Exploring the Connection Between Hormones and Fascia: What You Need to Know

Fascia is the fluid-filled matrix of connective tissue that surrounds blood vessels, nerves, muscles and organs and is located within the lymphatic system. Fascia plays a crucial role in transmitting force, facilitating movement, providing stability, enhancing proprioception (your body sense), and enabling smooth sliding to minimize friction during movement. It is well acknowledged that fascia actively contributes to tissue upkeep and regeneration, being densely populated with nerves, proprioceptive receptors, blood vessels, and lymphatic vessels. Essentially, it functions as a key component of your body's drainage system and sensory network.

Healthy fascia is essential for proper joint mobility, movement, and muscle performance. If the fascia is unhealthy, it can result in stiffness, myofascial pain syndromes, disease and chronic debilitation. There has been very little research in the past on the role of fascia. Just a few years ago, scientists claim they discovered it and renamed it the "interstitium". We understood what they were describing was fascia. Since the majority of research has been done on men, the connection between hormones was never studied until recently.

At the cellular level and located within fascia are cells known as fibroblasts and fasciacytes. Fibroblasts have receptors for estrogen and when estrogen levels are higher, these fibroblasts produce type III collagen, known to be more elastic and extensible. When estrogen levels are low, the fibroblasts overproduce type I collagen, which is the dense, stiff fascia that builds a bridge over a wound (think scar tissue). In addition, fasciacytes produce hyaluron, the liquid that facilitates slide and glide between the fibers. When stimulated, the fasciacytes produce more hyaluron to improve hydration to the fascial tissues. In other words, estrogen has a protective effect on fascia.

There are two times a month for a menstruating women in her child bearing years where estrogen levels peak. One is around day 10-14 during ovulation and the other is around day 20-24 just before menstruation. During these times, flexibility increases and joints may become hypermobile, putting an individual at risk of injury or moving beyond her normal joint range of motion. This is also when women are at most risk of tearing ligaments, like the ACL in the knee. For this reason, we recommend avoiding end range movements and lifting heavier weights. This is not the time to strive for a PR (personal record) or RM (repetition maximum). This also explains why stiffness and myofascial pain can set in just before a menstrual cycle, when the fascia is less flexible. Conversely, when estrogen levels drop beginning in the 4th decade for a woman, fascia stiffens and can lead to changes in flexibility, mobility and muscle strength. This occurs during perimenopause and menopause (cessation of menstrual period beyond one year). You can imagine that men have this issue for most of the lifespan since estrogen levels are typically low in a male.

What is the solution for dealing with fascial stiffness besides taking synthetic hormones? There are ways to adapt to the changes or hack the system to produce more glide between tissues and improve the extensibility of your fascia. This is what we will teach you when you come to our clinic. Fascial release is excellent for chronic issues like back pain, hip pain, pelvic pain and general stiffness. Using our hands and a variety of soft, pliable balls, you will learn how to stimulate your fascia to work for you and improve joint mobility, muscle flexibility and overall strength.

Sources:

Stecco, C, Fede, C; Macchi, V et al. The Fasciacytes: A New Cell Devoted to Fascial Gliding Regulation. Clinical Anatomy. 2018.

Miller, Jill. The Roll Model: A Step-by-Step Guide to Erase Pain, Improve Mobility, and Live Better in Your Body. Victory Belt Publishing Inc.; 2014.

written by Janine Laughlin - August 2024