Fascia is the fibrous connective tissue that surrounds our muscles and other tissues, like a structural “fabric” that holds our bodies together. Fascia therapies gain more traction each year because of their notable success in treating muscle and joint pain.  However, many don’t know that treating fascia restriction can also help relieve gut problems.  Fascia restrictions in the trunk and pelvic areas can cause discomfort or tension in the digestive system. Treating these restrictions can alleviate numerous gut related symptoms. 

A few months ago, a patient, whom I will refer to as Bett,y was improving quite well after treating her injuries from a slip and fall accident. I used a gentle hands-on therapy to ease fascia restrictions, which relieved her hip and low back pain. Satisfied with these results, Betty asked if I might also be able to help with chronic abdominal pain caused by irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Fortunately, in this case, I was able to answer, “Yes.” 

I explained to Betty that sometimes gut symptoms can be caused—or exacerbated—by fascia restrictions in the trunk and pelvis. In her case, a careful examination revealed tender, restricted fascia in the upper abdominal muscles and along her left lower rib cage.  

My staff and I released the restrictions with fascia therapies that involved gentle stretching pressure to free this normally pliable and flexible connective tissue. One week later, Betty’s abdominal pain was gone, and she no longer had to make frequent trips to the bathroom.  At her one month follow-up, those IBS symptoms still had not returned.  

Fascia therapy helps with gut symptoms in much the same way that it helps ease joint and muscle pain. Fascia covers all tissues, from muscles and bones to blood vessels and internal organs. It is everywhere in the body, making up 20 percent of our tissue. However, this complex, structural web can become abnormally restricted due to injuries, chronic tension, inflammation, or repetitive stress. Since fascia interconnects throughout the entire body, a restriction at one point can affect many other areas as well. 

There are millions of nerve endings in the fascia that can become irritated as a result of restrictions or distortions. This can cause referred pain or tension to nearby muscles and joints.  It can also lead to tension and irritation in the abdominal organs, especially when those restrictions occur in the abdominal muscles, the rib cage, or the hips and pelvis. Relieving these fascia restrictions can stop the referred pain and tension, which will often reduce—or even eliminate— symptoms like nausea, bloating, diarrhea, or gastrointestinal pain. 

I’ve seen fascia therapy offer significant relief for many gut problems, from irritable bowel syndrome and chronic nausea to constipation and gastric reflux.  While there are multiple different causes for these conditions, fascia therapy can be an effective line of defense when conventional therapies are unable to provide relief.  

Fascia restrictions might play no role at all in digestive problems—or they can be the primary cause or one of several contributing factors. The only way to know is with careful examination of the fascia in the related areas of the trunk and pelvis. If you are dealing with unresolved chronic gut issues, fascia therapy is an beneficial option to consider.  

Dr. Eric Winder has 27 years in practice with a focus on relieving pain and restoring alignment and motion through fascia release therapies. For more information, visit https://gentlebay.com/