Do you ever feel like your body just doesn’t move the way it used to — even though you stretch, walk, or try to “keep active”?
That tightness that seems to settle in your shoulders, hips or lower back… the way your body feels stiff in the morning… or how you feel like you’re always holding tension somewhere, even when you’re resting?
We often think of these sensations as just ageing, overdoing it, or something a good massage will fix. But there’s another key player in how your body feels — and most people have never heard of it: fascia.
So, what is fascia?
Fascia is the body’s connective tissue. It’s a web-like structure that wraps around and weaves through your muscles, bones, nerves, and organs. You can think of it like a second skin — a dynamic system that supports your structure, helps you move fluidly, and even plays a role in how you feel.
When fascia is healthy, it’s springy, hydrated, and glides beautifully. But when it’s tight, restricted, or dehydrated (often due to stress, injury, repetitive movement, or just modern life), it can cause a whole cascade of issues — including pain, stiffness, and feeling disconnected from your body. It also can really impact our pelvic health and sense of wellbeing.
Fascia doesn’t show up on scans the way muscles or bones do. So many people are told “nothing’s wrong” when they’re clearly in discomfort. It’s not that the pain is in your head — it’s that fascia is part of the body we’re only beginning to understand properly.
Fascia is reactive — and it holds more than you think.
Unlike muscles, which contract and release, fascia responds to more subtle things: posture, stress, breathing, even emotion.
Have you ever noticed how your body tenses during a stressful conversation, or how your jaw tightens without you realising? That’s fascia responding — and over time, these patterns get stored in the tissue itself.
There’s growing evidence that fascia may also play a role in conditions like chronic pain, fibromyalgia, pelvic floor dysfunction, and even burnout. And the exciting part? Fascia can change. It can release. But not through force or “pushing through.” It responds best to mindful movement, breath, hydration, and gentle release.
How do you know if your fascia needs attention?
Here are a few common signs:
– You feel stiff or achy, even when you’re stretching regularly
– You wake up sore or tight, especially in the back or hips
– You notice a sense of holding or gripping in your body — shoulders, jaw, pelvic floor
– Your movement feels blocked or restricted, like you’ve lost your natural ease
– You’ve recovered from injury, but still don’t feel “quite right”
If any of that rings true — your body may just be asking for a different approach.
What helps fascia?
Fascia responds beautifully to:
– Gentle, varied movement — especially spirals, side bends, and fluid stretching
– Breathwork — particularly slow, rib-expanding breathing
– Manual or self-release — like using soft balls, hands, or props to gently “melt” tension
– Hydration — fascia thrives on water, especially when combined with movement
– Slowing down — the nervous system and fascia are deeply linked. Rest is a fascia healer.
Try this:
Grab a tennis ball and roll it slowly under the sole of your foot for two minutes. You might notice your calf releases. Maybe even your jaw. That’s fascia at work — everything is connected.
Why we don’t talk about fascia more
Fascia has long been left out of traditional anatomy books. Even now, it’s not commonly addressed in fitness or rehab. But that’s changing. Researchers, manual therapists, movement teachers and forward-thinking physios are starting to integrate fascia into how we work with the body. Because when you include fascia, people start to feel better. Movement becomes easier. Pain reduces. And you start to feel more like you again.
About Amy Cooke
Amy has been teaching movement and helping people feel better in their bodies for over 20 years. Her approach integrates fascia release, breathwork, and intelligent movement — blending science with deep care for how women feel in their own skin.
She teaches one-to-one sessions in her tranquil Stroud studio, supporting clients with persistent pain, injury recovery, pelvic floor issues, or simply the desire to feel more at ease.
To find out more or book a session, visit www.amycookemovement.com
