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.
- A2018
What Is the Point? The Problem with Acupuncture Research That No One Wants to Talk About
Helene M Langevin, Peter M WayneIn this 2018 commentary, the authors address a persistent criticism of acupuncture research: the unclear scientific basis for "acupuncture points." They argue that the acupuncture research community has not paid enough…
acupunctureAnatomyacupuncture pointsmethodology - A2017
Reconnecting the Body in Eastern and Western Medicine
Helene M Langevin, Rosa N SchnyerDetails for this 2017 publication, titled 'Reconnecting the Body in Eastern and Western Medicine' by Helene M. Langevin and Rosa N. Schnyer, have not yet been summarized. The title suggests a discussion comparing and in…
acupunctureTCM - A2015
New Developments in the Primo Vascular System: Imaging and Functions with regard to Acupuncture
Richard C Niemtzow, Kwang-Sup Soh, Kyung A Kang, John H Barker, He Sheng Luo, Moriya OhkumaThis 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…
acupunctureprimo vascular systemeditorial - A2015
Essential Experimental Methods for Identifying Bonghan Systems as a Basis for Korean Medicine: Focusing on Visual Materials from Original Papers and Modern Outcomes
Hoon-Gi Kim, Byung-Cheon Lee, Ki-Bog LeeThis 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…
fasciaacupunctureprimo vascular systembongan system - A2013
Purine receptor mediated actin cytoskeleton remodeling of human fibroblasts
Nanna Goldman, Devin Chandler-Militello, Helene Langevin, Maiken Nedergaard, Takahiro TakanoThis laboratory study investigated how certain molecules, called purines, affect human fibroblast cells. Previous research has shown that acupuncture can trigger the release of purines like ATP. The researchers exposed…
fasciacytoskeletonacupunctureFibroblastscalcium signaling - A2011
Fascia and the mechanism of acupuncture
Steven Finando, Donna FinandoThis theoretical paper re-evaluates the mechanisms of acupuncture. The authors propose that fascia, the body's connective tissue network, is the structure that explains how acupuncture works. They argue for this model b…
fasciaacupunctureShamPlaceboMechanism - A2010
Fluorescent Nanoparticles for Observing Primo Vascular System Along Sciatic Nerve
Zhao-Feng Jia, Byung-Cheon Lee, Ki-Hoon Eom, Jin-Myung Cha, Jin-Kyu Lee, Zhen-Dong Su, Wen-Hui Yu, Pan Dong Ryu, Kwang-…In this animal study, researchers injected fluorescent nanoparticles into rats at an acupuncture point to trace their path. The particles traveled along the sciatic nerve, revealing a previously hard-to-detect structure…
fasciaacupunctureSCIATIC NERVEprimo vascular systemprimo-vessel