FASCIA Normalization Techniques©
Andrew T. Still, DO said the body will protect different tissues in a Hierarchy of Importance. We begin with explaining the FASCIA part:
- Vascular, Lymphatics, and unifying FASCIA
2. Nervous System
3. Organs
4. Endocrine System
5. Musculo-skeletal System
Facts of Fascia – Myofascial Meridians (“Anatomy Trains” by Thomas W. Myers)
Anatomy Trains provides a “longitudinal anatomy” of twelve individual sets of maps with tracks, stations, and switches. It is a systemic point of view offered as a supplement to the standard analysis of muscular action.
Overview of Fascia
Fascia is a dense meshwork of irregular connective tissue that covers all our tissues in our bodies. It is around our muscles, organs, joints, brain ligaments, capsules, tendons, vascular and lymph vessels, and nerves (epineurium) (Schleip 2003).
Fascia is the largest sensory system in the body, with a rich vascular and nerve supply present in the outer layers of deep fascia. In the deeper layers we find intra-fascial nerve fibers where the interstitial myofascial tissue receptors are located (Stecco, et al 2008). They are sensitive to stretch, thermal, and chemical stimuli (Type III and IV).
Facial “stretch” Reflex
Fascia is a common factor in many systems, such as the outer layer of blood vessels, lymph vessels (adventitia) and nodes, and the epineurium (50%) of the nerves all have Type III and IV receptors. These nerve endings run in parallel with the sympathetic nerves. When they are stimulated, they connect with sympathetic neurons in the grey horn of the spinal cord, and then in turn, connect via efferent fibers to the respective vessel or nerve. These are spinal reflex arches, and they cause constriction of the vessels (smooth muscles in tunica media) and nodes. Constriction of the epineurium causes a reduction in the fascial glide and thereby influences musculoskeletal mechanics such as joint glide and slide. (Schleib R, et al)
Fascia follows the body’s connective tissue forming traceable “meridians”. The word “meridian” is usually used in the context of the energetic lines of transmission in the domain of acupuncture. The myofascial meridian lines are not acupuncture meridians, but lines of pull, based on standard Western anatomy; that is, lines that transmit strain and movement through the body’s myofascial system around the skeleton. They have some overlap with the meridians of acupuncture, but the two are not equivalent.
Example: The plantar surface of the foot is often a source of trouble that can affect through several myofascial tracks and bony stations all the way up to the head.
Patricia Kortekaas, PT, ANT-c found reflex points that would aid in the neuro communication of a fascial line and named them “breakers”. These fascial breakers can be seen as neuro-communication centers for each fascial line, and they will control mechanical and neurological functions. She continued to identify more “breakers” on other points on the feet and hands in correlation with other fascial lines.
Breakers can be used to “restore” and “normalize” the innervation of dysfunctional fascial lines. After restoring normal function in a dysfunctional fascial line, you can “trace” for local dysfunctions in that corrected fascial line. By drawing in with ANT at the corresponding breaker, you can scan for fascial “tension” along the same myofascial track. By connecting to the level of the dysfunctional fascial matrix using fascial “loading”, we establish a neuro communication between the two areas and restoration starts to happen. Normal neurological functioning (contract/relax) of the fascial network/matrix on local and CNS level, will be restored. We call this kind of ANT technique “Fascial Tracing” in line with fascial manipulation.
In Osteopathy, a fascial “trauma” is a sudden unexpected pull, compression or shearing force, or a chronic slow impact on a fascial line that will result in a fascial line contraction and neurological dysfunction. Simply, the fascial line has lost its capability to glide and slide at the appropriate time.
The ANT© students learn to address/treat the connections between the fascial lines on macroscopic level and in the joint capsules/ligamentous structures on microscopic level. This specific ANT technique is very useful also to restore normal glide and slide mechanism (arthrokinematics) in a dysfunctional joint. We will call the use of the breakers to restore arthro-kinematics in the joint, Fascial Biomechanics in ANT.
FASCIAL BioMECHANICS
If we simplify the many fascial line from Anatomy Trains by Thomas Myers to three major MACRO fascial lines as well as with the Arm/Functional lines, then we can work more easily with those lines in a practical setting. There are three lines: one Frontal/Dorsal line, one Lateral/Medial line and one continuing Spiral line. We call them the three MACRO fascial lines in the body. Fibers from the capsules and ligaments support the glide and slide mechanisms in the joints, and they need to follow the gross movements from the body fascial lines to create well-integrated movement patterns. We will call the fibers in the capsules MICRO lines, and which are exactly a continuation of the Macro lines. By now assuming that every movement must be a combination of micro and macro fascial connections in the body, then injuries must be treated in both areas to restore normal neuro and fascial communication.
Our fascia can be considered our “mechanical brain”. Every neurological input from the brain must innervate the big fascial lines as well as the joint capsules that simultaneously support the smooth and well-coordinated movement patterns in the body. So, it is safe to say that each joint capsule most likely has a combination of connecting fibers to the spiral, the ventral/dorsal and lateral lines, depending on the osteopathic form/shape of the individual joint.
Fascial Biomechanics is a unique ANT technique that works well to establish this outcome with minimal and lasting efforts because we are tapping into efficient neuro communication of the body.