What is the Fascia Plane?
Fascia is an interconnected, thin layer of connective tissue that envelops muscles, nerves, and organs. The fascia is actually one, contiguous sheath of connective tissue as it wraps around all of these structures. This plane is a dynamic network of tissue that transmits mechanical and biochemical signals throughout the body, and it plays a critical role in movement, stability, and communication between body systems.
How Does Acupuncture Interact with the Fascia?
When an acupuncture needle is inserted at a precise location, it stimulates a cascade of physiological responses in the fascia plane. These responses are mechanical, biochemical electrical, reparative, and neurological.
1) MECHANICAL stimulation: when the needles are inserted, they pass through several layers of fascia, triggering receptors in the local connective tissue. The activation of these receptors is received as a signal in the brain, which sends back the message: “make more cells of that type of tissue in that area.”
2) BIOCHEMICAL responses: the insertion of needles activates the immune system to begin its healing response by releasing anti-inflammatory agents and immune cells, which have been shown to reduce pain and promote tissue repair. Additionally, acupuncture releases endorphins and neurotransmitters, which can alleviate pain and regulate the autonomic nervous system.
3) ELECTRICAL : fascia is piezoelectric, meaning it generates an electric charge in response to mechanical stress (e.g., needle insertion). This effect might explain how acupuncture impacts bioelectrical fields, improving cell-to-cell communication within the body.
4) REPARATIVE: adhesions form in the connective tissue as a result of injury or repetitive stress, and acupuncture can release these adhesions, restore normal tissue mobility and alignment, reducing pain and dysfunction in the affected areas, which explains it’s unique ability to treat chronic pain, muscle stiffness, and restricted movement.
5) NEUROLOGICAL: the fascia plane is rich in nerves, and contains various types of sensory receptors. Acupuncture interacts with these receptors, via the neuro-fascial feedback loop, and is another reason why acupuncture is effective for conditions related to tension, stress, and chronic pain.
Summary
Acupuncture has a unique ability to interact with the fascia in a number of ways that explain why it is so useful for pain relief and tissue recovery.