Fascia Abstracts

For all Structural Integrators -- whether you are lucky enough to be attending the Fascia Research Congress in Amsterdam or not -- get ready to whet your fascial research appetites. Abstracts from the 2009 Congress are now available on line.

I've only had time to read the first abstract, about the crural fascia, and already my mind is expanded. My work is ready to be even further refined.

In summary, the crural fascia has two to three layers of mostly collagen fibers, separated by a thin layers of loose connective tissue. The fibers of each layer lie at about 78 degrees to the layer above/below. The loose connective tissue allows single layers to respond more effectively to different tractions.

So now, in session two or in any work on the feet and lower leg, I will change my focus from the crural fascia being a single layer (rookie mistake that I've been making for eight years) to create more freedom and ease of movement within the layers.

This abstract reminds me of the presentation at the 2007 Fascia Research Congress by Dr. Fourie about the function of the fascia lata. He supported the fascia lata as an organizer of movement between muscles of the thigh. The tugs and pulls on the fascia lata create a mechanical information network between the muscles. I assume this is true as well for the crural fascia, making this differentiation between layers a vital component of organizing movement of the lower leg.

Take a look at the other abstracts and feel free to write a summary to share with us.