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.
Vitamin C Protects Chondrocytes against Monosodium Iodoacetate-Induced Osteoarthritis by Multiple Pathways
In this study using rat and cell models, researchers investigated if vitamin C could protect cartilage cells against osteoarthritis-like damage. The results showed that vitamin C reduced oxidative stress, inflammation,…
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…
Protein—glycosaminoglycan interaction networks: Focus on heparan sulfate
This research overview describes a project focused on glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), complex sugars found on the cell surface and in the extracellular matrix. Specifically, it investigates heparan sulfate and how it interac…
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…
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…
Acute bouts of upper and lower body static and dynamic stretching increase non‑local joint range of motion
This study investigated whether stretching one part of the body could increase flexibility in a completely different area. Researchers had participants perform either static or dynamic stretches for their shoulders and,…
Estrogen and Pelvic Organ Prolapse
This narrative review explores the relationship between estrogen and pelvic organ prolapse (POP), a condition where pelvic organs descend from their normal positions. Research suggests that low estrogen levels, particul…
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…
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…
Differential displacement of soft tissue layers from manual therapy loading
To better understand how manual therapy affects the body, researchers investigated how different layers of soft tissue in the back respond to pressure. They applied a standard preparatory force to the thoracic paraspina…
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.…
Ultra-weak photon emission of hands in aging prediction
This study, for which a full summary is not yet available, appears to investigate the relationship between ultra-weak photon emissions from the hands and the biological aging process. The title suggests researchers expl…
Ultra-weak photon emission in healthy subjects and patients with type 2 diabetes: evidence for a non-invasive diagnostic tool
All living organisms emit extremely faint light, known as ultra-weak photon emission (UPE). This study investigated whether these light emissions differ between healthy individuals and people with type 2 diabetes. Resea…
The relationship between pelvic alignment and dysmenorrhea
This study investigated the relationship between pelvic alignment and dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain). Researchers compared 102 women, divided into a group with menstrual pain and a group without, using 4D imaging to meas…
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…
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…
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…
Efficacy and tolerability of an undenatured type II collagen supplement in modulating knee osteoarthritis symptoms: a multicenter randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated the effects of undenatured type II collagen (UC-II) on symptoms of knee osteoarthritis. Over a 180-day period, 191 volunteers received either 40 mg of UC…
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…
Limited mechanical effects of intermuscular myofascial connections within the intact rat anterior crural compartment
In this animal study, researchers investigated the connective tissue links between two lower leg muscles in rats, the tibialis anterior and extensor digitorum longus. The goal was to see if these connections significant…
Whole-Body and Local Muscle Vibration Immediately Improve Quadriceps Function in Individuals With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
This randomized crossover trial investigated the immediate effects of vibration on quadriceps function in individuals with a prior anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Twenty participants performed isometric…
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…
Coordinated integrin activation by actin-dependent force during T-cell migration
Researchers investigated how immune cells, specifically T-cells, generate the force needed to move. Using fluorescent tension sensors, they visualized the tension within integrins, which are proteins that help cells gri…
Resveratrol attenuated estrogen-deficient-induced cardiac dysfunction: role of AMPK, SIRT1, and mitochondrial function
This animal study investigated how resveratrol, an antioxidant found in red grapes, affects cardiac function in estrogen-deficient mice. Researchers found that resveratrol supplementation significantly improved heart co…
Hyaluronic Acid in Inflammation and Tissue Regeneration
This review article summarizes the role of hyaluronic acid (HA) in tissue healing. As a main component of the extracellular matrix, HA is a key player in tissue regeneration. Interestingly, its effects depend on its mol…
The effect of an active vibration stimulus according to different shoulder joint angles on functional reach and stability of the shoulder joint
This study investigated how active vibration exercise with a Flexi-Bar at different shoulder angles affected shoulder joint function and stability in 30 healthy male students. Participants were divided into three groups…
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…
Microbiota-dependent sequelae of acute infection compromise tissue-specific immunity
A single acute infection can have long-term consequences for tissue-specific immunity, even after the pathogen is cleared. This study found that following a gut infection with Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, sustained infl…
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…
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®…
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…
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…
Hormone receptor expression in human fascial tissue
Adult women tend to experience more myofascial pain than men, and this study explored a possible hormonal link. Researchers examined fascial tissue from eight female volunteers, looking for receptors for the hormones es…
Connection of the Posterior Occipital Muscle and Dura Mater of the Siamese Crocodile
In this animal study, researchers investigated a connective tissue structure called the myodural bridge in six Siamese crocodiles. This bridge connects deep muscles in the suboccipital region to the dura mater, the oute…
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…
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…
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…
Internal strain drives spontaneous periodic buckling in collagen and regulates remodeling
This study investigated how collagen, a key structural protein, is remodeled. Researchers observed that the enzymes responsible for breaking down collagen, called MMPs, bind to specific, vulnerable spots that appear at…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Functional in vitro tension measurements of fascial tissue – a novel modified superfusion approach
In this laboratory study on rat tissue, researchers compared two techniques for measuring tension changes in fascia. The traditional method involves immersing the tissue in a fluid bath, but the team also tested a modif…
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…
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…
Stretch-induced network reconfiguration of collagen fibres in the human facet capsular ligament
The facet capsular ligament in the neck is a common source of chronic pain, often resulting from excessive stretching. This study investigated how the collagen fibers within this ligament reorganize when it is stretched…
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…
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…
Expression of the endocannabinoid receptors in human fascial tissue
Researchers investigated whether human fascia contains cannabinoid receptors, which are part of the body's endocannabinoid system. Taking small tissue samples from volunteers during orthopedic surgery, they analyzed the…
Myofascial triggerpoint release (MTR) for treating chronic shoulder pain: A novel approach
This study evaluated a specific manual therapy, myofascial trigger point release (MTR), for chronic shoulder pain. Twenty-three participants received four 10-minute sessions over two weeks, applied only to their more pa…
Thermographic mapping of the skin surface in biometric evaluation of cellulite treatment effectiveness
This study explored a new way to objectively measure the effectiveness of cellulite treatments using thermal imaging (thermography). Researchers followed ten women undergoing a series of treatments, taking thermal image…
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 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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…