FASCIA MANIPULATION: What is it?

Fascial Manipulation is a type of manual therapy that effectively treats soft tissue problems. It is designed to address each patient individually and comprehensively, particularly those with muscle pain, movement issues, and internal problems. This method was created and developed by an Italian physiotherapist named Luigi Stecco, with scientific help from his daughter, Dr. Carla Stecco, and his son, Dr. Antonio Stecco.

Unlike other methods that only target symptoms or the painful area, Fascial Manipulation® looks at the body as a whole. Often, muscle pain and problems are caused by past issues in different parts of the body. These past issues can change how we feel our body movements, affect our coordination, and change how stress is distributed across muscles and joints, leading to injury, pain, and other problems.

A specialist in Fascial Manipulation® will carefully consider all details about a patient’s medical history, lifestyle, past injuries, surgeries, and other internal issues. This thorough understanding helps them find the root cause of the current pain or dysfunction. Key steps to successful treatment include forming a logical idea of what’s wrong, choosing the right body parts to work on, and identifying the most affected and related anatomical areas. By applying deep pressure on these specific dense areas with the correct technique, it helps the connective tissue move better, allowing neighboring structures to function properly without causing further issues. This personalized approach restores the proper mechanics of the body’s fascial system, leading to lasting results and even preventing future injuries.

So what is the Fascial System?

The fascial system is a part of the body’s connective tissues that links all other systems together thanks to its 3D structure. Because it is connected to every other part of the body and is rich in nerve endings, the fascial system plays a crucial role in supporting the nervous system. This support is essential for smooth movement and proper function of internal organs. To keep the body working well, the structure of the fascial system needs to be in top condition.
There are two main components of the fascial system’s structure:
Fibrous Components: These are layers of collagen-based structures. They include membrane-like layers that surround each muscle, nerve, vein, and organ, as well as sheaths that group muscles, nerves, veins, and organs together. These structures connect different parts of the body, even if they are far apart, allowing forces to be transmitted in multiple directions.
Loose Connective Tissue: Found between the fibrous layers, this tissue allows the different structures to glide smoothly against each other without causing irritation. The quality of this gliding ability depends on the state of Hyaluronan and the water content within the tissue, acting as a lubricant to ensure everything moves easily.

How Does Fascial Manipulation differ from other Soft Tissue Therapies?

Fascial Manipulation: A Method, Not Just a Technique

Fascial Manipulation® (FM) is a well-organised method, not just a simple technique. It has its own unique biomechanical model and clear guidelines. In FM, we aim to restore or improve the functions of:

The process involves assessing and treating each patient individually, taking into account various factors such as:

Fascia Manipulation: A Global and Individualized Approach

Fascial Manipulation uses a global and personalized approach, carefully considering the patient’s entire medical history. In FM, our focus goes beyond just the areas of pain or discomfort. We also consider:

Fascia Manipulation: Addressing Root Causes, Not Just Symptoms

Fascial Manipulation’s strong guidelines help us address the underlying causes of current complaints, not just the symptoms. For example:

• Current lower back pain might result from an older issue in the lower body or an internal problem.
• A chronic shoulder problem could be due to untreated older fractures in the wrist or ribs, past trauma to the neck, or internal dysfunction.
• Internal dysfunction can stem from widespread, multi-directional compensation due to myofascial problems.

By following these principles, Fascial Manipulation aims to provide long-lasting relief and prevent future issues by addressing the root causes of pain and dysfunction.

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