Vente Pain Relief Clinic

Fogginess from Tight Fascia and Muscles

Fogginess from tight fascia and muscles can be a chronic issue. This symptom tends to be low grade. Often, people will have medical assessments with negative findings. Watch this video to learn more.

That Foggy Feeling

Typically patients with that foggy feeling in the head can have other symptoms. These symptoms can include a sensation of heaviness in the head. They can feel a “tight net” around the scalp. Additionally, they can experience difficulty focusing and concentrating. They can also have a mild low grade headache.

These symptoms can be a result of very tight fascia and tense muscles.

Tight Fascia and 4 Tense Muscles

Fogginess from tight fascia and muscles can result from stress, anxiety, and chronic bad posture. Typically it’s the fascia that can be the primary issue. The fascia needs to be addressed first before the muscles.

Let’s discuss the 4 tense muscles involved with the fogginess:

1. The Suboccipitals: This group of little muscles lie at the base of the skull. They attach to the upper cervical spine. When this muscle becomes tight it can have trigger points. These trigger points can refer symptoms above the ear and behind the eye. At times when this muscle becomes tight and triggered, it can give you that sensation of fogginess. If you have jaw issues, you can also find that this muscle can also become tight.
2. Sternocleidomastoid: This muscle lies on the “front” lateral side of the neck. This muscle pops out when you turn your neck and tilt your head slightly. The Sternocleidomastoid, when tight can have trigger points. Symptoms in the head include a plugging or ringing sensation in the ear. There can also be a feeling of being “off.” Symptoms of vertigo can occur. Some experience headaches above the eyes and to the top of the head. This muscle is often injured during whiplash-type of injuries.
3. Temporalis: The most powerful muscle of the jaw. This muscle lies on the side of the head. Tightness of this muscle can give local symptoms such as tenderness, headaches and a feeling of tightness around the head. Typically this muscle becomes tight from habitual clenching and grinding of the teeth at night.
4. Trapezius: Fogginess from tight fascia and muscles can be led by this muscle group and the fascia that overlies it. This muscle has 3 divisions. The upper, middle and lower Trapezius. In cases where one has chronic headaches, neck pain and fogginess the fascia is often super tight and restricted. In fact this is the area that I will target first. This area can take awhile to release, especially if the patient’s condition has been chronic and long standing.

The fascia over any of these muscles can be very tight. Typically, it will be the tissue that I will address first. Release the fascia and the muscles will follow.

What can you do?

Fogginess from tight fascia and muscles can be managed by these 4 tips:

1. Stretch: Consistent neck stretches can help with symptoms. You can stretch at your desk throughout the day. Remember to consult with your healthcare provider regarding proper stretching technique.
2. Correct posture: This issue is usually stemming from chronic bad posture. Head forward, shoulder rounded positions at your desk can cause the areas to become tight and triggered. learn to correct your posture throughout the day to manage pain and discomfort.
3. Deep Tissue Massage: In these cases, an aggressive approach can be a game changer. This can be true if it is chronic and long standing. Combining Deep Tissue Massage with aggressive techniques to the fascia can result in significant positive results. Usually in these cases the fascia almost seems “glued” and stuck and the muscles are rock solid. A light massage will lack the outcomes you seek. You need deeper and more focused techniques.
4. Improve sleep: Have you noticed that when you lack restful sleep that your symptoms can get worse? You wake up the next day. Have that fogginess and now you have to go to work and try to focus and concentrate. Good luck. I have a saying, “If you ain’t sleeping, you ain’t healing.” Correct the sleep issue and you can find that your symptoms are more manageable.

Fogginess from tight fascia and muscles can be managed. If you have been dealing with fogginess, heaviness, lack of concentration and focus, it can be time to call us. We can discuss your case and what we can do to relieve your discomfort.

More Resources:

Learn more about how tight fascia can cause headaches. Watch our video now. Our Pain Relief Fitness site has tips on managing pain. Please visit vprc.ca for tips!