If I see one more ad for Ashley Black Guru on my feed I’m going to scream. Her website describes her knowledge of fascia as “unique and proprietary”. She warns “fascia people” not to jump on her for saying many people have never heard of fascia. She uses scientific evidence to try to support her claims. She says that Academia is not interested in fascia (as if it’s one person). She says she’s studies fascia for 15 years, then tries to sell you a $90.00 tool.

Her knowledge is “unique and proprietary” because she makes assumptions based on theories meaning it is her imagination. Quite proprietary. Many people who don’t study exercise science haven’t heard of lots of anatomical terms. This means nothing. Academia IS interested in fascia. There are numerous studies describing detailed cadaveric dissections of fascial layers in different areas of the body, and an emerging body of research on the function of fascia as a supporting structure. By the way I’m in Academia and I’m studying fascia. She’s studied fascia for 15 years? Funny, I haven’t come across any published research with her name as an author.

There is a a lot of work to be done in this area of research and I’m not saying that many of the theories of fascial behavior won’t turn out to be true, but for now there is little to no evidence to show that they are.  As a responsible fitness professional and attempted academic, it is frustrating to fight the battle against irresponsible people like Ashley Black who exploit lack of knowledge and the slow pace and expense of providing real scientific evidence for a profit. If she really wanted to help you she’d actually study it, not just read articles other people write. Speaking of that, I’d better get back to the grant I’m writing to get funding for my foam roller study.