fascia Flashcards
Fascia
biological fabric of the body, all tissues and stuctures surrounded by it, communication network, up to 87 percent of individual muscle can be fascia
fascia function
communication system of body allowing transportation of info and nutrients btw individual cells and different systems
- supports, separates and protects
- minimas friction
- able to conduct electricity
fascia components
elastin, collagen, extracellular matrix
extracellular matrix of fascia
bulk of the connective tissue
-trnasports metabolic material
• It has gelatinous properties composed largely of
proteoglycans, glycoproteins and is the medium of water,
oxygen and ions
• The consistency is highly variable depending on the type of
connective tissue from that of the blood which would be fluid
to that associated with bone which would be dense and quite
hard.
• The proteoglycans are the primary reservoir of water within
the body
proteglycans
in extracellular matrix
macromolecules, large
attracts water
repairs damaged cells
fibroblasts
repair and tissue regeneration
Focal fascia restriction
Occurs after acute pahse of injury
decreased water and oxigen levels, becomes more acidic, decreased communication and elasticity
global fascia restriction
becomes tighter
irritated nerves
functional defects
pulls on bony structure-misalignments
sematic fascia restriction
set into entire body tightens and solidifies compensatory postural changes decreased function persistent pain
indications of fascia restrictions
heat, oedema, lesion, pain, skin puckering and tightening
3 types of fascia
• Superficial – Found just under the skin
• Deep – Surrounding the muscles blood vessels and organs
• Dural – surrounds the brain and spinal cord, sometimes referred
to as the craniosacral system
elastin functions
• Provides the body with flexibility and resiliency
• Responsible for recoiling the soft tissue back to its original
state.
collagen in fascia
• Configured in a relaxed pattern
• Creates a three dimensional web throughout the body
• Handles the multidirectional forces imposed upon fascia
• Consists of microtubules filled with a crystalline saline solution
providing shape, support, strength and stability.
dehydration of the extracellular matrix
ECM dehydration will cause dehydration throughout the fascia
resulting in an abundance of elastin and collagen and the
fascia becomes dense and fibrotic, the crystalline saline in the
collagen becomes solidified and the entire fascia’s
effectiveness is impaired.
• The fascia is no longer able to function efficiently in all its roles
as previously stated to protect and support the cells, allow
smooth movement of soft tissues, and to provide a medium
for metabolic communication within the body.
• If the fascia becomes impaired it can effectively clamp down
or become stuck which will have a major effect on the
function of the musculoskeletal system
• The facia binds together at the junctions where the elastin and
collagen meet forming bonds called crosslinks.
• Fascia has the ability to tighten with up to 2,000 pound per
square inch of force, although most cases are not this sever.
• A restriction of that magnitude will have a considerable effect
on the body causing a major restriction in movement and
function.
scar formation
• Fibroblasts are a key cell used in repair and tissue
regeneration, these will begin laying down new tissue at the
injury site, this forms scar tissue.
• Scar tissue is more fibrous than the original tissue and
overdevelopment of scar tissue can cause more problems in
the long term.
• If the ECM becomes dehydrated the metabolic communication
to the fibroblasts can potentially be lost; fibroblasts may not
receive the correct metabolic signal to cease creating new
tissue.
• Scar tissue could be laid down in abundance; causing further
restrictions in the tissue.
