144: Fascia, Emotion, Inflammation, & Attention (with Robert Schleip)

🎙In this thought-provoking episode, Til and Whitney welcome back fascia researcher Robert Schleip to explore the evolving science behind fascia’s role in emotional regulation, inflammation, and sensory experience. They dive into Schleip’s keynote for the upcoming 7th International Fascia Research Congress and discuss emerging research on fascia as a dynamic neuro-immune interface. Robert shares his updates on fascinating insights into attention, depression, touch, circadian rhythms, and how fascia may bridge body and mind in ways we’re only beginning to understand. 🕑 Key Topics 04:15 – Schleip’s keynote preview: fascia, emotion, and immune interaction 06:09 – The new direction of the 2025 Fascia Research Congress 07:55 – Polyvagal theory and fascia: Schleip on Porges and the vagus nerve 12:15 – Fascia and depression: new findings on thickened epimysium 20:47 – Foam rolling, mindful attention, and emotional filtering in depression 26:12 – Reticular formation, attention, and touch outcomes 32:07 – Therapist vs client attention: new data on treatment impact 37:12 – The history and evolution of the Fascia Research Congress 44:04 – Fascia, safety, and perceptual context 48:00 – Sliding fascia and emotional stress: 48-hour delay and resilience 51:40 – New paradigm: from force transmission to circadian rhythms and synthesis 56:21 – Schleip’s takeaway: return to wonder and curiosity under the stars 💡 Join the Conversation:  Share your thoughts with us! 📌 Sponsored by: ABMP and Books of Discovery, with in-kind support from the Fascia Research Society ✨ Rate, review, and share! Help others discover The Thinking Practitioner podcast. Resources discussed in this episode:  Fascia & depression study: Michalak J, Aranmolate L, Bonn A, Grandin K, Schleip R, et al. (2021) Myofascial Tissue and Depression, Cognitive Therapy and Research – https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles... Fascia Research Congress: save $100 when you use the coupon code "THINKING" at https://www.frscongress.org/  Sponsor Offers:  Books of Discovery: save 15% by entering "thinking" at checkout on booksofdiscovery.com.  ABMP: save $24 on new membership at abmp.com/thinking.  Advanced-Trainings: try a month of the amazing A-T Subscription free by entering “thinking” at checkout at a-t.tv/subscriptions/,. Academy of Clinical Massage: Grab Whitney's valuable Assessment Cheat Sheet for free at: academyofclinicalmassage.com/cheatsheet Fascia Research Congress: save $100 when you use the coupon code "THINKING" at https://www.frscongress.org/  Get the show notes and full transcript at https://a-t.tv/the-thinking-practitio... Join two of the leading educators in manual therapy, bodywork, and massage therapy, as they delve into the most intriguing issues, questions, research, and client conditions that hands-on practitioners face. Stimulate your thinking with imaginative conversations, tips, and interviews related to the somatic arts and sciences. With Whitney Lowe and Til Luchau. (The Thinking Practitioner Podcast is intended for professional practitioners of manual and movement therapies: bodywork, massage therapy, structural integration, chiropractic, myofascial and myotherapy, orthopedic, sports massage, physical therapy, osteopathy, yoga, strength and conditioning, and similar professions. It is not medical or treatment advice.)