It seems all of a sudden everyone has discovered fascia. I heard yesterday there is a fascia exercise book coming out. Once again are we heading the down the reductionist road here. We can’t ignore fascia, but just like bone, muscle, tendon and ligaments they are all part of a beautiful self-organizing adaptive system – the body. Lets not trivialize the role fascia plays, but let's put it in context. Anatomy Trains is a nice concept, a unique way to conceptualize the body, but not the way or the answer.
6 Comments
Robert Troch
Thanks Vern. I can always count on you to help keep things in perspective. The whole fascia thing has probably sold a ton of foam rollers that’;s for sure!
Duff
That’s really wise. There seems to be no end to the number of body parts or systems people will fetishize as the most important aspect of the physical system.
Brad Fallon
What is this new fad of exercise? This is my first time to come across the fascia exercise. Can anyone get involve with this? Please post some instructions on how this is done.
Paul
Hey, VERN!!
Given your emphasis on ‘basics of movement’ was surprised by dour comments on fascia trains. Personally, think this is the biggest new insight of the past decade and begs the question … how to utilize this knowledge in developing better athletes.
Provide terrific overview article URL on fascia trains for your blog readers scratching their collective heads and mumbling … eh?!!
MH article URL http://www.menshealth.com/men/fitness/muscle-building/understanding-your-muscles/article/6bde7ea369683210vgnvcm10000030281eac
from Men’s Health website – Understanding Your Muscles Men’s Health October 2009 issue
Everything You Know About Muscle is Wrong
Discover the secret to building a stronger, faster, more athletic body by Christopher McDougall.
Be strong!
Paul
mcgie76
Good post and good responses but Massage Therapists have been working with fascia for decades. If there is a way to loosen fascia up in the warm up more effectively that would be great, but other than that, it can’t be viewed as a new secret source of power, especially if foam rollers are involved (what a waste of time and money)! People say ‘follow the money’ and I would imagine there will be a decent stream of money following this new concept.
ashley
Interesting theory. I don’t agree that foam rollers are a waste, they just need to be used effectively. I personally respond very well to myofascial release.. so if somebody can come up with a method for me to do that on my own, I’m all for it. Do I think it will do anything magical? No.