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.
- A2016
A Systematic Review of the Soft-Tissue Connections Between Neck Muscles and Dura Mater
Luis Palomeque-del-Cerro, Luis A Arráez-Aybar, Cleofás Rodriguez-Blanco, Rafael Guzmán-Garcia, Mar Menendez-Aparicio, Á…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…
fasciaConnective tissueproprioceptionSpineAnatomy - B2016
Connecting (T)issues: How Research in Fascia Biology Can Impact Integrative Oncology
Helene M Langevin, Patricia Keely, Jun Mao, Lisa M Hodge, Robert Schleip, Gary Deng, Boris Hinz, Melody A Swartz, Bever…Many cancer patients use complementary therapies like massage, acupuncture, and yoga to improve their quality of life. This review article suggests these treatments may have further benefits by affecting the body's conn…
fasciaextracellular matrixcancerConnective tissue - A2015
A multidisciplinary approach to scars: a narrative review
Emiliano Zanier, Bruno BordoniThis 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…
fasciaosteopathyscarwoundcomplementary and alternative medicine - A2015
The fascial system and exercise intolerance in patients with chronic heart failure: hypothesis of osteopathic treatment
Bruno Bordoni, F MarelliThis 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…
fasciaManual TherapyOsteopathicfatiguechronic heart failure - 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 - A2015
Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Disturbed Coherence: Gate to Cancer
Jirí Pokorný, Jan Pokorný, Alberto Foletti, Jitka Kobilková, Jan Vrba, Jan Vrba JrThis 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…
fasciacancer biophysicsmitochondrial dysfunctionwater orderingmicrotubule oscillations - A2015
Innervation Changes Induced by Inflammation of the Thoracolumbar Fascia
U Hoheisel, J Rosner, S MenseThis 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…
inflammationfasciafasciitisfascia innervationsympathetic fibers - A2015
Glycosaminoglycans and Proteoglycans in Palmar Fascia of Patients with Dupuytren
Priscilla Carneiro Hirai Nascimento, Elsa Yoko Kobayashi, Luiz Guilherme de Saboya Lenzi, João baptista Gomes dos Santo…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…
fasciaProteoglycansdupuytren contractureglycosaminoglycans - A2015
The content and size of hyaluronan in biological fluids and tissues
Mary K Cowman, Hong-Gee Lee, Kathryn L Schwertfeger, James B McCarthy,, Eva A TurleyHyaluronan 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…
hyaluronanfasciaquantificationassaymolecular mass - A++2015
The Effects of Vibration and Muscle Fatigue on Trunk Sensorimotor Control in Low Back Pain Patients
Jean-Alexandre Boucher, Jacques Abboud, François Nougarou, Martin C Normand, Martin DescarreauxThis study compared trunk muscle control between people with chronic low back pain (cLBP) and healthy individuals. Researchers found that the cLBP group was less accurate at reproducing a specific amount of force with t…
fascialow back painmuscle fatiguevibration - A2015
Modes of cancer cell invasion and the role of the microenvironment
Andrew G Clark, Danijela Matic VignjevicFor 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…
fasciaextracellular matrixcancertumor invasionmicroenvironment - A2015
Modeled Osteopathic Manipulative Treatments: A Review of Their in Vitro Effects on Fibroblast Tissue Preparations
Manal Zein-Hammoud, Paul R StandleyThis 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…
fasciaFibroblastsManual TherapyOsteopathic - A2015
Modelling the mechanoreceptor’s dynamic behaviour
Zhuoyi Song, Robert W Banks, Guy S BewickThis 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…
fasciabiophysical modelfly photoreceptorrefractory periodsensory adaptation - A+2015
A unifying neuro-fasciagenic model of somatic dysfunction - Underlying mechanisms and treatment - Part II
Paolo TozziThis review paper proposes a new, unifying "neuro-fasciagenic" model for understanding somatic dysfunction. The author argues for a shift in perspective, moving from a purely neurological explanation to one where fascia…
fasciaManual Therapysomatic dysfunctionfascial dysfunctionfascial mechanisms - A2015
Hyaluronan, inflammation and breast cancer progression
Katryn L Schwertfeger, Mary K Cowman, Patrick G Telmer, Eva A Turley, James B McCarthyThis 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…
hyaluronaninflammationCD44fasciaBreast cancer - A2015
Sensory Nerve Fibers Containing Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide in Gastrocnemius, Latissimus Dorsi and Erector Spinae Muscles and Thoracolumbar Fascia in Mice
C M Barry, G Kestell, M Gillan, R V Haberberger, I L GibbinsIn 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…
fasciaBack PainThoracolumbar fasciaimmunohistochemistrysensory innervation - A2015
The effects of grounding (earthing) on inflammation, the immune response, wound healing, and prevention and treatment of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases
James L Oschman, Gaétan Chevalier, Richard BrownThis 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…
fasciachronic inflammationimmune systemwound repairwhite blood cells - A2015
Reflections on osteopathic fascia treatment in the peripheral nervous system
Bruno Bordoni, Giovanni BordoniIn 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…
fasciapainfascial treatmentnerve palpation - A2015
Evidence for the existence of nociceptors in rat thoracolumbar fascia
S Mense, U HoheiselThis 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…
inflammationfasciafasciitisnon-specific low back painfascia nociceptors - B2015
Myofascial Trigger Points Then and Now: A Historical and Scientific Perspective
Jay P Shah, Nikki Thaker, Juliana Heimur, Jacqueline V Aredo, Siddhartha Sikdar, Lynn H GerberThis narrative review explores the historical and scientific understanding of myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) and their role in myofascial pain syndrome (MPS). MTrPs are palpable nodules in taut muscle bands, long con…
fasciaMyofascial trigger points - A2015
Remodelling the extracellular matrix in development and disease
Caroline Bonnans, Jonathan Chou, Zena WerbThis 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…
fasciaextracellular matrixstiffnessmechanotransductionmatrix remodeling - A2015
Effects of non-pharmacological interventions on inflammatory biomarker expression in patients with fibromyalgia: a systematic review
Kenji Sanada, Marta Alda Díez, Montserrat Salas Valero, María Cruz Pérez-Yus, Marcelo M P Demarzo, Mauro García-Toro, J…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…
fasciaFibromyalgiapaincytokinessleep quality - A2015
Understanding Fibroblasts in Order to Comprehend the Osteopathic Treatment of the Fascia
Bruno Bordoni, Emiliano ZanierIn 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…
fasciafibroblastosteopathy - A2015
Hyaluronan’s Role in Fibrosis: A Pathogenic Factor or a Passive Player?
S Albeiroti, A Soroosh, C A de la MotteThis 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…
hyaluronanfasciafibrosis - A2015
Primo-Vascular System as Presented by Bong Han Kim
Vitaly Vodyanoy, Oleg Pustovyy, Ludmila Globa, Iryna SorokulovaIn 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…
fasciaprimo vascular system - A2015
Structural Integration as an Adjunct to Outpatient Rehabilitation for Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain: A Randomized Pilot Clinical Trial
Eric E Jacobson, Alec L Meleger, Paolo Bonato, Peter M Wayne, Helene M Langevin, Ted J Kaptchuk, Roger B DavisThis 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…
fascia - A2015
Investigation of meningomyovertebral structures within the upper cervical epidural space: a sheet plastination study with clinical implications
Frank Scali, Matthew E Pontell, Lance G Nash, Dennis E EnixThis 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…
fasciacervical spineMyodural Bridgedural lacerationsepidural space - 1A+2015
Fascia and Primo Vascular System
Chun Yang, Yi-kuan Du, Jian-bin Wu, JunWang, Ping Luan, Qin-lao Yang, Lin YuanIn this review article, the authors explore the idea that the body's network of fascia may be the physical structure corresponding to acupuncture meridians in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). They also discuss the pr…
fasciamechanotransductionprimo vascular systemBonghan systemfasciology - A2015
Primo Vascular System: An Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Potential Transitional Tissue Involved in Gastric Cancer Metastasis
An Ping, Su Zhendong, Qu Rongmei, Dai Jingxing, Chen Wei, Zhou Zhongyin, Luo Hesheng, Kwang-Sup SohThe 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…
fasciacancermetastasisprimo vascular system - A2015
Primo Vascular System: A Unique Biological System Shifting a Medical Paradigm
Bruno Chikly, Paul Roberts, Jörgen QuaghebeurThis 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…
fasciaprimo vascular system