| Abstract: | Muscle fascia are composed of several layers of collagen fibers with interposing layers of connective tissue. The fiber layers are arranged in different directions in order to accomodate a variety of mechanical tensile loading forces. Alterations to these layers lead to fascial fibrosis and therefore to degeneration of the fibrous structure, as for example in Dupuytren’s contracture of the hand or eosinophilic fasciitis. Alterations to the connective tissue layers between the collagen fiber layers lead to a reduction in the capacity of gliding of the fascial layers. In the clinical routine this “fascial densification” of the connective tissue is the most prominent cause of nonspecific neck and lower back pain. The therapy of fascial fibrosis of the collagen fiber layers is much more difficult than damage to the connective tissue. |
