The Fascia-Informed Therapist Podcast; Occupational Therapy, Myofascial Release, Fascial System, Posture, Movement, and More

EP 89 Is Fascia a System? Not everyone thinks so. What do you think?

Each discipline operates from different rules and definitions. A system can be defined as "a set of things working together as parts of a mechanism or an interconnecting network; a complex whole" [https://www.bing.com/search?pglt=299&q=system+definition&cvid=4114068cc3184603bcbff799f53e5147&gs_lcrp=EgRlZGdlKgYIARBFGDsyBggAEEUYOTIGCAEQRRg7MgYIAhAAGEAyBggDEAAYQDIGCAQQRRg9MgYIBRBFGD0yBggGEEUYPTIGCAcQRRhBMgYICBBFGEHSAQgyNTAxajBqN6gCALACAA&FORM=ANNTA1&adppc=EDGEINJP&PC=ASTS]. So, is fascia a system? It depends on who you ask. The Fascia Nomenclature Committee, a group of international experts from different backgrounds clearly says yes in their current definitions, but anatomist disagree. Articles that may help you think more about this after you listen in to this episode are below. FasciaInformed.com [http://fasciainformed.com] Neumann, P. E., Labib, H., Lhuaire, M., Boaz, N. T., Noel, G. P. J. C., Suárez-Quian, C., Tessema, C., Ward, P. J., Weinhaus, A. J., Anand, M. K., & Detton, A. J. (2026). Fascia, eh. What is it? What is it good for? Clinical Anatomy, 39(2), 262–272. https://doi.org/10.1002/ca.70047 [https://doi.org/10.1002/ca.70047] Sharkey, J. (2026). Fascia is not a system: A critical appraisal of terminological drift in anatomical literature. Clinical Anatomy. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1002/ca.70175 [https://doi.org/10.1002/ca.70175] Sharkey, J. & Flannigan, M. (2023) Towards a Paramedical Interdisciplinary Definition of Fascia Supporting Practitioners Offering Fascia-Focused Therapies (Part 1). Int J Anat Appl Physiol. 9(1):218-222. Stecco, C., Adstrum, S., Hedley, G., Schleip, R., & Yucesoy, C. A. (2018). Update on fascial nomenclature [Letter to the editor]. Fascia Science and Clinical Applications, 22(2), 354. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2017.12.015

EP 88 Self-Treatment and Chronic Hand Pain (Altahif & Davis, 2026)

This episode explores lessons from Altahif and Davis (2026), a survey of hand therapy practitioners on self-management strategies for clients with chronic hand pain. The survey examined what clients were doing on their own before evaluation, what clinicians prescribed during care, and how practitioners perceived client adherence to these strategies. Although the study does not focus on fascia or even mention it directly, there is a lot we can take from its findings. In this episode, I discuss how a fascia‑informed perspective can complement traditional hand therapy by offering additional ways to support people living with chronic pain and to improve follow‑through with home self‑treatment programs. Courses mentioned in the study may be found here: Fascia-Informed CE Home [https://amymayer.podia.com/]   Reference: Altahif, R., & Davis, C. (2026). Self-management in chronic hand pain: Clinician perspectives from members of the American Society of Hand Therapists. Journal of Hand Therapy. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jht.2026.05.007

EP 87 OTs Don’t Cut: We Get Curious and Ask Questions

In this episode I share a real‑life phone call from a very young potential client who reached out about a tongue‑tie release and frenectomy, expecting a quick surgical solution. Instead of rushing to agree or disagree, I slowed things down, asked targeted questions, and uncovered signs of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) that had never been considered in the process of her search for help. In this episode, I walk you through how I used education to shift her understanding of her symptoms, and why clarifying goals and history matters just as much as any hands‑on technique.  You’ll also hear how these kinds of conversations can build relationships with physicians and other providers—not by “selling” OT, but by helping clients land in the right place, with the right services, at the right time through the process of education. Thanks for listening! - Amy Check out our two free resources at: Fascia-Informed CE Home [https://amymayer.podia.com/]

EP 86 The Future of Fascia: A Scoping Review Yields Research Directions

In this episode of The Fascia Informed Therapist, we unpack a recent scoping review on the future of fascia research and translate its findings into practical clinical direction for occupational therapists and rehab professionals. We explore how upcoming studies are likely shifting toward fascia’s role in movement organization, chronic pain in older adults, and integrated approaches that blend manual therapy, movement‑based interventions, and neurophysiologic methods. You’ll hear what the author recommends about effect sizes and sample sizes in the simplest possible language—and, more importantly, how those choices shape the kind of evidence you’ll be seeing in the coming years. By the end, you’ll have a clearer picture of where fascia research is headed and how to use this emerging evidence to support fascia‑informed reasoning in everyday practice. Please share the podcast with anyone who may be interested (or you think they should be).  Get the book. * Now on Amazon. [https://www.amazon.com/Occupational-Therapy-Practitioners-Fascia-Informed-Practice/dp/B0GSSSS231/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3DFEDVLVRZ3X4&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._OfUnKOcLZmEroUtBLOf64o6JWx_-hwLVAigG02mW_nwJFH7WL0Q41J5B8P2QcftoqkR0QsaeLuaOqYGofi6HrOgkF_itCHI4QhA86D4gCgwotv68QvQhKQZaTkfamZrTWkq5LllJD1ivICgwlwbEygd2JYNfJIPnrk6mFvE-0AKep1zXD1g1HgNGGH15NwA06EUZALpC7TIbPvjG8JeTntwBZlmsTf1wOm0VrA_1k4.1-xrRpkS3H1IJfP3Ac9RvRws9U7jtFnWGdTZDWvJLLo&dib_tag=se&keywords=fascia+amy+mayer+occupational+therapy&qid=1779044528&s=books&sprefix=fascia+amy+mayer+occupational+ther%2Cstripbooks%2C294&sr=1-1] * And, Barnes & Noble [https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-occupational-therapy-practitioners-guide-to-fascia-informed-practice-amy-mayer/1150073942?ean=9798823378000] * Faculty use Cognella [https://titles.cognella.com/the-occupational-therapy-practitioner-s-guide-to-fascia-informed-practice-9798823378000]for access to a review copy and instructor manual.    Stay Connected Via Our Newsletter [https://amymayer.podia.com/54d5762d-136e-424c-9b82-4f045d8875fe] Resources: Trewartha, D., & Wheeler, A. (Eds.). (2020). Scars, adhesions and the biotensegral body: Science, assessment and treatment. Handspring Publishing. Zieliński, G. (2025). The future of fascia: A scoping review on emerging research. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 26(18), 8871. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26188871 [https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26188871]

EP 85 Lessons from a New Client: We see the body differently.

In this episode I review the case of a new client who really made it hit home how we, as fascia-informed practitioners see the body differently. We engage with our clients differently and it gives them hope.  When something as simple as a knee replacement (it is really NEVER simple) causes long-term discomfort, our clients benefit from a new perspective. After countless doctors, surgeons and therapists, this client found hope.  Join the community! I have a new website and new platform. I hope you'll take a look! Newsletter Sign-Up Link [https://amymayer.podia.com/54d5762d-136e-424c-9b82-4f045d8875fe]