Cat and dog owners have probably noticed that their pets stop from time to time. They do this to maintain good flexibility and mobility of the fascia. Many bodywork systems, such as yoga, use stretching of entire myofascial bonds, not just individual muscles, as is the case in traditional fitness. Why?
Until now, little was known about the fascia – the flexible shell of muscles and bones. However, several groundbreaking studies have shown that it may be the body’s largest untapped source to improve muscle function and prevent injury. The fascination of the 21st century lies in the fact that it is too thin to be studied in advance – without the use of electron microscopes and other modern devices. measurement. Until recently, the role of the fascia was limited to a simple “packing” of muscles and internal organs. However, it turned out that this is extremely important for maintaining the full working capacity of the body. Fascia is the ubiquitous tissue that surrounds every nerve, every vein and artery, every internal organ.
Living tissue
The fascia is a sensory organ charged with nerve endings, which means it responds to its environment. According to the researchers, every move we make is a physical experiment. If the experiment succeeds and, for example, you can throw off the sweater by tilting your head, it will become a habit, and all these little habits will accumulate and be reflected in our posture. In short, fascial activity is so deeply rooted in our movements that friends can immediately recognize us from afar. Fundamental changes in this movement pattern are rather unlikely, at least in the short term.
The only way to test if movement is based on your natural body structure is to make sure children do it spontaneously. Jumping, jumping, jumping – it’s all energy coming from the fascia, not the muscle. It’s no surprise that boxers spend a lot of their time jumping rope. If they learn to jump properly, they will do so with little or no muscle.
Front Panel in Practice
How to use the knowledge of fascia in practice to be healthier, more efficient and stronger? Here are some tips and exercises.
Most of us work at a desk, so how you sit has more to do with your posture than your position. After a while, the connective tissue gets used to the casual position, making it a natural position. This leads to lower back and neck pain, flaccid chest and increased susceptibility to injury in the shoulder.
TIPS: • Sit as straight as you can. Check if you are sliding on the chair. • Stretch your chest forward and extend your arms down and back. • strengthen the body. Tighten your abdominal muscles as if you were hit, but breathe normally.
Stand straight with your feet shoulder-width apart and step forward with your left foot. Keeping your body straight, bend your left knee and lower your body until your leg is bent 90 degrees and your right knee touches the ground. Stop and stabilize the pose, then push your left heel off the ground and return to a standing position. When you stand up, clench your fists tightly and pull your glutes together. Stand up straight and hold this position until you start counting to 5. Repeat the exercise on both legs.
– Hold the barbell with both hands so that it is vertically under your chin (as if you were holding a heavy cup). Standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and transferring your weight to your heels, lower yourself vigorously to a full squat. Without stopping and relaxing, jump up as if you are exploding.
– Grasp the handle by the handle, arms outstretched to the width of your arms. Hanging your arms straight and straining your back muscles, pull yourself up, hissing. Move your throat forward so that it is next to the stick. When you go down, pretend you are going down.
– Master the art of jumping rope without jumping. In other words, increase the elasticity of your calves, feet, and ankles. Pivoting the rope backward also balances your arms, opens your chest, and stretches your spine, which helps to relax the fascia.
Tomasz Pioida passed the specialized exam in 2018 and joined the CM Salus group of physiotherapists. We recommend that you take the advice and help of our new specialist who deals with all types of pain, mainly associated with the musculoskeletal system (especially the myofascial system) – from the back of the head to the feet. For problems such as back pain, tennis or golfer’s elbow, headaches, joint problems, heel spurs, various proven methods are used to achieve the best therapeutic effect.
Within the framework of physiotherapy consultations, he uses his knowledge, including for the functional diagnosis of patients, qualification and planning of kinesitherapy, physiotherapy and massage procedures, the selection of appropriate medicinal and rehabilitation products, making conclusions and decisions regarding the condition of patients undergoing physiotherapy and the course of treatment. process, as well as patient education in the field of prevention and self-therapy.