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.
Resveratrol Treatment Normalizes the Endothelial Function and Blood Pressure in Ovariectomized Rats
This animal study on rats investigated how resveratrol affects blood pressure and vascular function during estrogen deficiency, mimicking post-menopausal conditions. Researchers found that a lack of estrogen led to high…
Resveratrol supplementation reduces pain experience by postmenopausal women
This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study investigated whether resveratrol supplementation could reduce pain and improve well-being in postmenopausal women. Over 14 weeks, participants taking 75 mg of resv…
Proinflammatory Cytokines and Oxidative Stress Decrease the Transport of Dopamine Precursor Tyrosine in Human Fibroblasts
This laboratory study investigated how inflammation and oxidative stress affect the transport of the amino acid tyrosine in human fibroblasts, a type of connective tissue cell. Tyrosine is a crucial precursor for the ne…
Emotions in Motion: Myofascial Interoception
In this perspective piece, the authors argue that the myofascial system is closely linked to our emotional state. They suggest that manual treatment not only affects the body physically but also activates the interocept…
Minimizing Injury and Maximizing Return to Play: Lessons from Engineered Ligaments
Musculoskeletal injuries are a primary reason for time away from sports, partly because our understanding of how training affects tendons and ligaments is limited. This study used engineered ligaments grown in a lab fro…
The Application of Acoustic Myography in Canine Muscle Function and Performance Testing
This animal study on 11 Labrador dogs used acoustic myography (AMG) to measure muscle activity during walking and trotting. Researchers focused on two muscles, the m. gluteus superficialis and m. longissimus lumborum, t…
Effects of the menstrual cycle on lower-limb biomechanics, neuromuscular control, and anterior cruciate ligament injury risk: a systematic review
This systematic review evaluated how the menstrual cycle affects lower-limb biomechanics, neuromuscular control, and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury risk in women. The authors found strong evidence that the risk…
The Effect of Menstrual Cycle and Contraceptives on ACL Injuries and Laxity
This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the relationship between the menstrual cycle, hormonal contraceptives, and the risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. The researchers found that knee lig…
Correlation between chronic headaches and the rectus capitis posterior minor muscle: A comparative analysis of cross-sectional trail
Researchers investigated the relationship between chronic headaches and a small muscle at the base of the skull, the rectus capitis posterior minor (RCPmi). Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), they compared the size…
Activation of type 2 cannabinoid receptor (CB2R) by selective agonists regulates the deposition and remodelling of the extracellular matrix
This in vitro study investigated how activating the type 2 cannabinoid receptor (CB2R) affects scar formation in eye connective tissue after surgery. Researchers found that human Tenon’s fibroblasts express these recept…
A New Definition of an Acupuncture Meridian
This perspective article proposes a new definition of acupuncture meridians, moving away from the idea of dedicated anatomical vessels. The author suggests that meridians are actually tracts of tissue that become affect…
A Curious Oversight in Acupuncture Research
In this perspective article, the author argues that current acupuncture hypotheses overlook a crucial factor: the speed at which the treatment takes effect. Observations suggest that communication between acupoints and…
Art Advancing Science: Filmmaking Leads to Molecular Insights at the Nanoscale
A project that began as an artistic endeavor to create an entertaining short film about fertilization led to the development of a new scientific simulation tool. By integrating physics-based animation software from the…
Sensitivity of ACL Volume and T2* Relaxation Time to Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan Conditions
This animal study investigated how different magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) conditions affect measurements of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Researchers in this pig study compared images taken at different reso…
Microscopic anatomy of the visceral fasciae
Researchers examined the microscopic structure of visceral fascia—the connective tissue surrounding internal organs—from eight cadavers. They analyzed samples from the thorax, abdomen, and around organs like the heart,…
Vitamin C–enriched gelatin supplementation before intermittent activity augments collagen synthesis
In a small study involving eight healthy men, researchers investigated the effect of vitamin C-enriched gelatin supplementation before exercise. Participants who consumed 15 grams of gelatin one hour before a short, int…
The myodural bridge existing in the Nephocaena phocaenoides
The myodural bridge is a connection between a small neck muscle and the spinal cord's outer covering (the dura mater) previously identified in humans. In this anatomical animal study, researchers investigated whether a…
Improvement of skin condition by oral administration of collagen hydrolysates in chronologically aged mice
This animal study investigated how oral supplementation of collagen hydrolysates derived from fish scales affected chronological skin aging in mice over six months. The researchers found that mice receiving collagen in…
Acute effects of foam rolling on passive tissue stiffness and fascial sliding: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
This document is a study protocol, outlining the planned method for a randomized controlled trial, not a report of its results. The researchers intend to investigate the immediate effects of foam rolling on the anterior…
Acoustic wave therapy for cellulite, body shaping and fat reduction
This study evaluated the efficacy of acoustic wave therapy (AWT) for cellulite and body shaping. Thirty women with moderate to severe cellulite underwent 12 treatment sessions on the glutes and thighs over six weeks. Th…
Dietary emulsifiers directly alter human microbiota composition and gene expression ex vivo potentiating intestinal inflammation
This study investigated how common food additives, specifically the emulsifiers polysorbate 80 (P80) and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), affect the gut microbiota. Using a laboratory model of the human intestinal ecosyste…
The universal existence of myodural bridge in mammals: an indication of a necessary function
The myodural bridge is a connective tissue structure linking one of the deep, upper neck muscles to the spinal dura mater. This anatomical study investigated whether this structure, known in humans, also exists in other…
Spontaneous ultra-weak photon emission in correlation to inflammatory metabolism and oxidative stress in a mouse model of collagen-induced arthritis
In this animal study, researchers investigated a mouse model of rheumatoid arthritis using two techniques: metabolomics (the analysis of metabolic products) and ultra-weak photon emission (UPE), which measures extremely…
Human mesenchymal stem cells secrete hyaluronan-coated extracellular vesicles
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are known to help with tissue repair, partly by releasing tiny packages called extracellular vesicles (EVs). This study investigated the connection between these EVs and hyaluronan (HA), a…
Shielding of the geomagnetic field reduces hydrogen peroxide production in human neuroblastoma cell and inhibits the activity of CuZn superoxide dismutase
This study investigates how an extremely weak magnetic field, similar to conditions in outer space or shielded environments on Earth, affects human cells. Researchers found that shielding the natural geomagnetic field r…
The second terminations of the suboccipital muscles: An assistant pivot for the To Be Named Ligament
In this anatomical dissection study of 35 head-neck specimens, researchers investigated small muscle attachments in the suboccipital region. The scientists confirmed the existence of "second terminations" from several s…
Evaluation of fascial manipulation in carpal tunnel syndrome
Details for this study are not yet available. The research, published in 2017, appears to evaluate the effectiveness of Fascial Manipulation® for treating carpal tunnel syndrome. Without an abstract, further details abo…
The nature and biology of basement membranes
This review article discusses the nature and biology of basement membranes. These are thin, flexible sheets of tissue that line and separate different structures in the body. Once thought to be just passive scaffolding,…
Touch, Tension, and Transduction - The Function and Regulation of Piezo Ion Channels
This narrative review explores Piezo1 and Piezo2, specialized proteins that act as the body's primary mechanical sensors. These ion channels convert physical forces like touch, tension, and fluid flow into electrical si…
Don’t Forget the Abdominal Wall: Imaging Spectrum of Abdominal Wall Injuries after Nonpenetrating Trauma
Abdominal wall injuries from non-penetrating trauma are relatively common but are often overlooked in the emergency department. This can happen because more severe, distracting injuries draw attention away, or because t…
Quantitative tissue parameters of Achilles tendon and plantar fascia in healthy subjects using a handheld myotonometer
This study examined the mechanical properties of the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia in over 150 healthy adults using a handheld device called a MyotonPRO. The goal was to establish baseline normal values for tissue…
Mechanical properties of a collagen fibril under simulated degradation
This study used computer simulations to investigate how collagen fibrils lose their strength. Researchers modeled three different types of degradation: the removal of cross-links, surface damage, and damage throughout t…
Massage therapy research review
This review summarizes research showing beneficial effects of massage therapy for a wide range of conditions, including prenatal depression, pain syndromes, autoimmune conditions, and issues related to aging. The author…
Amino acid composition in determination of collagen origin and assessment of physical factors effects
This study examines the amino acid composition of collagen derived from various sources, including fish skin, bovine Achilles tendon, and bone tissue. The researchers found that the levels of hydroxyproline, a unique am…
Molecular insights into prolyl and lysyl hydroxylation of fibrillar collagens in health and disease
This narrative review provides an updated overview of the complex process of creating mature collagen. The formation of collagen fibrils from precursor molecules involves many enzymes and chaperones in a series of steps…
Reconnecting the Body in Eastern and Western Medicine
Details 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…
Interaction between the gut microbiome and mucosal immune system
In this narrative review, the authors outline the two-way relationship between the gut microbiome and the mucosal immune system. A balanced microbiome is essential for the proper maturation and function of the immune sy…
Effect of MELT method on thoracolumbar connective tissue: The full study
This study investigated if the MELT method, a self-treatment technique using soft rollers and balls, could affect the thoracolumbar connective tissue in people with chronic low back pain. Researchers used ultrasound ima…
Biological effects of direct and indirect manipulation of the fascial system. Narrative review
This narrative review explores the biological effects of manual fascial therapies. While osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) is clinically effective, its underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. The authors…
Telocytes: Connective tissue repair and communication cells
This commentary highlights a newly identified type of connective tissue cell called a telocyte. We already know that other cells, like fibroblasts, respond to mechanical forces from manual therapy, influencing tissue re…
Multimerin-2 is a ligand for group 14 family C-type lectins CLEC14A, CD93 and CD248 spanning the endothelial pericyte interface
Researchers investigated how certain proteins interact to form new blood vessels, a process called angiogenesis that is crucial for tumor growth. This study, which included lab experiments and mouse models, identified a…
Semimembranosus Muscle Injuries In Sport. A Practical MRI use for Prognosis
This retrospective study investigated whether MRI scans could help predict recovery time for athletes with injuries to the semimembranosus, one of the hamstring muscles. Researchers analyzed MRI scans from 19 athletes,…
EFFECT OF MATRIX RHYTHM THERAPY (MRT) COMBINED WITH PHYSIOTHERAPY INTERVENTION IN FROZEN SHOULDER – A CASE REPORT
This case report describes the treatment of a 52-year-old man with a painful and stiff right shoulder, diagnosed as frozen shoulder. His condition also involved tendinosis, bursitis, and osteoarthritic changes. The pati…
We are operating too much
In this editorial, the author, an orthopedic and trauma surgeon, observes a rising number of operations for orthopedic and trauma ailments. He notes that this trend runs counter to the results of high-quality studies, w…
Ultra-weak photon emission as a dynamic tool for monitoring oxidative stress metabolism
This laboratory study investigated a method for measuring oxidative stress, a process linked to many diseases. Researchers used a technique called ultra-weak photon emission (UPE) to monitor human cells in a dish after…
Endogenous spontaneous ultraweek photon emission in the formation of eye-specific retinogeniculate projections before birth
It has long been a puzzle how the intricate nerve connections between the eye and brain form so accurately before birth, without any visual input. This theoretical paper proposes a novel explanation for this phenomenon.…
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…
Telocytes and Their Extracellular Vesicles—Evidence and Hypotheses
This narrative review discusses telocytes, a relatively new type of interstitial cell found throughout the body's connective tissues. These cells are characterized by long projections and are involved in communication b…
Three Case Reports of Successful Vibration Therapy of the Plantar Fascia for Spasticity Due to Cerebral Palsy-Like Syndrome, Fetal-Type Minamata Disease
This series of case reports describes the long-term effects of vibration therapy on lower-limb spasticity in three patients with fetal-type Minamata disease, a condition with symptoms similar to cerebral palsy. Research…
Health E!ects of Alkaline Diet and Water, Reduction of Digestive-tract Bacterial Load, and Earthing
This narrative review discusses how an alkaline diet, alkaline water, reduced digestive-tract bacterial load, and “earthing” might counter chronic low-grade acidosis. The author synthesizes literature suggesting these a…
Can fascia’s characteristics be influenced by manual therapy
This theoretical essay investigates the fundamental properties of collagen, a key component of fascia. The author explores how manual therapy might relate to the necessity of maintaining collagen's strength under load.…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Remote effects of lower limb stretching: preliminary evidence for myofascial connectivity?
This study investigated whether stretching the lower body could affect neck mobility. Twenty-six healthy participants were divided into two groups, with one group performing static stretches for the calf and hamstring m…
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), the main extracellular matrix (ECM) enzymes in collagen degradation, as a target for anticancer drugs
This review article describes matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), the primary enzymes responsible for breaking down collagen in the extracellular matrix. This breakdown process is normal and necessary for tissue remodelin…
Piezo2 is the principal mechanotransduction channel for proprioception
Proprioception is the sense of where our body parts are in space. In this animal study, researchers investigated the molecular sensor responsible for this ability in mice. They found that an ion channel called Piezo2 wa…
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…
Acute effects of muscle stretching on physical performance, range of motion, and injury incidence in healthy active individuals: a systematic review
This systematic review examines how different types of stretching (static, dynamic, and PNF) affect performance, range of motion (ROM), and injury risk in healthy individuals. The findings suggest that static stretching…