Research.
Every peer-reviewed study on fascia in one place — graded for strength of evidence, summarised in plain language for clinicians, researchers, and curious patients.
We grade studies from A to 1A+++ using the Fascia Research Database rubric — 1A+++ is the strongest.
A long-distance fluid transport pathway within fibrous connective tissues in patients with ankle edema
This anatomical study investigated how fluid might drain from swollen ankles. Researchers injected a fluorescent dye into the skin of four lower legs scheduled for amputation to trace fluid movement. They observed that…
A Diet Mimicking Fasting Promotes Regeneration and Reduces Autoimmunity and Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms
This study investigates how a periodic fasting-mimicking diet (FMD) affects symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) using mouse models and preliminary human trials. In animal models, the diet reduced inflammation and promot…
Effects of whole body vibration exercises on bone mineral density of women with postmenopausal osteoporosis without medications: novel findings and literature review
This systematic review examines the effects of whole-body vibration (WBV) exercises on bone mineral density in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis who are not taking medication. By analyzing twelve studies, researche…
Clinical applications of vibration therapy in orthopaedic practice
This literature review examines the use of vibration therapy in orthopedic practice. Researchers analyzed 71 studies to understand its effects on bone, muscles, and tendons. The review notes that inconsistencies in appl…
Ultrasound Evaluation of the Combined Effects of Thoracolumbar Fascia Injury and Movement Restriction in a Porcine Model
This animal study used pigs to investigate how back fascia responds to injury and restricted movement. Researchers created a small injury in the thoracolumbar fascia and also limited movement in some of the pigs for eig…
Understanding Mechanobiology: Physical Therapists as a Force in Mechanotherapy and Musculoskeletal Regenerative Rehabilitation
This perspective article explores the field of mechanobiology and how physical therapists use mechanical forces to promote tissue healing. It explains that cells in our muscles, bones, and tendons respond to physical st…
Efficacy of an orally administered combination of hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate, curcumin and quercetin for the prevention of recurrent urinary tract infections in postmenopausal women
This prospective study evaluated whether an oral supplement containing hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate, curcumin, and quercetin could prevent recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) in postmenopausal women. Resea…
Manual evaluation of the diaphragm muscle
The diaphragm is a vital muscle for breathing, but it also plays a key role in posture, organ function, and even emotional states. Despite its importance, there is little scientific literature on how to manually assess…
Vitamin C and Heart Health: A Review Based on Findings from Epidemiologic Studies
This review examines the relationship between vitamin C and heart health by analyzing data from epidemiological studies and clinical trials. Research suggests that vitamin C may protect blood vessels by preventing the o…
Collagen Matrix Density Drives the Metabolic Shift in Breast Cancer Cells
This study used a 3D in vitro model to investigate how the density of the collagen matrix influences the metabolism of breast cancer cells. The researchers observed that a high-density extracellular matrix drives a meta…
Oxidative Stress and Inflammation: What Polyphenols Can Do for Us?
This narrative review explores the link between oxidative stress and inflammation, focusing on how plant-derived polyphenols may mitigate these processes. Oxidative stress occurs when reactive oxygen species overwhelm t…
Nutraceutical supplement in the management of tendinopathies: a systematic review
This systematic review examines the effects of various nutraceuticals, such as glucosamine, chondroitin, vitamin C, and curcumin, in managing tendon disorders. While preclinical research on cells and animals shows promi…
Fascial Manipulation® for chronic aspecific low back pain: a single blinded randomized controlledtrial.
This randomized controlled trial compared Fascial Manipulation® combined with standard physiotherapy to physiotherapy alone for patients with chronic non-specific low back pain. The group receiving Fascial Manipulation®…
Essential role for autophagy in life span extension
This narrative review explores the essential role of autophagy, a cellular recycling process that breaks down and removes damaged components to maintain health. The authors explain how interventions like caloric restric…
Swing phase kinematics of horses trotting over poles
This study investigated how horses are affected by trotting over poles, a common therapeutic exercise used to restore joint range of motion. Researchers aimed to determine if lifting the limbs higher to clear obstacles…
Multi-frequency bioimpedance and myofascial release therapy: An equine “AtlasOrange1” validation study
This study on horses explored whether a device using multi-frequency bioimpedance analysis (mf-BIA) could objectively measure myofascial tension. Researchers compared the device's readings with a veterinarian's manual a…
Structural and functional features of central nervous system lymphatics
The central nervous system (CNS) was long thought to lack a conventional lymphatic drainage system. In this study, however, researchers discovered functional lymphatic vessels within the meninges, the membranes surround…
Efficacy of phytoestrogens for menopausal symptoms: a meta-analysis and systematic review
This systematic review and meta-analysis of 15 randomized controlled trials examined the effectiveness of plant-based estrogens, known as phytoestrogens, for relieving menopausal symptoms. The findings suggest that phyt…
Optimal Vitamin D Supplementation Levels for Cardiovascular Disease Protection
This narrative review explores the growing body of evidence linking vitamin D to cardiovascular health. While traditionally associated with bone health, data suggests vitamin D status may be a marker for, and possibly a…
Functional locomotor consequences of uneven forefeet for trot symmetry in individual riding horses
This study investigated how horses with uneven forefeet, where the angle differs between left and right, move at a trot. Researchers found that the flatter foot experiences higher loading, including greater braking forc…
The equine neck and its function during movement and locomotion
This study measured muscle activity in the equine forelimb during walking, trotting, and cantering. The researchers found that most muscles activate just before hoof-strike to stabilize the limb, while passive structure…
The active role of vitamin C in mammalian iron metabolism: much more than just enhanced iron absorption!
This review explores how vitamin C (ascorbate) plays a sophisticated role in mammalian iron metabolism beyond simply enhancing absorption in the gut. Evidence suggests that vitamin C regulates how cells take up, store,…
Telocytes revisited
This narrative review summarizes findings on telocytes, a relatively new type of cell found in the interstitial, or connective, tissue of many organs. These cells are defined by their small bodies and extremely long, th…
Case study: Could ultrasound and elastography visualized densified areas inside the deep fascia?
In this case study, researchers used ultrasound and elastography to visualize the deep fascia of a 40-year-old male with calf pain. The imaging techniques allowed them to see changes in the fascia's gliding, echogenicit…
Vitamin C Is an Essential Factor on the Anti-viral Immune Responses through the Production of Interferon-α/β at the Initial Stage of Influenza A Virus (H3N2) Infection
This animal study investigated how vitamin C affects the immune response to influenza A virus (H3N2). Researchers used mice that, like humans, cannot synthesize their own vitamin C. When these mice were made vitamin C-d…
The 17-β-oestradiol inhibits osteoclast activity by increasing the cannabinoid CB2 receptor expression
This in vitro study investigated how 17-β-oestradiol (estrogen) affects osteoclasts, the cells responsible for bone resorption. The researchers found that estrogen inhibits the formation and activity of these cells by i…
Fascia as a body-wide communication system
This abstract proposes that fascia acts as a body-wide communication system. The author draws an analogy to single-celled organisms, like a paramecium, which can perform complex functions without a nervous system by rel…
Total antioxidant capacity of diet and risk of stroke: a population-based prospective cohort of women
This Swedish population-based study examined the relationship between the total antioxidant capacity of the diet and stroke risk in over 36,000 women. By measuring the combined effect of all antioxidants in food rather…
Brain structure and joint hypermobility: relevance to the expression of psychiatric symptoms
This study investigated the relationship between joint hypermobility and brain structure in 72 healthy volunteers. Using structural brain scans, researchers found that the volume of the amygdala, a brain region importan…
Electrical impedance of acupuncture meridians: the relevance of subcutaneous collagenous bands
This study investigated whether acupuncture meridians are characterized by lower electrical impedance and if this is linked to subcutaneous connective tissue. Researchers measured three meridians in 28 healthy subjects…
Hindlimb response to tactile stimulation of the pastern and coronet
This study investigated how lightweight tactile stimulators placed around horses' hind pasterns affect their movement patterns at a trot. Researchers found that the stimulation caused the horses to lift their hooves sig…
Correlation Between Fluctuations in Human Ultra-weak Photon Emission and EEG Alpha Rhythm
This study investigated the relationship between ultra-weak photon emission (UPE) from the skin and brain activity measured via EEG. Researchers recorded light emission from the hand while simultaneously monitoring brai…
Hydrogen acts as a therapeutic antioxidant by selectively reducing cytotoxic oxygen radicals
Acute oxidative stress induced by ischemia-reperfusion or inflammation causes serious damage to tissues, and persistent oxidative stress is accepted as one of the causes of many common diseases including cancer. We show…
Vitamin D Deficiency
This 2007 publication by Michael F. Holick addresses the topic of vitamin D deficiency. As the full text has not yet been analyzed, this summary is based on the title alone. Further details about the specific findings a…
A driving force for change: interstitial flow as a morphoregulator
This narrative review explores how the slow movement of fluid through the extracellular matrix, known as interstitial flow, acts as a crucial regulator of cell behavior and tissue structure. Driven by pressure gradients…
Can Electrons Act as Antioxidants? A Review and Commentary
This narrative review explores the hypothesis that direct physical contact with the earth, known as "earthing" or "grounding," can provide health benefits. The author suggests that modern lifestyles, with insulated foot…
The key to left-right asymmetry
This summary explores how vertebrates establish left-right asymmetry during embryonic development. Research indicates that cilia are essential components in breaking initial symmetry, supported by an asymmetric signalin…
Mechanisms of interstitial flow-induced remodeling of fibroblast-collagen cultures
This study investigates how the movement of fluid through tissues, known as interstitial flow, influences the organization of connective tissue cells and collagen. Researchers found that slow fluid movement causes colla…
Interstitial fluid flow induces myofibroblast differentiation and collagen alignment in vitro
This in vitro study examines how the movement of fluid through tissues, known as interstitial flow, influences connective tissue cells. The researchers found that even low levels of flow, similar to what occurs during s…
The Architecture of Life
As this is a title-only entry, the full text has not yet been reviewed. The title, "The Architecture of Life," suggests a focus on the structural principles governing biological systems, possibly involving concepts like…
Structure and Properties of Ground Substances
This 1984 review outlines the structure of the body's 'ground substance,' the matrix found both within and between our cells. The author describes how this substance is composed of different biopolymers in the extracell…