The Power of Fascial Fitness: Reversing Degenerative Disc Disease?
In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the role of fascia. Western medicine training throughout the years has focused very little attention to this tissue. During my training over 20 years ago this tissue was seen as “throw away” tissue. This tissue was considered a sort of filler material of little importance. Turns out that fascia is everywhere in the body from the brain all the way down to the pinky toe and back. Fascia is also known as connective tissue. As the name may suggest it is the tissue that connects muscle to bone and muscle to muscle. Fascia also can be found around the organs of the body to include the brain, liver, spleen, pancreas, intestines, just to name a few. It is within the musculoskeletal system that I would like to focus on today.
Fascia has recently been determined to be the largest sensory organ in the body. This means our ability to sense the inside of the body is largely governed by fascia. Proprioception, or the ability to know where our body is in space, is also made possible due to fascia. Research has even determined that fascia possesses over 250 million pain receptors. This means when tissue injury occurs, it is fascia that transmits the pain signal. Fascia also contains mechanoreceptors and thermoreceptors. Mechanoreceptors provide tactile sense from the skin and underlying muscles, while thermoreceptors provide information about temperature on the skin. Lastly, there are the chemoreceptors that detect changes in the chemical composition of the blood and send information to the brain to regulate cardiovascular and respiratory functions.
The fascination of fascia does not end there. Fascia is the connection between thought and movement. Every movement we generate in life first begins in the brain as a thought. The bridge between the brain and the muscles of movement is fascia. As mentioned above fascia is densely innervated with sensory receptors known as proprioceptors, which provide feedback to the brain about the body’s position, movement, and alignment in space. This proprioceptive feedback is essential for coordinating movement and maintaining balance. When you think about moving a specific part of your body, such as your arm or leg, the brain sends signals to the muscles through the nervous system via fascia. Proprioceptive feedback to the brain from the fascia helps to refine and adjust these movements in real-time, allowing for precise and coordinated action.
Fascia forms a continuous network of interconnected fibers that envelop and support muscles, bones, and organs in the body. This network functions according to the principles of tensegrity, where tensional forces distribute mechanical loads and maintain structural integrity. When you engage in movement, whether it’s walking, running, or performing yoga poses, the fascial network transmits forces generated by muscle contractions and gravitational loads throughout the body. This dynamic interplay between tension and compression within the fascial system influences movement patterns and posture, shaping the way you move and interact with your environment. Safe to say fascia is quite crucial to human life. So how can we better care for our fascia to get the most out of this dynamic organ?
Now, emerging research suggests that targeted exercises aimed at strengthening the fascia can have profound effects on health, for example reversing degenerative disc disease, particularly in the neck and low back regions. Degenerative disc disease is a common condition characterized by the breakdown of the intervertebral discs, the soft, cushion-like structures that separate the vertebrae in the spine. As these discs degenerate over time, they may lose height and elasticity, leading to symptoms such as pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility in the affected areas, particularly the neck and low back. Traditional treatment using western approaches often focus on managing symptoms rather than addressing the underlying causes of disc degeneration.
Fascial fitness, as described by Robert Schleip in his book, emphasizes targeted exercises aimed at strengthening and optimizing the function of the fascia throughout the body. By engaging in specific movements and techniques designed to enhance the elasticity, resilience, and hydration of the fascial tissue, individuals can improve overall musculoskeletal health and function. Importantly, these exercises can also help to re-establish disc height and promote greater stability in the neck and low back regions, thus addressing the root causes of degenerative disc disease. Therapeutic exercise is the only known mediator of long term benefit for pain associated with this degenerative condition as evidenced by countless rigorous clinical studies.
Through a combination of myofascial release techniques, dynamic stretching, and functional movement patterns, one can effectively target the fascia surrounding the spine and promote optimal alignment, mobility, and support. By incorporating exercises that engage the deep stabilizing muscles of the neck and low back, such as the multifidus and deep cervical flexors, one can enhance spinal stability and reduce the risk of further disc degeneration. Additionally, by promoting better circulation and hydration within the fascial tissue, these exercises can facilitate the repair and regeneration of damaged discs, ultimately reversing the progression of degenerative disc disease. This is accomplished mainly by creating access to vital nutrients for cellular health, such as oxygen, macronutrients and micronutrients.
As our understanding of the role of fascia in musculoskeletal health continues to evolve, so too does the potential for utilizing fascial fitness techniques to address common conditions such as degenerative disc disease. By incorporating targeted exercises aimed at strengthening and optimizing the function of the fascia, individuals can promote greater stability, mobility, and overall spinal health. Through continued research and practice, we can unlock the full potential of fascial fitness in reversing degenerative disc disease and empowering individuals to live pain-free, active lives. Be on the lookout for more articles addressing the issue of degenerative disease due to chronic disuse syndromes commonly seen in society today. Until then strive, thrive and flow.