What is Fascia and How Does it Affect us?

Fascia is the scaffolding of the body, supporting and connecting every cell in the body. Because of its interconnecting nature, it is capable of transmitting its supporting role to other areas of the body – like a sweater that can be pulled with the effect felt across the body.

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In a healthy body, the fascia helps to maintain good posture, range of motion and flexibility. It also gives our bodies tremendous strength and helps us deal with stress and injuries. Healthy fascia is typically soft and pliant, with the ability to stretch and move with the requirements of the body.

 

Poor posture and habits, inefficient movement patterns, physical injuries, surgeries, as well as emotional stress and trauma put strain on this scaffolding, requiring fascial changes to be made for support. These fascial changes (contraction, shifts, thickenings, the formation of adhesions) restrict muscle function, movement and coordination, and impinge on neurovascular pathways, leading to an array of immobility and pain patterns.

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Structural Integration and Fascia

SI is unique in that it achieves balance through the manipulation of fascia. Therefore it targets the compensation patterns held in our fascia.

 

SI frees the body of these accumulated patterns, thus allowing the body to find better support and adaptability to prevent/recover from injuries. The body can return to its structurally optimal position with improved flexibility, energy and well being.

 

A significant part of SI also involves perception and movement education, so that not only can you return to your structurally optimal position, but you also have the tools to maintain this health over your lifetime.