Scroll down to see video options that are less academic.

the evidence

Each step of the (un)Block method is validated by independent research about pain, the nervous system, fascia and the extracellular matrix, the physical property of thixotropy.

foundational principle - pain relief shouldn't hurt

Our assertion that pain equals danger to the nervous system, with a whole cascade of unintended effects on the body including physical bracing, and the production of adrenalin and cortisol. We provide just enough pressure for cringe-free sensation.

The danger of pain to our fascia and nervous system

Schleip, R. (2003). "Fascial plasticity – a new neurobiological explanation: Part 1." Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 7(1), 11-19.

Summary: Details how fascia is richly innervated with autonomic nerve endings, and how pain or threat causes cells within the fascia (myofibroblasts) to actively contract the tissue, showing that "no-cringe" is better for restoring tissue glide.

How the body responds to the stress of pain

Stecco, C., Stern, R., Porzionato, A., et al. (2011). "Hyaluronan within fascia in the etiology of myofascial pain." Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 33(10), 891-896.

Summary: Demonstrated that hyaluronic acid (the ground substance in our extracellular matrix) aggregates and becomes highly viscous (becomes thick and sticky, called densification) under stress or altered pH, trapping free nerve endings and causing pain.

What severe pain does to our hormones

Tennant, F. (2013) "The Physiologic Effects of Pain on the Endocrine System." Pain Ther 2(2):75–86 Pubmed 2512546

Summary: severe pain has profound impacts on the body and is particularly disrupting to the endocrine system. Pain is a severe stressor that activates the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal–thyroid–gonadal (HPATG) axis. Pain stimulation of the hormone system causes adrenal, gonad and thyroid hormone levels to elevate in the serum. If pain remains uncontrolled for a considerable time period, hormonal depletion may occur, and serum levels drop below normal. Some hormones are so critical to pain control that a deficiency may enhance pain and slow healing.

step 2 - support 

How pressure promotes repair

Langevin, H. M., Bouffard, N. A., Badger, G. J., et al. (2006). "Subcutaneous tissue fibroblast cytoskeletal remodeling induced by acupuncture: evidence for a mechanotransduction-based mechanism." Journal of Cellular Physiology, 207(3), 767-774.

Summary: Proves that sustained mechanical tissue stimulation causes fibroblasts to expand, which downregulates inflammatory signaling. 

On the impossibility of "stretching" fascia

Chaudhry, H., Schleip, R., Ji, Z., et al. (2008). "Three-dimensional mathematical model for deformation of human fasciae in manual therapy." Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, 108(8), 379-390.

Summary: Mathematically proved that the palpable sensations of "tissue release" cannot be attributed to the physical stretching or permanent deformation of strong fascial fibers, redirecting the science toward fluid dynamics and the nervous system.

NOTE: this study was done on cadavers. Fun fact: dead people don’t have fluids - no hyaluronic acid, no blood flow, no oxygen. Trying to stretch beef jerky makes zero sense. Nonetheless, the founder used to argue with her osteopath about his firm belief in this research *regularly*. 

step 3 - sync

the neural mechanisms behind mindfulness for pain relief

Zeidan, F. et al (2015) "Mindfulness Meditation-Based Pain Relief Employs Different Neural Mechanisms Than Placebo and Sham Mindfulness Meditation-Induced Analgesia." The Journal of Neuroscience. 35(46):15307-25. Pubmed 26586819

Summary: Research exploring how the pain reduction achieved with mindfulness meditation experimental and clinical settings differs from the placebo effect, sham mindfulness sessions or listening to an audiobook.

on heart-brain coherence and nervous system regulation

McCraty, R., & Childre, D. (2010). "Coherence: bridging personal, social, and global health." Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 16(4), 10-24.

Summary: Research from the HeartMath Institute showing how coherence techniques intentionally shift the autonomic nervous system into parasympathetic dominance (rest and recovery mode), measurable via heart-rate variability (HRV).

videos

Documentary 

Fascia - Secrets Under the Skin.
Often available on Prime, “unofficial” versions often found on YouTube

Why watch: review the structure, function, responses to treatment, and emerging research about fascia (circa 2018)

YouTube

Gil Hedley: "The Fuzz Speech" 
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0LlR7Bq0So

Why watch it: The ultimate visual for understanding how fascia thickens and binds overnight (the "fuzz"), and why movement and manual therapy are required to melt it.

Tom Myers: Fascia & Anatomy Trains 
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSHEZWVL3N4

Why watch it: Tom Myers explains the architectural shift from thinking of the body as isolated parts to a connected, fluid tensegrity system. (no more body as machine, X pain = Y cause)

Fascia Facts shorts by Stecco (YouTube Channel)
Link: https://www.youtube.com/@fascialmanipulationinstitu9685/videos

Why watch it: It is heavily science-based and explains the role of hyaluronic acid and fascial densification.

Dr. Robert Schleip: The Bodywide Fascial Network
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34paabDwaMA

Why watch it: A great overview of how fascia acts as a sensory organ, its innervation, and how it responds to both physical touch and emotional states.