An entirely different way of looking at the body

Fasica is the connective tissue that covers structures in the body, much like plastic wrap on a sandwich. All of our muscles, organs, and even brain are wrapped in this fibrous system. We hypothesize that this fascial system is so interconnected that an acupuncture needle that stimulates fascia on the foot will have an effect on the brain, much like tugging on a corner of one sleeve will affect the other cuff.

This hypothesis was examined in 2002 by Langevin et al. as described in this article. Research since then has been very productive, demonstrating that fascia connects every part of the body with another. The basic concept of acupuncture is that the entire body is connected through channels, which were discovered over 3000 years ago and refined throughout centuries of trial and error that continue to this day. Every practicing acupuncturist knows that a certain acupuncture point on the leg can treat stomach pain, toothache, and shoulder pain. How is it possible that one acupuncture point can have effects on three (and more) parts of the body?

A example from Barral’s visceral manipulation: the urinary bladder is connected to the belly button via a band of fascia (urachus), which in turn is connected to the the lining of the abdomen (parietal peritoneum), the prevertebral fascia (spine) to the neck, and further into the brain via the dura mater.

Recommended reading:

Fascia: What it is and Why it Matters, by David Lesondak

Abstracts from the 2015 Fascia Research Congress