How we visualise and conceptualise our bodies is of paramount importance if we are to explore the depths of embodiment. Lending from the great Gil Hedley, one such image which can provide a powerful foundation to understanding your body is to envision the composition of your body to be somewhat like an onion - One body, many layers. Each layer is distinct in that it looks different, behaves different and even feels different, yet difference does not impute separation. We can think in simple terms of having a skin layer, muscle layer, bone layer, organ layer and perhaps even an invisible layer of the cellular world. The pursuit of ease of experience in oneself is heavily reliant upon how well these layers slide and glide upon one another, we call this differential movement.
What allows for this slipperiness? Our web of fascia. The wondrous matrix of fascia that weaves its way through our whole organism dives over and through our multiple layers. This allows it to give us shape and form whilst also holding many vital properties of body-wide communication, force transfer and freedom of expression through our movement. A healthy fascial web will allow for an even tone between the layers, which in turn permits fluids such as blood and lymph to travel freely in spirals through the body, nourishing and delivering the force of life. In some ways our fascial web has a personality and when it is happy it remains lubricated, when it is unhappy however it becomes viscous and thick. Viscosity and thickness in the fascial web leads to a reduction in differential movement (slide & glide) both locally and distally in the body. This can very quickly begin to alter soft tissue health (muscular, ligamentous, tendinous, arthroidal) as well as freedom of movement and chemical composition of blood and lymph. Sustained stickiness and compression in our body is almost never a good thing and therefore understanding how to maintain the healthy properties of fascia and differential movement is key to living healthily.
Again lending knowledge from the brilliant Gil Hedley, Fascia will become viscous and thick when our internal doctor comes online. The benefits of an internal doctor are somewhat obvious in that when we cut ourselves or catch a bug, this doctor comes online immediately and goes about its healing business. The problem however is when we behave as if we are injured or ill. We can categorise this behaviour into physical, chemical and emotional.
One Body, Many Layers
Physical
The frequency, quality and variety of our movement plays a hugely influential role on the health of our lubricating web. Most commonly this is experienced when having to sit at a desk for extended periods of time. A body well accustomed to moving through all of its ranges in a three dimensional plane is most likely to receive the benefits of the ‘slide and glide’ properties of bodily tissues.
Chemical
What and when we consume food and fluids influences the internal chemical composition of the body. Furthermore, emotional and psychological stress can have a negative effect on the chemical composition of blood by making it more acidic. This will begin to influence fascia on a cellular level.
Emotional
Emotional distress puts a strain on your body that gradually accumulates over time. The effects of this distress can be found in and not limited to the soft tissue (muscles, tendons, ligaments etc) as well as the bodily fluids. Ultimately, sustained periods of emotional distress forces the body to work harder to maintain a happy equilibrium. The lived experience of stiffness and viscosity in bodily tissues is one of pain, tightness, limited range of motion and a feeling of unease within oneself.
Therapeutic Modalities
Pilates, with its focus on controlled, precise movements, helps improve the strength and flexibility of muscles and fascia. This practice enhances the body's ability to transmit force efficiently, ensuring that movements are smooth and coordinated. By strengthening the core and improving posture, Pilates also helps distribute mechanical loads more evenly, reducing stress on any single part of the fascia.
Osteopathy complements this by using manual manipulation techniques to correct misalignments and enhance joint mobility. These adjustments can directly influence the fascia, releasing restrictions and improving the overall elasticity of the connective tissue. By ensuring that joints and surrounding tissues are properly aligned, osteopathy enhances the body's natural force transmission pathways.
Acupuncture adds another layer by stimulating specific points that correspond to fascia-related pathways. This stimulation can improve blood flow and reduce tension within the fascia, promoting better mechanotransduction—the process by which cells sense and respond to mechanical signals. Improved mechanotransduction ensures that the fascia can effectively communicate mechanical changes to cells, facilitating adaptive responses and promoting tissue health.
Together, these practices create a synergistic effect, enhancing the fascia's ability to transmit forces and respond to mechanical stimuli. This integrated approach not only improves movement efficiency and performance but also supports the long-term health and resilience of the fascia and overall musculoskeletal system.
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