Over the next few articles I will be discussing fascia, breaking it down into its basic properties: collagen, ground substance, and elastic fibers. First I will discuss the protein, collagen.
Collagen develops into sheets and cord like fibers, similar to examining the outer sinew of a chicken breast. Fascia binds specific cells into tissues, tissues into organs, organs into systems, cements muscles to bones, ties bones into joints, wraps every nerve and every vessel, laces all internal structures firmly into place, and envelopes the body as a whole.
Collagen is to humans as cellulose is to plants—a tough lattice in which all other kinds of tissues are developed and contained, the walls of the compartments fill with fluid to give the body its juiciness and its upright turgor, similar to the structure of a plant.
Fascia organizes many complex body systems. Through this organization a fluid known as ground substance fills these spaces giving a slide and glide movement past one another.
Myofascial techniques focus on how all tissues relate and interconnect. I spend a lot of time nerding out on this type of physiology, because it helps me visualize what's happening underneath my hands as I apply techniques and to sense the changes that I'm desiring to help you move better.