Fascia. The Tensional Network of the Human Body. The Science and Clinical Applications in Manual and Movement Therapy

SECTION I SCIENTIFIC FOUNDATIONS

Part 1 Anatomy of the fascial body

1.1 General anatomy of muscular fasciae

1.2 Somatic fascia

1.3 Fascia superficialis

1.4 Deep fascia of the shoulder and arm

1.5 Deep fascia of the lower limbs

1.6 The thoracolumbar fascia: An integrated functional view of the anatomy of the TLF and coupled structures

1.7 The deeper fasciae of the neck and ventral torso

1.8 Visceral fascia

1.9 Membranous structures within the cranial bowl and intraspinal space

1.10 Diaphragmatic structures

Part 2 Fascia as an organ of communication

2.1 Fascia as an organ of communication

2.2 Proprioception

2.3 Interoception: A new correlate for intricate connections between fascial receptors, emotion and self recognition

2.4 Nociception: The thoracolumbar fascia as a sensory organ

2.5 Fascia as a body-wide communication system

Part 3 Fascial force transmission

3.1 Force transmission and muscle mechanics: General principles

3.2 Myofascial force transmission: An introduction

3.3 Myofascial chains: A review of different models

3.4 Anatomy trains and force transmission

3.5 Biotensegrity: The mechanics of fascia

3.6 The subcutaneous and epitendinous tissue behaviour of the multimicrovacuolar sliding system

Part 4 Physiology of fascial tissues

4.1 The Physiology of fascia: An introduction

4.2 Fascia is alive: How cells modulate the tonicity and architecture of fascial tissues

4.3 Extracellular matrix

4.4 The influence of pH and other metabolic factors on fascial properties

4.5 Fluid dynamics in fascial tissues

SECTION II CLINICAL APPLICATION

Part 5 Fascia-related disorders

5.1 Fascia-related disorders: An introduction

5.2 Dupuytren’s disease and other fibrocontractive disorders

5.3 ‘Frozen shoulder’

5.4 Spastic paresis

5.5 Diabetic foot

5.6 Scleroderma and related conditions

5.7 Trigger points (TrP) as a fascia-related disorder

5.8 Fascia-related disorders: hypermobility

5.9 Anatomy of the plantar fascia

Part 6 Diagnostic procedures for fascial elasticity

6.1 Diagnostic procedures for fascial elasticity : An introduction

6.2 Fascial palpation

6.3 Hypermobility and the hypermobility syndrome: assessment and management

Part 7 Fascia-oriented therapies

7.1 Inclusion criteria and overview

7.2 Trigger Point Therapy

7.3 Rolfing® Structural Integration

7.4 Myofascial induction approaches

7.5 Osteopathic manipulative therapies and fascia

7.6 Connective tissue manipulation

7.7 Fascial manipulation

7.8 Managing dysfunctional scar tissue

7.9 Acupuncture as a fascia-oriented therapy

7.10 Gua shua

7.11 Prolotherapy

7.12 Neural therapy

7.13 Dynamic fascial release: Manual and tool assisted vibrational therapies

7.14 Graston Technique®:A contemporary instrument assisted mobilization method for the evaluation & treatment of soft tissue lesions

7.15 The Fascial Distortion Model

7.16 Frequency specific microcurrent

7.17 Surgery and scarring

7.18 Temperature effects on fascia

7.19 Neurodynamics: Movement for neuropathic pain states

7.20 Stretching and fascia

7.21 Fascia in yoga therapeutics

7.22 Pilates and Fascia: The art of ‘Working In’

7.23 Nutrition model to reduce inflammation in musculoskeletal and joint diseases

7.24 Fascial fitness: Suggestions for a fascia oriented training approach in sports and movement therapies

SECTION III RESEARCH DIRECTIONS

Part 8 Fascia research: methodological challenges and new directions

8.1 Fascia, the clinic and fundamental scientific research: Considering the scientific process

8.2 Imaging: Ultrasound

8.3 MRI and Elastography

8.4 Roles of fascia in molecular biology of adaptation of muscle size

8.5 Mathematical modelling

Compiled by experts of international renown, Fascia: The Tensional Network of the Human Body brings together very different contributors who share the desire to bridge the gap between theory and practice as much as possible in our current knowledge of the human fascia. With contributions from over 100 specialists and researchers from throughout the world, this new volume will be ideal for all professionals who have an interest in fascia and human movement - physiotherapists, osteopathic physicians and osteopaths, chiropractors, structural integration practitioners, manual therapists, massage therapists, acupuncturists, yoga or Pilates instructors, exercise scientists and personal trainers - as well as physicians involved with musculoskeletal medicine, pain management and rehabilitation, and basic scientists working in the field.

• Reflects the efforts of almost 100 scientists and clinicians from throughout the world
• Offers comprehensive coverage ranging from anatomy and physiology, clinical conditions and associated therapies, to recently developed research techniques
• Explores the role of fascia as a bodywide communication system
• Presents the latest information available on myofascial force transmission which helps establish a scientific basis for given clinical experiences
• Explores the importance of fascia as a sensory organ - for example, its important proprioceptive and nociceptive functions which have implications for the generation of low back pain
• Describes new imaging methods which confirm the connectivity of organs and tissues
• Designed to organize relevant information for professionals involved in the therapeutic manipulation of the body’s connective tissue matrix (fascia) as well as for scientists involved in basic science research
• Reflects the increasing need for information about the properties of fascia, particularly for osteopaths, massage therapists, physiotherapists and other complementary health care professionals
• Offers new insights on the fascial related foundations of Traditional Chinese Medicine Meridians and the fascial effects of acupuncture

Edited by Robert Schleip, PhD, MA , Director Fascia Research Project, Ulm University Germany; Research Director European Rolfing Association; Director Deutche Gesellschaft fur Myofascial Release; Registered Naturopath, Certified Rolfing & Feldenkrais Teacher; Carla Stecco, MD, Orthopaedic Surgeon; Professor of Human Anatomy and Movement Science, University of Padua, Italy; Mark Driscoll, Eng, PhD, Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, McGill University; Canada NSERC Chair Design Engineering for Interdisciplinary Innovation of Medical Technologies; Director of the Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Research Lab at McGill University; Co-director of the Orthopaedic Research Lab, Montreal General Hospital; Associate member, Biomedical Engineering, McGill University; Professional Engineer with the Order of Engineers of Quebec, Canada and Peter Huijing, PhD, Professor of Biomechanics and Physiology, Research Instituut MOVE, Faculteit Bewegingswetenschappen, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands