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.
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…
Glycine improves biochemical and biomechanical properties following inflammation of the achilles tendon
This animal study investigated the effect of the amino acid glycine on inflamed Achilles tendons in rats. Researchers induced inflammation and then fed one group of rats a diet supplemented with 5% glycine. After 22 day…
Changes in electrical pain threshold of fascia and muscle after initial and secondary bouts of elbow flexor eccentric exercise
This study investigated how pain sensitivity changes in fascia and muscle after strenuous eccentric exercise. Ten young men performed two bouts of maximal eccentric elbow curls, four weeks apart. After the first session…
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…
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…
Neurovisceral phenotypes in the expression of psychiatric symptoms
This narrative review explores the idea that vulnerability to anxiety may be rooted in inherent physical differences in how the body is regulated. The authors focus on conditions like joint hypermobility, Postural Tachy…
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…
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…
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…
An overview of the beneficial effects of hydrolysed collagen intake on joint and bone health and on skin ageing
This narrative review summarizes research on hydrolysed collagen (HC) and its impact on joint, bone, and skin health. Evidence suggests that these small collagen peptides are highly bioavailable and accumulate in connec…
Meralgia paresthetica caused by entrapment of the lateral femoral subcutaneous nerve at the fascia lata of the thigh: a case report and literature review
This case report and literature review describe an unusual presentation of meralgia paresthetica, a condition causing numbness and pain in the outer thigh. While the condition typically involves nerve entrapment at the…
Effects of plant sterols derived from Aloe vera gel on human dermal fibroblasts in vitro and on skin condition in Japanese women
This study investigated how plant sterols from Aloe vera gel affect the skin, using both laboratory tests on human skin cells (fibroblasts) and a clinical trial with women. In the lab, these sterols were found to stimul…
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…
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…
Neuroimaging and psychophysiological investigation of the link between anxiety, enhanced affective reactivity and interoception in people with joint hypermobility
This study investigated the connection between joint hypermobility, anxiety, and interoception (the sense of the body's internal state). Researchers confirmed that hypermobility is associated with higher levels of anxie…
Clinical Relevance of Fascial Tissue and Dysfunctions
Fascia is a continuous network of connective tissue that supports the entire body. Traditionally seen as a passive structure, recent research shows it plays a more active role. Fascia contains contractile elements that…
Neuroreceptor Activation by Vibration-Assisted Tunneling
This theoretical study used quantum chemical modeling to explore how receptors in the nervous system get activated. The researchers propose a model where a molecule's specific vibrations, like a musical key, may be what…
Mechanotransduction and extracellular matrix homeostasis
Connective tissues are dynamic, constantly adapting even at rest. Cells within these tissues continually sense mechanical cues from their environment through a process called mechanotransduction. In response, they maint…
The Medium of Haptic Perception: A Tensegrity Hypothesis
In this theoretical paper, the authors propose a new hypothesis for how our sense of touch, or haptic perception, works. Unlike other senses that have a clear medium (like air for sound), the haptic system lacks one. Th…
Towards whole-body ultra-weak photon counting and imaging with a focus on human beings: A review
In this review article, the authors describe the history and development of research into ultra-weak photon emission (UPE), the faint light naturally emitted by the human body. The scientific understanding of this pheno…
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…
Treatment of Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome according to the Fascial Distortion Model: A Prospective Case Control Study
This prospective case-control study investigated the Fascial Distortion Model (FDM) for treating medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS), or shin splints. Researchers applied targeted manual techniques to the lower leg fas…
Painful Connections: Densification Versus Fibrosis of Fascia
In this review article, the authors describe two types of fascial changes that can cause pain: densification and fibrosis. Densification is described as a reversible alteration in the viscosity of the loose connective t…
Chiropractic Management of Pubic Symphysis Shear Dysfunction in a Patient With Overactive Bladder
This case report describes the chiropractic care of a 24-year-old woman with an overactive bladder, specifically frequent nighttime urination that disrupted her sleep. A physical examination revealed a shear dysfunction…
Ultra-weak photon emission from biological samples: Definition, mechanisms, properties, detection and applications
This review article summarizes the current understanding of ultra-weak photon emission (UPE), a faint light naturally produced by living organisms. This light, a form of chemiluminescence, is generated during normal met…
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…
Primary frozen shoulder: brief review of pathology and imaging abnormalities
This narrative review examines the underlying pathology of primary frozen shoulder, a condition causing spontaneous pain and stiffness in the shoulder joint. The authors summarize evidence indicating that the main issue…
The Role of Functional Foods in Cutaneous Anti-aging
This narrative review examines how functional foods and oral supplements may influence skin aging by addressing oxidative stress and inflammation. Research suggests that compounds such as carotenoids, aloe vera, red gin…
Spatiotemporal Imaging of Glutamate-Induced Biophotonic Activities and Transmission in Neural Circuits
This study on mouse brain tissue investigated biophotons, which are ultra-weak light emissions from biological systems. Researchers found that applying the neurotransmitter glutamate caused a significant and long-lastin…
Oral supplementation of specific collagen peptides has beneficial effects on human skin physiology: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study
This double-blind, placebo-controlled study investigated the effects of daily collagen peptide supplementation in individuals with knee osteoarthritis. Participants received either porcine or bovine collagen, or a place…
Fat Connected with the Primo Vascular System
This research entry is currently available as a title only, so a detailed summary is not yet possible. The title, "Fat Connected with the Primo Vascular System," suggests an investigation into the relationship between a…
Specific Sizes of Hyaluronan Oligosaccharides Stimulate Fibroblast Migration and Excisional Wound Repair
Hyaluronan (HA) is a molecule important for wound healing, and its effects appear to depend on its size. In this study using cell cultures and animal models, researchers investigated how specific, small fragments of HA…
Mechanisms of Myofascial Pain
This 2014 narrative review discusses the potential causes of myofascial pain. Myofascial pain syndrome is a common condition involving painful trigger points in muscle, but its precise mechanisms are not well understood…
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…
Dietary Hyaluronic Acid Migrates into the Skin of Rats
In this animal study, researchers investigated whether orally ingested hyaluronic acid could reach the skin in rats. Using a radio-labeled version of hyaluronic acid, they tracked its path through the body after rats we…
Ingested hyaluronan moisturizes dry skin
This review article summarizes research on how oral hyaluronan (HA) supplements may influence skin hydration levels. Studies suggest that a daily intake of 120–240 mg of hyaluronic acid can contribute to increased moist…
Biotensegrity of the extracellular matrix: physiology, dynamic mechanical balance, and implications in oncology and mechanotherapy
This 2014 review article explores the concept of biotensegrity, a principle where cells and tissues maintain structural integrity through a balance of tension and compression. This dynamic mechanical balance involves th…
Cartilage repair using human embryonic stem cell-derived chondroprogenitors
In this animal study, researchers developed a method to turn human embryonic stem cells into cartilage-forming cells under laboratory conditions. These new cells were then implanted into cartilage defects in the knee jo…
The role of collagen crosslinks in ageing and diabetes - the good, the bad, and the ugly
This narrative review explores how glucose in the body can bind to proteins like collagen, a process called glycation. This process creates crosslinks that can change the mechanical properties and function of connective…
Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1-induced excitation and sensitization to mechanical stimulation of mechanosensitive C-fiber afferents in rat skin
In this animal study, researchers investigated the effects of the protein MCP-1, which is involved in inflammation, on nerve endings in the skin. Using skin-nerve preparations from rats, they found that applying MCP-1 d…
Ultrasound Elastography: The New Frontier in Direct Measurement of Muscle Stiffness
This 2014 review article describes ultrasound elastography, a technology that can directly measure the mechanical properties of tissue, such as muscle stiffness. The authors suggest that its real-time measurements can a…
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…
Uptake and intracytoplasmic storage of pigmented particles by human CD34+ stromal cells/telocytes: endocytic property of telocytes
Researchers investigated whether a specific type of connective tissue cell, called a telocyte, could absorb foreign particles. They examined human colon tissue that had been injected with India ink as a surgical marker.…
Antioxidants, inflammation and cardiovascular disease
This narrative review explores the links between inflammation, oxidative stress, and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The authors explain that chronic immune activation in CVD leads to high levels of reactive oxygen specie…
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…
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…
Skin, fascias, and scars: symptoms and systemic connections
This review article explores how skin, fascia, and scars are interconnected and can affect the entire body. The authors describe the skin as an organ that communicates with the nervous system and other structures. When…
Contractile elements in muscular fascial tissue – implications for in-vitro contracture testing for malignant hyperthermia
Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a rare but serious reaction to general anesthesia, diagnosed using a test on a skeletal muscle biopsy. Since muscle samples also contain fascia, which has contractile cells called myofibro…
Pro-Resolving lipid mediators and Mechanisms in the resolution of acute inflammation
In this narrative review, the authors explain that the resolution of inflammation is an active, carefully orchestrated process, not just the passive stopping of an inflammatory response. Specific molecules called specia…
Altered Gene Transcription in Human Cells Treated with Ludox® Silica Nanoparticles
This in vitro study investigated how human lung cells react to exposure to Ludox® silica nanoparticles, which are common in industrial and biomedical applications. Using genetic analysis, researchers observed that the c…
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,…
Antioxidants in health and disease
This narrative review summarizes research on antioxidants published since 2010. The main role of antioxidants is to neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are linked to conditions like cardiovascular disease, c…
Peripheral Mechanisms Contributing to Spasticity and Implications for Treatment
This narrative review explores how changes in connective tissue might contribute to spasticity following a central nervous system injury. The authors suggest that the initial injury can alter the turnover of hyaluronic…
Ultraweak photon emission as a non-invasive health assessment: a systematic review
This systematic review explores the use of ultraweak photon emission (UPE) as a non-invasive tool for assessing human health. By analyzing 56 studies, researchers found that measuring light particles emitted by the body…
Role of reactive oxygen species in ultra-weak photon emission in biological systems
This narrative review explores the connection between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the faint light, or ultra-weak photon emission, that living organisms naturally produce. The authors explain that normal metabolic…
Age- and diabetes-related nonenzymatic crosslinks in collagen fibrils: Candidate amino acids involved in Advanced Glycation End-products
Advanced Glycation End-products (AGEs) are harmful crosslinks that form in collagen with aging and in diabetes, making tissues stiffer. However, the exact location of these crosslinks has been unclear. In this theoretic…
Whey protein hydrolysate augments tendon and muscle hypertrophy independent of resistance exercise contraction mode
This study investigated the effects of resistance training combined with either whey protein or a placebo on muscle and tendon growth. Twenty-two participants performed 12 weeks of knee extension training, using eccentr…
New perspective in cell communication: Potential role of ultra-weak photon emission
This 2014 narrative review explores how cells might communicate with each other. Beyond chemical signals and direct contact, the authors discuss evidence for communication via electromagnetic radiation, specifically ult…
The cervical myodural bridge, a review of literature and clinical implications
This literature review examines the cervical myodural bridge, a soft tissue connection between deep suboccipital muscles and the dura mater surrounding the spinal cord. This bridge appears to anchor the spinal cord and…
The effectiveness of exercise interventions to prevent sports injuries: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
This systematic review and meta-analysis examined 25 studies to evaluate which types of exercise best prevent sports injuries. The analysis included over 26,000 participants and data on more than 3,400 injuries. Researc…