1/4 hour Neuro #49: "Fascia and Biotensegrity - Guest: Nicole Pfister"

Welcome to the neuro quarter-hour, the Neuro Lab podcast dedicated to field issues.

Today, we are pleased to welcome Nicole Pfister, a fascia specialist. She shares her journey, her passion for movement, and how fascia has revolutionized her understanding of anatomy and training.

What is Fascia? An Evolving Definition

Fascia is a topic of constant discussion, even among scientists. It is better referred to as the "fascial system" since everything is interconnected. For a long time, fascia, or connective tissue, was overlooked during dissections, considered merely as a layer to be removed to access muscles and bones. However, research has shown its fundamental properties and its omnipresent role in the body.

To illustrate, imagine a steak: the red part is the muscle, and all the white inside is the fascia. This system is elastic and allows for force transmission, tissue lubrication, and information communication.

Despite advances in research, particularly in Germany and English-speaking countries, the Francophone world has fallen behind. Fortunately, many reference works are now translated, paving the way for a better understanding of this vital system.

Fascia: A Living and Active Tissue

It is crucial to understand that fascia is not an inert tissue. It is a living and active system made up of cells, primarily fibroblasts, which produce collagen. The amount of collagen varies according to the body's demands, explaining why a lack of movement can lead to stiffness.

Fascia also contains water, forming a viscous substance (like gel or honey) that allows different layers of tissue to slide over one another. This viscosity is essential for effective force transmission, information transfer, and to prevent feelings of rigidity. The cells that produce this viscosity, the fasciacytes, require movement—especially multidirectional and varied movements—to function optimally.

Biotensegrity: A New Anatomical Paradigm

Biotensegrity is a fundamental concept for understanding fascia. This concept, derived from architecture (tensegrity meaning "tension" and "integrity"), proposes a radically different view of anatomy compared to traditional teachings. Applied to living beings, "biotensegrity" describes structures that self-stabilize through the balance between compressive forces (the bones, represented by wooden sticks) and tensile forces (the fascia, represented by elastic bands).

In this model, bones do not touch but are suspended in a fascial network, meaning, for example, that the spine is not a stack of bones supporting each other, but rather vertebrae suspended in a tension network. There must be a balanced baseline tone in this system to ensure optimal and efficient organization of the body. An imbalance in this tone can affect the entire structure.

Implications for Training and Movement

The approach of biotensegrity changes how we approach training. The goal is to find this tone balance to allow the system to self-regulate. If an area is too tight, it creates an overall imbalance.

In fascia-based training, the first goal is to release the fascia. Next, we aim to "open the bones" rather than contract, promoting expansion. For example, instead of tightening the belly to stabilize the torso, we seek to "open" the bones, which encourages the fascial network to distribute tensions. This approach, although initially confusing for those accustomed to traditional methods like Pilates, proves to be more effective, healthier, and allows for better distribution of effort throughout the body.

Resources for Further Exploration

Nicole recommends several essential books for anyone wanting to learn more about fascia:

• "Fascia" by David Lesondak: A comprehensive and accessible work for a good introduction.
• "Fascia Therapy" by Christian Croo: Very informative on the basics of fascia, with a section more specific to manual therapy.
• "Fascia Training Academy": A reference for sports and performance, also to follow on social media.
• "Anatomy Trains" by Thomas Myers: A classic for understanding myofascial lines.
• "Functional Atlas of Human Fascial Systems": A scientific reference by Luigi Stecco and Antonio Stecco.
• "The Little Book of Fascia" (Editions Jouvence): A good introductory book for the general public.

The key message is to pay attention to these new approaches that open many doors. The world of fascia is collaborative and interconnected, much like the fascia itself, encouraging knowledge sharing rather than isolated specialization.

Find Nicole Pfister

Nicole Pfister runs her studio in Gstaad, Switzerland. She is also active with Regula Kaltenrieder under the label "Fascia by Regula Kaltenrieder & Nicole Pfister" on Facebook and Instagram. They collaborate with FixedPro in French-speaking Switzerland and Christophe Caron Formation in France.