Fascia – Structures, Properties, and Functions
Fascia, the Ideal Therapeutic Tissue
Fascia is ideally suited as therapeutic tissue. Due to its properties, it responds very well to manual manipulation. For example, with fascial release techniques, adhesions can be loosened, shortenings can be resolved, and the tissue can be realigned.
The body-wide fascial network also performs a number of fundamental functions regarding our posture, movement, and body perception. Structural Integration optimizes the condition of the fascial network so that it can effectively manage these important functions.
Elements and Structures of the Fascial Network
Fascia is a type of tissue composed of cells, collagen fibers, ground substance, and water. Fascia is also referred to as connective tissue.
The fascial network consists of this soft, collagen-containing, loose, and dense fibrous connective tissue. It permeates the body like a net, connecting all bodily structures.
The fascial network includes a multitude of structures: adipose tissue, fascial and neurovascular sheaths, aponeuroses, deep and superficial fascial layers, epineurium, joint capsules, ligaments, membranes, meninges, myofascial expansions, periosteum, retinacula, septa, tendons, visceral fascia, and all intramuscular and intermuscular connective tissues including endomysium, perimysium, and epimysium.
Together, these structures form a continuous network. The fascial network is fundamentally a system of biomechanical self-regulation. It always functions and reacts as a whole system. Stresses, releases, and other forces are processed throughout the entire body within it. Consequently, disturbances in this system also have body-wide effects. This is evident, for example, in the fact that we often do not find the causes of complaints where these complaints manifest.
Strolling under the Skin
The French hand surgeon, Dr. Jean-Claude Guimberteau, provides insight into the living fascial system. He filmed his groundbreaking video "Strolling under the skin" with a high-resolution camera.
Properties of Fascia
These properties make fascia receptive to manual manipulation:
Fascia is adaptable. It adapts to the body’s use and stress. For example, with strong muscular exertion, tighter connective tissue forms. When extreme mobility is required, more loose connective tissue forms.
Fascia is plastic. It changes its shape when tensile forces act upon it for an extended period.
Fascia is elastic. It reacts to short-term shape-altering forces by returning these forces and resuming its original shape.
Fascia has viscous properties. Its viscosity supports the absorption of forces.
"Movement Becomes Habit, which Becomes Posture, which Becomes Structure."
Thomas W. Myers
Functions of the Fascial Network
The fascial network performs fundamental functions regarding posture, movement, resilience, and body awareness.
- The fascial network maintains the mobile body in a balance of stability and lability. This balance is influenced by the condition of the fascia and the postural and movement patterns present in the body.
- Within the fascial network, postural and movement patterns are physically stored over time. This applies regardless of how healthy or dysfunctional these patterns are. These patterns can hardly be changed without manual treatment.
- The fascial network distributes acting forces and loads throughout the entire body. The better the distribution functions, the fewer overloads, complaints, and injuries occur.
- The fascial network is the body’s richest sensory organ. Especially within and between the superficial fascial layers, there is a multitude of receptors that process information for the body’s proprioception. The better the fascial layers glide against each other, the more information is transmitted to these receptors. This means that the quality of body perception depends on the gliding ability and suppleness of the fascia.
Fascia in Research
Fascia has only been scientifically researched since the turn of the millennium. Its research is a young and active field of science.
The first international congress on fascia research took place in 2007 at Harvard Medical School in Boston. Since then, research congresses have been held every three years, most recently in 2025 in New Orleans.
It is unusual and valuable that both representatives of medical research and experts from therapeutic practice participate in the fascia congresses. Their lively exchange promotes the convergence of research and experiential knowledge.
The number of published studies has since increased exponentially.
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More Information on Fascia Research
In recent years, clinical research has made great strides in better understanding fascia and its importance for human health. Further information can be found on the following pages:
International Research Congress
The seventh International Fascia Research Congress took place in 2025 in New Orleans.
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Rolf Research Foundation
The Ida P. Rolf Research Foundation promotes and supports interdisciplinary, scientifically sound research.
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