How is Depression Linked to Tight Myofascial Tissue?
*sculpture “Melancholy” by Albert Gyorgy
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34955570/
This study was brought to my awareness from one of my MFR colleagues. It was recently presented at the World Fascia Congress, a big research fascia focused conference, where many health professionals from many disciplines, nerd out on fascia and its relationship to healthcare and the human being.
This link is just to the abstract. It gives the initial gist of the study for you peruse.
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Short, Short Version:
According to the recent study Myofascial Tissue and Depression, people with Major Depressive Disorder have increased dehydration/stiffness, and reduced elasticity of the fascia.
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John F. Barnes Already Knew This
I first want to say, when this fascia congress originally was coming together to debut in 2007, John was approached to be one of the lectures at the congress.
He ended up refusing the offer.
Why?
This was a token opportunity to bring many of his clinical insights of MFR to a larger community of fellow minded fascia geeks!
That might also yield return visits with more minds to lecture to about MFR’s value and it’s principles to healthcare.
Why’d he refuse?
….well….
He was asked to NOT talk about emotions.
Social Workers, Psychologists, Psychiatrists…. PAY ATTENTION
One of the major things John acknowledged as he was pioneering MFR, mind you this is in the 70’s and 80’s, was you cannot separate the mind and the body.
The mental/emotional and the physical.
So as slow as science may trudge, many MFR therapists are thankful to see this acknowledgement of the mind-body growing more and more. Especially in the realm of fascia research.
This study speaks to depression. Know that is only one of many syndromes that our bodies can spiral into.
The MAIN take away is the link between tight fascia and how it distresses our minds and vice versa. Something we as MFR therapists always have known and experienced within our own treatments and with many of YOU.
Tight fascia is the issue. No matter if it results in depression, anxiety, hate, chronic pain, disease, etc.
Myofascial Release is key to mental/emotional wellness just as much as physical wellness.
…And that’s what I do here at James River MFR.