Until very recently, human movement science focused on muscles, joints and connective tissues, and the physiological factors that drive energy metabolism and force production. Little recognition was given to the important role of fascia in uniting the body’s systems. But over the past decade, mountains of research are confirming that fascia is the key to biotensegrity.
Fascia is a complex web of tough and elastic connective tissue that surrounds and connects muscles, engulfs the visceral organs, and holds the body’s structures in place during dynamic movement. Fascia is made up of collagen fibers, lubricated by hyaluronic acid – a slippery gel-like substance able to attract 100X its mass in water.
Fascia promotes biotensegrity via the following mechanisms:
- Forms a protective and nourishing covering for muscles, bones, nerves and blood vessels.
- Covers the abdominal and urogenital viscera and anchors them in place.
- Provides elastic tension that guides and controls movement.
- Has slippery and elastic properties that enable nerves, blood vessels and other structures to glide in harmony, without friction.
- Works together with muscles, tendons and ligaments to stabilize joints and hold them in alignment.
Healthy fascia is smooth, slippery and elastic, but when overworked or depleted due to trauma, mechanical stress, or lack of fluids and nutrients, it can become dehydrated and fibrous. Trigger points – fibrous knots of tightly contracted muscle or collagen fibers – can form in myofascial tissue, causing pain and interfering with muscle function.
Damaged or dehydrated fascia can become dense and sticky, creating friction and impeding the ability of nerves and blood vessels to glide among other structures. Densified fascia undermines biotensegrity, disrupts muscle coordination patterns, reduces physical performance, and increases risk of injury.
Without biotensegrity, the joints lose their ability to absorb, mitigate and transfer force loads. During injury rehabilitation, it is not enough to heal muscle and connective tissues – fascial densifications and adhesions must be addressed in order to restore biotensegrity.
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