WTF: What The Fascia?!

Hi Reader,

For the last several months, I’ve been reading more about how to incorporate movement patterns that address fascia. Exercise in general addresses the fascia whether it’s yoga, pilates, weight lifting, foam rolling but there’s been one method I’ve been curious to try from a company called Human Garage. I’ve looked at their website and they have a self-paced 28 Day Reset where you spend on average about 15 minutes a day for 28 days doing these specific maneuvers that combine breathing patterns with movement. It’s a commitment because not only are you doing these moves but you are starting day one with taking a photo of your face and then your body from two angles so you can document the changes.

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But what exactly is fascia and why should you care about it? Fascia is connective tissue that forms a continuous three-dimensional network throughout your body. It surrounds and connects your muscles, bones, nerves, blood vessels and organs. Think of it almost like an internal bodysuit or web that helps hold everything together while also allowing the different structures of your body to move and glide.

In the image below, you can see an illustration of fascia in the calf muscle. On the left, it appears tangled, knotty and chaotic. On the right, the fascia is depicted as more organized, structured and smooth.

I sometimes wonder whether our fascia, on a symbolic or metaphorical level, may represent what's happening within us and how we live our lives. It's a perspective, but one I have personally found to be true. The more stress I encounter without the means or tools to process it, the more I find it showing up in my physiology—sometimes as pain in my foot or upper back.

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Healthy fascia plays a role in how freely you move, your posture, flexibility, balance and even how you breathe. When the tissues aren't moving and gliding well, you may experience stiffness, restriction or changes in the way you move.

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When I took the photo of my face, I saw a tired and stressed woman. When I saw my physical body, I saw someone who does look like she works out but also has one shoulder higher than the other. I see bodies every day and know that asymmetries exist. Mine was pretty obvious.

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So I decided to jump all into this process and see what happens. It’s only day 6 but I do feel a subtle difference and am keeping a journal (also encouraged). One thing I noticed is that I’m breathing better and deeper. I look a bit more relaxed. Let’s see what happens on day 28! Maybe I’ll look like I just came back from a month-long stay at a spa in Turks and Caicos. That’s what I’m aiming for.

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One of the fascinating things about fascia is that because it is a three-dimensional network that is richly innervated and closely connected with the nervous system, there is growing research looking at the relationship between how we experience and process stress and how that can affect the physical body.

Most people carry a lot of tension in their upper back and the area that slopes down from the neck (the trapezius muscles). You’ve heard the expression, “She carries the weight of the world on her shoulders.” That is figurative speech, but it also holds a lot of meaning at the level of physiology.

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There’s actually some interesting science behind this. A recent neuroscience review looked at how emotional trauma and chronic stress can create lasting changes in the way the nervous system processes sensations, including pain. Our experiences don’t just happen in our minds. The nervous system responds to them and those responses can influence how we experience our physical body. Neuroscience review on PubMed ​

Looking at this through the lens of menopause and post-menopause, where the nervous system can feel more out of whack with hormonal changes, this connection becomes even more interesting. One thing I’m already experiencing from working directly on the fascia is deeper, fuller breaths. And we know that how we breathe can influence our nervous system and mental state.

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Who doesn't want greater coherence, less brain fog, improved relationships and the ability to make decisions from a place of neutrality?
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Fascia is also richly supplied with sensory and autonomic nerve fibers. This means there is constant communication happening between these connective tissues and the nervous system. Changes in the tissues, including inflammation, stiffness or decreased ability of the fascial layers to glide, may affect the nerve endings within them and potentially contribute to pain and sensitivity.

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One of the main reasons for doing the 28 Day Fascia Reset is to address a few areas in my body where I have had chronic pain. Plantar Fasciitis being one of them.

Pain or tension in one area of the body isn't always isolated to that area. I had someone recently tell me they were seeing a pelvic floor therapist. The therapist worked on her jaw and she experienced a complete release of tension in her pelvic floor which she had for months.

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Poor breathing patterns can contribute to tension and stress patterns in the musculoskeletal system and the 28 Day Reset fascial maneuvers do an excellent job in getting you to breathe more deeply.

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What is one of the first things someone does when they are upset or in fear/panic mode? Their breathing often becomes shallower and faster. It's part of the body's stress response and its drive for survival.

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Many people today operate at a low level of chronic stress and so they are on survival mode most every day whether that’s financial strain, relationship strain or health issues. Consider what that does to someone’s health? It’s basically death by a thousand cuts unless you do something about it.

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I've read some of the testimonials from people who have made the fascial maneuvers taught by Human Garage practitioners a daily part of their lives. Some report improvements in chronic pain and other longstanding issues. Testimonials are personal experiences and everyone's results will be different. I'm only six days into this, so I'm open to trying something new and seeing where it leads.

I’ll report back in another newsletter once I’ve completed the 28-Day Program—photos included—to document any visible changes.

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To Be Continued…

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Many blessings to you for abundant health, happiness and wellbeing ~

Strong and Beautiful in Midlife!

Sharon

Kuhle Body is a project of Vidya Ministerium, a faith based, private membership association. Services are available to members only. Membership is free and we are always accepting new members. You can opt out at any time. For more information, please read our PMA Declaration.​