The Forgotten Organ: Fascia’s Role in Your Health

As a cell biologist, I’m captivated by how decompressing fascia can improve the flow of nutrients into cells and help remove waste. Anything that keeps my cells happy keeps me happy—and yes, makes me smile! I spent over a decade looking at cells under a microscope and fell in love with their structure, lifecycle, and intelligence.

I was in awe of how those clusters of cells could communicate and work together seamlessly. That fascination has shaped who I am as a health coach because I know optimizing our cells means optimizing our entire body—and our experience of life.

What amazes me even more is discovering that fascia connects all of our cells. Funny enough, for all my years in cell biology classes, I never once studied fascia. But now, I can’t get enough of it—it’s become one of my greatest passions.

Working with fascia isn’t just about relieving pain or improving posture. It’s about unlocking flow throughout the body, creating space for nutrients to reach our cells and for toxins to be removed. When fascia is healthy, everything works more efficiently. But when it’s restricted, it can cause issues ranging from poor digestion to chronic pain.

Deanna Hansen, a pioneer in fascia work, explains how fascia is deeply affected by the forces we face daily: gravity, poor posture, stress, and even shallow breathing. Over time, these forces create adhesions—tight spots in the fascia that block the body’s natural flow. These adhesions don’t just stay on the surface; they form deep within the body, down to the bones, creating tension and dysfunction.

Deanna’s story of fascia discovery is incredibly inspiring. Despite her training as an athletic therapist and her dedication to health, she found herself in chronic pain, battling anxiety, depression, and stubborn weight gain. Everything changed during a moment of desperation, when she pressed her hand into her abdomen during a severe anxiety attack. That simple act of exploration became the start of her journey to understanding fascia and unlocking its power to heal.

Through nightly fascia work, she experienced profound changes: her pain disappeared, her mental health improved, and her body transformed in ways that traditional exercise never could. What fascinated me most about her story is how restoring flow in her fascia allowed her entire system to heal. It’s a powerful reminder of how much our health depends on the intricate connections within us.

For me, this resonates deeply. My love for cells and the intricate systems within our body has grown even more profound as I’ve explored fascia. It’s not just about health—it’s about understanding the body as a whole, interconnected system.

At the heart of fascia work is a simple but powerful technique called blocking. It involves using a specially designed wooden or bamboo block to apply pressure to specific areas of the body for a minimum of three minutes. This sustained pressure and heat allow the fascia to “melt,” releasing adhesions and restoring flow.

The process includes three steps:

Create Space: Releasing adhesions frees up pathways for blood, oxygen, and nutrients to flow.

Engage the Breath: Diaphragmatic breathing activates the body’s internal “furnace,” aiding detoxification and boosting oxygen absorption.

Support Alignment: Maintaining proper posture ensures that the body doesn’t fall back into old patterns, maximizing the benefits of fascia work.

Blocking isn’t just a tool for physical relief—it’s become an essential part of my life. I use it to release stress, relieve tension, and even as a form of meditation. When I block and focus on my breathing, I’m able to access deep-rooted thoughts, beliefs, and emotions. It’s a way to process and release what’s been stuck, rather than letting those feelings run my mind.

One profound insight I’ve gained is how deeply our bodies are connected to our subconscious mind. Sometimes, we don’t act the way we want to because of hidden mental and emotional blocks. Blocking has helped me uncover and address those blocks in a powerful way. It’s a reminder that true healing happens on physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual levels.

Fascia work has transformed how I view health. It’s about more than relieving pain; it’s about reconnecting with your body, unlocking flow, and creating space for healing and growth. Each session with my block reminds me that even small, consistent steps can lead to profound transformation.

I’ll be sharing much more about fascia in the future as I continue my own research and learning. It’s a topic I’m deeply passionate about, and I can’t wait to bring you along on this journey.

Whether you’re just learning about fascia or ready to dive into the practice of blocking, I hope this post has inspired you to explore how this forgotten organ can transform your health and your life.

If this has sparked your interest, there are plenty of resources to help you dive deeper into the world of fascia:

• Download Deanna Hansen’s free e-book on Fascia Decompression.
  
• Explore the Block Therapy main website.
  
• Prefer listening? Check out the Fascia Master Podcast.