Unwinding. Is It All A Windup? - Fascia, Fact and Fiction

Over the last 25 years I have been a dedicated fascia addict. 

While I still appreciate the immense value of understanding what fascia is, what it does, and how it seems to be involved in everything, we still do not know the exact mechanisms by which we can alter the fasciae with hands-on or hands-off therapies. We do however have many hypothesis or suggestions such as piezoelectricity and gel-to-sol but, investigation of these mechanisms has proved illusive. To date, they still remain opinion and controversial. 

The same issue is very apparent with what is commonly called 'unwinding'. Unwinding is the general name given to the response of a person when movement or hands-on bodywork is suggested to target the fascial system.  

In my own experience with Myofascial Release, receiving, giving and teaching, it is not uncommon for the client to respond with emotion and or movement. This movement is considered to be unconscious as the client often doesn't realise they are moving. 

Emotion can be crying, shouting and laughing with a client often reporting a huge sense of relief post therapy. 

But, how exactly is the fascia involved in this process?

It is often stated that the fascia holds memories and that trauma is stored in the fascia.

In my own 2014 book, 'A Hands On Guide to Myofascial Release', I comment that: 

'One of the key aspects of the Barnes sustained MFR approach is the recognition of, and response to, the spontaneous and natural movement and flow of the body and the emotions that occur during and sometimes after an MFR treatment. This physical movement and emotional release is called myofascial unwinding.... As the fascial system becomes restricted from trauma, it begins to distort, twist and turn creating a straitjacket effect on the body. This pressure can amount to up to 2000 pounds per square inch on the system.’ 

Chapter 10.

While I have experienced spontaneous movement with or without emotions, I have changed my views on the potential for fascia to be so heavily involved in this process (or to be involved differently) especially now having seen the full article which references the 2000 psi (Katake 1961) and correlated it with far more recent articles. It is clear that, well if you watched my last master session 'Why we can't break up scar tissue', you will understand why this reference really doesn't stack up. But how exactly is the Fascia involved in this process? There is evidence that fascia can respond to stress (as does every tissue, cell and system) but evidence that fascia stores memories and trauma, is lacking. 

To support historical claims, identifying how fascia stores memories and how we 'release' them with any kind of movement or manual therapy is required - otherwise it's misinformation with potential to erode self-esteem and reinforce negative belief patterns leading individuals to feel worse about themselves and their abilities.

We as humans are fascinated by the unknown and what appears to be mysterious. However, unwinding does appear to offer emotional regulation promoting stress relief, closure and progress for many clients. I have seen and felt benefit - so something positive does happen.

Unwinding does not mean the same to everyone.  

Some therapists use the style of gently moving a limb in what could be described as an ideomotor movement with no other body part involved and no apparent emotion present. Others allow their body to move in their own unique dance in what could be described as the sate of bodily disengagement and mind-wandering while others initiate a body movement with the client's own rhythm taking over. 

There are many forms and styles - and many claims. 

My own experience is that we never initiate the movement but are looking and feeling for the client's body wanting to move and tell its own story. 

As therapists, we facilitate and offer support; we never force or direct but offer possibilities. 

What is very important is that we, as therapists, never suggest what the client may be experiencing or feeling as we simply don't know that. We don't know if they are feeling sad, fear or rage. We certainly don't know if what they are experiencing is traumatic despite what it may look like. Telling your client that 'trauma is leaving their body' is judgmental making the process objective and not subjective and, could lead to reinforcement of helplessness to any vulnerable client. It is also highly likely to be outside of our scope of practice as this is diagnosing trauma - for me, this is a complete 'no, no'

So - what might be happening with unwinding? I think it might be easier to suggest what's not happening and this could be where the fascia needs to take a sharp exit. To claim that this is a 'fascia thing' is reductionist and myopic. I'm not suggesting that fascia isn't involved but I am suggesting that it plays a much smaller role than what is commonly taught. I do believe unwinding has value in a therapeutic process but should remain as a response to therapy and not as a technique that reinforces the outdated biomedical model of objectifying health. 

As therapies evolve, whole-person health is paramount. It's time to let go of reductionist theories and outdated narrative - our clients deserve more.