Myofascial Chains: The Body as a System
Myofascial chains are a fundamental component of human body function, offering a comprehensive approach to understanding movement and stability. This approach treats the body as a unified system, where muscles and fascia work together to perform movements and maintain proper posture. In this article, we will explore how myofascial chains can affect your health and well-being, as well as how to improve them for better results.
WHAT ARE MYOFASCIAL CHAINS?
What are muscles?
Muscles are the contractile units of tissue that allow the skeletal structure of vertebrate animals to move through space. This is generally common knowledge and is widely accepted as fact.
What is fascia?
Fascia is a continuous connective tissue that wraps and connects all other tissues in the body. Think of fascia as a collagen fiber tissue that wraps around all major tissues beneath the skin. Fascia connects muscles, bones, organs, and nerves.
What is a myofascial line or chain?
Myofascial chains are groups of muscles and connective tissue (fascia) that work together to create movement and maintain the body’s stability. These chains allow the transfer of force and energy throughout the body, ensuring that movements are smooth and coordinated.
Applications of Myofascial Chains in Daily Life and Exercise
- Improving Movement and Performance: Understanding myofascial chains can help enhance performance during exercise and sports. Athletes and coaches can use this knowledge to develop training programs that strengthen the cooperation of muscles and the overall functionality of the body.
- Injury and Pain Management: Myofascial chains play a significant role in preventing and rehabilitating injuries. Identifying and addressing imbalances in these chains can reduce the risk of injuries and assist in pain relief.
- Posture Improvement: Proper functioning of the myofascial chains is critical for maintaining proper body posture. By improving alignment and body stability, we can reduce pain and strain associated with poor posture.
The Body as a System:
The concept of the body as a system is based on the idea that each part of the body affects and is affected by other parts. This means that dysfunction in one area can cause problems in other areas, and treatment should take the whole body into account, not just the problematic area.
Let’s look at an example using myofascial chains that demonstrates how our body functions as a system.
There are clinical indications based on human anatomy that show a connection between the latissimus dorsi (starting from the outer lateral side of the scapula) and the gluteal muscles, extending also to the hamstrings. While the muscle fibers themselves are not physically connected, the fascia tissue creates mechanical continuity that allows these muscles to function in conjunction with each other.
Some characteristics of the myofascial chain:
- It allows the distribution of force throughout the body during movement.
- It supports the organs.
- It protects nerves from damage.
- It helps send messages to the nervous system through mechanical inputs (mechanotransduction).
- It supports and moves the body in space.

6 Key Facts about Myofascial Chains:
- Seven myofascial chains have been mapped and depicted in the human body.
- The most recent depiction was made by Tomas W. Mayers in his book Anatomy Trains.
- Myofascial chains connect multiple muscle groups and are interconnected.
- Thanks to myofascial chains, we can perform athletic movements such as running and jumping.
- Research shows that most skeletal muscles in the human body are directly connected to fascia, and myofascial connections have strong implications for pain management.
- The Functional Patterns method is the only training approach to date that has achieved visible results in practitioners with pain by using myofascial chains.

Conclusion
Myofascial chains are a key element in the functioning of the human body, providing a holistic approach to understanding movement and stability. By treating the body as a unified system, we can enhance physical performance, prevent and rehabilitate injuries, and improve posture, thereby contributing to overall well-being. Exercising the body in relation to these myofascial chains is crucial for long-term health and a pain-free daily life.
Discover how understanding and strengthening myofascial chains can improve your life. For more information, click here.