Fascial Therapy: The Science of Fascia
Fascial Therapy

Fascial Therapy: The Science of Fascia

Author(s): Martha Menard and Steve Jurch

4CE credits 18 Lessons Text

Explore a detailed introduction to fascial therapy, and how massage therapists can integrate this technique into their practices. Find out how fascia works and what types of health conditions might benefit from fascial therapy.

AMTA’s Fascial Therapy Continuing Education Program is designed to give massage therapists a comprehensive look at fascial therapy and how they can integrate it into their massage practice. The program includes three online CE courses that explain the fundamentals of this approach and a hands-on workshop to learn and practice new techniques.

Scope of Practice

Check with your massage therapy regulatory body to ensure you are in compliance with the defined scope of practice before considering study or practice of any new method or modality. Find your state massage therapy regulatory board.

When you finish this course, you will be able to:

  • Explain the role, structure and arrangement of fascia.
  • Describe the generation of fascia, fascial restrictions and their consequences. 
  • Discuss the responses of the fascia and the body to this approach.
  • Describe how kinesiology, muscle work, nerve innervation and ROM interface with fascial therapy.

The AMTA Fascial Therapy Continuing Education Program is an introductory program to help massage therapists explore the complex nature of fascial therapy. As with any specialty, continue to broaden your knowledge on the subject of fascial therapy by taking additional continuing education and staying current with research.


  1. Fascia as Connective Tissue
  2. What is Connective Tissue?
  3. Fascia and Cells
  4. Extracellular Matrix
  5. Additional Components of Fascia—Myofibroblasts
  6. Additional Components of Fascia—Fascial Mechanoreceptors
  7. Sources of Connective Tissue
  8. Characteristics of Fascia—Communication
  9. Characteristics of Fascia—Stress and Structural Integrity
  10. Characteristics of Fascia—Liquid Crystal Matrix
  11. Kinesiology
  12. The Formation of Fascial Restrictions
  13. Fascial Restrictions and Improper Movement and Posture
  14. Common Postural Disorders—Upper Crossed Syndrome
  15. Common Postural Disorders—Lower Crossed Syndrome
  16. Common Postural Disorders— Lordosis, Kyphosis and Scoliosis
  17. Perpetuating Factors that Influence Fascial Restrictions
  18. Resources

Martha Brown Menard PhD, CMT is a health care research scientist, author, and educator. She is the author of Making Sense of Research, a guide to research literacy. She has served as adjunct faculty at the University of Virginia and Georgetown University. In 2008, she started a consulting firm, Sigma Applied Research, specializing in program evaluation, research design, and data analysis. 

Steve Jurch, ATC, LMT has over 20 years’ experience as a massage therapist and athletic trainer. He serves as director of health and human services at Community College of Baltimore County, in Maryland. He has a master's degree in sports medicine and authored a clinical massage textbook.