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Combine this with the knowledge that our brain is adaptive—neuroplasticity is the lifelong ability of the brain to reorganize neural pathways based on new experiences—and that the fascia is constantly sending information to the brain, and we begin to understand how the manipulation of fascia can influence these new, adaptive neural pathways. The translational takeaways: humans develop adaptive patterns of movement in response to repetitive tasks, and dysfunctional, compensatory patterns in response to trauma or pain, but we can help people develop new movement pathways just as easily. Through the integration of movement education techniques, we can influence the fascia and send signals to the brain inviting alternative neural pathways for movement: potentially more functional, graceful, pain-free ways to perform our daily activities. This new concept of fascia—as a communication tool, directly influencing the brain—stimulated me to find treatment techniques that address the nervous system through the fascia. Joints contain the highest concentration of nerve endings (areas of greatest stress).4 Therefore, it made sense to me to begin using bones as levers for compressing and stretching fascia. Correspondingly, movement therapies such as the Alexander Technique, the Feldenkrais Method, and Thai massage have meaningful applications in fascia work. These research findings have profoundly influenced my work. What else could I possibly learn by attending another fascia congress? THIRD INTERNATIONAL FASCIA RESEARCH CONGRESS The Third International Fascia Research Congress was translational from the start. Rolfer Tom Findley, MD, PhD, opened the proceedings with the theme "What Do We Notice, What Do We Know: Continuing the Scientist/Clinician Dialogue." He acknowledged that all clinicians are researchers—we gather information, form a hypothesis, apply a treatment, and observe the results. We learn from our experiences, adapting future treatment sessions based on the results. He encouraged us to share our experiences with researchers at breaks and through posters and case reports. My "aha" moment was immediate. Inflammation and fluid dynamics were prominent topics. Conditions typically thought of as noninflammatory disorders were shown to have origins in acute inflammatory responses (potentially quelling the tendonitis/ tendonosis debate). Repetitive movement, for example, degrades the myelin in the nerves and strains the muscles and fascia, causing inflammation. Fibrosis, the body's response to inflammation, compresses the inflamed nerves, causing pain, and traps the fluid, compromising the lymph. Chronic inflammation persists as a chemical Celebrate ABMP's 25th anniversary and you may win a refund on your membership. ABMP.com. 53