Gil Hedley: Fascia and stretching: The Fuzz Speech

Gil Hedley, Ph.D., of http://www.gilhedley.com gives a lesson on the importance of movement and stretching to maintain the sliding properties of tissues in the body, as well as the value of bodywork modalities and yoga when movement potential has become inhibited.

I made this little clip when I was filming my DVD series in 2005.My thoughts have matured a little bit as compared to the way the ideas are presented in here, as might be expected from anyone engaging their learning curve and involved in a process of discovery, but I am also glad that so many people enjoy it "as is."

The relationship between the superficial fascia and the deep fascia consists of a variety of transitional tissue configurations, sometimes very loose (normally) and sometimes very fixed (normally), and I have found these differences are quite predictable from one area of the body to another, and from one body to another, whether the tissue is fixed or not.

Also, it is normal for there to be "fuzzy" tissue between "individual muscles" within the muscle layer. As with all tissues of the body, all the matter of which it consists is transitioning at various paces, some quicker, some more slowly. "Fuzzy" tissues indeed cycle more quickly then some more dense tissues. By example, the stomach lining sloughs off in 3 to 5 days, the skin cycles in 2 to 5 weeks, bone is cycling over the course of months.

There are what I call "filmy" fasciae all over the body, and when the dissector pulls on these "filmy" fasciae, they have the appearance of "cotton candy" when in traction (I show this in the fuzz speech), and this demonstrates the normal structure of the tissue: filmy and loose, usually found between layers of muscle, and sometimes between deep and superficial fascia.

I used this type of "normal fuzz" in my video as a way of providing an illustration for the
fact that, at a level which is initially beneath visual recognition, there is bonding (covalent bonding and hydrogen bonding) occuring throughout the body under various conditions, and this bonding is occuring amongst the connective tissues at large.

By using something visible to illustrate something invisible, people are helped to understand the importance of stretching, but for those wanting to understand more precisely, it is important to comprehend the difference between my illustrations using normal tissue "fuzz," and the kind of bonding which is taking place invisibly in connective tissue which can, in some instances, represent a pathological progression of tissue growth limiting movement.

That having been said, there are some areas of the body which do indeed demonstrate the possibility of tissue binding at the gross, visible level, such as accumulations around the thoraco-scapular interface, "normal" scar tissues, and visceral adhesions.

I recently wrote an article for the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, ed. Leon Chaitow, on this very subject, called "Visceral Adhesions as Fascial Pathology." In this article I discuss normal and abnormal types of adhesion in the viscera, as well as their causes and their effects, with illustrations provided. I think you can look this article up on line or will be able to once the print version is officially published, though I'm not sure that the print version has "hit the newsstands" yet, as the article was just accepted for publication in November 2009.

I mention this article because it is a concrete demonstration of examples where the inhibition of movement results in tissue
binding and pathological states of mobility.

There are students of the body who are oriented towards the research literature, while I am oriented towards the very practical efforts of observation in the laboratory. I consider myself more of a sculptor and philosopher than a scientist. Still, those involved deeply in the professional conversations surrounding these matters (and I have many such colleagues) assure me there is ample scientific research and support backing the general implications of statements I make in "the fuzz speech," which itself is offered not to "prove" anything scientifically, but rather to inspire folks to expand their inner horizons and outward relationships with this inspirational bit of fun. Thank you for watching!

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[Inci7atus]

What does Gil Hedley have his Ph.D. in? Is it medicine, biology or something completely different?

[somanaut]

@Inci7atus My Ph.D. is in Theological Ethics from the Divinity School of the University of Chicago. My exploration of anatomy for the past 20 years has been part of my belief that the voice of the body should be heard in the realms of ethical discussion, so I should listen to what it has to say. I make no pretensions of being a scientist. Science to me is another religion among many, whose dogmas I am attempting to shed. I am a student of life. Thank you for watching!

[msimm42]

My dh and I have hunted for game meat as a staple and butchered it ourselves for years. I have found that fuzz between the muscles on wild animals. Can you explain why that would be in wild animals roaming the range in Wyoming and North Carolina? Also I'm really interested in knowing what the nature sounds recording at the introduction and end of your video is. It sounds more realistic than a lot I've heard and I could use something just like that to sleep to. Thanks MjD

[somanaut]

@msimm42 "FUZZ" is simply "filmy fasciae" placed in tension to reveal something about its structure. It belongs there! Questions regarding "fuzz" should be not around whether it's there, cause it's always there...The important issue is what quality of movements can occur depending upon the distensibility of the filmy fasciae: is it over bonded and a limitation, or does it permit full range of motion as it should? Thank you for your important question!

[Supiseki]

I believe the fuzz here is called loose connective tissue more formally. It has a high ratio of ground substance to collagen fibers. I have felt it myself in the anatomy lab in PT school. While the fuzz certainly exists, I see no grounds for inferring fuzz accumulation during sleep or inactivity. Are there any references you can give me regarding loose connective tissue changes in vivo? I find this topic interesting and would like to pursue it further.

[somanaut]

@Supiseki Hi there! Thank you! Indeed, loose connective tissue is more correct, though less inspiring to lay folks, I agree!!! What we can see is not accumulating during sleep or inactivity, though there does occur hydrogen bonding of fibrils which I am suggesting (merely as a thought experiment, heck, I don't even claim to be a scientist, more of a sculptor actually) may have a cumulative effect of reducing the movement potential in what I call "filmy" transitional fasciae (loose aereolar CT)

[ib2good2btru]

this guy loves to melt fuzz

[functionalpatterns]

Absolutely amazing man, one of the best wellness videos i've ever witnessed. Can't thank you enough sir :)

[1632riaz]

@marketamaj Active release techniques or Rolfing especially treats scar tissue in fascia.

in europe osteopaths do these treatments

[ECRooney]

In Alexander Technique we discuss the importance of releasing tension and allowing our bodies to reorganize themselves based on an exploration of easier movements in which only necessary muscle groups are involved. Is "fuzz" a product of inactivity or is it also a product of tension? If muscles are released are they also generating fuzz? It seems that even released muscles are in movement in some way since a body moving with ease is one in which (ideally) no muscles are locked down.

[marketamaj]

once there is a build up of "fuzz" can this fuzz be reduced in amount(for example, yoga)? or will it continue to be there with less resistance?

[katbunker1]

this one scared me ! I've been mostly bedridden for 7 1/2 years due to SI Joint dysfunction. Now 5 mos postop for SI fusion. I can't IMAGINE how thick the adhesions are in me. I can feel how imbalanced my muscles are. This was a great impetus for getting better in PT, re-training my whole self and then never letting go ! Thanks !

[dragonmammma]

The term I've heard used is "muscular adhesions". ("Fuzz" is much shorter to say!)

[liftny]

Please make video available for mobile viewing.

[CariLaythorpeMusic]

@robineliza1961 My Pilates teacher showed me this!

[robineliza1961]

Wow this is great & very motivating to go do Pilates!