Welcome to the grand finale of our Fascia-chan series! The theme this time is “Fascia and Water.”
Fascia-chan says: “Hey everyone! Today I’m talking about my lifeline — hydration!”
The Body Is 60% Water
You’ve probably heard that about 60% of the human body is water. This includes intracellular fluid, blood plasma, lymph, and interstitial fluid.
Fascia-chan says: “And the one I’m most closely connected to is interstitial fluid! It contains things like hyaluronic acid and proteoglycans — moisture-retaining components that are hugely important for my softness and gliding ability!”
When water circulates well through your body:
– Fascia layers slide smoothly over each other
– Nutrients and oxygen are delivered properly
– Waste products are flushed out efficiently
Fascia-chan says: “But when there’s not enough water… I shrink up tight…!”
300 Times the Force of Muscle
Research in rats has shown that when the body becomes dehydrated, tendons and fascia contract on their own, generating up to 300 times the force of muscle.
Fascia-chan says: “Wait, 300 times?! That’s like a tangerine turning into a bulldozer! But nobody asked for that kind of power… (Ha!)”
Contracted fascia puts strain on joints and muscles, potentially causing stiffness and pain.
The Chicken Skin Analogy
Fascia-chan says: “You know when you peel the skin off chicken at the supermarket and there’s that slippery stuff between the skin and the meat? That’s me! That slipperiness is the sign of healthy fascia!”
However, prolonged poor posture, injury, stress, and lack of exercise can cause fascia to stop moving — leading to what we call “stacking” (adhesion), where the layers stick together.
Fascia-chan says: “When that happens, my ‘moisture power’ drops, my movement gets worse, and I start sticking and pulling…”
I once attended an obstetrics lecture where they showed endoscopic footage of pelvic pathology — you could clearly see fascia that had lost its moisture and become adhered.
Fascia-chan says: “That’s why drinking water regularly is SO incredibly important! And if possible… not tea or coffee, but plain water!”
As the weather gets warmer, fascia contraction from dehydration becomes even more likely. Please be mindful of your hydration!
Over these four installments, we’ve covered fascia and mechanical properties, inflammation, nerves, and water. We hope you’ve gained a deeper understanding!
We’ll continue providing careful, fascia-focused treatments. If you have any symptoms that concern you, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Fascia-chan says: “Thanks for reading all the way through! See you in a new series! And don’t forget to stay hydrated!”
Before You Visit…
Fair warning: our English is a work in progress! (Ha!)
But thanks to the magic of translation apps, we communicate just fine with patients from around the world.
Your body speaks a universal language — and that’s the one we’re fluent in.
