Pain is a protective mechanism. It is a signal that there is something wrong in the body. Pain is an alert message. It tells you that there is a problem that needs to be addressed. Pain is a sensation of the nervous system, but as scientists try to learn and understand pain, they are finding that fascia is important in pain generation and treatment.
The pain pathway is similar to your sensory pathway. The body is filled with nociceptors (pain receptors) that look for changes in the local environment. Nociceptors respond when a stimulus causes tissue damage, such as that resulting from cut strong mechanical pressure, extreme heat, etc. When a pain stimulus is experienced, the nociceptor sends a message to the central nervous system using electrical potential. The central nervous system interprets the message then responds with another signal whether it is to move your muscle or experience pain.
If pain is a pathway of the nervous system, how can fascia play a critical role? There are over three million nociceptors throughout the body, found in skin, muscles, bones, blood vessels, and some organs. Many of the nociceptors can be found in the fascia system. Therefore, fascia plays a key role in identifying pain stimuli.
Clinical trials by Dr. Carla Stecco, Orthopedic Surgeon and Professor of Human Anatomy and Movement Sciences at the University of Padova, suggest that fascia is the pain generator. She has found a positive correlation between the thickness of the fascia near surgical incisions and the pain that is experienced. Other sudies connect lower back pain to deep muscle dysfunctions and altered fascia structures.
Tom Myers, the creator of Anatomy Trains, says that the point of pain isn’t typically the cause of the pain; you experience the pain at the weakest point. Therefore, when you experience pain you want to make sure you strengthen and stretch the entire fascia line. We have written about tensegrity and pain in past blogs, Why Your Neck Hurts When It is a Problem with Your Hip.
Yoga will strengthen the core and other deep muscles with decreased strength that might be the cause of excess tension. The targeted movement of Yoga promotes glide which can help reduce pain caused by thickened fascia. You might enjoy learning more about the benefits of yoga for fascia from our blog, Using Fascia Inner Body Communication Qualities to Promote Improved Well-Being.
Yoga will not minimize all pain. It is important to talk to your doctor about the pain you are experiencing.
Aviva Tulasi is Dogwood Studio’s newest intern. She is a registered yoga instructor (RYT) who is currently enrolled in a IYAT certified 800 hour yoga therapy program. You can join Aviva Tuesday mornings at 10am for Meditation in Motion Online Yoga Class.
Join Leesann for a restorative and regenerative exploration of Yin Yoga and Yoga Nidra. This is a wonderfully nourishing way to end the day and week. Contemplative Yin Yoga paired with the deeply restorative practice of Yoga Nidra. The first two classes (February 18 and 25th) are free.
Click on the link HERE to sign-up and go to the ‘Classes’ tab to sign-up for any sessions, including ABS, Joint Freeing Yoga, Yin Yoga, and Mindful Movement & Yoga Classes, Restorative Yin and Yoga Nidra and Meditation in Motion.
For the latest schedule on the website, click HERE.
On Demand Line-up for February 21th through March 1 & available for signing up:
SAM Sather, a certified yoga therapist (C-IAYT), individualizes the yoga practice with appropriate modifications for participants’ unique bodies and medical histories with a focus on finding calm and improving health. She offers several live, online class in yoga as well as weekly recorded On Demand classes. SAM also offers private sessions so you can focus on your needs one-on-one.