This section will explore the fascia's many functions. It is truly fascinating! As you begin to understand its functions in the human body, you will undoubtedly consider how fascia relates to your practice!

Functions of the Fascia System

Understanding of the fascia and its many functions in the body is unfolding and providing valuable insights to health care providers. Its functions are now known to be vital to our health and ability to function well. The following sections will provide an overview of functions and relevance to occupational therapy practice.

• Fascia provides the framework and environment for all our body systems (Boser & Schumaker, 2021).
• Fascia provides the structural support and tension to hold the body upright (Sharkey, 2021).
• Shifting tension in the web of fascia provides proprioceptive information. The retinacula are some of the most highly innervated structures in the body, alerting us to joint position (Stecco, 2021).
• The highly innervated fascia contributes to our interoceptive sense (Schleip et al., 2022).
• Prolonged pressure, tension, and inflammation in the fascia produce nociception, alerting us to problems (Langevin, 2021).
• The fascia protects by absorbing shock through the fibers and the ground substance (Wilke & Alfredson, 2021).
• The fascia has elastic properties and stores energy to support efficient movement for walking, jumping, and running (Schleip & Bartsch, 2021).
• Up to 40% of muscular force is transmitted into the surrounding fascia, which in turn creates forces on nearby muscle and bone to create smooth movement of the skeletal system (Schleip & Klinger, 2022).
• The fascia plays an important role in the immune system (Langevin et al., 2012).

Now, let's go through each of these bullet points, diving deeper into each.