Fascia Holds More Nerve Cells Than You Think

An estimated 250 Million!

That's right!  So let me give you a little perspective.  The skin contains and estimate 200 million and the eyes contains 126 million nerve cells.  This makes the fascia the most sensitive sensory organ in the human body. (Grunwald, 2017)

Research

I'm going to spare you the complexity of the science and research being done.  Just be aware that there are multiple types of nerve cells found within the fascial system and they each serve a distinct function.  I'll break this down for you so you have a better understanding of the overall picture.

The brain, which is part of the CNS (central nervous system), is a very busy organ.  Constantly receiving signals from all over the body to coordinate movements that are accurate, smooth, timed, and with the right amount of force.  This complex signaling all happens in a split second.

Mechanoreceptors are a very important part of proprioception.  Made up of muscle spindle cells, Golgi tendon organs, joint capsule receptors and stretch-sensitive free nerve endings.  These receptors react when they are deformed by movement such as pressure, muscle stretch or contraction.  These receptors produce and send signals to the brain, enabling it to detect the position and posture of the body and its parts.

Proprioceptors create an overall representation of body position, movement and acceleration.  These receptors provide rapid feedback about body and limb position which is important for maintaining posture and balance, especially during movement.  Dysregulation in this system can lead to low back pain, hypermobility, chronic pain, and increased risk for falls.

Interoceptors are associated with feelings like warmth, nausea, hunger, soreness, effort, heaviness and lightness, as well as a sense of belonging or alienation regarding specific body regions.  These receptors transmit signals directly to the insular cortex area of the brain which is responsible for emotions and feelings.  Dysfunction in this system is the connection between emotional trauma and feelings of depression, anxiety, eating disorders, chronic fatigue and even fibromyalgia.  

Nociceptors transmit painful stimulation to the brain alerting us to a potential threat or damage to the body.  When these receptors are chronically stimulated, the body increases the production of these nerve cells creating a dense area of tissue.  This tissue becomes hypersensitive to stimulation creating pain.  This has been studied extensively in the thoracolumbar fascia (TLF) region of the body.  Increased nociception of the TLF is responsible for 85% of chronic back pain.  It only makes sense that when you increase the mobility and elasticity of the TLF, then the nociceptors will decrease in number leading to less pain.

The fascia is deeply connected to all areas of the body through these specialized nerve cells.  Unhealthy fascia is directly connected to chronic pain and many other disorders.  Incorporating fascia healing techniques is imperative to improving functionality, mobility, mental health, and so much more.  

I have begun teaching these healing techniques in local, weekly classes.  My goal in the next year will be to provide an online version.  If you're wanting to have private, online sessions with me, then shoot me an email at [email protected] and let's see what we can work out.

Want to join the in-person classes?  Click here to learn more.

Stay supple!

Nicole