MFIT - Muscle Fascia Integration Therapy

08/12/2025

“Leon made an important observation, though he lacked the secondary muscular system — fascia.”

© MFIT

Why Releasing Fascia Changes Muscle Function — The MFIT Approach

Leon Chaitow made one of the most valuable clinical observations in manual therapy:

> “It has been clinically proved that it is better to stretch tight muscles first. After stretching the tight muscles, the strength of the weakened antagonists often improves spontaneously — sometimes immediately, sometimes within a few days, without any additional treatment.”
— Leon Chaitow, Muscle Energy Techniques, p.207

It remains highly relevant.

But it’s also important to note:
Leon made a crucial observation, although at the time he lacked the framework of the ‘secondary muscular system’ — fascia.
Today we understand fascia not just as connective tissue, but as a dynamic tensional system that modulates force, movement, inhibition, and neuromuscular balance.

This is exactly where MFIT advances the conversation.

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Why Fascia Matters in This Context

Tight fascia or overactive myofascial chains do more than restrict motion — they:
🔹 inhibit their antagonists
🔹 disrupt proprioception
🔹 alter joint rhythm
🔹 drive compensations through the pelvis, ribs, and shoulders

Releasing the restriction first allows the nervous system to reset, and often the “weakness” resolves spontaneously — exactly as Chaitow described.

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How MFIT Works With Fascia

🔹 Restores fascial glide and hydration
🔹 Normalises agonist–antagonist balance
🔹 Reboots inhibited stabilisers
🔹 Improves sensory feedback and motor control
🔹 Frees the whole kinetic chain from pelvis → diaphragm → shoulder complex

Fascia and muscle are interdependent functional systems.
When one becomes restricted, the entire chain responds.
MFIT works by harmonising this system — facilitating the body’s natural reset rather than forcing change.

©

21/08/2025

🌍 MFIT™ – Healing Beyond the Individual 🌍

In Zulu wisdom, Ubuntu means “I am because we are.”
When one member of a family is unwell, the entire family system feels it.

At MFIT™, we work not only with the individual, but also with the whole family field. Fascia, like family bonds, carries memory, trauma, and unspoken patterns.

🔹 Family Constellations – We engage the collective healing field, creating ripple effects of balance and connection.
🔹 Belly Button Fascia – The navel is our first knot, tied at birth. It holds tension patterns from how the umbilical cord was cut and knotted. By unwinding these deep fascia connections, we release primal imprints and restore flow.

✨ When fascia unwinds, families reconnect.
✨ When one heals, all are touched.

> Healing is not only personal. It is collective. It is shared. It is Ubuntu....❤️

14/06/2025

MFIT Integration Tip

To reduce ACL risk in female athletes:

Use fascial stabilization drills focused on the knee-hip-ankle line.

Enhance core–glute–hamstring coordination, especially during the high-risk hormonal window.

Apply neuromuscular retraining pre- and post-ovulation to stabilize mechanics

14/02/2025

Hands-On Workshop: Unlocking Synergy in the Kinetic Chain

This hands-on workshop is designed for massage and physiotherapists to address common issues like back pain, shin splints, hamstring and glute injuries, groin strains, hip problems, sciatica, and calf pain.

We focus on the synergy between muscles and fascia—the body's secondary muscle system—which plays a crucial role in movement efficiency and injury prevention. When this synergy is disrupted, the kinetic chain becomes overloaded, leading to recurring injuries, particularly in high-intensity sports like football, where hamstring injuries are on the rise.

Participants will learn practical, hands-on techniques to restore abdominal synergy, enhance fascia mobility, and optimize the kinetic chain. By treating the root causes rather than just symptoms, therapists will gain tools to improve patient outcomes, reduce injury recurrence, and enhance overall movement efficiency.

Join us to deepen your understanding of functional movement and take your therapy skills to the next level!

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/pelvic-alignment-tickets-1012114550867

Join us on the 23rd for a advance body work on the abdomen. Working with both muscle and fascia. Pioneering approach to the kinetic chain .

19/01/2025

Lipocartilage: “Scientists have discovered a new type of skeletal tissue called lipocartilage, found in the ears, nose, and throat of mammals. Unlike regular cartilage, which relies on an external structure for support, lipocartilage is packed with fat-rich cells called lipochondrocytes that give it unique durability and flexibility—think of it like bubble wrap. These cells maintain a constant size and keep their fat reserves locked in place, making the tissue soft, springy, and incredibly stable.

This discovery, led by researchers at UC Irvine and published in Science, could revolutionize regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. For humans, it opens the door to groundbreaking treatments for facial defects, injuries, and cartilage-related diseases. Currently, reconstructive surgeries often require harvesting rib cartilage, which is invasive and painful. In the future, doctors could grow personalized lipocartilage from a patient’s stem cells, then use 3D printing to create precise shapes. This could help repair damage from birth defects like cleft noses, traumatic injuries, or diseases such as arthritis that degrade cartilage.

Lipocartilage could also play a role in improving quality of life for those with respiratory or ear issues. For example, its ability to maintain structural integrity and flexibility makes it a perfect candidate for rebuilding soft tissue in areas like the nose or trachea, potentially aiding people with airway collapse or other structural defects. Its unique properties might also be used to restore cartilage damaged by chronic conditions, such as osteoarthritis, where the cushioning tissue in joints wears down over time.

This breakthrough challenges old ideas about biomechanics and suggests new ways to harness lipids in medical treatments. By understanding how these cells maintain their stability and resist aging, researchers hope to unlock novel therapies for repairing cartilage, combating degenerative diseases, and even improving outcomes in reconstructive surgeries.”

- Analysis by Doctor ASKY

Photo Credit: Doctor ASKY

18/01/2025

Unlocking the Secret to Injury Prevention: Synergy of the Abdomen and Kinetic Chain

Injury can often be a defining moment in one's journey, transforming obstacles into opportunities. My passion for manual therapy was born from personal challenges, a knack for problem-solving, and a drive to find answers to complex puzzles—whether it was solving a Rubik's Cube in under a minute back in 1980 or later addressing football injuries in the mid-1990s.

The breakthrough came in 2010 when I identified a key factor many overlook: the lack of synergy in the abdominal muscles and fascia, compounded by kinetic chain overload. This discovery was akin to turning on a light switch in a dimly lit room—suddenly, everything became clear. The body is not a collection of isolated parts but an interconnected system where weaknesses in one area can reverberate throughout the chain, causing pain, dysfunction, and recurring injuries.

Take hamstring injuries, for example. These are on the rise due to increased athletic demands and intensity. While many focus on isolated strength training, the root cause often lies elsewhere. The abdomen acts as a central hub of force distribution and stability, working in harmony with the fascia and kinetic chain. When this synergy is disrupted, the chain becomes overloaded, and the weakest link—often the hamstring—pays the price.

Understanding this interconnectedness requires a shift in perspective. Picture a wetsuit: it distributes pressure evenly across the body, providing stability and reducing localized stress. Similarly, the abdominal muscles and fascia, when functioning in synergy, provide a foundational support system for the entire kinetic chain. When this synergy is compromised, inefficiencies arise, leading to injuries.

In my workshops, I teach how to identify and restore this abdominal synergy. Participants learn techniques to assess muscle activation, restore fascia mobility, and ensure the kinetic chain operates as a cohesive unit. By focusing on the root causes rather than symptoms, we unlock the body's potential to heal and perform at its peak.

The rise in hamstring injuries isn’t just about overuse or poor flexibility; it’s a signal of deeper systemic issues. Athletes are pushing their bodies harder than ever, but without addressing underlying imbalances, injuries will continue to rise. By working with the synergy of the abdomen and kinetic chain, we can shift the narrative from reactive treatment to proactive prevention.

Through this lens, manual therapy transcends quick fixes and becomes a tool for lasting change. Whether you’re an athlete looking to enhance performance or a therapist seeking better outcomes for your clients, understanding and leveraging the power of abdominal synergy is the key. Let’s switch on the light and redefine what’s possible. Join me in exploring the untapped potential of the human body.

16/01/2025

Fascia our secondary muscular system :

Fascia is often referred to as our secondary muscle system because of its integral role in movement, stability, and force transmission. While muscles are the primary drivers of movement, fascia—the connective tissue that surrounds and interconnects muscles, bones, and organs—acts as a supportive and communicative network that ensures these movements are efficient and coordinated.

Unlike muscles, which contract and relax in isolation, fascia works as a continuous system, transmitting tension and energy throughout the body. This interconnectedness allows fascia to distribute forces across the entire kinetic chain, enhancing performance and reducing localized strain on individual muscles. For example, when you perform a squat, the fascia in your calves, hamstrings, and lower back all work together to maintain alignment and stability.

Fascia also plays a key role in proprioception (the body’s awareness of its position in space) and elasticity. It can store and release energy, much like a spring, which is critical for explosive movements such as jumping or sprinting. This dynamic ability makes fascia a vital part of movement, complementing the traditional role of muscles.

Additionally, fascia's adaptability means it can remodel itself based on movement patterns or injuries. However, when fascia becomes tight, restricted, or dehydrated, it can limit mobility and lead to pain. By treating fascia as a secondary muscle system and incorporating fascial release techniques, stretching, and hydration into your routine, you can improve overall movement efficiency and reduce the risk of injury.

Understanding fascia as a secondary muscle system opens new doors to optimizing the body’s mechanics. It highlights the importance of treating muscles and fascia as one interconnected system, essential for functional movement and performance.
15yrs ago since having that light bulb moment
And creating muscle fascia integration therapy.

15/01/2025

Osgood-Schlatters
The Role of Muscle Fascia Integration in Abdominal Function, the Kinetic Chain, and Osgood-Schlatter Disease

Fascia, the connective tissue enveloping muscles, is crucial for maintaining movement efficiency and force transmission. Restrictions in the fascia, particularly around the re**us abdominis, can disrupt core stability and the kinetic chain, the interconnected system coordinating movement. Addressing these restrictions is especially important in children, whose bodies are still developing.

The re**us abdominis, vital for spinal flexion, core stability, and force transmission, works with other core muscles like the transverse abdominis and pelvic floor. When fascial restrictions develop due to trauma, poor posture, or repetitive strain, they can cause postural imbalances, reduced core stability, and compensatory movement patterns. Shortness or restriction in the re**us abdominis often inhibits the transverse abdominis, a key stabilizer of the core. This dysfunction shifts the load to the psoas muscle, leading to psoas dominance, where the psoas compensates for weak or inhibited core muscles. This dominance can further strain the lumbar spine and disrupt the entire kinetic chain.

Fascial restrictions in the abdomen can also exacerbate conditions like Osgood-Schlatter disease (OSD). This condition, characterized by inflammation of the tibial tuberosity, often results from repetitive strain on the patellar tendon. Dysfunction in the abdominal and core muscles, including transverse abdominis inhibition, can lead to imbalanced force distribution through the kinetic chain, worsening symptoms of OSD. Releasing fascial adhesions in the re**us abdominis and restoring transverse abdominis function can optimize force transfer, improve posture, and reduce strain on the knee.

Muscle fascia integration techniques not only restore core function but also alleviate conditions like OSD and psoas dominance by improving movement patterns, supporting postural alignment, and ensuring long-term musculoskeletal health. Early intervention is key to promoting optimal development and preventing compensatory dysfunctions.

-Schlatters
https://www.mfi-therapy.com/

02/01/2025

SHINSPLINTS:
The synergy of the abdomen significantly impacts the kinetic chain, particularly the hamstrings and ACL. Addressing abdominal muscle activation and fascial restrictions can alleviate conditions leading to these injuries. Key insights include:

Synergy and Injury Prevention

Abdominal Stability: Proper activation of the abdominal muscles stabilizes the pelvis and lumbar spine, reducing strain on the hamstrings and ACL.

Fascial Restrictions: Tight fascia, particularly in the abdominal and hip regions, disrupts movement patterns and load distribution, increasing injury risk.

Kinetic Chain Balance: A functional core ensures efficient force transfer between the upper and lower body, preventing compensatory overuse of the hamstrings.

MFIT Method for Hamstring and ACL Health

Stabilizing Stretch:

Use core engagement techniques, like pulling in the belly button, to activate the transverse abdominis and inhibit the psoas.

This stabilizes the pelvis, ensuring hamstring stretches target the Golgi tendon area near the attachment, not the muscle belly.

Targeting Abdominal Fascia:

Release restrictions in the abdominal fascia, which functions like a "wetsuit" affecting muscle mobility and force distribution.

Restrictions near the hips impair the kinetic chain, increasing stress on the knees and hamstrings.

By integrating abdominal synergy, fascial work, and stabilizing techniques, the MFIT method optimizes the kinetic chain to prevent and alleviate ACL and hamstring issues.

# # # https://www.mfi-therapy.com/