia wraps and holds the organs together as well as connects them with different areas of the musculoskeletal system. In the muscles, the fascia wraps, lubricates and protects each muscle fibers, becoming the tendon, eventually adhering to the bone.
For better understanding, imagine an orange. The shell is fully adhered to the white tissue that is expanding and covering each segment. It finally separates to each fiber that makes up that segment, then, joining again in the central area.
If you follow the example, it becomes easier to understand how the fascia is part of our body and how it is intimately linked to our muscles. Each muscle contraction moves the fascia and if there is any restriction on the fascia, it can affect the muscle movement and function.
The same happens with all the structures that are surrounded by fascia, such as the abdomen organs, and the brain which also is covered by fascia (called the meninges). We will discuss the meninges in a following article.
The fascia also contains receptors which can cause pain. Stimuli to these receptors may cause pain that sometimes does not has a specific pathology of origin. In Osteopathy, we use specific techniques to release restriction in the fascial system, in this way we can improve chronic pain in our patients.
