The benefits of fascia shaking (aka jiggling)

I’ve shared this video with so many clients, I thought it best to give it a permanent place on my website.

The video demonstrates a Qigong practice called “shaking”, which is helpful for stress relief and also beneficial for our fascia.  

In the world of John Barnes Myofascial Release, our technical term for this practice “jiggling”. If you imagine the 3D elastic-like web of fascia running through the body from head to toe, this bouncing motion creates a jiggling effect. 

This is a great practice to do first thing in the morning for a couple of minutes, maybe while you’re waiting for the kettle to boil or coffee to brew. Put on some good tunes and shake! 

5 reasons why it’s good to shake it out

1. Break up adhesions

Persistent stress, sedentary habits, or injury can cause fascia to bind together and create restrictions in the tissue. Bouncing and shaking help dissolve these microscopic bonds and reduce tension. 

2. Hydrate tissue

Shaking (or jiggling) stimulates the flow of hyaluronic acid through the fascial matrix. This fluid acts as a lubricant and allows layers of tissue to glide more smoothly.

3. Improve alignment

When fascia is chronically tight, it can pull us out of alignment, causing things like rounded shoulders or a tilted pelvis. Helping this tightness to release can allow the body to return to natural symmetry.

4. Calm the nervous system

Rhythmic vibrations stimulate the vagus nerve and down-regulate the sympathetic nervous system. This can help reduce stress and lower cortisol production; in the same as we instinctively soothe babies with a rocking motion!

5. Boost lymphatic circulation

Unlike our blood, lymphatic fluid does not have a central pump. The mechanical oscillation of shaking manually helps pumps fluid through the body to flush out metabolic cellular waste.