Knowledge Base — everything about connective tissue, fascia & treatments
In-depth, hands-on articles on connective tissue, fascia, cellulite, lipoedema, lymphoedema and the BodyFix combination treatment — shared openly from our specialised Amsterdam practice.
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Welcome to the BodyFix Knowledge Base
BodyFix is a specialised connective tissue and fascia practice in Amsterdam. As the longest-running specialised connective tissue practice in Amsterdam, we have been building hands-on knowledge about how connective tissue, fascia and the lymphatic system work together since 2008. In this Knowledge Base we share that knowledge openly and accessibly.
Our articles are written from hands-on practice. The starting point is always the BodyFix Method: deep manual connective tissue massage combined with device-assisted lymphatic drainage, where every first treatment begins with a diagnosis first (Bodyreading). This method was developed by founder Agnieszka Kadula and is carried out by medically trained therapists with a physiotherapy background and 2,500+ hours of training.
Whether you want to understand what fascia is, how adhesions can form, or how lipoedema may differ from ordinary fatty tissue, you will find a detailed article on each topic below. The information in this Knowledge Base is intended as general explanation only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment by a doctor or specialist. If you have a medical condition or any doubts, please consult your doctor. Prefer to bring your question straight to us? Take a look at our treatments or browse the frequently asked questions.
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Knowledge centre for connective tissue & fascia since 2008
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Written from the BodyFix Method — diagnosis first, then targeted treatment
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By medically trained therapists with a physiotherapy background
All articles
Explore connective tissue & fascia
In-depth articles on the topics that bring clients to us. Click a subject to read on. The articles offer general explanation and are not a substitute for medical advice.
Basics
What is connective tissue massage?
How deep manual connective tissue massage works, what sets it apart from an ordinary massage, and how the technique is aimed at working the connective tissue.
Basics
What is fascia?
The connective tissue network that runs throughout your body explained: its structure, function and why fascia is thought to play a role in movement and comfort.
Concern
Cellulite: causes and treatment
What is generally understood about how cellulite develops — including the role of the connective tissue beneath the skin — and how a targeted approach can be aimed at the skin's surface. Results vary per person and this is not a substitute for medical advice.
Concern
Recognising and treating lipoedema
Possible characteristics of lipoedema, how it may differ from ordinary fatty tissue and oedema, and the supporting role massage and lymphatic drainage can play alongside medical care. Not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Concern
Lymphoedema and oedema
How fluid build-up can occur, the difference between lymphoedema and oedema, and how lymphatic drainage may help support the body's natural drainage. Not a substitute for medical advice; please consult your doctor for a diagnosis.
Technique
Releasing adhesions
Why adhesions can form in connective tissue and how deep manual techniques are aimed at giving the tissue more room to move again. Not a substitute for medical advice.
BodyFix Method
The combination treatment: lymphatic drainage + connective tissue
Our signature approach explained: why we combine deep connective tissue massage with device-assisted lymphatic drainage in a single treatment.
Amsterdam
Specialised connective tissue massage in Amsterdam
What to look for when choosing a specialised practice, and why BodyFix has been the longest-running specialised connective tissue practice in Amsterdam since 2008.
Scars
Treating scar tissue
How connective tissue massage makes scar tissue and adhesions more supple — what it can and cannot do, and when to start after surgery or a caesarean.
Basics
The lymphatic system explained
How your natural drainage system works: lymph vessels, lymph nodes and why movement and lymphatic drainage support flow.
Technique
What is lymphatic drainage?
The difference between manual and device-assisted lymphatic drainage and how BodyFix uses it within the BodyFix Method.
Complaint
Heavy legs and fluid retention
Why legs can feel heavy and tired, how fluid retention builds up and how drainage supports a lighter feeling. Not a replacement for medical advice.
Skin
Skin firming and skin quality
What connective tissue massage realistically does for collagen, elasticity, circulation and the radiance of your skin.
Skin
Stretch marks treatment
An honest answer: what you can and cannot expect from treatment for stretch marks and pregnancy marks.
Life stage
Connective tissue and menopause
How hormonal changes affect your skin and connective tissue, and how connective tissue work can support comfort and radiance.
Myths
Waste products and 'detox': fact or fiction?
Does massage really detox your body? An honest answer about waste products, the lymphatic system and what drainage actually does.
Complaint
Trigger points and muscle knots
What muscle knots and trigger points are, how they relate to your fascia, and how targeted connective tissue massage can ease tense spots.
Lifestyle
Connective tissue and sports recovery
The role of fascia in stiffness after exercise, and how connective tissue massage can support suppleness and recovery — no cure promises.
Recovery
Swelling after surgery
Why swelling after surgery is normal and how lymphatic drainage can support natural recovery — always in consultation with your doctor.
Practical
Treatment journey and aftercare
From the free intake with Bodyreading to the treatment and aftercare — step by step what to expect, including prices.
Technique
Buccal massage explained
What buccal massage is, why work is also done inside the mouth, and what working on the facial fascia can realistically offer.
Complaint
Posture, fascia and tension
How fascial chains affect tension and posture, and why you sometimes feel tension somewhere other than where it is stuck.
Life stage
Fascia and ageing
How collagen, elastin and hydration in your connective tissue change over the years, and how massage can support suppleness and appearance.
Lifestyle
Sitting still and stiffness
Why a sedentary life stiffens your fascia, what you can do yourself, and how connective tissue massage can give a more supple feeling.
Recovery
Recovery after liposuction
What swelling after liposuction means and how supportive lymphatic drainage can help — always in consultation with your doctor or clinic.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy & connective tissue by trimester
How your connective tissue, fluid and body change trimester by trimester, and when a safe pregnancy massage fits in (from 14 weeks).
Postpartum
Postpartum belly and scar recovery
Belly and scar recovery after birth, with the right timing (from ~6 weeks, scar ~8 weeks) and a gentle, supportive approach.
Lymphatic drainage
Manual vs machine-guided lymphatic drainage
The difference between drainage by hand and by device — and why the BodyFix Method combines both.
Complaint
Hardening and fibrosis
What a stiff, firm feeling in your tissue can be, where it comes from, when to see a doctor first, and the supportive role massage can at most play.
Complaint
Circulation & cold hands and feet
How circulation works, why hands and feet feel cold, and how movement and massage can support a warmer, lighter feeling.
Lifestyle
Nutrition and connective tissue
The background role that nutrition, water and protein play for your connective tissue — explained soberly, without diet promises.
Lifestyle
Stress and fascia
How ongoing tension physically stiffens your fascia and muscle tone, and how targeted connective tissue massage releases that stuck tissue again.
Lifestyle
Sleep and recovery
Why your body recovers mostly at night and how poor sleep makes your tissue feel stiffer — explained plainly.
Lifestyle
Movement and mobility
How moving and variation keep your fascia supple and gliding — the active counterpart to sitting still too long.
Lifestyle
Heat and cold therapy
What heat and cold do to how your tissue feels, what is realistic and where the effect stops — without medical promises.
Lifestyle
Hydration and connective tissue
Why drinking enough is part of a supple-feeling body — plainly, without detox or miracle-cure claims.
Prefer to see what we can do for you straight away? View the full overview of our treatments or find the answer to your question in the frequently asked questions.
Start with a diagnosis
Bring your question straight to us
Reading is a great start — but every body is different. Book a free, no-obligation consultation and we'll tell you whether the BodyFix Method is right for you.
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