What is Neurofascial Process? Understanding the Connection Between Nerves, Fascia, and Healing

What Is Neurofascial Process (NFP)?

The Neurofascial Process (often abbreviated NFP) is a technique developed by Dr. Sharon Weiselfish‐Giammatteo in the early 1980s as part of Integrative Manual Therapy (IMT).  It is designed to integrate the nervous system and the fascial system with sensory input and emotional awareness. 

• “Neuro-” references the nervous system: the neural networks that carry sensory, motor, and other signals.

• “Fascial” refers to the connective tissue (fascia) that envelops and interconnects muscles, organs, nerves, vessels — a continuous tissue web throughout the body.  

• “Process” indicates a gradual, experiential, sensory awareness-based method rather than a single intervention or specific technique. It implies ongoing, patient‐participated work, often outside of formal therapy sessions. 

Core Principles and Mechanics

Here are the foundations of how the Neurofascial Process is framed and how it works:

1. Process Centers (PCs):
   The body is understood to have specific “Process Centers” — anatomical locations through which emotional, sensory, and fascial tensions tend to become held. Some examples include visceral (organ) areas, joints, or regions, also thought to be related to limbic/emotional nervous system integration.  

2. Hands-on positioning:
   During NFP, the practitioner (or the individual in self-practice) places one hand over a “problem area” (tissue, joint, or region of dysfunction/discomfort) and the other hand over one of the Process Centers. Pressure is very light or there may be no pressure — the purpose is to allow for sensory feedback, emotional awareness, and nervous/fascial communication to occur.  

3. Extended duration:
   The hands are held in these positions for extended periods — typically 20 minutes or more — to allow for subtle shifts, sensory input, nervous system responses, and fascial adjustments.  

4. Sensory & Emotional Awareness:
   The technique encourages the person to attend to what arises: sensations, emotions, thoughts, or perceptions. This awareness is considered part of the healing. Emotions and patterns of stress and dysfunction are seen as able to influence overall health, tissue mobility, and nervous system/fascial patterns.

5. Integration with IMT & Home Practice:
   NFP is used as a component of Integrative Manual Therapy in clinical settings but also as “homework” or adjunctive practice. Patients are encouraged to use NFP outside therapy sessions to reinforce change, reduce symptoms, andn promote healing.  

When and How It’s Used

The Neurofascial Process is applied in a variety of contexts. Key usages include:

• Symptom Relief: Pain, inflammation, swelling, or dysfunction in tissues and joints — the “problem area” can be any region causing or contributing to discomfort or restricted function.  

• First Aid: For acute injuries or newly injured areas, you can apply one hand to the injured area and the other hand to a process center to help support healing.  

• Daily Self-Care / Maintenance: It can be performed in many settings — sitting or lying down, at rest, even while listening to music or watching something, as long as there is comfort and a calm environment.  

• Therapeutic Support for Emotional / Overwhelm States: Because stress and dysregulation are considered part of interfering with health (organ function, metabolism, hormonal balance, sensation), NFP is used when people report feeling overwhelmed, or disconnected, or when emotional stress correlates with physical symptoms.  

What NFP Aims to Achieve / Benefits

Neurofascial Process aims to promote:

• Restoration of neural/fascial communication: reducing the mismatch between what tissue feels and what the nervous system perceives.

• Reduction of tension and restriction in fascia, leading to better tissue mobility and decreased stiffness or pain.

• Emotional regulation and release: because dysregulation or stress influences overall health, neurofascial tension can contribute to symptoms.

• Improved organ/tissue function: since interference (neural or fascial) can impair how well organs function, NFP seeks to reduce that interference.

• Greater autonomy for the person: through “homework” or regular self-application, helping the person be active in their own healing.

Limitations, Considerations, and Best Practices

• Because NFP is gentle and subtle, changes can be gradual rather than immediate; patience and consistency matter.

• Appropriate support or guidance from a trained IMT/PT therapist is necessary. 

• NFP is complementary; it works best alongside other manual therapy techniques, movement work, lifestyle factors (sleep, hydration, nutrition, stress management).

• Hydration, rest, and a calm environment enhance effectiveness.

• NEUROFASCIAL PROCESS for calming the nervous system: Place one hand on the bridge of your nose and forehead and the other on your heart.  Rest and relax for several minutes or as desired.