I’ve been asked what I think about a popular tool called the ‘Fascia Blaster’. People hear the word fascia and since I practice Myofascial Release, want to know how this tool relates to what I do. It’s a complicated subject, but, my short answer is, this tool does not treat fascia the same way I do in my practice and if you decide to use this tool, please use caution.
While I have heard that some people like the results they see, from using the ‘fascia blaster’, I’ve also heard people have injured themselves, amongst the problems listed are blood clots, extreme detox (apparently sending folks to the ER), kidney trauma, worsening of cellulite when they stop using it, cellulite showing up in places they never touched with the blaster.
What is Fascia?
I am happy to hear more people talking about fascia, which has been ignored or misunderstood, in healthcare, for so long. Here’s what I have learned about it, so far.
Fascia, or connective tissue, runs through the whole body like a three dimensional, fluid-filled web. It surrounds blood vessels, nerves, is the casing for muscles, it holds organs in place, and is what tendon is made of. There is not one structure in the body that fascia does not touch. All of our cells are embedded in fascia. So anything that goes into or out of a cell, goes through the fascial system. It is an amazing communication system for the entire bodies and it is the container of fluids in our bodies. (look up the work of Dr. Robert Schleip)
Its 3 main components are elastin, collagen and a polysaccharide gel-type, ground substance or extra-cellular matrix (ECM).
When there is restriction in the body, due to inflammation, injuries, trauma or repetitive postures; the tissues can become tight, pulling and creating tension in sometimes seemingly unrelated areas, putting intense pressure on nerves, blood vessels, organs, pulling bones out of alignment, and creating pain.
At the cellular level, fluids can get squeezed out, resulting in dehydrated tissues, that sometimes becomes glued together or solidified. Restricted tissues are not only easy to tear, but are an unhealthy environment for our cells, if cells cannot respirate they cannot accept hydration, oxygen and nutrients, nor can they get rid of their waste products.
What is Myofascial Release?
There are many pieces to the puzzle when it comes to caring for and healing our bodies. There are even different forms of Myofascial Release. Some are aggressive; Structural Integration or Rolfing, (www.Rolf.org) and Graston technique, (www.grastontechnique.com) to name a couple. They do break up adhesions, but only give temporary results, while being painful (in my opinion) in the process. Also, if lubrication is used, sliding on the skin, you aren’t engaging all the layers of fascia. You can’t achieve lasting Myofascial Release with speed, and using force is actually tearing, not releasing. The fascial system is protective and tends to resist suddenly applied force.
So, we could ask, are these modalities possibly inflicting trauma to our delicate tissues? Probably using the 'fascia blaster' will break up fascial adhesions and people will feel less tightness and less pain temporarily, but, since the fascia is damaged or torn, would the body respond like it does to an injury? With inflammation and scar tissue, more resistant tissue? Isn’t that opposite of your intention? It could contribute to poor circulation, poor lymph flow, swelling and other dysfunction, down the road, which might be considered random and inexplicable, surely not what your original goal was. It is possible that one reason people notice less cellulite following a fascia blasting session, is that the body responds to the injury with an inflammatory response (swelling) and it is possibly only masking the appearance, making the skin look smoother for awhile.
MFR: There is a gentle and wholistic type of Myofascial Release, which is what I practice. It was developed by a Physical Therapist named John F. Barnes. ( www.MyofascialRelease.com )
No lotion or oil is used, so it is possible to engage the entire fascial system. A gentle, yet, sustained pressure is applied for 5 minutes, or more, since there is a cellular phase transition that begins after 5 minutes. The elastin releases quickly, like during a massage. Collagen takes 90-120 seconds of gentle sustained pressure or lengthening, opening to ‘unkink’ or ‘unlock’ adhesions.
Then after 5 minutes, of a sustained compression or stretch, a process called mechanotransduction (look up Donald Ingber tensegrity or mechanotransduction) occurs within the ground substance, and a molecular response (look up Paul R. Standley, www.researchgate.net/scientific-contributions/Paul-R-Standley-39706822) begins. There is a phase transition, from solid to fluid, (look up Gerald H. Pollack, 4th phase of water) that repairs the tissues. This is what provides the longer lasting result and contributes to authentic healing.
Using the John F. Barnes approach to Myofascial Release, I treat many issues, such as nerve impingements, structural imbalances, serious acute and chronic pain conditions, etc. Even more than physical responses to treatment, true healing occurs when your autonomic nervous system is in its parasympathetic phase of rest, recover, restore vs. its sympathetic phase of fight, flight, freeze, fawn.
What tools do you suggest?
As far as tools, in MFR world, we use a squishy ball as opposed to a racquetball or tennis ball. We use pieces of pool noodle as opposed to foam roller. Keeping in mind the fascia is protective, we want to begin gently.
If you are rolling with the ball or foam, you are getting a massage, and that releases the elastic component, which is great, but that is a temporary result. If you leave it in the same place for 3 minutes, the collagen adhesions can let go and at 5 minutes your body responds with anti-inflammatory and extra blood flow to repair the tissues. This gives a longer lasting result.
Sometimes your system will send you a message of where to treat next, a sensation in another area. Trust your system, even if it seems unrelated. This is your fascia talking to you.
Would MFR help cellulite?
My current answer to that question is, I don’t know. I wouldn’t rule it out, since MFR helps our tissues to regain their fluidity and helps our cells and thus the whole body operate the way its supposed to… There are more important benefits of MFR, not just a visual effect, but the internal healing at the cellular level.
There are many factors that could cause cellulite. If your goal is to reduce cellulite, perhaps there are other ways to do it, maybe consider having a conversation with a Nutritionist or Naturopath Dr. about its causes.
Much of our society has adopted the ‘no pain, no gain’ concept for many areas of life. It does apply in some, like when you are doing athletic training and building muscle. But, it doesn’t apply when releasing restrictions in the body. Gentle holds for a long period of time achieve the longest lasting results and change in the fascial system.
Listen to your body, trust your intuition. If it hurts, you may be hurting yourself.
I hope this information helps. If you want to give Myofascial Release Therapy a try, please visit www.MFRHealth.com to find an experienced therapist near you.
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