The Complete Approach to Pain Relief: Why Fascia Isn't Everything

I'm away from the office, but I wanted to share some exciting developments as we continue to evolve our approach to comprehensive pain management at LAFI (Los Angeles Fascia Institute), formerly known as Dr. Jeffrey Tucker's office.

As our new electrodes arrive, we're positioning ourselves to become our city's most complete fascia treatment center. But here's what I want you to understand: while some practitioners will tell you that fascia is all you need to treat for pain relief, that's simply not the whole story.

Fascia Is Important—But It's Not Everything

Don't get me wrong—fascia therapy helps tremendously for both acute and chronic pain. The research is clear, and we've seen remarkable results in our patients. However, fascia is not everything when it comes to effective pain management.

The Science Behind Fast Adjustments

What many people don't realize is that it's the speed or short thrust of an adjustment—rather than the absolute force—that preferentially excites rate-sensitive nerves (mechanoreceptors) in the surrounding painful joints, articulations, and muscle sensors (spindles).

The major musculoskeletal pain generators include:

• The intervertebral disc (IVD)

• The zygapophysial (facet) joint capsules

• Surrounding ligamentous tissues

These structures are richly innervated with nerves—specifically low-threshold mechanoreceptors and nociceptors—that convert fast, small joint motions into neural signals that help reduce pain (Holm et al., 2002).

The Bottom Line

Fascia therapy + fast adjustments = Best Pain Relief

At LAFI, our integrated approach combines:

• Alpha Stim laser

• TECAR therapy

• Shockwave treatment with faster thrusts

This comprehensive protocol equals superior pain control that addresses both the fascial system and the neurological components of pain.

We're not just treating fascia. We're treating the complete pain picture—and that makes all the difference.

Reference: Holm, S., et al. (2002). [Relevant citation details for the mechanoreceptor research]