21/06/2020
Interesting information written by one of the Equine Touch Instructors, explaining more about the fascia that all Equine Touch Practioners work with.
Another wee article that I put together a while ago, this was written about 7 years ago in my Equine Touch portfolio however there is so much more on the internet with amazing facts about FASCIA check it out - Axx
FASCIA a spider’s web!
Can you see the relation between fascia and a spider's web? Think about it. If you touch one part of the web, the whole fabricated network moves(just like a tensegrity model) providing instantaneous information for the spider to act or react. Fascia acts in the very same manner. Its the whole body communication system where, if stimulated, transmits a signal to every part of the body.
Beyond Muscle and Bone!
Even with the most basic knowledge of biology we learned the term of “connected tissue”,
Which was the way to describe certain cell types. However, When you apply this to FASCIA, the term ”connective” takes on a whole new meaning.
FASCIA IS THE CONNECTIVE TISSUE THAT LINKS EVERY TISSUE IN THE BODY.
For example, it connects the skin to the muscle, the muscle to the body and the organs to each other. Anatomists and surgeons, for centuries, have cut the body up to isolates and define organs, ligaments, muscles and bones; but due to research the body is really parts and organs are all linked by CONNECTIVE TISSUE. There is no separation of parts when we view the body under the microscope level. In a living human or being, it is all linked by FASCIA CONNECTIVE TISSUE.
So let’s have a look at the fascia role, fascia has in the equine body. Described for centuries as a passive structure, it is now seen as having the ability to actively contract in a muscle in a controlled manner so the influence the musculo -skeletal-skeletal dynamics. In the human, the influence that fascia plays an important role in posture and movement it’s been extensively researched.
Thomas Meyers, an American Myofascial specialist, has shown that this connective presents itself as a whole body system, and not 600 separate muscles. He described the body as having one muscle hanging out in 600 or more fascial pockets.
TENSION THROUGHOUT THE EQUINES BODY!
Forces induced by, injury, trauma, slipping, also everyday stress will immediately or over a period of time, causes imbalances in the fascial system. The tensional network can shorten, thicken, become dehydrated, and consequently affect the muscle function and joint mobility. This in turn, is typically displayed as pain, discomfort, stiffness, decreased mobility, altered movement. Under these circumstances, fascia not only loses it ability to communicate via bio- tensegrity, but it also loses its ability to lubricate, insulate, envelope and functionally support all body systems. It may become excessively bound or stretched so will not respond rapidly to required functional changes in the posture and movement.
A localized area of pain or a scar might create adhesions in the fascial planes, which will become quite detrimental if not addressed or at least released, either through bodywork, movement which will help retain fascia’s inherent qualities.” Fascia is your body's soft tissue scaffolding “
FASCIA IS THE organ of posture and how you carry yourself whether we are talking about static or dynamic posture, it will accommodate good or bad posture. When challenged by compression or trauma ,it will “lock” the body into that position and cause it to function within a reduced capacity creating poor performance in may ways.
Correct range of movement can be obtained when triggering the fascia of the body has been released, improving circulation, balance, performance, adjustments which can be changed.....
In the equine community, some of the most biomechanically aware trainers, that we know all pay special attention to balance and straightness and the role that fascia plays in the biomechanics of the ridden equine.
Everyday in practice, I see the fascial issues and problems, creating the restrictions through stance and movement challenging the equine with or without the pressure of the rider and saddle pressure. Its well known that fascial dysfunction causes pain and lameness it’s wither or not you address them or not leading to behavioural issues when placing a halter, bridle on. Girthing up or putting the rug on where there are areas or tension causing discomfort and negative reactions.
Once we understand that the fascia of the equine and rider to establish their difficulties and need to adjust to align body posture, which will reduce imbalances these issues can decrease given time. What we need to understand is the equine already has imbalances which can be a different level with no rider or equipment and by adding the rider and saddle the equine that is not imbalance will find this a challenge when added...... so if we address the equine on its own it will help when other changes are added.
Things we encounter crookedness, resistance, stiffness, avoidance and through this compensation which is inevitable. It is imperative to change the biomechanics of the equine when starting a young horse or remedially straightening an older one.
Riders must absolutely address their own balance, posture, fitness and biomechanical inadequacies if they are not to be carried into their equitation, Riding is an art but it seems a little lost at the moment...
Although muscles , bones are very relevant components of the body, there is also a need to look deeper into the body of the equine and address both equine and rider, posture, gait, balance, foot balance, dental procedures regularly, saddles checks.
Equine Touch bodywork is a soft tissue release, addressing the whole body communicating within the system but also bringing back awareness into the tissue, detoxification is apparent after a session increased water consumption to flush free radicals out, reducing behavioural issues. Improving performance, balance to the equine in a non diagnostic non invasive application.
Restoring the natural intrinsic qualities of fascia. Its not only the key to pain management and soundness, but unlocking the horses full potential through gentle palpitation.
STRETCHING AND MOBILISATION
Something that I have always encouraged, there’s carrot stretches and there’s carrot stretches.... Any stretch whether your doing it correctly or wrongly I’ve never come across a bad stretch anything is good it’s how long you hold the stretch and where your equine maybe struggling to perform the move you ask and knowing what to look for and when to stop!! FASCIA will take around 30 seconds to start to release so if your equine can only hold a position for a second or two although not great it’s a start. The more you continue to stretch the better it becomes.......
Encouraging the fluid back but also brings the awareness into the tissue reconnecting those receptors at Golgi, spindle cell level through light palpitation......
Q- is it possible? A -Yes!
As with The Equine Touch I say expect the unexpected Axx
