How Big of a Role Does Fascia Play in Chronic Pain?
 

I have to admit, I didn't even know what fascia was until I heard Jomar talking about it on here. It's basically a thin layer of a webbing like substance, or material, that covers the entire body. When you have chronic pain for many years, like I have, that fascia gets tight, dehydrated, and binds your muscles together. This results in pain, inflammation and poor movement, in my experience.
In the last 56 months, I've been working on my my mobility with joint mobility exercises, self-myofascial release(massage) and vacuum cupping. I had a failed TOS surgery 23 years ago, and have been on disability ever since, but I'm gradually getting a little better all the time. In my case, tight fascia has been a huge part of my pain and I think that it's often over looked. I think that the longer you're in pain, the more the fascia is affected, and the longer it takes to reverse it.

well it makes perfect sense, because i bet fascia also entangles nerves and tight fascia may tighten/contract areas over and beyond the muscles themselves affecting mobility & causing pain.
have you tried yoga? might help you know that you have got some good progress going.

Coop, I know you said you would never have surgery again but things have come a long way in the last few years with techniques and technology. Have you ever been tested for vascular or arterial TOS?

No, I don't think so. It's been many years since I've seen a doctor.

I think in my case tight fascia was definitely restricting the nerves. My wrists and elbows feel better than they have in years. I think yoga might still be to much for me but maybe sometime down the line.

I found that a lot of what I thought was fascia pain was actually restricted blood flow and all those sensations went away after the vein and artery were released. Maybe it's worth looking into?

That's interesting! I'll keep that in mind. Are you feeling pretty good now?

Yes, I am much better. Still have pain and still recovering but def on the right track. No regrets for having the surgeries.

What kind of medical professional do you go to get diagnosed with tight fascia, or poor blood flow and how can they treat it?

Tight Fascia
 

I have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia that came on after TOS surgeries with complications. It was explained to me that it is common with Fibro to have fascia that becomes very tight and restrictive along with the other symptoms of Fibro....fatigue, costochondritis (chest tightness), nerve pain, sleep issues, etc.
I have been taking prescribed meds to help with the symptoms and my Doc recommended Myofascial Release Therapy (the therapist works in same office as pain doc), he does this along with some other massage techniques, really is a superior way to get the fascia loosened in my opinion......I go twice a month...., would go weekly however my pain doc is an 1 1/2 hours from home so, with travel expense and the fact that this treatment is pricey ( well worth it though).....would be great if insurance would cover it.
And yes, exercise also is supposed to help with the tight fascia along with the other symptoms.....just have to put the mind to it & do it !!
My Doc is an Internist, Rheumatologist & Pain Management Doctor...I would suggest that you find a good Rheumatologist as they are familiar with the the Fascia issues and if they don't do Pain Management they likely will recommend one if needed. Also, definitely research for a therapist that does Myofascial Release Therapy....John Barnes protocol is a highly recommended technique & depending on where you live there could be one close to you....check his site & the list on his website for therapists.

chloecasey

I'm not sure about that. I do it all myself. This channel has given me some great ideas. https://www.youtube.com/user/functionalpatterns

I know after I had MFT done on my forearms, they stopped cramping up. I had that done years ago. So I'm guessing tight fascia may be part of my problem. I just wish I knew how to get tested for that to get it ruled out.

I've tried doing trigger point on my pec minors but can't seem to get it.

Glad you're doing better Coop.
Fascia plays a huge role (for me at least). I had bilat pec minor surgeries that didn't work and had TOS surgery on LT side --- 20-25% improvement. The TOS surgery helped with some things, but function was still a major problem. I have been doing myofascial release for about a year now and I get better ALL the time. I am now able to do a lot more.
What is scary is that the better I get at it, the more problems I find. I have been finding HUGE chunks of scar tissue between the muscle and skin (kind of like grabbing the fatty area above the muscle).
I told my PCP about the suspected scar tissue at a spot near my LT median elbow -- she didn't know what it was. Got an MRI and it showed something at the base of the fat tissue. I showed it to the radiologist at work and he didn't say anything about it until I pointed it out. When I showed it to him, he said it wasn't normal, but it was "non specific" (which means he doesn't know what it is, but according to his training, it shouldn't cause any problems).

That lump is scar tissue and I squeeze them and crunch them up almost everyday --- there are so many of them. Every time I find one and crunch it up, my TOS/functionality/and ROM improves.
Just wanted to share b/c I know how much TOS sucks -- it stole 10 years of my life --- I lost my house and my career. However, I have since retrained into a new career and things are much better.
I wish everyone the best.

That's cool! I'm glad you're making progress!