The new buzzword in fitness is FASCIA. What is it?

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    I became aware of the word Fascia through my Pilates but what is it?

    Fascia is a 3-D matrix-like system that surrounds each and every muscle, bone, nerve, artery and vein in our bodies, as well as all of our internal organs, including the heart, lungs, brain and spinal cord and literally is what holds us together. It covers us from head to toe, skin to bone and gives each aspect of our body autonomy, accessibility and space.

    This definition implies that everything is connected and indeed it is and is why the term ‘connective tissue’ is used interchangeably with the term ‘fascia’ (the scientific name). It actively keeps our bodies together, supporting the body structure, giving our shape and maintaining the connection between all of the systems that impact stability.

    The connective tissue is a thin silvery-white material that sits beneath the skin and visually is similar to what you might see when you cut up a chicken breast! The matrix is the substance that holds and supports the connective tissue cells. It is made up of a cellular fluid, and a network of fibres, primarily collagen and elastin fibres. This connective tissue fluid allows permits the transportation of oxygen, nutrients and waste from cell to cell. It is also the environment in which most of your sensory nerves live and work.

    Up until recently connective tissue was thought to be inert and lifeless, however recent medical evidence suggests that the fascia can be damaged by both physical and mental impact and there is a direct correlation to connective tissue and our health and wellbeing.

    When the connective tissue becomes damaged this is reflected in how we feel on both an emotional and physical level. Therefore, looking after your connective tissue is an important step to help you lead an active, pain-free life.

    So how does it become damaged? Well, as well as injury, illness, accidents, etc. daily living can also damage your connective tissue. Repetitive stress and strain of day-to day living, for example sitting at a desk all day and running a marathon, ie your habitual movements and postures create dehydration and joint compression. This causes a blockage, like sediment collects in a river, and the fluid is no longer able to flow freely and connective tissue becomes dehydrated.

    Exercise and nutritional habits can’t restore the fluid state of the connective tissue system or rebalance your nervous system, BUT MELT can and does.  Talk a MELT workshop today to discover the benefits of MELT.
    February 13, 2018