Fascia: New age voodoo or scientific structure

Written by: Paul Kochoa, PT, DPT, OCS, CKTP, CGFI

I recently read an article about a “mysterious” tissue that is present everywhere in the body but is mostly ignored by medical professionals.  It’s called fascia.  Based on your philosophy of medicine, it can be integral to the treatment of many body ailments or it can just be redundant tissue that is just useless gristle.

Traditional and alternative medicine view fascia differently.  For alternative medicines like Rolfing, the fascia is integral to the body’s alignment and energy flow:

Rolfers make a life study of relating bodies and their fields to the earth and its gravity field, and we so organize the body that the gravity field can reinforce the body’s energy field. This is our primary concept. – Ida P. Rolf

For more traditional medicine, most physicians accept the role of fascia as a connective tissue, but few may go so far as acknowledging it as some energy conduit.  But recent research is pointing to some involvement of fascia in relation to chronic pain and low back pain.

For physiotherapists, most understand that the body functions as total biological unit, and it regulates itself to try and maintain a homeostasis, with structure and function being interrelated.  Fascia is integral to treating musculoskeletal issues, but I wouldn’t go so far as saying it’s involved with energy flow.

The fascia is a connective tissue structure that pretty much intertwines and connects everything.  Recent anatomical findings show that fascia in muscle tissue connects the muscle to the bone, transforming into a tendon as it inserts into the bone.  It is an interconnected network that responds to force and changes along with that force.  With this change, it can contribute to chronic pain like back pain or fibromyalgia as the fascia becomes tight and restricted.  It’s a latticework.

When we treat injuries, pain, or any other musculoskeletal injury or dysfunction, we also involve the fascia.  Soft tissue mobilization such as the Graston Technique is an integral part of our treatment philosophy.  Remodeling the fascia and other connective tissue is important for recovery of normal range of motion and strength.  I may not subscribe to the Rolfing point of view, but I do believe that it is a type of tissue that should be considered important.

Your effect on energy flow may vary.

If you would like more information, please call Professional Physical Therapy and Training at 973-270-7417.  Our offices are located within the YMCA locations in Madison and Summit, NJ.  You do not need to be a member of the YMCA to visit with us.