Fascia is a connective tissue and is one continuous 3D tensegrity based tissue that surrounds every cell and system of our body. It is capable of supporting, dividing, connecting and sensing all parts of our bodies and is hence continually transmitting and receiving mechano (meaning movement based) and metabolic (all the chemical reactions) information that can influence the shape and function of the entire body.
I often describe our fascia as "one big onesie beneath the skin" (although the skin is our fascia too).
In the majority of my treatments I am focused on treating the DEEP FASCIA and in this article I describe more Facts about it’s FUNCTION for our movement and health:
Fascia enfolds and embraces all of our soft tissues (so muscles, tendons, ligaments) and our joints and bones, nervous system cicrculatory system and organs too.
Deep fascia is a multilayer structure with layers of dense connective tissue and several layers of looser connective tissue.
The deep fascia is dense and it’s function is to transmit force - when we move and our muscles either contract or elongate to move a limb or joint the fascia aids coordination of this movement and can amplify the force by approx. 30%.
Amongst the deep fascia there is also looser fascia which is independent of the dense fascia and this allows the gliding between the different fascial layers and adjacent structures such as our muscles and organs. Therefore, no part of our body moves or exists in isolation.
Fascia is unique to every one and unique different places as it adapts to our daily stresses and strains, whether that adaption is because we are leaning into our desk for 8 -10 hours daily or sporting activities such repetitive throwing of a ball 5 days a week.
Fascia stretches and deforms in multiple directions to accommodate and distribute the load we put on it.
Densification of the deep fascia can happen to areas under constant stress and this can lead to dysfunction and over time restrictions and inefficient movement occurs through the whole body and hence some body areas may become over active or weak leading to pain.
The densification can compress blood vessels and nerves and so nerve entrapment can happen and activate nociceptors (which are our sensory neurons responsible for detecting damaging or potentially damaging stimuli by sending “possible threat” signals to the spinal cord and brain).
Fascia has viscoelastic properties - which means it can adapt and recoil - but if the fascia is too viscous it can become stuck and doesn’t recoil back to its normal state and function. It is the looser connective tissue that becomes viscous and it hinders the fascial layers from moving and gliding smoothly over each other. This could happen because of injury, inflammation, lack of movement or as indicated above owing to daily repetitive stresses and
Fascia is also very highly innervated with sensory neurons which means any alteration to function, movement, compression may lead to greater pain and dysfunctional patterns through the body. The lower back is very rich in sensory neurons. However becuase of this high sensory innervation fascia responds well to touch, pressure, gentle load, warm temperatures and movement.
Also owing to its richness in sensory neurons fascia plays a huge role in proprioception, interoception and nociception. These mean our sense of where our body is in space, our inner sense of self and how we perceive pain.
Fascia which is restricted or altered owing to high stress and tension can make us prone to injuries through inefficent movement and can cause chronic pain and numbness, tingling, stiffness and headaches
Treating Fascia - Sports Massage and Myofascial Release treatments:
I integrate these Myofascial release techniques alongside other soft tissue Sports Massage techniques or sometimes I treat using these techniques only allowing a very gentle and calming approach.
If you have any question about Myofascial Release you can read more here or please email Email or call, 07738257873 to discuss any questions or further details.
Nicky Holbrook, October 2025
Sports and Remedial Massage Therapist with Advanced Clinical Diploma in Myofascial Release
Dip SMRT, MSMA
www.nickysportsmassage.co.uk
References:
1 - Foundation of Osteopathic Research and Clinical Endorsement
2- Parker and Briggs 2007 The Fascia of the Limbs and Back