A fascial approach to working with scars, tissue hardening and adhesions

Fascia forms a body-wide interconnected network of fibrous collagenous connective tissues. This network envelops and connects all organs, muscles, nerves and vessels. While being largely neglected in the past, the fascial web recently gained new scientific attention based on new measurement technologies. New research findings suggest that fascial tissues significantly influence muscular force transmission; they also form the basis of our perception of our own body (proprioception) as well as of many myofascial pain syndromes.

This workshop begins with an update on new insights regarding the biomechanical functions of the body-wide fascial network. This background will then be applied to a new understanding for treating fascial dysfunctions such as chronic scars, fibrotic adhesions and other expressions of tissue stiffness.

Approximately 50% of the workshop will focus on a multitude of practical and very detailed hands-on instructions for working with different types of fibrotic myofascial dysfunctions. These will include manual working approaches as well as tool-assisted techniques.

THEORETICAL PART

• Stiffness modulation in healthy fascial tissues
• Wound regulation: recent insights on chronic dysfunctions
• Different types of cross-links affecting tissue stiffness and adherence
• Fibrosis versus densification
• Fibroblast mechanosensation and fluid shear
• Biochemical and nutritional aspects
• Assessment of degrees of adhesion and stiffness

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

• Techniques to enhance tissue metabolism and hydration
• Sponge-pressure techniques
• Manual traction approaches
• Enhancing shear-motion mobility between layers
• Introduction into manual tools for fibrosis release
• Self-help techniques for the patients.

Instructor: ROBERT SCHLEIP PHD MA
Robert Schleip PhD MA directs the Fascia Research Project of Ulm University in Germany. Having been a Rolfing instructor and Feldenkrais practitioner for over 20 years, he felt frustrated with the speculative nature of scientific explanations backing up most areas of current bodywork. When he entered the field of connective tissue science as an active laboratory researcher in 2003, he became so thrilled that he soon became one of the driving international forces in the newly emerging field of fascia research. His own research findings on active contractile properties of human fasciae have been honored with the Vladimir Janda Award of Musculoskeletal Medicine. He is research director of the European Rolfing Association, and co—initiator of the 1st Fascia Research Congress hosted at Harvard Medical School (Boston 2007) as well as of the subsequent congresses

FURTHER RECOMMENDATIONS
Books:
Fascia – the tensional network of the human body. 2nd edition. Schleip R. et al. (eds.), Elsevier, Edinburgh, UK
Fascia in sport and movement. 2nd edition. Schleip R. et al. (eds.), Handspring Publishing, U.K.

Websites:
www.fasciaresearch.de
www.somatics.de