Here's a riddle. What's the most abundant protein in the world, connects your chin to your toe, your stomach to your ear, your brain to your liver and connects all of them to each other at the same time? Could the pain in your knee somehow be related to your migraines?

 

Most people have never heard of fascia, (pronounced 'FASH-uh'), though the term 'plantarfasciitis' (pain on the bottom of the foot) is more familiar. However, the fascia on the bottom of the foot is just a small part of connective tissue system, which forms a living matrix that is present in every part of the body. It surrounds and interpenetrates all of the organs, bones, nerves, blood vessels, lymph glands, bones and muscles, even into the cell membranes. It holds the organs in place, forms the joints, surrounds the cardiovascular system and envelopes the brain. Researchers have found that fascia is a vast communication complex, which connects all the body's systems to each other with its many types of fibers and various sensory receptors.

 

The connective tissue system can be compared to a large 3-D net. It absorbs shocks and distributes the forces that impact us every time we take a step. A tug or strain in one part of the net is communicated to all other parts of the net, and effects the flow of fluids, the space within joints, and all other body processes. The system is quite resilient, and generally allows our bodies to withstand a wide range of events and insults. However, when we have reached the limit of our ability to compensate, pain and dysfunction result.

 

With their extensive anatomical knowledge and highly developed palpation skills, Mechanical Link practitioners are able to find the point of greatest restriction in the fascia/connective tissue system and release it. You might find out that the pain in your knee AND your migraines are related both related to the scar on your head from a long-ago accident in third grade, for example. It's all connected!