Fascial System

The function of fascia is to transmit force, provide support, and protect tissues. Fascia can effect motion by: Transmitting force from one or more muscles (example: the thoracolumbar fascia) Restricting motion in cases of adaptive shortening and/or adhesion to proximal structures (example: iliotibial band in cases of lower-leg dysfunction) Elastic recoil after stretching can contribute to force production (example: plyometric exercise) Note: There is evidence that fascia may house more receptors related to human movement than other tissues. In this way fascia may act as a motherboard for the nervous system The fascial system does not contract or develop trigger points, and its capacity to adapt to stretching and or strengthening exercise is limited, especially when compared to the adaptive capacity of muscle tissue.