Stress stiffens the fascia

​Your fascia is a powerful and sensitive communicator.  It needs therapy that reduces stress and supports this integral "healing interface” that is reactive, responding to pressure, temperature, breath and emotion.
We can influence it through touch, awareness and gentle movement.
When we’re stressed, over-trained, or under slept, the fascia stiffens, blood flow decreases, and this gel-like matrix becomes glue-like and resistant.
Instead of circulating freely, it can stagnate in the tiny spaces between fibers.  The tissues can feel boggy, heavy, or sticky, causing:

• Sluggish lymphatic drainage
• Restricted blood flow or microvascular stagnation
• Build-up of metabolic waste and low-grade inflammation

Fascia doesn’t just respond to physical strain — it also responds to your nervous system. With ongoing stress, your “fight-or-flight” system becomes more active which tightens muscles and fascia, even without injury.
Fascia stretching uses a combination of flowing moves, holds and glides as well as the breath, shifting you into parasympathetic mode, calming your nervous system, which then softens the fascia and makes it flow better.
Healthy, mobile fascia supports circulation and fluid flow.
What is awareness about? When you are having a stretch, don’t drift off thinking about work or what you have to do.  It’s good to be aware of what’s going on in your body so you can feel the optimal point of tension - not too tight, not too loose—to effectively lengthen the fascia and release restrictions.
Fascia is slow to adapt. If it is constantly bracing due to stress, inflammation, or lack of recovery, YOU’LL STAY STUCK!  Include fascia stretching in your routine and keep up the foam rollering, it helps too!