The Elevator Speech

Fascia is the 'good stuff' inside of us!

“The fascial system of the human body is comprised of all connective tissue. It reaches into each cell of our bodies. It gives our bodies structure and shape. And, very importantly, it serves as a communication system both within the body and extending beyond the body.”

As with most elevator speeches, there is much more to be said. And, as with most elevator speeches, the person delivering it really wants to share much more! My goal is to offer you a series of insights into the structure, purpose, and value of the human fascial system. My belief is that our paradigms of health and healing, which are shifting with respect to complementary and alternative modalities, will continue to accelerate toward a vision of wholeness (whole body, whole mind, whole human being). I believe that a deeper and clearer understanding of how the fascial system plays an important role in healing and wholeness will be foundational as we move into this vision.

Fascia, i.e. all connective tissue, is composed of collagen, elastin, and an ‘Extracellular Matrix’ (ECM). Collagen is the most common form of protein in the body. It is found in tendons, lung tissue, and the cornea of the eye for example. Bones and cartilage are simply denser forms of collagen. Elastin is found in areas that require more elasticity, such as ears, skin, and certain joints. The ECM is a gel-like ground substance embedded with collagen fibers, and it is responsive to both heat and pressure.

The first and most obvious purpose of fascia is structural. It is the strong, pliable stuff that allows our bodies to hold shape, and, in fact, defines the structure of the body. This knowledge is reflected in the current popularity of fascial awareness in physical fitness. Fascia also holds habitual structural patterns based on both physical and emotional experiences. This is a topic to be explored in greater detail later.

The fascial system displays piezoelectric qualities. It is responsive to heat and pressure just like the crystalline quartz structures that operate our electronic communications. In fact, a highly ordered crystalline arrangement within our fascial structures operates within our bioelectric and biomagnetic fields. Such biofields, recognized by NIH, interpenetrate within and beyond the body. Fascia generates electrical fields and acts as an integrated electronic network allowing communication throughout the body (Gabler, 2017). The way this communication network interfaces with our more widely understood neural networks is another topic we will explore in further detail.

In many ways, the fascial system is a ‘New Frontier’ in science. Scientists whose work reflect fascial exploration are neuroscientists, neuropsychologists, psychoimmunologists, and, most impressively, psychoneuroimmunologists. In the 1980’s, with the work of Candace Pert in The Molecules of Emotion, the radical idea that “body and mind were in communication” was born (Trachtman, 1998). Moving beyond the 80’s, more research has established the role of fascia as the communication system that connects body and mind, that supports both internal and external (i.e., intuitive) communication, and that likely serves as the actual subconscious of the human species.

With the publication of Thomas Myers Anatomy Trains: Myofascial Meridians for Manual and Movement Therapists (1st edition) in 2001, the fascial system gained traction among certain practitioners. Twenty-plus years later, the structure, purpose, and value of the human fascial system remain little known to the world of Western medicine. I believe health and complementary modality practitioners will benefit greatly from more awareness of this very human component. And I believe that humanity in general can benefit from an awareness of how inner-connectivity and interpersonal connectivity, each supported by the fascial system, can enhance our lives and help create our future.

The purpose of the Elevator Speech is to pique your interest. Each of the topics mentioned here are ‘tips of the iceberg’ where research, information, experience and exploration provide a wealth of material for your education and enlightenment. I hope you’re looking forward to more!

References

Biofield Science and Healing: History, Terminology, and Concepts - PMC

Gabler, K M (2017). Your body’s brilliant design: A revolutionary approach to relieving chronic pain. Skyhorse Publishing.

Myers, T.W (2009). Anatomy trains: Myofascial meridians for manual and movement therapists, 2^nd edition. Elsevier, Limited.

Trachtman, P. (1998). Review of 'Molecules of Emotion' | Smithsonian. Accessed 12 January 2025.

---