What is fascia?
Fascia is the key connective tissue below the skin that can cause a tight, knotted feeling. But show it some TLC ( tender loving care) and it will help you move well for life. How can you and why do we need to release fascia? The fascia separates the muscles so they can work independently of each other. It also provides a lubricated surface so that the muscles can move smoothly against each other.
It’s function is to keep everything in place below the skin’s surface,wrapping your muscles, bones, organs, nerves and blood vessels into an interconnected network of collagen and elastic fibers. Every squat you do or every hour you sit at your desk- affect your fascia. If your joints feel stiff when you get up after sitting for a long period, you can blame the fascia, which has temporarily lost its elastic properties and fluid resilience.
Over time fascia can tear, become inflamed or shortened or stick together- you may experience those adhesions as knots. A great example is plantar fasciitis, the ache is caused when the fascia that runs from your heel bone to the front of your foot along the arch is inflamed from being repeatedly overstretched.
How can you release fascia?
Factors that cause fascia to become gummy and crinkle up (called adhesion) include: A lifestyle of limited physical activity (too little movement day after day) Repetitive movement that overworks one part of the body. Trauma such as surgery or injury. Massaging and relaxing fascia can help prevent issues with it. Hands, foam roller, tennis ball, theragun other tools and stretching keeps fascia supple. Myofascial release increases blood flow to the area, which can alleviate pain and help you recover from a workout faster.
