Fascia, also called connective tissue, is one continuous sheet that surrounds, envelopes, and creates space in the body from head to the toe. It provides the structure for the body and interconnects with all other tissues including nerves, blood vessels, bone, muscle, tendons, skin and organs.
When there is restriction in the fascial tissue, it is like a pull in a knitted sweater – one loose thread will pull throughout the whole. A restriction in fascial tissue can have far reaching affects causing pain and dysfunction. Fascia can hold approximately 2000 lbs/sq. inch of tensile strength which makes it incredibly strong.
Because of its tensile strength, when there is a restriction in the fascia, there is a great load that can be placed on the body. It is important to find the area of initial restriction, and to treat it, so that resulting issues from that can resolve.
This is a fascial treatment to address organ mobility. Visceral Manipulation includes some very subtle techniques, as well as a lot of patient positioning to engage the organs to release holding patterns. If restrictions are present within the viscera and are a part of a musculoskeletal dysfunction, the body will never fully heal until the visceral restriction has also been addressed.
The abdomen and the organs have a huge relationship to the function of the rest of the body. Treating this area can help with:
As the body produces and lays down collagen that creates scar tissue, it can do so sporadically, not always following the lines or structures of the surrounding tissue. The scar is created locally in the injury site, but it can also project out to far reaching areas. Over several months, the scar tissue contracts to create stability, however as it does so, it pulls in all the far reaching fingers. This can create restrictions and pulls in the body that can lead to pain, dysfunction and range of motion problems.
Maegan uses Fascial Therapy and Visceral Manipulation to help reduce scar tissue restrictions and any compensations the body has had to do against the pulls. Treating scars and scar tissue can decrease pain, decrease restrictions allowing for improved and freer range of motion and mobility, and decreases swelling.
The craniosacral system is comprised of the dura (fascial membranes), individual cranial bones, the sacrum and the cerebrospinal fluid. The dura surrounds and separates the lobes of the brain, as well as covering and protecting the spinal cord.
The membranes have various attachment points to the bones of the skull, two vertebrae in the upper neck and one at the base of the spine. This suspends the brain and spinal cord in cerebrospinal fluid, which also helps to protect the brain. Fascial restrictions within the craniosacral system will cause imbalances in the bones of the skull and face, which affects the central nervous system and body.
Craniosacral Therapy is a very light technique, and it can have powerful effects. It is used to treat whiplash, headaches, migraines, sleep difficulties, concussions, acute and chronic pain, sensory abnormalities, sinusitis, and TMJ (jaw dysfunction).
Joint MobilizationIf there is a restricted joint causing pain or decreased range of motion, Maegan can mobilize the joint in order to encourage range of motion and break up restrictions within the joint. This is not a chiropractic adjustment; rather it is a mild form of joint work.
With encouragement on the affected joint, the patient is guided through light contractions of the small muscles that cross the affected area to improve range of motion, joint alignment and decrease pain.