Fascia - The Hidden Cause of Fibromyalgia, Back Pain & Long Term Chronic Pain
- Physology
- Nov 2, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 24
Many people searching for Fibromyalgia Pain Treatment, Chronic Back Pain Treatment in Bath or Bristol, Google endlessly for answers—trying medications, exercises, or traditional therapies with limited success. What if the real culprit is hiding in plain sight? Fascia, the interconnected web of connective tissue surrounding your muscles and organs, can become restricted and create widespread pain when overlooked. At Physology, here in Bath & Bristol, we specialise in uncovering and releasing these Fascial restrictions through advanced Myofascial release techniques & The Physology Method, helping clients achieve truly pain-free results.
With over 100 years of research and Fascia being the focus of medical teams in elite sport (we've been trusted with Fascia-based treatments in the Premier League since 2013), we know it is the key component in pain. Yet the education system has not included this, so your GP/Physio does not have access to this crucial knowledge.
Fascia is the body's connective tissue network – a web that surrounds muscles, organs, and nerves. When it becomes restricted, it can trigger persistent pain. In this in-depth guide, we'll explore what fascia is, how it contributes to chronic pain, and why Myofascial Release and our unique Fascia Release Techniques offer hope for relief.
If you're searching for Chronic Pain Treatment, Fibromyalgia Pain Treatment, or Back Pain Treatment in Bath or Bristol, then Physology can help you with our Anatomy Trains, Fascia-Focused treatments via The Physology Method.
What Is Fascia? The Body's Forgotten Network
Fascia is a three-dimensional web of connective tissue that envelops every structure in your body. It's not just "packing material" – it's a dynamic system with rich innervation and sensory roles. It is the key to understanding how all of your body systems connect & function.
Superficial Fascia: Under the skin, storing fat and allowing movement.
Deep Fascia: Dense layers surrounding muscles and organs, transmitting force.
Visceral Fascia: Supporting internal organs.
Research by Robert Schleip and Carla Stecco has shown that Fascia contains nociceptors (pain receptors) and proprioceptors, making it the key player in pain perception & your subconscious awareness of balance.
These images show how Fascia is the main movement organ in the body. It is known as a tensegrity model, which gives us a true understanding of how you move and apply force throughout the body. Without this understanding, finding the root of your pain is impossible. It all comes back to this.
Your muscles, skeleton and nerves all connect to, and run through your Fascia system. We now have a completely new understanding of movement and pain, and this field of research is only available in Elite sport & not available in the NHS. So, unfortunately, people have to go through an outdated system when trying to find the root cause of their pain.
Visual Explanations of Fascia
Watch these excellent videos for a clear overview:
Fascia & The Mystery of Chronic Pain" by Dana Sterling:
Understanding Fascia – Flexibility, Power & Pain
How Fascia Contributes to Chronic Pain
Healthy Fascia is slippery and elastic, allowing smooth gliding between tissues. In chronic pain, it becomes dense, fibrotic, and inflamed – restricting movement and irritating nerves.
Key mechanisms:
Densification and fibrosis: Fascia thickens, reducing slide (Langevin et al., 2011 – reduced thoracolumbar Fascia shear in chronic low back pain).
Inflammation and nociception: Fascia releases cytokines, sensitising pain receptors (Pirri et al., 2022 review on deep fascia pathologies).
Central sensitisation: Persistent Fascial input amplifies brain pain processing.
Studies link fascial changes to:
Lower back pain: Thoracolumbar Fascia alterations in 80% of chronic cases (Wilke et al., 2017).
Fibromyalgia: Widespread fascial tenderness and reduced elasticity (Li et al., recent reviews).
Myofascial pain syndrome: Trigger points in Fascia, not just muscle (Gerwin, 2025 update).
Reference: "The deep Fascia and its role in chronic pain" (Kondrup et al., 2022) – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35417568/
Myofascial Release: Evidence-Based Relief for Chronic Pain
Myofascial release (MFR) is hands-on therapy that applies sustained pressure to release Fascial restrictions. We have our own faster, more effective version of Myofascial Release.
Evidence:
Meta-analysis (2021): MFR significantly reduces pain and disability in chronic low back pain (Laframboise et al.) – https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8355621/
Fascia connecting everything to everything
Fascia-Focused treatment in Bath & Bristol
At our clinic in Bath, we specialise in Fascia-based Fibromyalgia Pain Treatment & Back Pain Treatment with our unique system developed over 20 years of working with Fascia. We were one of the first to pioneer it back in 2003. Using advanced Myofascial release-like methods, our technique reverses restrictions causing Chronic Pain, Fibromyalgia, and Lower Back Pain.
Our clients report lasting relief because we address the root – Fascial dysfunction based on Anatomy Trains – not just symptoms. You can read more on The Physology Method here.
During your consultation, we will explain and help you understand the role Fascia is playing in your exact symptoms, so that you clearly understand the journey to becoming pain-free before beginning your treatment with us. For a deep dive into your Fibromyalgia Pain & how to become pain-free, read our Fibromyalgia Focus Guide or Back Pain Guide here.
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