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.
What Is Evidence-Based About Myofascial Chains: A Systematic Review
This systematic review evaluated anatomical dissection studies to find evidence for six proposed myofascial meridians. Researchers analyzed 62 studies and found strong evidence for the anatomical continuity of three lin…
Fascial Manipulation Associated With Standard Care Compared to Only Standard Postsurgical Care for Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial
This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of adding Fascial Manipulation (FM) to standard rehabilitation after total hip replacement surgery. Researchers divided 51 patients into two groups: one received…
New evidence of a dynamic fascial maintenance and self-repair process
This 2016 publication by Leon Chaitow has not yet been summarized in detail. Based on its title, the article appears to present new findings that highlight the dynamic processes of fascial maintenance and self-repair. W…
Is remote stretching based on myofascial chains as effective as local exercise? A randomised-controlled trial
This randomized controlled trial investigated whether stretching the lower limbs could improve neck mobility as effectively as direct neck stretching. Researchers divided 63 healthy participants into three groups: one s…
Hyaluronan production and molecular weight is enhanced in pathway-engineered strains of lactate dehydrogenase-deficient Lactococcus lactis
Researchers are exploring ways to use engineered bacteria to produce hyaluronic acid (HA), but the yield and molecular weight have often been limited. Previous work suggested that excessive lactate production might be t…
Fibromodulin Interacts with Collagen Cross-linking Sites and Activates Lysyl Oxidase
Fibrosis is characterized by a dense and stiff collagen matrix, formed through a cross-linking process driven by the enzyme lysyl oxidase (LOX). This study investigated the role of another protein, fibromodulin, in this…
The tongue after whiplash: case report and osteopathic treatment
This case report describes a 30-year-old man who experienced neck pain during swallowing and had a reduced ability to open his mouth following a whiplash injury. He was treated with osteopathic manual techniques directe…
Hyaluronan concentration and size distribution in human knee synovial fluid: variations with age and cartilage degeneration
This study investigated how the lubricant hyaluronan in knee joint fluid changes with age and cartilage wear. Researchers analyzed synovial fluid from human donors aged 23 to 91 without diagnosed osteoarthritis. They fo…
Human Recombinant Hyaluronidase Injections For Upper Limb Muscle Stiffness in Individuals With Cerebral Injury: A Case Series
This case series investigated injections of the enzyme hyaluronidase to treat upper limb muscle stiffness in 20 individuals with cerebral injury. The researchers hypothesized that an accumulation of hyaluronan in the mu…
Monitoring the primo vascular system in lymphatic vessels by using window chambers
In this animal study, researchers developed a method for observing the primo vascular system (PVS) inside the lymphatic vessels of rats over an extended period. By implanting a "window chamber" into the skin and injecti…
Intermuscular force transmission along myofascial chains: a systematic review
This systematic review examined evidence for force transmission along continuous lines of muscle and fascia, often called myofascial chains. Researchers analyzed nine studies of moderate to excellent quality that invest…
Collagen structure: new tricks from a very old dog
This narrative review summarizes how our understanding of collagen's triple helix structure has evolved. Initial models from the 1950s provided a general overview, but the development of synthetic collagen-like peptides…
A five year follow-up of women with obstetric anal sphincter rupture at their first delivery
This study followed 82 women for five years after they experienced an obstetric anal sphincter rupture (OASR) during their first delivery. Researchers investigated long-term outcomes like incontinence and sexual functio…
Telocytes in focus
This is a title-only entry, and its contents have not yet been summarized. The title is 'Telocytes in focus', authored by Sandra Maria Cretoiu and published in 2016. Without an abstract or full text, the specific findin…
Cystocele and functional anatomy of the pelvic floor: review and update of the various theories
This narrative review examines different anatomical theories about how the pelvic floor supports the bladder. The researchers summarize that this support involves a complex interplay of the pubocervical fascia, endopelv…
Restoration of Full Shoulder Range of Motion After Application of the Fascial Distortion Model
This case report describes a 28-year-old man with chronic shoulder pain and severely limited movement, 18 months after an injury. His condition, similar to a frozen shoulder, involved significant pain and an inability t…
A Systematic Review of the Soft-Tissue Connections Between Neck Muscles and Dura Mater
In this systematic review, researchers compiled data from 26 studies to investigate direct soft-tissue connections between neck muscles and the dura mater, the outermost membrane surrounding the spinal cord. The analysi…
Patterns of attachment of the myodural bridge by the rectus capitis posterior minor muscle
This anatomical study used dissection and plastination techniques to examine the myodural bridge, a small tissue connection in the upper neck. Researchers focused on the attachments of the rectus capitis posterior minor…
The Physical Mechanism for Retinal Discrete Dark Noise: Thermal Activation or Cellular Ultraweak Photon Emission?
The visual 'static' or 'noise' we perceive in complete darkness has long been a puzzle. The conventional explanation is that random thermal energy causes photoreceptor cells in the retina to fire, but this model doesn't…
Systemic inflammatory profiles and their relationships with demographic, behavioural and clinical features in acute low back pain
This study investigated systemic inflammation in acute low back pain, which is less studied than inflammation in chronic conditions. Researchers analyzed blood samples from 99 individuals within two weeks of LBP onset a…
Effect of the Suboccipital Musculature on Symptom Severity and Recovery after Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
This study investigated whether the size of the deep neck muscles at the base of the skull is related to symptoms and recovery after a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Researchers used MRI to measure the cross-sectio…
Overlapping signatures of chronic pain in the DNA methylation landscape of prefrontal cortex and peripheral T cells
In this animal study, researchers investigated how chronic pain might be linked to epigenetic changes, specifically DNA methylation. They compared rats with long-term nerve injury pain to a control group, examining tiss…
Cellulite treatment: a comprehensive literature review
In this 2015 literature review, researchers compiled the results from various cellulite treatments. They analyzed 73 clinical studies involving human subjects, most of whom were women. The evaluated treatments included…
Modeled Osteopathic Manipulative Treatments: A Review of Their in Vitro Effects on Fibroblast Tissue Preparations
This narrative review summarizes lab-based (in vitro) studies investigating how simulated osteopathic treatments, like myofascial release, affect fibroblasts. The authors found that applying mechanical strain to these c…
The content and size of hyaluronan in biological fluids and tissues
Hyaluronan is a simple sugar polymer found throughout the body's tissues and fluids. It is typically produced as a very large, high-molecular-mass molecule. This narrative review notes that during processes like inflamm…
Innervation Changes Induced by Inflammation of the Thoracolumbar Fascia
This animal study investigated how inflammation affects the nerves in the thoracolumbar fascia (TLF) of rats. Researchers induced inflammation in the TLF and compared its nerve fiber density to that of healthy fascia. W…
Biological electric fields and rate equations for biophotons
This theoretical paper explores the relationship between biophotons (light emitted by living organisms) and the electric fields within biological systems. The authors note that biophoton intensity is linked to the stren…
The effects of grounding (earthing) on inflammation, the immune response, wound healing, and prevention and treatment of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases
This report summarizes research on the effects of "grounding" or "earthing," which involves direct electrically conductive contact with the Earth's surface. The research suggests this contact may influence the body's ph…
New Developments in the Primo Vascular System: Imaging and Functions with regard to Acupuncture
This research entry, for which only the title is available, appears to discuss recent advancements in understanding the primo vascular system. The title suggests a focus on new imaging techniques and the system's functi…
The fascial system and exercise intolerance in patients with chronic heart failure: hypothesis of osteopathic treatment
This hypothesis paper proposes a connection between the fascial system and exercise intolerance in people with chronic heart failure. The authors note that heart failure is a complex disease affecting the entire body, l…
Remodelling the extracellular matrix in development and disease
This narrative review describes the extracellular matrix (ECM), a dynamic network present in all body tissues that undergoes constant remodeling. This remodeling process is crucial for regulating cell functions like pro…
Effects of non-pharmacological interventions on inflammatory biomarker expression in patients with fibromyalgia: a systematic review
This systematic review examined how non-drug treatments affect inflammatory markers in people with fibromyalgia. Researchers analyzed 12 studies involving 536 participants who underwent exercise, dietary, or multidiscip…
Understanding Fibroblasts in Order to Comprehend the Osteopathic Treatment of the Fascia
In this review paper, the authors argue that understanding fibroblasts is essential for comprehending and applying osteopathic treatment of the fascia. As the foundational cells of connective tissue, fibroblasts have ma…
Glycosaminoglycans and Proteoglycans in Palmar Fascia of Patients with Dupuytren
In this experimental study, researchers investigated the role of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), a type of molecule in connective tissue, in Dupuytren's disease. The team analyzed palmar fascia tissue samples from 23 patient…
Modelling the mechanoreceptor’s dynamic behaviour
This study developed a computational model to better understand how mechanoreceptors, our body's stretch and pressure sensors, adapt to stimuli. Researchers adapted a model originally used for vision in flies to simulat…
Structural Integration as an Adjunct to Outpatient Rehabilitation for Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain: A Randomized Pilot Clinical Trial
This randomized pilot clinical trial investigated if adding Structural Integration (SI) to standard outpatient rehabilitation could help people with chronic non-specific low back pain. Researchers assigned 46 participan…
Hyaluronan’s Role in Fibrosis: A Pathogenic Factor or a Passive Player?
This 2015 review article explores the role of hyaluronan (HA) in fibrosis, a condition where excessive connective tissue buildup impairs organ function. HA is a key component of the extracellular matrix, known for its h…
Essential Experimental Methods for Identifying Bonghan Systems as a Basis for Korean Medicine: Focusing on Visual Materials from Original Papers and Modern Outcomes
This narrative review examines methods for identifying the so-called Bonghan system, also known as the primo vascular system (PVS). This system was originally proposed in the 1960s as the anatomical basis for acupunctur…
Primo Vascular System: An Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Potential Transitional Tissue Involved in Gastric Cancer Metastasis
The primo vascular system (PVS) is described as a distinct circulatory network beyond the blood and lymphatic systems. This study investigated the role this system might play in the spread of gastric cancer. The researc…
Primo-Vascular System as Presented by Bong Han Kim
In the 1960s, researcher Bong Han Kim described a new vascular system, distinct from the blood and lymph systems, which he proposed was involved in tissue regeneration. However, his work was difficult for later scientis…
Evidence for the existence of nociceptors in rat thoracolumbar fascia
This animal study on rats investigated the presence of pain-sensing nerve fibers (nociceptors) in the thoracolumbar fascia. Researchers compared normal fascia with tissue in which they had induced inflammation. The resu…
Comparative effects of vitamin C on the effects of local anesthetics ropivacaine, bupivacaine, and lidocaine on human chondrocytes
Local anesthetics injected into joints can sometimes be harmful to cartilage cells (chondrocytes). This laboratory study investigated the effects of three common anesthetics—ropivacaine, bupivacaine, and lidocaine—on hu…
Collagen network strengthening following cyclic tensile loading
Tissues adapt to the mechanical loads they experience, with collagen being the primary load-bearing component. In this study, researchers investigated how a collagen-based material responded to repeated, cyclic tensile…
Isolated human uterine telocytes: immunocytochemistry and electrophysiology of T-type calcium channels
Telocytes are a relatively newly described cell type found in the muscular wall of the uterus, thought to play a role in cell-to-cell signaling. In this laboratory study, researchers examined telocytes from both pregnan…
Hyaluronan, inflammation and breast cancer progression
This narrative review explores the link between inflammation, the tissue component hyaluronan (HA), and breast cancer progression. Cancer cells and surrounding host cells can create an inflamed microenvironment that hel…
Pathophysiology and Immune Dysfunction in Endometriosis
This narrative review explores the current understanding of endometriosis, a chronic inflammatory condition affecting many women of reproductive age. The authors focus on how endometriosis lesions develop a blood supply…
Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Disturbed Coherence: Gate to Cancer
This theoretical paper explores the link between cellular energy and cancer. Healthy cells maintain a stable, coherent electrical state through continuous energy production in the mitochondria. The authors propose that…
Primo Vascular System: A Unique Biological System Shifting a Medical Paradigm
This article describes the primo vascular system (PVS), a unique biological system distinct from the arteriovenous and lymphatic systems. Research suggests the PVS has immune and endocrine functions and plays a role in…
A multidisciplinary approach to scars: a narrative review
This narrative review examines complementary and alternative medicine approaches to treating scar tissue. The authors survey literature on osteopathy, naturopathy, and manual therapies like physiotherapy. They also disc…
Sensory Nerve Fibers Containing Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide in Gastrocnemius, Latissimus Dorsi and Erector Spinae Muscles and Thoracolumbar Fascia in Mice
In this animal study, researchers investigated sensory nerve fibers containing CGRP, a peptide involved in pain signaling. They compared the presence of these nerve fibers in various muscles (gastrocnemius, latissimus d…
Tracking CNS and systemic sources of oxidative stress during the course of chronic neuroinflammation
In this animal study, researchers used a mouse model for multiple sclerosis (MS) to track the sources of oxidative stress in the central nervous system. Using an advanced imaging technique, they identified specific immu…
Reflections on osteopathic fascia treatment in the peripheral nervous system
In this reflective article, the authors discuss the fascia of the peripheral nervous system. They explain that nerves are enclosed in several layers of fascia that must be able to slide, and that impeded sliding can be…
Modes of cancer cell invasion and the role of the microenvironment
For cancer to spread, or metastasize, tumor cells must first invade the surrounding connective tissue (stroma). This review article describes how cancer cells can move in different ways—either as single cells or in coll…
Investigation of meningomyovertebral structures within the upper cervical epidural space: a sheet plastination study with clinical implications
This cadaver study investigated soft-tissue connections within the epidural space of the upper cervical spine using dissection and a technique called sheet plastination. The researchers found consistent connections wher…
Duration and Magnitude of Myofascial Release in 3-Dimensional Bioengineered Tendons: Effects on Wound Healing
This laboratory study investigated how myofascial release (MFR) affects wound healing in bioengineered tendons. Researchers created a wound in the tendon models and then applied different magnitudes and durations of str…
Mapping Sensory Nerve Communications Between Peripheral Nerve Territories
In this literature review, researchers examined the traditional maps of skin sensation, known as dermatomes. They searched for evidence of direct communications between sensory nerves from different, adjacent spinal ner…
Deformations Experienced in the Human Skin, Adipose Tissue, and Fascia in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine
This study used a mathematical model to investigate how forces from manual therapy affect the skin, adipose tissue, and fascia. The researchers aimed to understand how much each layer deforms under compression and shear…
Our Internal Universe
This 2014 entry, titled 'Our Internal Universe' by Stephen M Levin, has not yet been summarized. The title suggests a conceptual exploration of the body's internal environment, possibly from a structural or philosophica…
Clinical and symptomatological reflections: the fascial system
This narrative review discusses the fascial system as a continuous network of connective tissue that gives form and function to the entire body. The authors note that despite its importance in transmitting force, coordi…
Fascia—Current knowledge and future directions in physiatry: Narrative review
In this 2014 narrative review, the authors discuss fascia from the perspective of physiatry, or rehabilitation medicine. They note that while fascia is part of the body's connective tissue, its definition is unclear in…