15/01/2026
Causes of Fascial Pain and How to Address Them - Fascial pain arises when the connective tissue that surrounds muscles, bones, nerves, and organs—the fascia—becomes irritated, restricted, or damaged. This discomfort can range from subtle and difficult to pinpoint to intense and performance-limiting. Because fascia forms a continuous network throughout the body, problems in one area can influence movement and comfort elsewhere.
Understanding the causes of fascial pain helps clarify why it often presents as diffuse, shifting, or inconsistent—and why addressing it requires more than a single intervention.
Common Causes of Fascial Pain
1. Mechanical Overload or Trauma
Mechanical stress is one of the most common contributors to fascial irritation.
Acute injury: Sprains, strains, or direct blows can tear fascia or create microtrauma
Repetitive stress: Repeated movement in one plane, such as consistent patterns of work or gait asymmetry, can lead to fascial thickening or adhesions
Poor biomechanics: Misalignment, uneven loading, or abnormal gait patterns increase strain on fascial tissues
2. Inflammation
Inflammation alters the chemical environment of fascial tissue.
Chronic inflammation from injury, arthritis, or infection can irritate fascia
Overtraining or excessive work without adequate recovery triggers inflammatory mediators that affect fascial health
3. Scar Tissue and Adhesions
Past tissue damage often leaves lasting effects within the fascial system.
Surgery, wounds, or previous injuries can create fibrotic adhesions that tether fascia and restrict movement
Even small areas of scar tissue can disrupt normal fascial glide and generate tension in distant regions
4. Postural or Muscular Imbalances
Fascia adapts to how the body is used.
Muscle tightness or weakness alters tension within fascial chains
In horses, uneven rein work, crookedness, or chronic stance shifts place ongoing stress on fascial lines
5. Neural Sensitization
Fascia is richly innervated and highly responsive to the nervous system.
Fascial tissue contains numerous pain receptors (nociceptors)
Chronic stress, injury, or inflammation can sensitize the nervous system, amplifying pain even in the absence of clear structural damage
6. Dehydration or Poor Tissue Health
Healthy fascia depends on fluid movement and circulation.
Fascia relies on hydration and regular movement to remain elastic
Reduced activity, poor circulation, or systemic stress can make fascia stiff and more prone to discomfort
7. Age-Related Changes
Fascial properties change over time.
Fascia naturally loses elasticity with age
Reduced sliding between fascial layers contributes to stiffness, discomfort, and decreased range of motion
8. External Factors
External influences can directly affect fascial load.
Improper tack or equipment can create abnormal pressure patterns
Environmental factors such as cold or wet conditions may exacerbate stiffness and sensitivity
Key Takeaway
Fascial pain typically results from a combination of mechanical stress, inflammation, and neural sensitization. Because fascia is interconnected throughout the body, tension in one region can create pain in another through myofascial “lines of pull.”
Addressing Fascial Pain in Horses
Managing fascial pain effectively requires a multi-layered approach that considers mechanical, neurological, and systemic influences.
1. Manual Therapy
Hands-on work supports fascial mobility and nervous system regulation.
Myofascial release: Gentle, sustained pressure encourages fascial layers to glide and reduces adhesions
Massage: Improves circulation, supports lymphatic flow, and decreases sensitivity of fascial nociceptors
Stretching and mobilization: Controlled stretching of specific myofascial chains restores length and elasticity
Trigger point work: Addresses localized hyperirritable areas that may refer pain along fascial lines
2. Movement and Exercise
Fascia responds best to thoughtful, varied movement.
Functional movement - - read the rest of the article here - https://koperequine.com/causes-of-fascial-pain-and-how-to-address-them/
