Day 20: Ramadan-induced dehydrated fascia

It was an early start for me this morning as I was making my way up to Perth for a 930AM appointment with my new Sports Therapist, at a cool side street gym called The Body Academy. This was my first time going for a long drive during Ramadan and it was so weird to not be able to fill up my much beloved travel coffee cup, or buy a coffee on the road for the way back! I always have plenty to drink for longer road trips and the hour to and from Perth definitely made me feel thirstier than I have been during Ramadan mornings.

You might be thinking, why am I driving in hour each way for a sports therapy appointment? The best therapists are always worth travelling for and Ashleigh from Kyniska Sports Therapy is no different! For someone with a sports injury background as complex as mine you only have time for the best experts you can find, and I firmly believe Ashleigh will be making a highly valuable contribution to my daily training and injury rehabilitation programme. The treatment I received during my appointment today was excellent and I will be making it a monthly thing. If I'm mad enough to fast for Ramadan despite being a non-Muslim, I'm mad enough to drive to Perth for the best Sports Therapy I can afford!

I can imagine you pondering; 'Yeah, she sounds like a great therapist, but what does this have to do with Ramadan?'

Whilst receiving a deep tissue treatment for my back today, Ashleigh commented that my fascia was "so dehydrated". 

"Oh really", I said, without being all that sure what or where my fascia was. 

Ashleigh kindly reminded me that my fascia was the layer of connective tissue under my skin surrounding my muscles. I have covered this before as part of my Personal Trainer Level 3 course, but the ins and outs of muscles, ligaments and tissues are never the easiest things for me to remember without having a textbook to hand.

My reason for requesting a deep tissue treatment in my back (in addition to my sports injury assessments and initial rehabilitation treatment) was because I had been feeling increasingly stiff and tight across my back as the first 2 weeks of Ramadan progressed. I often have some muscle tightness from training so often and performing such challenging movements, but this had been much more stiffness and tightness than usual. I had initially put this down to Ramadan fatigue from mild sleep deprivation. However, with thanks to Ashleigh's expert observational skills and quite painful physical assessment, it seems that I'm actually experiencing dehydration in a way that I never knew I could experience it; my fascia is dehydrated. 

"What can I do about that?", I asked.

"Stay hydrated...", was the first part of the answer, but I guess I won't be properly hydrated again for another 11 days or so. Ashleigh told me that when fascia is dehydrated it becomes quite sticky and this restricts the movement of the skin over the muscles, causing the increased pain and stiffness I had been experiencing. 

After loosening my fascia with skin rolling and superficial myofascial release (and performing a lot of quite painful trigger point releases) I left Ashleigh and The Body Academy feeling a lot looser than when I entered. I'll still be tender for a few days, as per Ashleigh's warning, but some days off training won't hurt me. I'll probably enjoy a few easier evenings this week, before entering the last week of Ramadan. 

Thank you so much Ashleigh! 

Not only for my treatment and ongoing injury rehabilitation, but helping me learn about a physical impact of Ramadan fasting that I wouldn't have learnt about otherwise.

If you're someone who experiences increased muscle stiffness and pain during Ramadan, I'd seriously suggest finding a sports therapist who can help you feel better again. If it is relevant to you, you can learn more about Ashleigh and her services by visiting www.kyniska.co.uk.