Fascia & Pain: Exploring the Science Behind Why We Hurt

By Ana – Fascia Massage, Wimbledon | Myofascial Release & Sports Massage

Pain is a profoundly human experience — but despite how common it is, it remains poorly understood. Many clients I see in my Wimbledon massage clinic come in with ongoing pain that hasn’t responded to traditional treatment. Scans are clear, posture is “fine,” but the discomfort persists.

One of the most significant missing pieces? Fascia.

More than just a structural support, fascia plays a vital role in how pain is processed, perceived, and interpreted.

This blog explores the structure of fascia, its relationship with pain, and how fascia-informed manual therapy in Wimbledon can support tissue recovery and nervous system regulation — based on Ruth Duncan’s Fascia & Pain training and key research in the field.

What Is Fascia?

Fascia is a collagen-rich, three-dimensional connective tissue network that wraps and weaves through every organ, muscle, bone, and nerve in the body. As defined by Stecco et al. (2018):

“It incorporates aponeuroses, joint capsules, meninges, myofascial expansions, tendons, visceral fasciae, periostea, and the connective tissues within and between muscles.”

In other words, fascia connects everything — and affects everything.

Its structure (made of collagen, elastin, and extracellular matrix) gives it both strength and flexibility, as well as:

* Separates and integrates other structures

* Transfers mechanical load

* Supports hydration, immunity, and cellular signalling

* Responds dynamically to movement, nutrition, sleep, hormones, and stress

Fascia and the Sensory Nervous System

Fascia isn’t just mechanical — it’s sensory. According to Lesondak & Akey (2017), the fascial system contains up to 250 million sensory nerve endings. Many of these are polymodal (respond to multiple types of stimuli)— responding to:

* Mechanical pressure (e.g., compression, tension)

* Chemical shifts (e.g., inflammation, low pH)

* Thermal changes

* Nociception (the body’s early-warning signal to potential danger)

These receptors are particularly dense in regions like the thoracolumbar fascia, which becomes more sensitive when tissue glide is reduced (Schleip et al., 2010). When proprioceptive input decreases (e.g., due to a lack of movement), nociceptive signals may predominate — leading to discomfort even in the absence of injury.

When Fascia Loses Glide

A key culprit in fascial stiffness is hyaluronan (HA) — a key component of the fascia’s ground substance. Under chronic load or lack of movement, HA aggregates, reducing its ability to retain water and creating:

* Tissue densification

* Loss of hydration and glide

* Pain-sensitive areas (potential trigger points)

Clients often describe this as feeling “stuck,” “glued,” or “tight for no reason.” Myofascial release can help restore tissue quality and reduce local sensitivity.

Hormones and Fascial Pain Sensitivity

Research by Fede et al. (2016, 2019) demonstrates that hormonal fluctuations, particularly fluctuations in oestrogen levels, directly affect fascia. Lower oestrogen increases collagen type I density, contributing to the following:

* Decreased flexibility

* Increased fascial stiffness

* Greater pain sensitivity

This may explain why peri- and post-menopausal women often report more fascial pain and why chronic pain conditions disproportionately affect women.

Stress, Inflammation & Pain Amplification

When stress becomes chronic, the body produces more cortisol and adrenaline, which increases inflammation and drives myofibroblast activity (Schleip et al., 2019). These cells contract fascia, reduce glide, and create stiffness.

Meanwhile, a chronically aroused nervous system can become sensitised — overreacting to everyday stimuli. The result?

* More tension

* Less movement

* Heightened pain perception

* Delayed healing

What Is Pain, Really?

The IASP defines pain as:

“An unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage.”

Pain is not just a physical input — it’s a protective output from the brain. It’s shaped by:

* Nervous system sensitivity

* Tissue condition and load

* Emotional and hormonal state

* Beliefs, trauma, and past experience

* Environmental context

This is why two people with the same injury can experience wildly different levels of pain — or why pain can persist even when the tissues appear healthy.

Myofascial Release and Pain Relief: What’s Actually Happening?

At Fascia Massage Studio in Wimbledon, I use gentle, fascia-focused techniques to support your body’s self-regulation. The goal isn’t to “force” a fix but to create space for balance to return.

What techniques support fascial glide?

* Sustained pressure and stretch (to encourage HA dispersion and hydration)

* Cross-hand release (for deeper layer glide)

* Skin rolling and shearing (to break superficial adhesions)

* Gentle unwinding or positional release (to access deeper restriction patterns)

These methods improve proprioception, stimulate sensory feedback, and reduce nociceptive signalling.

How Can Clients Support Fascia Health?

Movement, hydration, and rest are key. I often suggest:

* Daily dynamic stretching and self-massage tools

* Staying hydrated throughout the day

* Alternating between loading and unloading activities

* Incorporating breathwork to down-regulate the nervous system

When combined with professional treatment, these simple tools help maintain fascia health and reduce pain over time.

Who Benefits Most from Fascia-Informed Treatments?

Fascia-aware bodywork is especially effective for:

* People with chronic pain or long-standing tension

* Women experiencing peri-menopausal or post-menopausal symptoms

* Individuals with a history of trauma or nervous system dysregulation

* Clients with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, fibromyalgia, or inflammatory conditions

Final Thoughts: Pain Is Personal

Fascial dysfunction can contribute to pain — but pain is not just a “tissue issue.” Your whole story shapes it.

If you’ve been told “nothing is wrong”, but you still feel stuck, tight, or sore — you’re not imagining it. Your pain is real, and your fascia may be asking for support. We understand and we're here to help.

Looking for a fascia-informed massage in Wimbledon?

Let’s work together to help you feel more connected in your body — with care that listens, not forces.