Fascial Manipulation
What is fascia?
Fascia is a 3D construction of connective tissue formed by collagen and elastic fibers arranged in layers. In each layer the fibers are aligned in different directions. Between them, hyaluronic acid helps the different fiber layers to glide. Thanks to the collagen fibers, fascia can be stretched and due to elastic fibers it can return to its resting state.
Connective tissue also has other functions eg. covers single muscle fibers and groups of muscles,connects the skin with underlying tissue, gives shape to the organs, transports energy from one muscle to another (muscle chain), and is able to independently contract. In the fascia we can find nerve ends, movement receptors, nocyreceptors and thermoreceptors.
Fascial Manipulation of Luigi Stecco was developed in north Italy around 40 Years ago. Since then the method has continuously improved through many studies and therapeutical practices to become world-famous.
This Fascia Manipulation method presents a complete biomechanical model of the human body and helps in deciphering the musculoskeletal disorders and the role of fascia in the process. This means that the method assists in identifying specific limited movement with a specific connected area of the fascia. Once the painful or limited movement is identified, a specific facial point is impilcated and, through manipulation technique of the fascia, the pain can be removed or the limited movement can be restored to normal function.
Therapy starts with a detailed interview and then with a specific movement and palpative examination. An accurate analysis based on anatomy and understanding of myofascial connections can provide indications as to where best to start the therapy. The Fascial Manipulation method allows the therapist to work at a distance from the place of acute pain.
The therapy itself can still be painful and the pain is associated with the deep massage of certain points (CCs– centre of coordination or CFs – center of fusion) on the same sequence or spiral formation. After Fascial Manipulation therapy, patients often feel tired and the treated points are sensitive to touch for several more days (3-5 days). To longer maintain the beneficial results of therapy, it is recommended the patient follows the therapeutical instructions and adopt a healthy lifestyle.
Indications:
- Back and neck pain
- Headaches and migraines
- Dizziness
- Tendonitis (eg. Achilles tendon, Patellar tendon, Rotator cuff, Jumpers knee, bicep tendons etc)
- Nerve entrapment syndrome
- Stiffness of muscles
- Neuralgia
- Tennis and golf elbow
- Feeling of closed nose
- Whiplash
- Lumbalgia
- Arthrosis
- Bakers cyst
- Craniomandibular disorder
- Iliosacral joint disfunction
- Instability of joints
- Chronic sprains (eg ankle sprain)
- Pain in the groin
- Trigger finger
- Discopathy (slipped disc)
- Radiculopathy
- Muscle cramps
- Tinnitus
- and more
