Selected Articles

The following articles are made available for online reading courtesy of the International Journal of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. The International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (IJTMB) is an open access, peer-reviewed publication intended to accommodate the diverse needs of the rapidly-expanding therapeutic massage and bodywork community. The IJTMB is the official journal of the Massage Therapy Foundation.

These articles will be published in the conference proceedings book, FASCIA RESEARCH II, which will be given to attendees at the conference. Also, the book will be available for online ordering shortly after the conference.

1. Fascia Research II: Second International Fascia Research Congress

Thomas W. Findley, MD, PhD
Editor-in-Chief, IJTMB; Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, East Orange, NJ, USA
It is with pleasure that I introduce background materials to the Second International Fascia Research Congress, to be held October 26 – 30, 2009, at Vrije Universiteit (VU), Amsterdam, Netherlands. This conference is sponsored by the faculty of Movement Sciences of VU, a leading research university. The submitted abstracts are posted at the congress website, http://www.fasciacongress.org/2009. The key speakers are all new for 2009, although almost half the key presenters from 2007 will be returning with shorter presentations (Langevin, Solomonow, Mense, Standley, Bove, Huijing), and Guimberteau will have a new video presentation of fascia images obtained during human surgery.
Read complete article »

2. Communicating About Fascia: History, Pitfalls, and Recommendations *

Helene M. Langevin, MD; Peter A. Huijing, PhD
University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA; Vrije University, Amsterdam, Netherlands
The modern reader and author need to be aware of possible ambiguities and misunderstandings stemming from different meanings of the word "fascia" because the general meaning of the term can be so vague as to imply little more than some form of connective tissue. "Fascia" encompasses both loose and dense, superficial and deep, and multiple- and single-layered connective tissues. To foster communication, we here suggest twelve specific terms to describe specified aspects of fascial tissue:

Dense connective tissue

Areolar connective tissue

Superficial fascia

Deep fascia

Intermuscular septa

Interosseal membrane

Periost

Neurovascular tract

Epimysium

Intra- and extramuscular aponeurosis

Perimysium

Endomysium

Read complete article »

3. The Architecture of the Connective Tissue in the Musculoskeletal System–An Often Overlooked Functional Parameter as to Proprioception in the Locomotor Apparatus *

Jaap van der Wal, MD, PhD
University Maastricht, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Maastricht, Netherlands
The architecture of the connective tissue, including structures such as fasciae, sheaths, and membranes, is more important for understanding functional meaning than is more traditional anatomy, whose anatomical dissection method neglects and denies the continuity of the connective tissue as integrating matrix of the body. The connective tissue anatomy and architecture exhibits two functional tendencies that are present in all areas of the body in different ways and relationships. In body cavities, the "disconnecting" quality of shaping space enables mobility; between organs and body parts, the "connecting" dimension enables functional mechanical interactions. In the musculoskeletal system, those two features of the connective tissue are also present. They cannot be found by the usual analytic dissection procedures. An architectural description is necessary. This article uses such a methodologic approach and gives such a description.
Read complete article »

*Also available online in the next issue of the International Journal of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (Vol. 2, Issue 4) - online early December 2009.

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	Welcome About Fascia Program ON SALE NOW: 2009 & 2007 Conference DVD Recordings / Proceedings Books Other Events Post Congress Workshops Read Special Articles Read Accepted Abstracts Glossary of Terms Speakers/Key Personnel Committee Members Sponsors & Supporters In Amsterdam About Vrije Universiteit Hotels Local Travel/Maps Join our Mailing List Contact Us at: info@fasciacongress.org Fascia Congress 2007 Fascia Congress Home	Selected Articles The following articles are made available for online reading courtesy of the International Journal of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. The International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (IJTMB) is an open access, peer-reviewed publication intended to accommodate the diverse needs of the rapidly-expanding therapeutic massage and bodywork community. The IJTMB is the official journal of the Massage Therapy Foundation. These articles will be published in the conference proceedings book, FASCIA RESEARCH II, which will be given to attendees at the conference. Also, the book will be available for online ordering shortly after the conference. 1. Fascia Research II: Second International Fascia Research Congress Thomas W. Findley, MD, PhD Editor-in-Chief, IJTMB; Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, East Orange, NJ, USA It is with pleasure that I introduce background materials to the Second International Fascia Research Congress, to be held October 26 – 30, 2009, at Vrije Universiteit (VU), Amsterdam, Netherlands. This conference is sponsored by the faculty of Movement Sciences of VU, a leading research university. The submitted abstracts are posted at the congress website, http://www.fasciacongress.org/2009. The key speakers are all new for 2009, although almost half the key presenters from 2007 will be returning with shorter presentations (Langevin, Solomonow, Mense, Standley, Bove, Huijing), and Guimberteau will have a new video presentation of fascia images obtained during human surgery. Read complete article » 2. Communicating About Fascia: History, Pitfalls, and Recommendations * Helene M. Langevin, MD; Peter A. Huijing, PhD University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA; Vrije University, Amsterdam, Netherlands The modern reader and author need to be aware of possible ambiguities and misunderstandings stemming from different meanings of the word "fascia" because the general meaning of the term can be so vague as to imply little more than some form of connective tissue. "Fascia" encompasses both loose and dense, superficial and deep, and multiple- and single-layered connective tissues. To foster communication, we here suggest twelve specific terms to describe specified aspects of fascial tissue: Dense connective tissue Areolar connective tissue Superficial fascia Deep fascia Intermuscular septa Interosseal membrane Periost Neurovascular tract Epimysium Intra- and extramuscular aponeurosis Perimysium Endomysium Read complete article » 3. The Architecture of the Connective Tissue in the Musculoskeletal System–An Often Overlooked Functional Parameter as to Proprioception in the Locomotor Apparatus * Jaap van der Wal, MD, PhD University Maastricht, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Maastricht, Netherlands The architecture of the connective tissue, including structures such as fasciae, sheaths, and membranes, is more important for understanding functional meaning than is more traditional anatomy, whose anatomical dissection method neglects and denies the continuity of the connective tissue as integrating matrix of the body. The connective tissue anatomy and architecture exhibits two functional tendencies that are present in all areas of the body in different ways and relationships. In body cavities, the "disconnecting" quality of shaping space enables mobility; between organs and body parts, the "connecting" dimension enables functional mechanical interactions. In the musculoskeletal system, those two features of the connective tissue are also present. They cannot be found by the usual analytic dissection procedures. An architectural description is necessary. This article uses such a methodologic approach and gives such a description. Read complete article » *Also available online in the next issue of the International Journal of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (Vol. 2, Issue 4) - online early December 2009. Top of page