What is Fascial Blading?
- Caitlin Walters
- Sep 9
- 3 min read
Many clients have not heard of fascial blading, while others have experienced it without knowing its name. Fascial blades are useful in myofascial release as well as other applications as Chase has discovered by using his own massage tool during sessions. Here we dig deeper into how this tool helps. But first, we need to explain what fascia and myofascial release are.
What is Fascia?
Fascia is the connective tissue that wraps around muscles and organs. Or as Chase states, “[Fascia is] like saran wrap in the body. It’s around every muscle group, every muscle compartment in the body.” (Walters). This connective tissue enables muscle to glide over tissue fibers such as bone smoothly during normal movement. Dehydration and injuries can cause adhesions in fascia and prevent them from moving or gliding smoothly over other tissue. Even compensating for an injury can case adhesions in other parts of the body which stem from the point of injury. This is why understanding the body as a whole is essential to finding solutions to pain.
Myofascial Release in a Nutshell
Myofascial Release refers to releasing adhesions in the connective tissue around muscle and organs which often manifests in the form of trigger points and knots. In the word, "myo" relates muscle and "fascial" relates to fascia (PainSlayers). To release these points of tension, the connective tissue is worked to lengthen and relax the body.
What is a Fascial Blade?
A fascial blade is a piece of metal, often medical grade stainless steel, which is used to scrape, but not break, the skin. These blades have rounded edges so as not to cut, and are crafted in multiple shapes for different methods of addressing various needs. Fascial blades often utilizes Graston or Gua Sha techniques to stimulate or desensitize areas of focus.
The RockBlade Mohawk which we use in session, is a fascial blade that comes with two types of sleeves. The first a silicone sleeve which yields great traction on the skin, and the second an ABS polycarbonate comb which addresses nerve sensitivity.
How it Helps (Benefits)
The movement of "scraping" or "feathering" the skin can help stimulate blood circulation, desensitize overstimulated nerves and pain, or warm up muscle and soft tissue areas. The round precision points along the edges of these fascial blades can be used to target trigger points and areas of muscle build up in order to release these points of tension. By resolving adhesions in fascia, “[Fascia blading] helps increase range of motion, mobility, and overall ease of movement.” (Walters).
How Chase Uses RockBlade Mohawk Blade
The fascial blade that we use is RockTape's Mohawk RockBlade. Chase finds that its ergonomic balanced design is ideal for either broad or precision work. View our post about the Mohawk RockBlade to learn more.
Chase has developed his own technique with this tool utilizing the silicone sleeve to gain greater traction in targeting trigger points and to address injuries or solidified tissue segments. While others may use the Mohawk Blade in a more Graston or Gua Sha method, Chase uses this tool for precision work in breaking up the layers of fascia to access either damaged or locked up tissue. With only a little leverage, he applies pressure on these knots, coaxing them to release, after which he can use the flat blade edge to circulate blood flow thus encouraging the worked on muscle or tissue segment to relax and heal. After these adhesions are addressed, clients enjoy a refreshed range of motion.
The purpose of this tool is to preserve the practitioner's body and energy by ergonomic application. For example, by leveraging this tool, less physical pressure is needed with the practitioner's fingers to unlock trigger points which preserves their strength and energy throughout the day for other sessions.
In Conclusion
Fascia is the fibrous tissue that wraps around each muscle group and organ, holding our bodies together. Myofascial release is the manipulation of this tissue which facilitates ease of operation in the body. Fascial blading is achieving myofascial release through the use of a fascial blade which, among other techniques, helps to separate the fascia layers to access adhesions to resolve discomfort or impinged mobility. The results that clients feel after experiencing fascial blading, cannot be ignored and as such, many other professionals are integrating fascial blading in their repertoire.
References:
PainSlayers (2025). Tight Muscles? Try Myofascial Release Therapy in Brisbane [blog post]. Retrieved from https://gracevillephysio.com.au/blog/physio/myofascial-release-brisbane/
The Evidence Based Chiropractor (26 August 2019). RockBlades Mohawk Review: The Ultimate Soft Tissue Tool Kit [YouTube video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LXxFhhX2oQ
The Physio Channel (21 March 2023). Knee IASTM with RockBlade Fascia Tool (Like Graston or Gua Sha) ‘Myofascial Release’ [YouTube video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5MeJHv1pcw
Therapeutic Body Concepts (24 December 2020). Fascia – What Is It and How Can Massage Therapy Treat It? [blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.therapeuticbodyconcepts.ca/fascia-what-is-it-and-how-can-massage-therapy-treat-it/
Walters, Chase. Interview. 7 September 2025.
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