Written by Elissa Robbins (Myotherapist)

Water plays a significant role in our everyday lives and without it we are unable to survive. It is essential for our function (physically, mentally and emotionally) to constantly be consuming and replenishing water within the human body.

The amount of water we must consume varies depending a number of factors including:

• Age
• Gender
• Climate
• Diet
• Physical activity level

Research has shown that 50-70% of our body is water. With all these factors in mind, the recommended average amount of water intake per day is 1.5-2 litres.

The benefits of drinking water as shown by the Harvard health.edu ¹

• Carrying nutrients and oxygen to your cells
• Flushing bacteria from your bladder
• Aiding in digestion
• Preventing constipation
• Normalizing blood pressure
• Stabilizing the heartbeat
• Cushioning joints
• Protecting organs and tissues
• Regulating body temperature
• Maintaining electrolyte (sodium) balance

Signs that our body needs water include thirst, dry mouth and sluggishness. Thirst is one of the bodies ways of signalling that you are dehydrated. The body must prioritize the vital organs over other areas that also require water, which can create stress within our system. Due to the high amounts of stressors already being placed upon us in our daily lives, one way we can help our bodies is to drink the required amount of water to allow our system to function properly.

Fascia & water

Water also plays a key role in keeping the bodies fascia hydrated. If fascia becomes dehydrated it can thicken leading to potential adhesions which creates a stiffness feeling. Once this occurs no amount of water will allow the adhesions to release. The thickened fascia needs to be moved and stretched to return to its natural form.

One way to improve this is by seeing a Myotherapist who can specifically target the fascia. Through the various professional development course that I have completed, I have been trained to identify and specifically target the adhesions within the fascial network. A variety of techniques are used to mobilise the tissue and restore it to optimal function. Enabling an increase in water absorption within the fascia.

Self-mobilisation with mobility balls can further assist the fascial release process after treatment. For more information you can see our previous blog titled “mobility what is it?”

For further information or to book a Myotherapy appointment please call 9762 0976 or email Elissa at elissa@strongandstable.com.au.

^References:

¹https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/how-much-water-should-you-drink

https://www.usgs.gov/special-topic/water-science-school/science/water-you-water-and-human-body?qt-science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2908954/

Fascia is the spider web substance that engulfs our entire body from head to toe. It is the network that sits beneath the skin and wraps around every muscle, bone, nerve and organ in our body.
Fascia a connective tissue that is formed by cells, fibres and ground substances similar and belongs to the same family as bones, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, blood and lymph, due to their similar make up.

The primary functions of fascia are to;
• Provides support and protection from outside trauma
• Provides a gel like substance which allows the muscles to move smoothly against each other
• Supportive role to the musculoskeletal system allowing it to achieve functional activities
• The fascia separates the muscles so they can work individually
‘ Anatomy Trains is how the muscles connect through the fascial fabric of the body’ Thomas Myers explains how the fascial lines link together by the ‘direct force of transmission through the fascial fibric of the body’

Just like our muscles, fascia can become tight / restricted and inhibit movement also and can become a source of pain also. Fascia restrictions can occur because of a lack of water / dehydration, or due to a lack of movement in a particular area. This conditions result in fascia fibres being continuously laid down, much like if we stop brushing our teeth the fuss begins to build up on our teeth.

So what do I need to do to keep my fascia healthy?
Daily life creates restriction through the fascia which is inevitable however here are a few ways you can help keep your fascia healthy;
1. Keeping hydrated
Aim to drink 8-10 glasses of water per day
2. Move often!
Movement is the key, prolonged postures can result in fibrous adhesions to for creating restrictions in the fascia
3. Practice stretching, mobility and foam rolling exercises regularly
Targeted exercises

How can a Myotherapist help?
*Cupping- mobilisation of the fascial system by restoring hypomobile fascia tissue.
*Restoring the fascial lines to allow for smooth movements
*Increasing blood flood and circulation by moving the fascia with the use of elbows and hands on techniques

If you would like further information please contact Strong & Stable on 9762 0976.

Written by Elissa Robbins (Myotherapist)

Lymphoedema is the accumulation of fluid in the interstitium caused by dysfunction or damage to the lymphatic system. When the lymph nodes become blocked, they are unable to be drained and the fluid will accumulate. The main areas that lymphoedema occurs are the arms and legs but it can happen in other areas of the body. The build up of fluid can be  gradual or rapid.

What causes Lymphoedema?

• Cancer or cancer treatment
• Removal of lymph nodes
• Radiation can damage lymph vessels causing high levels of lymph fluid in the tissue

What are the symptoms?

• Unexplained swelling throughout body especially the arms and legs that increases over time
• The skin can feel tight and sometimes have altered sensation such as tingling
• Affected limb may feel heavy
• Clothing or jewellery on the affected side will be tighter

Risks associated with lymphoedema include;

• Increased risk of infection to the affected limb. This occurs due to the lymphatic system being compromised and are unable to fight off the infection
• Wounds may take longer to heal when lymphoedema is present

How is lymphoedema treated?

• Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage (MLD)
• Compression garments
• Exercise

How can Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage (MLD) help?

It is a very gentle form of massage used to help with the lymphatic flow and therefore decrease swelling. This is done by ‘clearing out’ the lymph nodes and redirecting the fluid to these viable nodes allowing filtering to occur and fluid returns back to the heart.

If you are interested in learning more or booking a Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage please contact us on 9762 0976

Picture References;

https://www.naturaltherapypages.com.au/article/what_is_lymphatic_drainage

https://www.totalphysiomv.com/massage/what-is-lymphoedema/