A tissue adhesion occurs when a chemical change within the region causes the linings of the tissues to lose their lubrication and adhere to the tissues surrounding them. In the image below of a cross section of the lower leg, notice that every tissue in the body, skin, fat, muscle, nerve and blood vessels, and even bone, all have surface linings that allow them to slide over each other and provide full range of motion. When they adhere to each other, not only is motion restricted, but pain develops due to the impinged nerves passing through the region. Massaging these tissues by hand, or with the foam rolling techniques, can break up these adhesion's
restoring range of motion and relieving pain.
