THE ROLE OF Fascia: In Movement & Function

A painful neck or backache is attributed to tired muscles or stiff joints.

But these symptoms can also be caused by a part of your body less heard of called the fascia.

What is Thoracolumbar Fascia (TLF)? 

Fascia is a thin casing of connective tissue that surrounds and holds every organ, blood vessel, bone, nerve fiber, and muscle in place. The tissue does more than provide internal structure; the fascia has nerves that make it almost as sensitive as skin. When stressed, it tightens up.

According to Dr. Igor Smelyansky, a physician certified in neurology and pain management, “The thoracolumbar fascia is a layer of connective tissue covering the back and sides of the trunk, extending from the base of the skull to the sacrum.”

Its role is to stabilize the lumbar spine and pelvis, protect the spinal elements, and help maintain an upright posture. The fascia connects different muscle groups and coordinates their movement. The erector spinae muscles, which extend the spine, attach to the thoracolumbar fascia, generating tension to stabilize the lumbar spine, which is extremely important for us to balance ourselves while walking. We walk on two feet, with only one of them making contact with the ground at a time. So we need alternating pressure and tension in both the right and left side thoracolumbar fascias to posture while walking.

The thoracolumbar fascia is also involved in breathing, connecting to the diaphragm, and coordinating its movement with the muscles of the trunk and back.

Causes of Fascial Restriction

The fascial restriction has a variety of causes, which are mostly related to trauma, injuries, or not moving enough.