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.
Endocannabinoids release after Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment. A brief review
This brief review examines how Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) may influence the body's endocannabinoid system, which is crucial for pain regulation and emotional well-being. By analyzing existing research, the…
Tissue Micro-channels Formed by Collagen Fibers and their Internal Components: Cellular Evidence of Proposed Meridian Conduits in Vertebrate Skin
This study examined fascia from various vertebrate species using microscopy to search for physical structures that might correspond to the meridian conduits described in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Researchers i…
Therapeutic importance of hydrogen sulfide in age-associated neurodegenerative diseases
This narrative review explores the potential of molecular hydrogen (H2) as a preventive and therapeutic medical gas for various health conditions. H2 acts as a selective antioxidant, specifically targeting the most harm…
The Efficacy of Stretching Exercises on Arterial Stiffness in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized and Non-Randomized Controlled Trials
This meta-analysis reviewed eight studies involving 213 middle-aged and older adults to see how stretching affects arterial stiffness. The combined results suggest that regular stretching can significantly reduce arteri…
Ascorbate as Prophylaxis and Therapy for COVID-19—Update From Shanghai and U.S. Medical Institutions
This 2020 report describes how a medical panel in Shanghai evaluated the use of intravenous (IV) ascorbate, or vitamin C, for patients with severe COVID-19. The panel reviewed existing studies and preliminary data from…
A Novel Role of Ascorbic Acid in Anti-Inflammatory Pathway and ROS Generation in HEMA Treated Dental Pulp Stem Cells
Components from common dental resins can sometimes cause inflammation and oxidative stress in the cells of the dental pulp. This laboratory study investigated whether ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) could protect human dental…
Is the VITAMINS RCT indicating potential redundancy between corticosteroids and vitamin C?
Known only by its title, this article appears to be a commentary or analysis of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) known as VITAMINS. The title poses a question about whether there might be a "redundancy," or overlappi…
Overview of the possible role of vitamin C in management of COVID-19
In this 2020 review, the authors examine the possible role of vitamin C in managing COVID-19. They note that the body's vitamin C levels often drop during an acute infection due to increased metabolic demands. Because v…
Effects of Cesarean Section and Vaginal Delivery on Abdominal Muscles and Fasciae
This study used ultrasound to compare the abdominal muscles and fascia of women who had a C-section, a vaginal delivery, or had never given birth. Researchers found that both types of delivery were associated with chang…
Antiviral Mechanisms of Vitamin C: A Short Communication Consensus Report
This 2020 publication is a consensus report from a large group of authors, summarizing agreed-upon points regarding vitamin C. Based on the title, the report details the various mechanisms by which vitamin C may exert a…
Vitamin D insufficiency as a potential culprit in critical COVID-19 patients
In this systematic review, researchers analyzed data from six studies to explore the association between vitamin D levels and COVID-19 severity. They found that patients with a poor prognosis had significantly lower ser…
Regular Supplementation With Resveratrol Improves Bone Mineral Density in Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial
This randomized, placebo-controlled trial investigated how daily resveratrol supplementation affects bone health in postmenopausal women. Over 12 months, participants taking 75 mg of resveratrol twice daily showed incre…
A new clinical trial to test high-dose vitamin C in patients with COVID-19
This 2020 entry by Anitra C. Carr announces a new clinical trial. The study was designed to investigate the effects of high-dose vitamin C on patients with COVID-19. As this is only a title entry, no details about the s…
Tendon and ligament mechanical loading in the pathogenesis of inflammatory arthritis
This review article discusses how mechanical loading affects tendons and ligaments. While normal levels of loading are essential for maintaining tissue health, pathological levels of force act as a stressor that can tri…
Feeling Things Out: Bidirectional Signaling of the Cell–ECM Interface, Implications in the Mechanobiology of Cell Spreading, Migration, Proliferation, and Differentiation
This narrative review describes how cells and their surrounding environment, the extracellular matrix (ECM), constantly communicate with each other. This communication involves physical cues from the ECM being translate…
Symptomatology correlations between the diaphragm and irritable bowel syndrome
This narrative review explores the potential connection between the diaphragm muscle and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). The authors propose that an altered contractile ability of the diaphragm and different breathing p…
Alterations of Extracellular Matrix Mechanical Properties Contribute to Age-Related Functional Impairment of Human Skeletal Muscles
This study investigated why muscles become stiffer with age by comparing individual muscle fibers to bundles of fibers that include the extracellular matrix (ECM). Researchers found that while the stiffness of individua…
T1ρ‐Mapping for Musculoskeletal Pain Diagnosis: Case Series of Variation of Water Bound Glycosaminoglycans Quantification before and after Fascial Manipulation® in Subjects with Elbow Pain
In this small case series, researchers evaluated five patients with chronic elbow pain. Using an advanced MRI technique (T1ρ-mapping), they measured the concentration of bound and unbound water in the deep fascia before…
Fascia and soft tissues innervation in the human hip and their possible role in post-surgical pain
Researchers investigated the nerve supply to various soft tissues in the human hip to better understand persistent pain after hip replacement surgery. Analyzing tissue samples from patients and cadavers, they measured t…
A randomized clinical trial for the effect of static stretching and strengthening exercise on pelvic tilt angle in LBP patients
This randomized clinical trial investigated whether stretching or strengthening tight hamstrings could change pelvic posture in people with low back pain. Forty-five participants were divided into three groups: static s…
Local low-intensity vibration improves healing of muscle injury in mice
In this animal study, researchers investigated how local low-intensity vibration (LIV) affects muscle injury healing in mice. After lacerating the gastrocnemius (calf) muscle in mice, one group received daily vibration…
Telocytes and lymphatic endothelial cells: Two immunophenotypically distinct and spatially close cell entities
Researchers have been working to clarify the identity of two cell types, telocytes and lymphatic endothelial cells, which can sometimes look similar in tissue samples. This study used a specific staining technique to lo…
Identification of Telocytes in the Pancreas of Turtles—A role in Cellular Communication
In this animal study, researchers examined the pancreas of turtles to look for a specific cell type called telocytes. Using advanced microscopy and other laboratory techniques, they confirmed for the first time that the…
A Review of the Theoretical Fascial Models: Biotensegrity, Fascintegrity, and Myofascial Chains
In this review article, the authors discuss three theoretical models used to understand how fascia functions in the body. The biotensegrity model is mechanical and considers the solid fascia, while the fascintegrity mod…
Prevention and treatment of COVID-19 infection by earthing
This observational study investigated the effects of 'earthing'—direct physical contact with the ground—in 59 people with COVID-19. Participants engaged in earthing for 15 minutes to 3 hours daily. The author reported t…
Long-term resveratrol supplementation improves pain perception, menopausal symptoms, and overall well-being in postmenopausal women: findings from a 24-month randomized, controlled, crossover trial
This 24-month randomized controlled crossover trial investigated the effects of daily resveratrol supplementation in 125 postmenopausal women. The findings suggest that taking 75 mg of resveratrol twice daily may reduce…
Manipulation of the Fascial System Applied During Acute Inflammation of the Connective Tissue of the Thoracolumbar Region Affects Transforming Growth Factor-β1 and Interleukin-4 Levels: Experimental Study in Mice
This animal study investigated the effects of manual fascial manipulation on acute inflammation in the connective tissue of mice's lower backs. Researchers induced inflammation and then applied a specific manipulation p…
Low-frequency mechanical vibration induces apoptosis of A431 epidermoid carcinoma cells
Researchers are exploring mechanical vibration as a potential cancer therapy that avoids harming healthy cells. In this lab study, a brief, low-frequency vibration was applied to a line of human skin cancer cells (A431)…
Calf stretching and plantar fascia-specific stretching for plantar fasciitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis
This systematic review and meta-analysis looked at eight studies to compare two common stretching techniques for plantar fasciitis: calf stretching and plantar fascia-specific stretching. The authors analyzed the data t…
Day of peak pain reduction by a single session of dry needling in the upper trapezius myofascial trigger points: A 14 daily follow-up study
This study tracked daily pain in people with upper trapezius trigger points following a single dry needling session. Participants received one treatment combined with self-stretching exercises and reported their pain fo…
Iliopsoas muscle thickness and pelvic alignment in pronated and normal foot postures
This study investigated whether chronic foot hyperpronation is linked to changes in pelvic alignment and iliopsoas muscle thickness. Researchers compared a group of women with pronated feet to a group with normal foot p…
Morphological and immunophenotypic characterization of perivascular interstitial cells in human glioma: Telocytes, pericytes, and mixed immunophenotypes
Researchers investigated two types of cells, telocytes and pericytes, found around blood vessels in brain tumors. The study found that the number of telocytes was ten times higher in the more aggressive glioblastoma tum…
Bicarbonate use and mortality outcome among critically ill patients with metabolic acidosis: A meta analysis
This meta-analysis investigated whether treating critically ill patients with sodium bicarbonate for metabolic acidosis, a condition of excess acid in the blood, affects mortality. The use of bicarbonate in intensive ca…
The relaxin family peptide receptor 1 (RXFP1): An emerging player in human health and disease
This review article explores the relaxin hormone and its receptor, RXFP1, a signaling pathway known for its ability to soften ligaments and connective tissue. While relaxin shows potent antifibrotic potential in laborat…
Narrative review of the epidemiology, diagnosis and pathophysiology of pelvic organ prolapse
This narrative review examines the epidemiology and causes of pelvic organ prolapse (POP), a condition affecting many women's quality of life. The authors highlight a discrepancy in prevalence rates, noting that while a…
Cannabinoids in Medicine: Cancer, Immunity, and Microbial Diseases
This narrative review explores how cannabinoids, including those from plants and those produced naturally by the body, influence health through the endocannabinoid system. The authors describe how these compounds intera…
Role of vitamin K 2 in bone metabolism: a point of view and a short reappraisal of the literature
This narrative review examines the role of Vitamin K2 in bone metabolism and its contribution to maintaining skeletal integrity. Vitamin K2 is essential for activating osteocalcin, a key protein that binds calcium to th…
Is the extent of obstetric anal sphincter injury correlated with the severity of fecal incontinence in the long term?
This retrospective study investigated the relationship between the extent of obstetric anal sphincter injury and the severity of long-term fecal incontinence (FI). Researchers analyzed data from 250 women with a mean ag…
The potential of cannabidiol in the COVID-19 pandemic
This scientific hypothesis explores the potential of cannabidiol (CBD) as a supportive treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors suggest that CBD may down-regulate the receptors the virus uses for cellular ent…
Cannabis and cannabidiol (CBD) for the treatment of fibromyalgia
This narrative review examines the use of cannabis and cannabidiol (CBD) for treating fibromyalgia, a complex condition that often responds poorly to standard therapies. The authors note that while high-quality randomiz…
Sustained Cerebrovascular and Cognitive Benefits of Resveratrol in Postmenopausal Women
This randomized controlled trial investigated how daily resveratrol supplementation affects brain health in postmenopausal women over a 12-month period. Participants took either 75 mg of trans-resveratrol twice daily or…
Ageing of the diaphragm muscle
This narrative review explores how the diaphragm, our main breathing muscle, is affected by aging. Like other muscles, the diaphragm can weaken and lose mass over time, a condition known as sarcopenia. This age-related…
Mechanical sensing protein PIEZO1 regulates bone homeostasis via osteoblast-osteoclast crosstalk
This study using mouse models investigates how the protein PIEZO1 acts as a mechanical sensor in the skeleton to regulate bone mass. Researchers found that a deficiency of PIEZO1 in bone-forming cells (osteoblasts) lead…
Muscle Cramps
Muscle cramps are involuntary, painful, and localized contractions of a muscle or muscle fibers, often felt as a palpable knot. While common in sports, their exact cause is not fully understood and likely depends on var…
Fasting-mimicking diet plus chemotherapy in breast cancer treatment
This clinical trial investigated whether a fasting-mimicking diet (FMD) combined with chemotherapy could improve outcomes for breast cancer patients. The overall results were negative, meaning the study did not find a s…
Sympathetic activation: a potential link between comorbidities and COVID-19
In this perspective article, researchers propose a potential link between common comorbidities and severe COVID-19 outcomes. Conditions like heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes, which are risk factors for severe C…
Diet as a Modulator of Intestinal Microbiota in Rheumatoid Arthritis
This narrative review explores how dietary patterns can influence the gut microbiota in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Research indicates that RA patients often exhibit significant differences in their inte…
Gut Microbiota and Cardiovascular Disease
This review explores how the gut microbiota influences cardiovascular health through the production of specific metabolic byproducts. Research suggests that the link is not merely associative; certain bacterial metaboli…
Ankle Motion Is Associated With Soft Tissue Displacement in the Dorsal Thigh: An in vivo Investigation Suggesting Myofascial Force Transmission Across the Knee Joint
This study investigated how ankle motion affects tissue in the back of the thigh. Researchers passively stretched the calves of healthy participants lying prone with an extended knee. Using ultrasound, they observed tha…
Vitamin C-An Adjunctive Therapy for Respiratory Infection, Sepsis and COVID-19
In this literature review, the authors examine vitamin C as a potential adjunctive therapy for respiratory infections, sepsis, and COVID-19. They highlight the vitamin's antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulat…
The Cranial Bowl in the New Millennium and Sutherland's Legacy for Osteopathic Medicine: Part 1
In this review article, the first of a two-part series, the authors examine the foundational assumptions of cranial osteopathy. They argue that a theoretical model must evolve with new scientific information to avoid be…
Repositioning Vitamin C as a Promising Option to Alleviate Complications associated with COVID-19
This narrative review explores the potential of Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) for managing complications associated with COVID-19. The authors highlight its known functions, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and i…
Nutrition, immunity and COVID-19
This review discusses the crucial role of nutrition in supporting the immune system's ability to fight infections. A well-functioning immune response requires a steady supply of energy and specific nutrients derived fro…
The Five Diaphragms in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine: Myofascial Relationships, Part 1
This review article outlines the osteopathic concept of the body's "five diaphragms": the tentorium cerebelli, tongue, thoracic outlet, respiratory diaphragm, and pelvic floor. According to the osteopathic respiratory-c…
The Five Diaphragms in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine: Myofascial Relationships, Part 2
This conceptual review article continues an examination of the "five diaphragms" concept within osteopathic manipulative medicine. The paper focuses on the myofascial connections along the front and sides of the body, e…
Effect of Low-Intensity Vibration on Bone Strength, Microstructure, and Adiposity in Pre-Osteoporotic Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial
This randomized, placebo-controlled trial investigated if daily low-intensity vibration could improve bone health in postmenopausal women with pre-osteoporosis. For one year, one group used a vibrating platform for 10 m…
Mini-Review on the Roles of Vitamin C, Vitamin D, and Selenium in the Immune System against COVID-19
This mini-review discusses how vitamin C, vitamin D, and selenium may affect the immune system in relation to COVID-19. Research suggests that deficiencies in these micronutrients are common in patients with acute respi…
A Closer Look at Anandamide Interaction With TRPV1
This study used advanced molecular dynamics simulations to investigate how anandamide, an endocannabinoid, interacts with the TRPV1 ion channel, which is central to pain perception. The researchers observed that anandam…
The Rolf Method of Structural Integration and Pelvic Floor Muscle Facilitation: Preliminary Results of a Randomized, Interventional Study
This randomized, interventional study investigated how the Rolf Method of Structural Integration (SI) affects pelvic floor muscle function in healthy women. Thirty-three women were divided into two groups; one received…
Do Interventions with Diet or Dietary Supplements Reduce the Disease Activity Score in Rheumatoid Arthritis? A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials
This systematic review examined randomized controlled trials to determine if diet or dietary supplements can reduce disease activity in adults with rheumatoid arthritis. The researchers found moderate-strength evidence…