VIDEO 4. Fascias I

The fascial system, defined as the combination of connective tissues forming beneath the skin, surrounds, interweaves, and intertwines all organs, muscles, bones, and nerve fibers, providing the body with a functional structure. It enables the integrated functioning of all body systems. We will discuss seven fascias that are part of the fascial systems closely related to posture.

The first one is called the “The Superficial Back Line (SBL),” and it consists of two parts, from the fingers to the knees and from the knees to the forehead. The SBL unifies and protects the entire posterior surface of the body like a shield.

The general postural function of the SBL is to support the body in a fully extended position and prevent a tendency to bend towards flexion, as shown in the fetal position. The continuous postural function throughout the day requires a higher proportion of slow muscle fibers in the muscular parts of the myofascial band. The Achilles tendon, sacrotuberous ligament, thoracolumbar fascia, erector spinae, and occipital protuberance are part of the SBL. Unlike other joints, the knees move into flexion towards the back due to the influence of SBL muscles. When standing, the locked tendons of the SBL support the alignment of posture between the tibia and femur. (will be given in e manual)

The general movement function of the SBL is to create extension and hyperextension (except for flexion below the knees).

In human development, SBL muscles lift the baby’s head from embryonic flexion, spreading throughout the body- abdomen, hips, knees, and feet – supported by advancing increments and reaching out through the eyes. As a child achieves balance in each developmental stage toward upright posture, this is accomplished. (will be given in e manual)

*To stretch the SBL, you can bend forward from the torso without bending the knees, or you can lean the torso forward until the head touches the ground while sitting on your knees.

The second fascia, “The Superficial Front Line (SFL),” connects the entire front surface of the body in two parts, from the top of the feet to the side of the skull.

The general postural function of the SFL is to provide tense support for balancing and lifting some parts of the skeleton beyond the gravitational line – pubis, ribcage, and face. The myofascia of SFL also maintains the postural extension of the knee. The muscles of SFL are ready to defend soft and sensitive areas decorating the front surface of the human body and protect the viscera of the ventral cavity. Functionally, SFL joins with SBL through the periosteum around the phalanx tips technically. Practically, in terms of posture, dorsal flexors limit the tibia-fibula complex from going too far back, while plantar flexors prevent it from leaning too far forward. Sagittal postural balance (A-P balance) is maintained across the body by the easy or tense relationship between these two lines. When considered as parts of fascial planes rather than chains of muscles, it is important to note that in most cases, SFL tends to shift downward, and SBL tends to shift upward in response.

The general movement function of the SFL is to create flexion in the trunk and hips, extension in the knee, and dorsiflexion in the ankle. SFL performs a complex series of actions at the neck level. The need to create sudden and powerful flexion movements at various joints requires a higher proportion of fast muscle fibers in the muscular part of SFL. The interaction between SFL, primarily focused on endurance, and SBL, which responds rapidly, indicates the need for contraction along a line when the other is stretched. (will be given in e manual)

*To stretch the SFL, one can assume a knight position with one knee in front and extend the torso backward with arms, or lift the torso with support from hands in a prone position.