- Written By: S.E. Smith
- Edited By: Bronwyn Harris
- Last Modified Date: 17 January 2012
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Copyright Protected:
2003-2012 Conjecture Corporation
Fascia is strong connective tissue which performs a number of functions, including enveloping and isolating the muscles of the body, providing structural support and protection. It is a product of mesenchyme, a type of connective tissue which develops in embryos before differentiating into numerous other structures in the body. Mesechyme also forms the foundation for bone, cartilage, and important components of the circulatory and lymphatic systems. Fascia is a very important part of the body, and it has three layers, starting with the superficial fascia directly under the skin and ending with subserous fascia, deep inside the body.
Fascia is thin, but very fibrous and strong. Anyone who has skinned chicken breasts or trimmed meat has encountered fascia, the whitish colored thin sheets of tissue between the skin and muscle of the meat. Fascia forms directly under the skin and serves as a strong layer of connective tissue between the skin and muscles underneath it.
The top layer of fascia is superficial fascia, which may be mixed with varying amounts of fat, depending on where it is on the body. The skull and hands have a particularly noticeable layer of superficial fascia which connects the skin to the tissues and bone underneath it. By wriggling your scalp, you can see that superficial fascia is strong but flexible, keeping the skin firmly anchored while allowing its owner to move freely.
Underneath the superficial fascia lies deep fascia, a much more densely packed and strong layer of fascia. Deep fascia covers the muscles in connective tissue aggregations which help to keep the muscles divided and protected. On occasion, this fascia can create tight knots or connective adhesions which act as trigger points which can cause pain. A variety of treatments including myofascial release and stretching are used to treat this condition, which can be debilitating and extremely painful. If a patient is diagnosed with a condition like myofascial pain syndrome, it may be useful to know that the term myofascial means “fascia related to the muscles,” and that these conditions do not necessarily involve the superficial and subserous fascia.
The subserous fascia lies between deep fascia and major organs of the body. It is more flexible than deep fascia, and the body leaves for space around it so that the organs can move freely. Like deep fascia, subserous fascia can also form fibrous knots and adhesions which can be painful unless they are addressed.
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anon241147
Post 34 |
Yes, it is possible to damage a layer of fascia. It is also possible to repair fascia. Not all massage therapists are trained in this area. Mine is however. So is my physical therapist and chiropractor. Look for the rare individual who has specialized in this area. Not all practitioners are alike. For example, my massage therapist specializes in lymph drainage. This is needed if you have ever had Hodgkins lymphoma or breast cancer. Both cancers as well as Castleman's disease can disrupt the lymphatic system. I know from personal experience. I had two kinds of cancer, surgery under my left armpit, and more. I am in recovery and have found so much help from a specialized physical therapist and massage therapist. Remember, not all practitioners are alike. Interview your healers. |
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anon237153
Post 33 |
I have to reply to a couple of above posts. I have a degree in kinesiology in the athletic therapy field (much like physio) and also am a certified massage therapist. In my opinion, massage therapy schools are not created equal. My school, however, did spend two years teaching us the exact same assessment techniques that I learned for years in my athletic therapy training, so indeed massage therapists who are trained should be able to assess and treat injuries, with the focus obviously being on the manual therapy aspect of it (including muscle energy work in the case of my school). Do not make the mistake of thinking that a trained RMT is the same as a person who performs spa massage. I have noticed also that many massage therapists, as with many physiotherapists, become somewhat lazy in their assessments over time. Keep looking until you find someone who is professional and does not fall back on relaxation style spa massage because it is easier. |
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anon232253
Post 32 |
@Anon49500: I have the same thing, but it's in my legs. I was very active in high school, but now that I am in college I have a "bump" on the side of my leg. My doctor said it was a tear in the fascia tissue. He said there is no way for it to be repaired. The only thing they could do is cut the tissue in more places to evenly distribute the pain somewhere else. I am wondering what they name of this procedure is called to look more into it. |
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anon205180
Post 31 |
This is in reply to the last post of (Anon49500) as to your question if anyone knows what you have. I do. I have had it since I turned 13 years old and now I'm 22 years old. I just found a doctor here in my hometown who knows what it is. I will be having surgery here soon to fix it. I was in the same dilemma that you are in that none of the doctors had ever seen anything like it and didn't know what it was. But Dr. Andrew Scott Martin here in Las Vegas, NV told me what it was and now I'm going to have surgery for him to fix it. I have it in both of my legs. |
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anon178718
Post 30 |
I have a bulge of fascia all in my abdominal area, all due to my pregnancy that ruined my body! Now I think I need plastic surgery to get rid of all that excess fascia above, and around and under my bellybutton! |
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anon136588
Post 27 |
I've worked in the manual therapy field for over thirty years and have observed that there are many techniques for addressing fascia problems. Various posts on this page recommend different techniques as the best. As in any given field of practice, be it bodywork, car mechanics or plumbing, the experience, skill and knowledge base of the therapist is what truly matters, be they massage therapist, osteopath or whatever. If you suffer from any malady, try different therapies and therapists within specific therapies. Your situation is unique to you. Never give up on your quest for relief. There is someone with the knowledge and skills to help you. |
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anon133595
Post 26 |
Has anyone here who is suffering from fascia pain looked into "rolfing"? I have been active throughout my life, but am constantly suffering from herniated discs, muscle spasms, knee and hip pain, etc. I was told I had lupus in my mid twenties, so I decided to live a very healthy lifestyle, yet, every few months, something hurts. Recently, my doc said that I do not have lupus and the blood tests are often misread or misinterpreted, but obviously something is "off" in my body. My husband read an article in the NYTimes on the benefits of rolfing. It is a deep form of massage and moving within the fascia (connective tissue) in the body. Since the treatments, I am feeling less pain, and have noticed that I have more movement/mobility. My posture is also improving. I feel like this procedure can help others, which is why I am posting. If you look up "rolfing", you can find the website for a certified tech in your area. Good luck to you all, and I hope everyone feels better. |
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anon114839
Post 25 |
It is possible to repair fascia. Type III collagen is laid down after an injury or surgery and binds the area for approximately 21 days before Type 1 collagen, the stronger collagen, is laid down. Compression techniques used on the fascia both superficial and dense create a piezoelectric effect in the fascia, which is a negative charge which attracts the positive water molecules to attach to the GAGS and PGS, which helps with the hydrostatic pressure that helps to support the body with its weight bearing capabilities. I learned an enormous amount about the special properties of fascia by studying Bowen therapy with the school called Fascial Kinetics which have been teaching the special properties of fascia for over 18 years. |
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anon92009
Post 23 |
I don't know who it is who wrote the comment about massage therapists working outside their scope of practice. Duh! We don't diagnose or prescribe treatment - we actually fix people instead. Wouldn't want someone who had over 1000 hours of muscle training to actually work on the problem would you? Get hurt yourself and have a PT who had 30 hours of actual muscle training fix you! Ha. I have PTs ask me for advice. Around the world, massage therapists have more respect than in the US - where strong lobbyists stop us from doing our work. The person who wrote that has no clue about the benefits of a good massage therapist. Those of you who are hurt and are going to massage - you're on the right track. Sorry about the rant - just tired of the idiots out there. |
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anon88437
Post 22 |
All you massage therapists are practicing outside your scope. You don't have the education to diagnose disease or prescribe treatments. |
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anon85592
Post 21 |
Has anyone heard of, or been diagnosed with fasciitis? Inflamed fascia. |
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anon78940
Post 20 |
I have suffered dreadfully with tight fascia - Myofascial Pain Syndrome - all over my body for the past ten years causing misalignment and constant pain and have tried many therapies from different practitioners and specialists. I have found that an infrared heat lamp softens and releases the tight and hardened fascia making it more pliable and benefits massage which in turns eases the pain. Hope this is helpful. |
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anon77230
Post 19 |
Fascial Kinetics is the specific treatment for the fascia. No other treatment is more effective. Look for a person who does Fascial kinetics. |
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anon77228
Post 18 |
The difference between a good surgeon and an average surgeon is their respect for the fascia and its importance. After any surgery the surgeon should reconnect the fascia back together as well when they are closing to help to support the smooth recovery of the wound. Fascia will eventually recover if it is healthy and well hydrated but people today just don't drink enough water to keep healthy fascia. |
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anon63020
Post 17 |
The best way to treat any type of facial problem is to see a massage therapist that knows myofascial techniques. |
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anon63003
Post 16 |
The most efficient and effective response to all of your posts above is to find someone in your area that practices Hellerwork Structural Integration. The practitioners are trained to work with fascia and also have knowledge of the whole body and structure. Density, adhesions, pollutants, emotional memory, scar tissue, viruses are released with the proper kind of touch and attention. Hope this helps. |
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anon55098
Post 15 |
I was in a car crash recently and I have tingling pain in my lower legs, front and back. it's not so bad if I don't touch it but its extremely painful if touched. I didn't break any bones in my legs, but it's definitely soft tissue damage. Obviously this 'fascia' damage includes nerve damage, no? Any suggestions for treatment as this pain kind of got side-tracked because of other injuries, and there was no proper investigation into the legs. Thanks so much!!! :) |
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anon52289
Post 14 |
I tore the fascia in my forearm years ago and the muscle protrudes from the four-inch tear. I was in severe pain at first but it slowly went away after a month. I have no pain and most people cannot even see it eight years later. |
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anon49500
Post 13 |
Ihave a fascia tear on my left shoulder. As a result, I have a very noticeable bulge. The bulge is the shoulder muscle pertruding throught the fascia tear. Has anyone heard of an injury such as mine? If so, was it repairable? All the doctors that I have seen have never seen an injury like mine. |
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anon31792
Post 12 |
I am in remission from Non-Hodkins Lymphoma. I have severe pain in the groin area and down the front of my thigh. Since there are so many lymph nodes in the groin area, could it be that I have fascia restrictions due to the lymphoma? |
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anon30531
Post 11 |
I'm seeing a chiropractor right now that is highly certified in Active Release Technique. I have been having symptoms of ulnar nerve entrapment, with tingling ring and pinky fingers (which now feel stiff instead of tingling) and a feeling of dull pain in my elbow. After the first A.R.T. treatment (which was all done on my upper back and shoulder, *not* my elbow) the pain in my elbow actually disappeared. Now I'm continuing treatment in order to correct the feeling in my fingers, so we'll see where that goes. It has been fascinating. This type of treatment is all about breaking up scar tissue, wherever it may be, including in the fascia. It is often successful in treating carpal tunnel syndrome as well as a lot of various injuries. I highly recommend looking up a practitioner in your area for these types of problems. It's way more than massage. My doc works *hard* on my back and arm every time. I'm impressed! |
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lala00
Post 10 |
Go and see a Registered Massage Therapist, they have excellent techniques for aiding and helping fascia tissue. ( I'm a massage student) |
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joshua3
Post 9 |
ok i was in a car accident 9 years ago and im in worst shape now then i was then, i was hit head on and the steering wheel and airbag broke my jaw and cracked part of my sternum, I'm in pain all the time, so after tons of tests and xrays with no answers, I'm now seeing an Osteopath last month and she said that the fascia all around my chest wall, heart and lungs is very tight and causing my pain, i am short of breath, pain under my left breast and get sharp sharp pains right thru to my back, does this FASCIA thing make any sense? please tell me your opinion..... |
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anon17644
Post 8 |
I just had a second surgery due to complication of my first surgery i april of 08. The fascia had to be redone. What are complications after a second surgery? I had a tram flap for my first surgery |
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anon12587
Post 7 |
It could very well be fascia restrictions, but also scar tissue build up. After any surgery scar tissue is laid down which, if not coaxed in the right direction could cause a mesh like pattern causing limited range of motion. An osteopath, massage therapist or other health professionals dealing with soft tissue manipulation will know how to test for and treat this condition. |
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anon12400
Post 6 |
Fascia does not respond to deep tissue work like muscle does. Fascial techniques are done slowly and held for a longer duration, this allows the ground substance in the fascia to rehydrate and become more pliable. I would suggest an osteopath, rolfer or someone trained in myofascial release. |
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anon11850
Post 5 |
you should go to an osteopath. they have techniques about fascia. |
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anon11284
Post 4 |
you could have structural damage to your fascia. you need to find a specialist - not a PT - that will help you with stretching the fascia. |
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anon10772
Post 3 |
I'm wondering about whether the fascia can be damaged as well. I had a partial knee replacement 5 months ago, and I have a great feeling of constriction around my knee, as if it's in a vise which restricts movement. My physical therapist has been doing some deep tissue massage because she thinks that perhaps the fascia is not lying smoothly and is sort of bunched up, which is causing the constriction. Has anyone had a similar experience, or does anyone have information about this? |
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anon7075
Post 1 |
Is it possible to damage the a layer of fascia? And if so is there anyway to repair it? |
