What is Fascia?

Fascia, Fascia, Fascia (anyone else read that like “Marcia, Marcia, Marcia”? Just me? Ok).

Fascia is “a sheet or broad band of fibrous connective tissue that supports and surrounds muscles and other organs of the body,” (Principles of Anatomy and Physiology, 11th ed, Tortora and Derrickson).

It’s what makes pathways (channels, perhaps) for nerves, blood vessels and lymphatic vessels.

It allows free movement of muscles and fills the space between muscles.

Fascia surrounds muscle fibres to make bundles called ‘fascicles.’ Many fascicles create the grain you see in a piece of meat. If you were to take a piece of meat and pull it apart, it would tear along the fascicles (see video).

Fascia insulates, separates, supports, protects. It conducts small electrical impulses and is considered key to the effect of Bowen moves.