In anatomy class, perhaps 20 years ago, the first thing any med student would peel away was a thin, white, plastic wrap-like tissue. And then it would be thrown away. In the past, the mindset was that it was useless packaging. But they were wrong then. That packaging is called “fascia.”
This is our hidden bodysuit — a continuous web that runs from the top of your head to the soles of your feet. What does it do? It separates your muscles so they slide rather than stick. It suspends your organs so they do not collapse.
On a typical day, it transmits force when you run for the MRT. And when it dries out, it’s why you feel stiff after eight hours at your desk or after one long car or bus ride stuck in Edsa traffic.
Misunderstood and underestimated
For decades, doctors blamed muscles and bones for pain. Now we know that fascia has six times as many nerve endings as muscle. When it gets dehydrated or sticky, you feel it like a deep ache, such as plantar fasciitis when you step out of bed or even the mysterious back pain, even if your x-ray shows nothing.
The good news? Your fascia isn’t fixed. It responds to water, movement and pressure. And Philippine healing traditions have been treating it for generations, even if it was never known as fascia. This is what hilot addresses. That condition of the body which some call “makunat” or “malamig.” This means that grandma knew best.
And that’s why when fascia is abused or neglected, it can hurt so much. We abuse the fascia through lack of movement, dehydration, poor posture and no exercise or stretching. When this happens, muscles cannot “slide,” and nerves get pinched, and the fascia can lock up.
Think of a frozen shoulder, stooped posture and inability to straighten your upper body. Ignore this long enough, and it can form fibrous adhesions — basically internal scar tissue. It is called myofascial restriction. Movement gets restricted, pain becomes chronic, and posture deteriorates.
Years of sitting, dehydration, stress, no therapy and zero recovery lead to a bodysuit that will shrink and, along with it, your range of motion. It can get so bad that surgeons might need to cut it to release it and ease joint pain.
Keep your bodysuit fit
Fascia is alive. It responds to care. Start hydrating properly. Dry fascia is sticky fascia. Here is a test: if your urine is not pale yellow by lunchtime, then you are behind. This is because coffee, tea and juices do not count. Only pure water does.
Muscles need to glide for better movement. So, get up and shake it up. Set your alarm. Get up every 20 minutes. Motion is lotion! Even if your office cubicle is not big enough, stand up and walk around. Take 10 steps for starters and do a little stretch.
Releasing the fascia daily is possible. Take warm showers before stretching. Or place a hot water bag where it feels stiff, like your lower back. See your therapist or have a good massage. This is the reason why you feel good after a massage. It is your fascia being released. Apply pressure on the tight spots in your body. Use an old tennis ball and run it over your sore areas. Pressure helps relax the fascia. You may even roll a tennis ball on the floor with your bare feet to relieve your flat foot. Give it some pressure. Carrying a load of groceries with a straight back can support it, too. Try slow, full-range movements like yoga and Pilates.
So, the next time you feel stiff, mind the fascia. Because a happy fascia does not avoid pain. It’s all about working with and addressing the pain. And eventually, you can move like you are younger than you are once more.
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Affirmation: “I am not too old, too busy or too far gone to feel good in my body again.”
Love and light.