Fascial Manipulation®

Fascial manipulation® is a relatively new technique which has been developed by an Italian physiotherapist, Luigi Stecco, over the past 40 years of his clinical and research work.

The idea behind the technique is that fascia or connective tissue links every part of the body to each other, as every muscle fibre, every muscle, every muscle group and every organ has fascia or connective tissue surrounding it, connecting it to other structures. Because the fascia is richly innervated by the nervous system it is hypothesised that any tension normal or abnormal in the fascia can have an effect on other areas connected to that fascia, via a compensation process. This means that an injury in one part of the body can have an effect on other areas and can possibly contribute to pain and injury both locally and remotely. For example, a person may have suffered a severe ankle injury 10 years ago and now has suffered a shoulder injury. According to Fascial Manipulation® theory the ankle injury may be influencing the shoulder injury, so points would be treated in both areas with the oldest injury treated first to see how much it influences the current injury.

How does Fascial Manipulation® work? The technique divides the body into three planes: front & back/anterior-posterior; middle and sides/medial-lateral and intra & extra rotation. The two parts of each plane represent the agonist/antagonist (the muscle that performs the movement and its opposite) relationship of the muscles involved in each movement. Each segment of the body consists of a fascial tension point in each of these above body planes which Stecco has called 'Centres of Co-ordination' and the therapist determines which plane is most symptomatic and positive via assessment of the various 'Centre of Co-ordinations'. Up to 6 points can be treated along the same plane in the one treatment session. Improvements can be instantaneous, although some soreness from treating the 'Centre of Co-ordinations' can occur as the points when treated create a local inflammatory response, which may be red and sore for 2-3 days. If required the next session would work on another plane and at the third session the third or final plane may be worked on.

Conditions which Fascial Manipulation® can work on are:

• plantar fascitis

• hip/groin pain

• headaches & neck pain

• low back pains

• tennis & golfer's elbow (lateral & medial epicondylitis)

• ankle pain

• knee pain

• muscle spasms

More specific information can be found at fascialmanipulation.com

27 June 2014