Fascia as a Sensory Organ by Robert Schleip, 2017

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Here is an article by Robert Schelip on the way that fascia senses. He covers the five major nerve endings (Golgi, Ruffini, Pacini, the muscle spindles, and the interstitial free nerve endings) and how each can be stimulated to cause tissues to release. 

He summarizes the takeaways at the end of the article:

• Stimulation of spindle receptors can be facilitated by quick compressional impulses to the muscle bellies.
  
• Golgi receptors can be stimulated by techniques that require temporary resistance by the client.
  
• Ruffini techniques attempt to apply slow shear sensations while finding the respective optimal vectorial direction.
  
• Pacini corpuscles require constantly changing novel sensations.
  
• Free nerve endings can be stimulated by work on the periosteum (bone fascia)
  

Understanding how to relax and release fascia is important for not only healing from trauma but also for optimizing a sense of wellness and wellbeing. Think about a time you felt truly well. What did you feel in your body? People usually talk about feeling relaxed, strong, at ease, connected, and confident. Having a great deal of tension and lack alignment in your tissues can offset a feeling of ease and strength. 

When you approach trauma healing or even the pursuit of feeling your best, it is wise to consider your fascia because when your fascia is restricted or atrophied, you feel the sensation of that.  it becomes a chicken or egg scenario. Are my emotions affecting my tissues or are my tissues affecting my emotions? 

It's important to take an inclusive view here. As we age we all approach a greater likelihood of chronic illness. Some of us start to experience the breakdown of the body much earlier than that. That does not mean we have to live with "dis-ease," however.

For example, I have had chronic nerve pain off and on since age 16. Today I am a little over 6 months postpartum. It's no secret that pregnancy and birth is hard on your body. My nerve pain has been particularly loud lately, so I have my fascia on my mind more than usual these days. My pain comes from misalignment in my tissues. I use a variety of fascia strengthening and releasing techniques along with nervous system regulation exercises. 

Not only do I experience the realignment of my body as I rehab my system, I also experience waves of emotional release and nervous system discharge.  I feel grateful for my education in bodymind regulation because, even though the regulation process can feel uncomfortable sometimes, I understand why I am feeling what I am feeling and can get to a calm, connected, and strong place quickly and reliably without having to cope or to deny my difficult feelings and sensations. 

Furthermore, fascia focused practices provide a surprising result. Even when I am out of alignment or in pain I still feel able to find that calm, connected, strong energy. I no longer feel that my sense of wellbeing hinges on being pain free or not having an emotion to process. I can stay connected to beauty and meaning no matter what I am experiencing in the moment. 

How interesting! As I learn to balance and regulate my bodymind, I feel less attachment to having everything sorted out inside. There is more of a sense of space and ease no matter what life throws at me, inside or out.