Fascia - What It Is, and Why It Matters, Second Edition

by David Lesondak

Overview

Fascia: What It Is and Why It Matters is the "must-have" book for everyone wanting to learn more about fascia as a tissue and a system. This second edition maintains the high standard of the first book while expanding on everything that made it so popular.

By focusing first on the fundamentals of fascia as a tissue that surrounds, supports, and permeates all the muscle, bones, nerves, and organs, Lesondak takes the reader on a journey throughout their entire body from the perspective of the fascial system, making many stops along the way to ensure the reader understands what's important and why it matters to the body.

From the new rules of biomechanics, biotensegrity, cellular processes, musculoskeletal issues, proprioception, neuroscience and cognition, somatic dysfunction, and restoration - Lesondak deftly weaves all these concepts together with a deep appreciation for the history of science, fine storytelling sensibilities, and a sense of humor as well as a sense of wonder.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781913426316
Publisher:	Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Publication date:	10/21/2022
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	7.32(w) x 9.61(h) x 0.71(d)

About the Author

David Lesondak BCSI, ATSI, FST, FFT, is an Allied Health Member in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). He maintains a clinical practice in structural integration, visceral manipulation, and other fascial modalities at UPMC's Center for Integrative Medicine. He serves as the Senior Structural Integrator and Fascia Specialist at UPMC's Center for Integrative Medicine and sits on the Executive Committee of the International Consortium on Manual Therapies. His blog can be read at www.fascialconnections.com.

Table of Contents

About the Author viii

Dedication ix

Foreword Thomas W. Myers x

Foreword Robert Schleip xi

Foreword Carla Stecco xii

Preface xiii

Acknowledgments xv

1 Fascia: The Living Tissue and System 1

A not-so-simple definition of fascia 1

Fascia 101 2

Fascia 102 9

Fascia 103 20

References 23

Further reading 25

2 Fascia, Tensegrity, and the Cell 27

Introduction 27

Tensegrity - the something else 31

Under the microscope 39

From micro to macro 40

References 47

Further reading 47

3 Fascia and Anatomy 49

Introduction 49

In the beginning 52

A man from Padua 53

The man from Kansas 57

The "fasciomusculoskeletal" system 58

Yes, it is all connected 63

Other vital connections 73

The fascial net plastination project 75

The myodural bridge - connecting the body to the brain 85

References 86

Further reading 87

4 Fascia and the Nervous System 89

Introduction 89

The man who lost his body 89

Anatomy of a nerve 90

Fascial mechanoreceptors 92

Interoception - the seventh sense 99

Improving interoception requires focused attention… 100

…for the therapist as well as the patient 100

References 101

Further reading 103

5 Fascia and the Brain 105

Introduction 105

Neuroscience at the turn of the twentieth century 108

Neuroscience at the dawn of the twenty-first century 110

Meet the glia 111

They kept Einstein's brain 116

Schwann cells 117

References 119

Further reading 121

6 Fascia and the Organs 123

Alimentary, my dear Watson! 123

The basics 123

Taking it from the top 125

The heart as a fascial organ 126

Back to the middle 127

The thinking bowel 128

References 129

Further reading 129

7 Diagnosing Fascial Conditions 131

Introduction 131

Pathoanatomical analysis 132

Case study: Benjamin 136

Palpation 137

Therapeutic presence 138

Palpation technology 139

Imaging technology 140

References 142

Further reading 142

8 Fascia-Oriented Therapies 143

So, what is moving? 143

Fascia modalities 145

General guidelines for exercise and diet 156

References 157

Further reading 158

Afterword Thomas W. Findley 161

Afterword Sasha Chaitow 163

Glossary 167

Permissions 177

Index 181

Editorial Reviews

Fascia: What Is and Why It Matters is a remarkably lucid text for such a multifaceted topic. Once again, David Lesondak demonstrates his extraordinary ability to distill complex science and clinical practice into remarkably compelling and lucid prose. His creative illustrations lure you in to keep on exploring, page after page. As an interested scientist and diagnostic pathologist, reading this book stretches my imagination and gives meaningful contexts for everything I see under my microscopic. What a delight!

Neil Theise

David's book is an enthralling clarification of all things fascia related. He distills the anatomical history, evidence and modern day practices of this lesser-known body part and weaves all threads together with a rock and roll sensibility. It's must read non-fiction for movement educators, clinicians, manual therapists and anatomy geeks.

Jill Miller

I love the way David tells his story by first relating the facts and theories we all need for such a complex subject as fascia. Yet he covers extensive but essential material in a way that leaves you refreshingly in a state of wonderment instead of exhaustion. From there he departs from other authors by weaving in his own perspectives and unique experiences with fascia: as an experienced clinician; as a videographer of anything fascia; and as a genuinely thoughtful, feeling person who cares deeply about what he writes. I thoroughly enjoyed it and so will you.

Chris Frederick