What Is Fascia and Why It Matters for Whole-Body Health

When we think about muscles, bones and joints, we often picture individual body parts working in isolation. In reality, the body doesn’t actually move or feel that way. One of the key reasons is fascia.

Fascia is a continuous network of connective tissue that wraps around and weaves through muscles, bones, joints, nerves and internal organs, connecting the body into one integrated system (Schleip et al., 2001).

Rather than being passive “packing material”, fascia plays an active role in:

• Movement coordination

• Force transmission (how load travels through the body)

• Proprioception (your sense of body position and movement)

• Fluid dynamics within tissues

  
  

Research has shown that fascia contributes to how forces are distributed through the body and how efficiently we move, particularly during complex or repetitive movements (Schleip et al., 2001).

Why fascia matters for whole-body care

Fascia is continuous, which means tension in one area can influence how another area feels or functions. This helps explain why pain isn’t always coming from where it’s felt.

For example:

• Stiffness along the neck and upper back may contribute to headaches

• Foot or ankle restrictions can affect hip or shoulder comfort

• Abdominal tightness can subtly influence posture, breathing and spinal loading

This whole-body influence is supported by research showing that fascia transmits mechanical forces across regions of the body, rather than isolating movement to individual muscles or joints (Schleip and Müller, 2013).

Understanding fascia encourages a broader perspective that looks beyond symptoms and considers how the body is functioning as a connected system.

Fascia and internal structures

Fascia does not only surround muscles. It also supports and connects internal organs, allowing them to move and glide relative to one another as we breathe, bend and twist (Schleip et al., 2001).

When fascial tissues lose their ability to move freely, whether due to stress, injury, surgery, prolonged sitting or repetitive patterns, this may contribute to sensations of restriction or discomfort both internally and externally.

How fascia responds to daily life

Fascia is adaptable and responsive to how we live. Research suggests it benefits from regular movement, varied movement patterns, balanced loading and adequate hydration (Schleip and Müller, 2013).

Long periods of sitting, repetitive movement or dehydration can reduce tissue glide and elasticity over time. Gentle, consistent movement and hydration support tissue pliability and fluid movement, which may help the body feel more comfortable and resilient.

How we support fascia at Realign

At Realign Health Clinic, many of our treatments support fascial health as part of a whole-body approach:

• Myofascial Release (MFR): gentle, sustained pressure to improve glide between fascial layers

• Myofascial cupping: uses suction to decompress tissues, encourage circulation and support fluid movement

• Massage therapy: supports circulation, tissue adaptability and reduction of tension patterns

• Chiropractic care: gentle adjustments support joint motion and nervous system input, which can influence fascial tension patterns

• Acupuncture: interacts with the nervous system and connective tissue, supporting relaxation and tissue balance.

  
  

Fascial tissues are richly innervated, meaning they also play a role in sensory input and body awareness, not just movement (Stecco et al., 2022).

A more sustainable New Year reset

Understanding fascia supports a shift away from extreme New Year resolutions and towards sustainable habits. Regular movement, hydration and whole-body care align more closely with how the body actually functions.

When goals work with the body rather than against it, they are far more likely to last.

If you’re curious about how a whole-body approach could support you, our team is here to help, find out more or book an appointment.

References:

• Schleip, R., Klingler, W. and Lehmann-Horn, F. (2001). Fascia as a regulatory system in health and disease. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 5(1), 11–18. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11346343/

• Schleip, R. and Müller, D.G. (2013). Training principles for fascial connective tissues: Scientific foundation and suggested practical applications. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 17(1), 103–115. Available at: https://fasciaresearchdatabase.com/training-principles-for-fascial-connective-tissues-scientific-foundation-and-suggested-practical-applications/

• Stecco, C. et al. (2022). Fascial innervation: A systematic review. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(10), 5674. Available at: https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/10/5674