Fascia is arguably the single most important framework in the human body. It is the tissue that surrounds each and every structure in the body — muscle, nerve, organ, and bone. Nerves and blood vessels run through fascia and are suspended in place throughout the body. It wraps around the brain and the spinal cord, forming the dura. 

Restrictions in the fascial lattice affects movement and breathing patterns. When trauma occurs, fascia not only loses its mobility, but it also can exert tension on underlying structures. This tension can create pain and reduce range of motion in joints, cause muscle pain when muscles have to work against tight fascia, and can even cause bizarre, seemingly unrelated symptoms when fascia entraps nerves.

Furthermore, it plays a fundamental role within the autonomic nervous system. It is particularly effective at contracting throughout the entire body when the nervous system is in fight-or-flight mode, in the interest of keeping us safe. With repeated traumas and injuries throughout life, chronic activation of the fight-or-flight mode leaves the fascia in a constricted, tense, dehydrated state, which leads to more injury, pain, and dysfunction. 

For more information, consider viewing these informational videos:

The Fuzz Speech // Fascia & The Mystery of Chronic Pain