Fascia has been a buzzword in health care lately. It is a a three-tiered layer of tissue that encases tissues and organs, and it is thought to have the potential to impact everything in the body.1 Primarily, fascia helps to coordinate the body’s movements, or biomechanics, position in space (i.e., proprioception) and fluid flow throughout the body.
Fascia can become inflamed and stiff through overuse or injury. “Higher elasticity of the fascia allows organs and tissues to function better, while stiffer fascia decreases performance,” according to a Washington Post article. Fascial stretch therapy (FST™), offered at Stretch Moves Holistic Wellness, is pain-free, gentle stretching performed on a massage table that targets fascia—the connective tissue that stabilizes and separates muscle. The goal of FST™ is to increase range of motion, improve flexibility and balance, and reduce stiffness.
The effects of FST™ can last longer than traditional massage because fascial stretching involves movement and release in areas that cannot be reached by traditional hand manipulation. FST™ is performed on a massage table that targets the fascia and all of the connected muscles, joints, ligaments, tendons and bones.
