Fascia, commonly defined as connective tissue enclosing a muscle or other organ, has recently become a trendy word in the health and fitness community. Fascia is very important because it attaches your body’s skeletal muscles to bones and other tissues, allowing your muscles and joints to move appropriately in relationship to one another. But to understand the full scope of fascia’s importance, we need to expand this simple definition a bit further.
A Broader Understanding of Fascia
In broader terms, fascia is the unifying element of all tissues.1 It provides organization to your entire system and enables your body to function as one coherent whole. Without fascia, your body would be a disorderly jumble of cells and various functional units unable to coordinate with one another. Knowing this, it is no surprise that fascial health has a large impact on the health of the musculoskeletal system and vital organs.2,3 Therefore the nourishment and functional state of your fascia are extremely important to your overall health.
Fascia and the ELDOA Method of Exercise
How do you maintain healthy fascia? Posture and proper movement are key. For enhanced fascial and overall health, I recommend the ELDOA method. Developed by world-renowned osteopath Dr. Guy Voyer, this form of exercise therapy offers the most comprehensive approach to supporting tissue health that I have encountered thus far. The ELDOA method consists of postural movements that influence the health of the whole body by specifically targeting fascia and connective tissues. While some forms of exercise can have a negative impact on connective tissues (for example, running often leads to wear and tear of the knee and ankle joints), ELDOA supports joint health by creating an environment in which fluid flows more freely through the fascia and connective tissues. This in turn supports the nourishment of skeletal muscles, bones, and organs, including the brain. By enhancing the nourishment and function of every tissue in the entire body, ELDOA takes body conditioning to a whole new level.
Fascia and Nutrition
Good nutrition is also vital to maintaining a healthy fascial system. The stress of malnourishment can lead to cell damage and the hardening and calcification of connective tissues.4-8 Not only do we need movement and exercise to maintain organ and musculoskeletal health, but we also need a healthy diet to nourish the fascia and meet the energy demands of exercise.
Ready to get the blood flowing? Join me for ELDOA classes right here in St. Louis! If you don’t live in the St. Louis area, contact me about doing a class in your area or check out Soma Finder to find a local practitioner. Want to receive more insights on the latest topics in health and wellness? Sign up for my newsletter and stay tuned for more information on how ELDOA improves the health of specific organs.
References
- Kumka M, Bonar J. Fascia: a morphological description and classification system based on a literature review. J Can Chiropr Assoc 56, No. 3 (Sep 2012): 179-191. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3430451
- Findley TW. Fascia research from a clinician/scientist’s perspective. International Journal of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork 4, No. 4 (Dec 2011). http://www.ijtmb.org/index.php/ijtmb/article/view/158/194
- Tanasković I, Lačković V, Gluvić Z, et al. Arch Biol Sci Belgrade 63, No. 2 (2011): 333-343. http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0354-4664/2011/0354-46641102333T.pdf
- Chen Y, Mak AF, Wang M, et al. Composite coating of bonelike apatite particles and collagen fibers on poly L-lactic acid formed through an accelerated biomimetic coprecipitation process. J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater 77, No. 2 (May 2006): 315-22. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16470811
- Golpour M, Niaki HA, Khorasani HR, et al. Human fibroblast switches to anaerobic metabolic pathway in response to serum starvation: a mimic of Warburg effect. Int J Mol Cell Med 3, No. 2 (Spring 2014): 74-80. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4082808
- Kalogeris T, Baines CP, Krenz M, et al. Cell biology of ischemia/reperfusion injury. Int Rev Cell Mol Biol 298 (2012): 229-317. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3904795
- Ngo JK, Pomatto LCD, Bota DA, et al. Impairment of Lon-induced protection against the accumulation of oxidized proteins in senescent WI-38 fibroblasts. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 66A, No. 11 (Aug 2011): 1178-1185. http://biomedgerontology.oxfordjournals.org/content/66A/11/1178
- Siwik DA, Pagano PJ, Colucci WS. Oxidative stress regulates collagen synthesis and matrix metalloproteinase activity in cardiac fibroblasts. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 280, No. 1 (Jan 2001): C53-60. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11121376
The ELDOA method of fitness training sounds wonderfully gentle and not dangerous or threatening.