Fascia is something that does not show vivid images in pictures illustrating muscles. Meanwhile, this tissue in the body the most. Sometimes they forget about it, studying anatomy or doing in the gym. But its significance is so great that knowledge allows the concept to be used both in theory and in practice. In the article we will reveal what fascia means and how it is arranged in the body.
The concept
Fascia is ligaments, and pleura, and membranes, and so on. All these formations are derived from a certain embryonic embryo or mesoderm, from which a tissue called mesenchyme is produced. In it, mechanical activity occurs in all directions in the embryonic period. The smallest displacements and movements occur throughout life. Fascia is something that is present at each level of the human body, it is a fundamental component of physiology, mainly due to its protective function.
Fascia is in contact with the external environment even before the nervous system intervenes. At its level, the interaction of space inside and outside the cell is carried out. This ensures balance.
To overpower the load, this structure forms chains, and when the critical level is exceeded, it changes its properties. All injuries remain in memory.
Fascia is a connective tissue, or rather, the mesoderm from the embryonic leaf. It turns out that both cartilage and bones are also them, but in a compacted form. Composing a single fabric, they, without interruption, follow from head to toe outside and inside. Fascias connect the bones to each other and within themselves. Penetrating into all structures and layers, they form a matrix, starting from the inside and ending with the most superficial layer.
They distinguish three levels:
- subcutaneous;
- deep;
- subserous.
Let us dwell on them in more detail.
Subcutaneous fascia
As the name implies, it is located under the skin, being the main one in the layer of fat, blood vessels, nerves and receptors. It is due to this connective tissue that the skin is able to shift in different directions above the layers of other structures.
In this space, fluid and metabolites can accumulate. Due to the connection with the deep fascia, tissue changes here can be caused by processes taking place inside, reflecting their dysfunction.
Deep fascia
This is a denser structure compared to the previous one. It separates the muscles, nerves and blood vessels, internal organs, and so on (the fascia of the neck can serve as an example). The elements here are pleura, pericardium and peritoneum. Due to its dense and stable properties, syndromes of different nature can develop. So, as a result of an injury to the lower extremity, the fascia of the thigh may be impaired and the nerve vessel may be impaired, where sensitivity is damaged.
Subserous fascia
This substance covers the internal organs. It is characterized by friability and is the basis for nerves and small vessels. This must be taken into account when visceral therapy is used.
Functions
Fascias perform the following functions.
- Firstly, they are a support for nerves and blood vessels.
- Secondly, they take part in the formation of muscles, ligaments and tendons.
- Thirdly, they provide gliding between organs and tissues.
- Fourth, keep in shape.
- Fifth, they are a nutritional and lubricating component.
- Sixth, provide reflexes to the nervous system.
- Seventh, they perform proprioception and nociception.
- And finally, eighth, enter the immune system.
They are closely related to muscles. For example, the wide fascia of the thigh, like others, covers its muscles. Therefore, it is actively involved in the process of their lengthening - contraction.
Strain
Fascia changes become possible due to their elastic-viscous properties, which is ensured by the ratio of the individual elements of the connective tissue. There are two types of elastic deformations:
The first is to acquire a new shape as a result of the applied load (if the work was in tension, then we are talking about lengthening). In this case, the form that existed before the load is forgotten. This is easy to understand by the example of plasticine. It is especially plastic at a young age. The property is manifested due to the viscosity of the main substance of the tissue. If it were not plastic, then the shape of a person throughout life could not change.
Elastic tensile deformation preserves a new length, while efforts are made for this. But after that, the previous length is returned. For example, a wide fascia can stretch and shorten again. It can be compared with a rubber band, because, unlike the previous type, it remembers the "past". Connective tissue has these elastic properties, which ensures a constant shape and size. So, the fascia of the neck, although it can be slightly elongated, but very little. They keep their size.
Hysteresis
It seems like two opposing qualities can get along? This paradox will be easier to understand if we recall the tissue hysteresis. It is known that external and internal changes in the environment contribute to changes in tissue properties. If the temperature in the fascia rises, plastic properties prevail. At lower temperatures, in contrast, elastic properties will be more apparent.
Remember stretching exercises. It is known that muscles should be warmed up in front of her. Then stretching will be more effective. Tension of the wide fascia, anterior, posterior group of muscles on the hips elongate much better after intensive training.
External and internal environment are constantly changing. And after them, the properties of the tissues also change. Among the factors that affect this effect, one can distinguish the time of day, palpitations, respiratory rhythm.
The change in the elastic properties of the tissue is called the “hysteresis loop”.
Fascias and injuries
These structures are subject to microtrauma. Fascia reactions to overload are divided in stages into the following types:
- decreased ability to stretch;
- scarring repair;
- distortion of spatial perception.
It turns out that at first, due to overload, they loosen, which can lead to bleeding and inflammation. Then scars, sealing contractures are formed, pain appears and, finally, proprioception and muscle tone change.
Further changes lead to systemic reactions. A pain syndrome is formed. Along with the fact that the fascia delimits organs, provides gliding, they are membranes - a transit for vessels and nerves. Most of all, this reaction is inherent in those vessels that nourish the nerves. So, at the stage of pathogenesis, the muscles suffer, but at the same time there may be the so-called “tunnel effect”, when other areas are involved in irrigation. Then there is irradiation. An example here is the syndrome of scalene muscles.
Muscle
These structures follow the fascia. They are divided into static and phase. Of course, each of them has both one and the other functions, but nevertheless some is dominant.
The former are more prone to shortening. In the lower part, they include, for example, straight hips, square lumbar, calf and other muscles. In the upper part there are ladder, widest backs, muscles that raise the scapula, and so on.
Dynamic muscles are prone to hypotension. An example of them are the buttocks, abdomen, deep flexors of the neck, extensors of the upper limbs.