Fascia: What it is and why it's important

Fascia is "the unifying tissue," as described by Ming Chew, PT, in his book The Permanent Pain Cure.

Fascia is connective tissue that covers and wraps almost every structure in the body. We're talking nerves, muscles, bones, organs, blood vessels - all of it!

Looking like a web of sorts with a gel-like texture, fascia is made up of water and collagen and elastin protein fibers; it is (or should be) moist, slippery, and hydrated giving it the ability to remain flexible and stretchy so the body can move freely without restriction.

Truly, this connective sheath is the unifying tissue, from head to each finger and toe, wrapping and weaving throughout the body - all fascia is connected, intimately so. Meaning if one area is restricted, inflamed, or cut, the effects can be found up and down the fascial chain in the body.

Fascia can heal itself (just like the rest of the body); however, fascia doesn't typically heal in its original configuration. In response to inflammation (due to poor posture or diet, trauma, chronic inflammation, injury, surgical scars, etc.), collagen production increases forming fascial adhesions. This causes the fascia to become sticky, bumpy, tight and rigid.

When this one area of fascia becomes kinked or bound, the effects can move to other areas of the body. This can cause imbalances on a muscular and structural level, but also affect breathing, organ placement and health, even mental/emotional wellbeing.

This is where C-Section scar massage (and other forms of addressing and enhancing fascial health) come into play.

A comprehensive treatment plan of not only C-Section rehabilitation, but all rehabilitation (especially that of growing and birthing a human), must include addressing the state and health of the fascia in order to truly move toward whole health and healing.