What are Fascial Restrictions ?

Through trauma, repetitive motions, repetitive positions and the inflammatory process, fascia can become solidified and shorten. Fascia will thicken or reinforce in these areas of stress and, in turn, shorten the connective tissue. This shortening or thickening is what is referred to as a fascial restriction. Fascial restrictions have the capability of putting 2,000 pounds of pressure per square inch in a restricted area. That pressure can compromise any system in the body, causing pain and dysfunction .

What causes these restrictions? Life! Anything from past accidents and traumas to repetitive postioning or activities.  These restrictions slowly build up until it becomes more difficult and, many times, painful to move.

What Areas of the Body can Restrictions Affect?

Since the fascial system runs throughout your entire body, these restrictions can cause pain anywhere in the body, and compromise every system. By system, I mean vascular, neurological, muscular, circulatory, digestive, etc. So fascial restrictions can cause digestive problems, fertility problems, circulation problems, neurological problems and muscular problems. These restrictions can become tighter over time, literally making you feel like you are in a straight jacket and sending symptoms throughout your body.

How Do I Know If I Have Restrictions?

Until recently, fascial restrictions were not able to be seen by any X-ray or imaging machines.  There are a few imaging machines that now are starting to show the restrictions, but these are just beginning to be used. Here's a link to one machine http://rtuspt.com/gallery/stillsMidline.php   With proper training, restrictions can be felt and seen.  By developing sensitivity though taking courses, a skilled JFB-MFR therapist can see and feel where these fascial restrictions are located in the body.

It's actually really easy to tell if you have restrictions.  If you feel like you are being compressed, pulled, or strained then more than likely you have a restriction!   Everyone has restrictions, and eventually they will cause a problem either with decreased function or with pain.  This is what most people consider the normal pain that occurs as we age.   By receiving treatment and learning how to self-treat, you can help release those restrictions, regain function and decrease or eliminate pain.