One of the big elements that I am interested in is how different types of fasciae act as conduits for fluid to flow through. Some of the spaces are microscopically small, but still allow fluid to move through under pressure. Other spaces are enormous and are filled with big cells like adipocytes. In either instance, it’s this movement of fluid around the body, carrying nutrients, cells and facilitating lubrication, promoting homeostasis and movement.

Every system in the body is designed to move, clean, eliminate, replace or feed our fluids.  Cells travel around in fluid.  Red blood cells get moved around the body carried in plasma, which is effectively a connective tissue.  This fluid gets cleaned out by the lymphatic system and in turn organs such as the spleen and the thymus.  The spaces that are created by our fasciae need to be kept open if the flow of fluid is to be optimal.  As with any blockage or closure, there is always the chance for a re-route, but do it too often and we end up with potentially bigger blockages.

These spaces can be glued or fixed by lack of movement, infection, scarring from injury or surgery but however the get blocked the potential for health issues will not be far behind.

Fascia is mostly non-cellular in its construction and why it’s part of what we call the extra cellular matrix. Its function as a scaffold and a support mechanism however is vital to allow the movement of interstitial fluids. The multiple directions of the fascia allow for multiple directions of fluid. Even in tissues in the deceased, the tissues as seen under a microscope, show fluid rushing around, influenced enormously by external pressure and movement. 

I suppose that it’s pretty obvious that we need to move about and that it feels good to get a massage.  But watching this movement of fluid moving around makes that sense of needing to move, even more pronounced.