Episode 152 centers on a lively conversation between Kevin and Dr. Kate Oland Galligan as they trace her path from a curious undergrad to a passionate fascia educator and clinician. The duo challenges old perceptions of fascia, recounting stories from early lab experiences where fascia was simply “ripped out,” and contrasting them with new insights on its dynamic, interconnected nature. They reveal how subtle fascial restrictions can cause significant clinical symptoms—linking pelvic imbalances to jaw pain—...
Episode 152 centers on a lively conversation between Kevin and Dr. Kate Oland Galligan as they trace her path from a curious undergrad to a passionate fascia educator and clinician. The duo challenges old perceptions of fascia, recounting stories from early lab experiences where fascia was simply “ripped out,” and contrasting them with new insights on its dynamic, interconnected nature. They reveal how subtle fascial restrictions can cause significant clinical symptoms—linking pelvic imbalances to jaw pain—and explore the emerging field of mind-body connections in fascial therapy.
0:00:00 | Introduction
0:00:55 | Introducing Kate Introducing Fascia
0:17:06 | Fascia Mini Lesson *
0:20:00 | Rip That Fascia Out!
0:37:14 | Get Ready for Annual Debriefing
0:39:00 | The Hip Bone is Connected to the Jaw Bone
1:03:08 | We’re on Substack! *
1:06:13 | Mind-Body Connections
1:21:45 | Staying Connected
* Breaks
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Understanding fascia requires abandoning the traditional anatomical view of separate structures and embracing a model of interconnected, living tissues. (Jean-Claude Guimberteau)
Introducing Kate Introducing Fascia 16 minutes
In this segment, Kevin reconnects with Dr. Kate Oland Galligan, a former student who has since become a passionate fascia educator and clinician. They reminisce about their time studying physiology together, sharing a nostalgic moment about the infamous Krebs cycle. Kate shares her professional journey from graduate school to clinical practice, detailing how she discovered her deep interest in fascia. As she explains, her dual role as both an instructor and practitioner has given her unique insights into why fascia deserves more attention in undergraduate education. Their conversation sets the foundation for an in-depth exploration of fascia’s overlooked importance in both teaching and clinical applications.
Fascia Mini Lesson 3 minutes
In this short break, Kevin introduces lionden.com, a website he created to offer students supplemental resources for learning A&P. He highlights the value of his “mini lessons,” which provide quick, digestible overviews of complex topics like fascia. These digital outlines help students reinforce their understanding beyond textbooks, offering interactive elements and structured learning aids. He encourages listeners to explore the site for additional learning tools, emphasizing the importance of creative, digital-friendly resources in modern anatomy and physiology education.
Rip That Fascia Out! 17 minutes
This segment takes a deep dive into how fascia has traditionally been misunderstood, especially in dissection labs where it was often “ripped out” to expose muscles, minimizing its true significance. Kate recalls her early anatomy lab experiences and how her perspective on fascia evolved once she began working in clinical practice. They discuss groundbreaking research showing how living fascia is dynamic and responsive, unlike the dehydrated tissue seen in cadavers. The conversation delves into the clinical impact of fascial restrictions, revealing how small, seemingly minor adhesions can generate significant pressure and pain throughout the body. These insights challenge the old paradigm that fascia is merely a passive, structural tissue.
Get Ready for Annual Debriefing 3.5 minutes
In this "brain break," Kevin teases the upcoming annual debriefing episode, a tradition where he reflects on past predictions about A&P teaching and makes new ones for the coming year. He invites listeners to contribute their own thoughts, concerns, and expectations for the future of anatomy and physiology education. This segment reinforces the podcast’s interactive and community-driven nature, encouraging engagement and discussion among educators.
The Hip Bone is Connected to the Jaw Bone 12 minutes
During this segment, Kevin and Kate explore the surprising connections within the fascial system, such as how pelvic imbalances can influence jaw function and why scar tissue in one area can affect movement and pain in another. Kate explains her approach to treating fascial restrictions, emphasizing the importance of sustained holds, sometimes lasting several minutes, to allow the tissue to release and rehydrate. Their discussion highlights how posture, embryological development, and past injuries all interact through fascia, reinforcing the idea that the body is not a collection of separate parts but rather an interconnected whole.
We're on Substack! 3 minutes
During this break, Kevin shares exciting news about his weekly science and teaching updates now being available on Substack. He explains how this platform blends newsletters with social media-style engagement, allowing educators to stay informed about the latest A&P breakthroughs and pedagogical trends. He encourages listeners to explore Substack as a way to connect with a broader community of professionals who are passionate about anatomy and physiology education.
Mind-Body Connections 15.5 minutes
This segment shifts the discussion toward the emotional aspects of fascial therapy. Kate delves into the idea that past trauma—both physical and emotional—can become “stored” in the fascia, sometimes manifesting as pain or tension. She shares experiences from her clinical practice where patients have had unexpected emotional responses during treatment, suggesting a deeper link between fascia and the nervous system. Kevin and Kate discuss ongoing research into tissue memory, acknowledging that while much remains to be studied, the connections between fascia, emotional well-being, and physiological function are becoming increasingly evident. This conversation bridges science and clinical practice, opening the door for more integrative approaches to healing.
Note: Kate's new search engine to find healing where you are right now—Thrive Anywhere—will be available in June 2025. Stay tuned to The A&P Professor for more news on this.
Links ★ Books:
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma (Bessel van der Kolk) geni.us/FvQBXS
🏅 Claim your credential for reading this book. AandP.info/zoh
Architecture of Human Living Fascia: The Extracellular Matrix and Cells Revealed Through Endoscopy (Jean-Claude Guimberteau, Colin Armstrong) geni.us/oj0v2
Functional Atlas of the Human Fascial System (Carla Stecco) geni.us/iPkbA
Anatomy Trains: Myofascial Meridians for Manual Therapists and Movement Professionals (Thomas Myers) geni.us/42JLTw
Anatomy & Physiology (textbook by Kevin Patton, Frank Bell, Terry Thompson, Peggie Williamson; includes online article Whole Body Muscle Mechanics that relates to the fascial system) geni.us/hcRF
★ Myofascial Release (John Barnes website) myofascialrelease.com
★ Strolling Under the Skin (YouTube video) youtu.be/eW0lvOVKDxE?si=7_GYm5TG-sonoujz
★ The Strength for Tension and Bursting of Human Fasciae (scientific summary of tension in fascia) AandP.info/t1g
★ Fascia Documentary: The network of the body without beginning or end (YouTube video) youtu.be/3uK92zS8qq8?si=5B3V21KWXHfrMHxp
★ Bone Tissue is an Integral Part of the Fascial System (journal article about whether organs can be part of the fascial system) AandP.info/55098e
★ Clinical Anatomy: Volume 32, Issue 7. Special Issue on Fascia. AandP.info/1t7
★ The body electric: soft tissue makes electricity under stress (article in Nature) AandP.info/c0416a
★ Response to Mechanical Properties and Physiological Challenges of Fascia: Diagnosis and Rehabilitative Therapeutic Intervention for Myofascial System Disorders (article in Bioengineering) AandP.info/e0f65e
★ Brain Breaks are Essential for Learning AandP.info/ksx
★ Related episodes & resources
Fascial System Mini Lesson (Kevin's sketchy overview outline for students) lionden.com/fascial-system.htm
Chaos Mini Lesson (explains how concepts of chaos, including fractal geometry, applies to the human body) lionden.com/chaos.htm
The Fractal Body Mini Lesson (introduces the concept of fractal-like anatomy in the body) lionden.com/fractal_body.htm
Pulse of Progress: Looking Back, Moving Forward | TAPP 147
Is Anatomy Finished? | A Review of New Discoveries | TAPP 105
Ten Things We Forget to Tell Students About Cells | A Forest in My Office | TAPP 126
Test Debriefing Boosts Student Learning | Episode 11
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Production: Aileen Park (announcer), Andrés Rodriguez (theme composer, recording artist), Karen Turner (Executive Editor), Kevin Patton (writer, editor, producer, host).
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