New research shows a major breakthrough in our understanding of fascia and the incredible role it plays in regulating our hormones and enhancing our wellbeing and longevity. The latest medical findings are now validating what I have intuitively known for a long time, having observed healing transformations with many clients I’ve worked with ‘hands on’, as well as in the many testimonials from members in our online community.
And that breakthrough is that all of our body’s systems are deeply embedded within our fascial system. Researchers have discovered this thanks to new technology, such as cameras that allow them to study fascia within the living body - and it is having profound repercussions for the way we think about the role fascia plays in our overall health and wellbeing.
Because we now know that fascia encases all of these systems, it’s perhaps no surprise that our central nervous system signaling, lymphatic and immune responses, as well as numerous other vital chemical reactions like hormone production and regulation, are all heavily influenced by the health of our fascia.
This article explores fascia and hormone health and looks at:
Fascia and the immune system
The lymphatic network, which is essentially the immune system’s transport network, is located in the fascia. The lymphatic system sends white blood cells to fight infection, recognises and removes toxins and invaders and gets rid of waste products. This includes regulating the movement of hormones that affect women’s monthly cycle, fertility and menopause.
And at the center of this process is our fascia.
Unlike the circulatory system, which relies on the heart to pump blood around the body, the lymphatic system is dependent on the body’s muscle and fascia movement to push lymph through the body.
Think of a low-pressure hose. Now imagine stepping on that hose and causing an obstruction. Water that should be flowing is now restricted.
Fascial restrictions create the same effect and can build up pressure on pain-sensitive structures and prevent the uptake and release of fluid, oxygen, energy, nutrients and hormones.
According to the geneticist, Dr. Mae Wan Ho, fascia is a liquid crystalline matrix.
Its continuous and extensive network weaves through every nerve, muscle, bone, vessel, gland and organ of the body. Fascia essentially creates a gliding movement that impacts lymphatic flow and how our bodies release toxins, including hormones.
If your fascia is hardened and not functioning at optimal levels, the movement of these molecules and enzymes between the cells is impeded, leaving harmful cells and oxidative waste products in the body for longer. Over time it can lead to imbalances, hormonal disruptions and chronic inflammation.
When your fascia is hydrated and unrestricted, the lymph fluid can glide unhindered. Healthy fascia creates a steady slippery flow that moves nutrients and oxidative waste quickly and effectively, including excess hormones like estrogen and progesterone.
Fascia and the endocrine system
The endocrine system is a vital and fascinating system made up of glands that regulate our hormones. Our hormones carry information and instructions to the cells influencing almost every organ and function of our body, including our emotional and mental health.
The founder of Integral Anatomy, Dr Gil Hedley, describes fascia as a whole-body endocrine organ. As mentioned fascia’s fibrous web extends into every structure of the body, including each of your endocrine glands and plays a significant role in the transmitting hormones around the body (including thyroid hormones, estrogen, relaxin and progesterone).
Balancing the chakras - and our hormones
Age-old yoga techniques and practises encourage the unblocking and opening of the chakras, which Eastern medicine considers to be the main energy points or pathways of your body. It’s interesting that the major endocrine glands happen to correlate with the body’s chakras.
If the fascia around each gland and corresponding chakra is healthy, hormone production and regulation can be supported and optimised.
Please see glands and corresponding chakras below:
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Hormonal changes and fascia
Depending on the stage of life you are in, as a woman, key female hormones rise and fall with regard to things like our monthly cycles, pregnancy and menopause. Emerging evidence suggests that changes in female hormone levels (including but not limited to estrogen, progesterone and relaxin) can impact fascia and make fascial tissue more or less dense accordingly, depending on our hormone levels.
The integrity of our fascia has an effect on how our bodies manage hormonal changes and get rid of excess hormones. Healthy fascia can support and stabilize hormonal flux. When your fascia is functioning optimally, it can assist the body with achieving balance naturally.
Taking care of our fascia is key
A sedentary lifestyle, prolonged stress, anxiety, physical trauma and injury can all lead to a thickening and stiffening of fascia. Fascia also hardens a little each night when we sleep. Bodywork, exercises like body rolling, practising deep breathing, hydration, good nutrition and engaging in regular mindful movement will keep your connective tissue healthy.
If we don’t take care of our fascia, over time, we may start to experience chronic pain, inflammation, histamine intolerance, fascia-related disorders and hormonal imbalance disturbances.
The great connector
Traditional medicine looks at the body as separate parts and will often diagnose ailments accordingly. But when you understand that fascia is a multi-layered connective tissue that not only holds and stabilizes, but creates structural continuity by weaving and extending into every structure and system of the body, it’s clear that everything in the body is connected.
Inflammation and many chronic health conditions, including hormonal imbalances and side effects, may be attributed to blockages in the fascia and can be assisted by supporting the fascia.
So could our fascia be the missing link to balancing our hormones naturally?
I certainly think so.
If you’re interested in how fascia can support not just your hormones but your entire wellbeing, why not try out the Aligned Life Studio?
It offers 700+ on-demand flows, including fascia stretches, mind-body strength training, somatic and embodiment practices and emotional releases designed to support healthy, hormone production and regulation, and help you shed emotional and physical weight and pain.
To help you get started, I’ve also created a 30 Day Hormone Health and Vitality Plan, with movement earmarked for each day.
I invite you to try the studio for free for 7 days, here.