Journal of Bodywork & Movement Therapies (2014) 18, 514e516Available online at www.sciencedirect.com ScienceDirect journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/jbmt REVIEW British Fascia Symposium: Review Susan Findlay, BSc RGN, Dip SMRT* NLSSM The School Of Sports Massage, Unit 12 LYST, Town Hall Approach Road, London, N15 4RX, UK After attending the first British Fascia Symposium, in Windsor, in May 2014, I asked myself three questions: Was it worth my time? Did I learn anything new? Is what I learned likely to alter my therapeutic approach? The response to all three is ‘yes’ e the event was well organised and informative with great speakers and workshops, and well worth the effort. Ruth Duncan was the first presenter, offering a discussion regarding fascia’s role and function, current research and an overall history of the growth of interest in the topic. She skilfully used memorable analogies, such as her comparison of superficial fascia to a big yellow ‘onesie’. She also reminded us that fascia is an organ of communication, a body-wide proprioceptive and interoceptive system that rapidly transfers information (Stecco et al., 2010). She likened it to a spider’s web, so that the moment an insect lands on the web the spider registers its presence. Joanne Avison offered a compelling presentation on “making sense of fascia as a living architecture” raising questions as to “how do we really live in this body”, how is it that bones do not to touch each other? What pulls them apart and holds them together at the same time? She introduced the work of many of the past and present pioneers in fascia research e ranging from Guimberteau et al.’s (2001) work in the living matrix and fascia’s unique ‘sliding system’, to Snelsons’ (2013) work on biotensegrity. She took us through this fascinating subject, charging us with the task of finding a way to gracefully move from the classical model of compression and tension to a more contemporary understanding of this ubiquitous tissue. It was a relief to hear Leon Chaitow confess to initially not understanding some of the more complex scientific presentations in previous fascia congresses e noting that * Tel.: þ44 (0) 20 8885 6062. E-mail address:
[email protected]. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2014.07.004 1360-8592/ª 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. he often needed to repetitively review lecture notes, or watch DVDs of these, until he had a reasonable understanding. He shared that understanding in his keynote address that covered fascia’s multiple functions e including mechanotransduction, load-transfer, sensoryfeatures, sliding potential, fluid-dynamics and energy storage features, together with an overview of current assessment and therapeutic approaches. With that in mind, I am pleased to have purchased the DVD set of the symposium, which has been an essential aid in writing this review. For those who did not attend, or who might like to see the presentations again e the DVD is available from www.wholebeingfilms.com. Ceri Davies presented an anatomists’ perspective of fascia. Differentiating between the various types, their location and basic principles of function. One of the many interesting points he made was mention of research demonstrating how fascia is laid down in-utero, before gravity has its effect on it, as well as research suggesting that fascia is established before differentiated muscles. A useful reminder was the importance of muscle and fascia working together, “you cannot have one without the other”. John Wilks’s presentation focused on the effects of childbirth on fascia, and how this can imprint into adulthood. It was a fascinating subject that highlighted how forceps and traction can have lifelong consequences on the hard and soft tissues, including complex postural repercussions. These and other memorable presentations were characterised by the passion of speakers e something that inspired this delegate, and I am sure, many others. It was particularly exciting to hear details of the translation of scientific research into practical clinical applications. The panel session at the end of the second day provided answers to many thought-provoking questions, that were put to the expert panel comprising Leon Chaitow, Robert Schleip, Ceri Davies e moderated by Julian Baker (Fig. 1). Ingber. et al.. noted by Chaitow in relation to NASA-funded research (Ingber. 19e34. 50. “while it will not make fascia lift a little finger it will however over several days and months cause contracture and remodelling of fascia. I did learn a great deal that was new. 13 (Suppl). A question of particular interest was: “Do you have any thoughts about fascia modulating endocrine responses?” Robert Schleip responded by describing research involving ‘sympathetic charge’ and the immune system. who noted that sinus congestion may be eased by humming. How cells (might) sense microgravity. and had much previous knowledge placed into a broader context. Ann. Res. 69e73.. space explorers? A disappointing discovery is that Gray’s Anatomy no longer acknowledges that there is superficial fascia. speakers and format. 59. In answer to my opening questions I believe I have answered the first two positively e it was worth the time and effort to attend. D. It has been shown that the most potent contractile agent for fascia is TGFb (transforming growth factor beta) and that. The keynote presentations were of a very high standard. now taller. Esthet. 2012). The third question asked whether attending the symposium had altered my therapeutic approach? It certainly has stimulated my thinking and encouraged me to explore alternative approaches that might include experimenting with different forms. 575e599. Robert Schleip. A few delegates mentioned that the workshop they had attended would have been more useful had some presenters not spent so much time in self-promotion e but overall the quality was high (Fig. Introduction to the knowledge of subcutaneous sliding system in humans. D.. Rev. 1999. the autonomic nervous system. Ingber. Humor was also feature of some of the information delivered by keynote speakers. that suggests the gravity-free alteration of shape of cells modifies their ability to process nutrients. There were also a wide variety of workshops on both days. direction and speed of load application e but more importantly it has removed some of the mystery behind the etiology of musculoskeletal dysfunction e as well as many of the effects of manual methods that I already use. 2001. because the compressive element of gravity is absent. (Robert Schleip) e a reminder of the importance of the current debate over the nomenclature of fascia e something that is 515 Figure 2 Robert Schleip during his workshop (Photo Jane Douglass). the immune system and fascial stiffness (Schleip et al. A potentially useful snippet of information came from Leon Chaitow during the panel discussion.. This same zero-gravity effect provides another example of mechanotransduction.C. Chir. potentially accounting for loss of bone density in these. 2). 1997.. Okamoto.. actively being discussed in the Fascia: Science and Clinical Applications section of this Journal (Stecco. 1999). Ceri Davies (Photo Adam Trewartha). Acute effects of self-myofascial release using a foam roller on arterial function. which encourages the tissues to dilate (Okamoto et al. 2014. FASEB J. with a great deal of choice.. 2014). He noted that when someone is under chronic sympathetic charge. and the organisers are to be congratulated on their choice of venue. never dry or out of reach of anyone’s understanding. Physiol.British Fascia Symposium Figure 1 Panel with Julian Baker (Moderator) Leon Chaitow. A final thought: The effects of conferences and symposia such as this one helps to establish common ground between different manual therapy/physical medicine professions e potentially reflecting the binding quality of connective tissues? References Guimberteau. Plast. S3eS15. Annu. Strength & Cond. different T3 cells are expressed. 2014). T.” Research therefore confirms links between TGFb. J. inducing them to release nitric oxide. . Tensegrity: the architectural basis of cellular mechanotransduction. For example when Robert Schleip expressed his evidence-informed opinion that biomechanics plays a lesser role than psychosocial factors in the rehabilitation of lower back pain.. Julian Baker responded by asking whether “the concept of saying to someone ‘you’re looking great and doing well’ is complementary medicine?” Ceri Davis observed that astronauts return after 6 months in space appreciably taller than when they left. J. 28 (1). and that research has now identified how the hypothalamus communicates through the sympathetic nervous system with lymph nodes. since the vibrations produce a mechanotransduction effect on local fascial cells. et al. 1997. 441e442. Elsevier Churchill Livingstone... 2010. C. morphological evidence of the proprioceptive role of the fascial system. et al. Why are there so many discussions about the nomenclature of fasciae? J. P. (Eds. Stecco. Findley. Biotensegrity: a unifying theory of biological architecture. Assoc. R. Bodyw. Osteopath. Ther. . Cells Tissues Organs 192..). 34e52. 18 (3).. 2014. Snelson. S. 200e210... R. The ankle retinacula. Mov.516 Schleip. Edinburgh. Huijing. Am. 113 (10).. Chaitow. T. L. 2012. Findlay Stecco. J. Fascia: the Tensional Network of the Human Body. 2013. C.