Unveiling the Fascinating Fascial Network, Our Most Richly Sensory Organ

Dr. Robert Schleip For decades, fascia has been viewed as a passive sheath providing mechanical support to our musculoskeletal system. While early reports hinted at the presence of sensory nerves in fascia, their significance was overlooked, leaving a gap in our understanding. Pioneers like Moshe Feldenkrais and Ida Rolf primarily attributed mechanical importance to fascia,

The Effect of Deep Tissue Massage on Respiratory Parameters on Healthy Individuals

Deep tissue massage (DTM) is a therapeutic approach that targets the deeper layers of muscle and fascia to alleviate symptoms associated with fascial disorders. While DTM has been primarily studied for its effects on musculoskeletal conditions, there is growing interest in exploring its impact on other physiological systems, including the respiratory system. The respiratory system

The Role of A-Fiber Afferents in Perceiving Pleasantness of Touch

Gentle stroking of the skin is a common social touch behavior that elicits positive affective responses. The preference for slow versus fast stroking of hairy skin has been linked to the activation of unmyelinated C-tactile (CT) somatosensory afferents, which strongly correlate with touch pleasantness. The CT pathway has been recognized as a key sensory pathway

Chronic primary musculoskeletal pain: a new concept of nonstructural regional pain

Chronic primary musculoskeletal pain is a newly recognized condition (in 2022) that is categorized as nociplastic pain, occurring without identifiable tissue abnormality. This is a paradigm shift in management towards more centrally directed treatment strategies. Patients with myofascial pain may in fact suffer from this condition. Many questions remain, including validation of examination techniques, prevalence,

Foam Rolling Acute Effects on Myofascial Tissue Stiffness and Muscle Strength

Foam rolling (FR) is a popular technique used in physical training and rehabilitation to release muscle tension and improve mobility. However, its effects on myofascial tissue stiffness and muscle strength have remained unclear. To better understand these effects, researchers conducted a systematic review with meta-analysis of trials that tested the acute effects of FR during

Myofascial Therapy: A New Approach to Anxiety Treatment?

A recent study published in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies suggests that myofascial therapy may be an effective treatment for clinical anxiety. The study, a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial, involved 36 adult patients with clinical anxiety who were randomly assigned to either the myofascial treatment group or a placebo group. The treatment group