What you need to know about 'Fascia' - this secret web that runs throughout our bodies

Do you sometimes feel a strange pain, stiffness, or a tingling sensation in your body? We often think that this is normal and comes from fatigue or poor posture. But did you know that under the skin of our body, there is an amazing system of tissues that surrounds all of our muscles, bones, nerves, and organs, like a spider web? Today we are going to talk about this 'Fascia', which many people do not know about, but which is extremely important for our physical health.

Simply put, what is fascia?

Imagine you're cleaning a piece of chicken. You've probably noticed the thin, white membrane around the meat, right? Well, that's what fascia is. In simpler terms, it's like the white threads that separate the pith of an orange, and it's a thin, but very strong network of connective tissue that connects, separates, and supports every part of our body.

Scientists used to think that fascia only supported our organs, muscles, and bones. But now we know that it is a much more complex system that runs throughout our body. This fascia wraps around every cell, nerve, joint, tendon, and ligament in our body.

It is mainly made up of a protein called collagen . Collagen is what gives our skin and tissues their strength and flexibility. Fascia is made up of several layers. Between these layers is a fluid called hyaluronan . This fluid is what allows us to bend and stretch our bodies, which means that the fascia membrane can stretch well. However, if this fluid dries out due to an infection, accident, or inflammation, the fascia membrane starts to tighten and stick together. That's when we start having problems like pain and stiffness.

What service does fascia provide to our body?

This is like a 'superhero' inside the body. The work he does is very big.

• Support and shape: Fascia holds our muscles together and gives them shape. This is why muscles can contract and stretch.
• Reducing friction: Fascia creates an environment where our muscles, joints, and organs slide smoothly without friction when they touch each other. It's like putting oil in a car's engine. Without this, our tissues can rub against each other and become injured.
• Strength and stability: It helps to keep our body parts stable and gives strength to the body. It is also essential for joint stability and movement.
• Muscle isolation: Different muscle groups are separated, allowing them to function separately.
• Communication: The fascia system is rich in nerve endings, so it also acts as a sensory organ that provides information to the brain about our body's posture, movement, and pain.

Difference between fascia, tendons and ligaments

Although all three are made up of collagen, their location and function are different. To understand this clearly, see the table below.

The main layers of fascia

The fascia in our body can be divided into four main layers.

What happens when there are problems with the fascia?

Healthy fascia tissue is flexible and stretchy. But as we discussed earlier, if the fluid (Hyaluronan) between those layers dries out, the fascia can become tight, sticky, and knotty. This can cause a variety of problems, including pain and difficulty moving. Here are some of the most common conditions that affect fascia.

Plantar Fasciitis (Pain in the sole of the foot)

This is a problem that many people have. Especially in the morning, when you get out of bed and put your feet on the ground, you experience unbearable pain in the soles of your feet and heels. This is caused by swelling and infection of the fascia that runs along the sole of your foot.

Myofascial Pain Syndrome

This is when the fascia in certain areas of the body becomes tight and forms knots. We also call these "trigger points." These knots feel like they're being pulled. These places are very sensitive. Surprisingly, the pain may not be felt where the knot is, but somewhere else in the body. For example, a knot in the neck can cause a headache.

Dupuytren's Contracture

A condition in which the fascia under the skin of the palms and fingers becomes thick and tight, causing the fingers to curl inward. This makes it impossible to do simple things like clap your hands or put on gloves.

Frozen Shoulder

In this condition, the fascia around the shoulder joint becomes thickened, stiff, and swollen. This makes it very difficult to move the shoulder and causes severe pain. This condition is exacerbated when the shoulder is not used.

Compartment Syndrome

This is a serious condition that requires emergency medical treatment. If a compartment of the fascia surrounding the muscle becomes inflamed or swollen due to an accident or other cause, the pressure inside it can increase dramatically. Since the fascia cannot contract, this pressure can compress the blood vessels and nerves that pass through it, cutting off blood supply, oxygen, and nutrients to the area, causing tissue damage. In such a situation, it is imperative to go to a hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) immediately.

Hernia

When the strength of the fascia decreases, a part of the internal organ can push out through a weak spot. We call this a hernia.

Additionally, certain genetic conditions that affect collagen production can also cause weakness in the fascial system. Examples include Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and Marfan syndrome .

So how do we keep this fascia healthy?

Now you probably understand how important the fascia system is to the functioning of our body. So keeping it healthy is also very important. It doesn't have to be a big deal. Add these simple habits to your life.

• Stay active: Don't stay in the same position or place for too long. Especially if you work in one place, like in front of a computer, get up and walk around at least every half hour, giving your body a little movement. Regular exercise is very good.
• Stretching: Regular stretching increases the flexibility of the fascia, which can reduce pain and inflammation.
• Maintain good posture: Try to keep your back straight when sitting and standing. When we slouch, the fascia tends to tighten.
• Drink plenty of water: Keeping the body hydrated helps maintain healthy fluid between fascia tissues.

What do you do if the fascia is tight and causing pain?

If you are experiencing pain due to tightness and knots (trigger points) in your fascia, there are several ways you can try to relieve it.

• Yoga: Some yoga poses can help relieve tightness in the fascia and reduce pain.
• Heat application: Applying a hot water bottle to the painful area or taking a hot bath can help loosen tight knots.
• Massage Therapy: You can get good results from receiving massage therapy, especially from someone experienced in treatments like myofascial release therapy .
• Acupuncture: Acupuncture for painful knots by a qualified practitioner can help relieve the stiffness.
• Foam Roller: Placing the painful body part on a foam roller and rolling it slowly can help loosen tight fascia.

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