We are such watery beings! How do we manage to seem so solid? What system(s) give us this marvelous ability to move about? Of course, there is our neural network: the brain, and the body’s neural pathways which connect our different organ systems. More recently, researchers have proven that fascia is the other communication network- for our emotions! Fascia reflects our emotional state.
What is fascia? It is connective tissue that varies in strength and elasticity. It connects our skin to underlying muscles; it wraps each tiny muscle fiber, bundles up each muscle group, and becomes tendons and ligaments which attach our muscles to our bones. Fascia wraps nerve fibers. Fascia supports and protects our internal organs. Fascia gives our bodies’ tensional integrity, the ability to hang from a jungle gym with one hand, and not collapse in a heap; it puts spring in our step, and glide in our stride!
What happens when a part of our body is damaged, through injury/burns, disease, surgery, inflammation or even poor postural habits? When the body’s immune system becomes engaged, it sends in the troops which will begin the healing process, repairing areas with cells and solutions that form scar tissue and adhesions.
Adhesions are a form of internal scar tissue. They are fibrous bands or sheets that are created to stabilize a wound during the healing process. Over time, adhesions may be dissolved. Each individual has a different response to how a particular injury is repaired. Some of us create a lot of adhesions, some don’t. Some of us will have adhesions that dissolve, some won’t…
Adhesions, such as adhesive capsulitis, known as ‘frozen shoulder’, or capsular contracture, which can occur after some breast augmentation surgeries, will connect two internal surfaces that weren’t connected before. This is problematic!
Skin tightens and shortens. There can be less range of motion.
When crossing a joint, a scar or internal adhesion may limit the range of motion, compromise function or cause deformity as it becomes hard and non-pliable on or below the surface.
There can be nerve impingement, pain, numbness, muscle atrophy, postural misalignment. From an emotional standpoint, scars can cause a loss of self-esteem, social stigmatization, or development of post-traumatic stress symptoms.
Fortunately, many scars and adhesions can be treated.
Natural treatments include some great topical applications, with Emu oil topping the list.
Massage practitioners can be trained in various soft tissue manipulations to lengthen or realign soft tissue. To the extent of the palpable extensions of a scar and its adhesions (which can travel internally for quite a ways!), adhesions can be broken down one layer or branch at a time. This can be uncomfortable- scars can be tender for years, and breaking down scar tissue can be emotionally sensitive as well. We can revisit some of the emotions that resulted from the original injury.
Releasing adhesions can help reduce chronic pain, numbness, tingling, burning and itching in the scarred area. Internal structures (organs, muscles) whose fascia coverings are stuck together can be released, and scars may lengthen, causing the skin to flatten and look more normal. And, ones range of motion can be increased, and posture can improve when adhesions are lengthened or eliminated, allowing muscles to glide against each other instead of sticking. The interstitial fluids can flow more freely, reducing the possibility of edema forming around impaired fascia.
Think about the scars you may have acquired as you walk through life. We all have at least one, our Belly Button! Be curious. Do your scars look puckered? Do they still itch? Are they tender? Do you have muscle cramps near a scar? Does the skin around your scar move freely or stick in certain places? Perhaps a little scar tissue release could put the glide back in your stride!!
