22/01/2026
Fascia & the Nervous System: A Conversation Inside Your Body
By Alisha O'Sullivan
Complementary Healthcare Practitioner, Health Researcher, Sports Injuries Rehabilitation, Reiki Practitioner
MLDT, RLDT Pre- & Post-Op Surgery
Did you know your body is constantly talking to your nervous system — even when you’re doing nothing?
That conversation happens largely through fascia.
Fascia is the connective tissue that wraps around muscles, organs, nerves, and bones. It isn’t just structural — it’s sensory. In fact, fascia contains more sensory nerve endings than muscle.
This means it plays a huge role in how your body experiences:
• Stress
• Safety
• Pain
• Relaxation
When life feels overwhelming, the nervous system shifts into protection mode. Fascia responds by tightening, stiffening, and holding — not because the body is broken, but because it’s trying to keep you safe.
Over time, this can show up as:
• Neck and shoulder tension
• Jaw tightness
• Back discomfort
• A feeling of being “on edge” in your body
Here’s the important part 👇
The body doesn’t release when it’s forced. It releases when it feels safe.
Slow, intentional touch and mindful movement send powerful signals to the nervous system that it’s okay to soften. When the nervous system settles, fascia can hydrate, lengthen, and let go.
This is why gentle, holistic approaches can feel so deeply calming — they work with your nervous system, not against it.
Your body isn’t holding tension to be difficult.
It’s holding tension because it learned it had to.
And it can learn something new 💛
✨ If this resonated, pause for a moment today. Take one slow breath. Your nervous system is always listening.
