The role of fascia in the body
Fascia is a term commonly given to types of connective tissue. Some disagreement and overlap exists between experts as to what should and should not be included.
Fascia is composed of a variable mix of collagen, elastin and ground substance.
Collagen
Elastin
Ground Substance is perhaps of most interest to manual therapists in that it can change.
Thixotropy describes the biochemical process whereby energy in the form of heat and mechanical energy (the action of the therapist’s hands)
Muscles – Fascia wraps muscle in descending levels of organisation. Each muscle is wrapped in fascia, the muscle bundles within each muscle are likewise wrapped and fibres within each bundle are also wrapped by sheaths of fascia.
Nerves – nerve fibres in the body are a mix of neurons and connective tissue
Ligaments
Adipose tissue has a higher ratio of fat cells
Tendons
Mechanical Function
CT supports, separates
Nutrition
waste,