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.
Future Aspects for Cannabinoids in Breast Cancer Therapy
This scientific review explores how cannabinoids, such as THC and CBD, may influence breast cancer beyond their established role in palliative care for pain and nausea. Research suggests that cannabinoids might decelera…
Observation using thermography of post-operative reaction after fascial manipulation®
This study investigated whether Fascial Manipulation® causes a local increase in skin temperature, which is theorized to be part of its mechanism. Researchers used a thermal-imaging camera to measure skin temperature in…
Association of thoraco-lumbar fascia length in individuals with non-specific low back pain - an observational study
This observational study compared 31 people with non-specific low back pain to 31 healthy individuals to investigate the thoracolumbar fascia (TLF). Researchers measured TLF length by assessing lumbar spine rotation, an…
Glut-1 explains the evolutionary advantage of the loss of endogenous vitamin C-synthesis
Unlike many animals, humans cannot produce their own vitamin C. This study explores a potential evolutionary advantage of this loss. Researchers compared red blood cells from humans and pigs (who can make vitamin C) and…
A prophylactic effect of local vibration on quadriceps muscle fatigue in non-athletic males: a randomized controlled trial study
This randomized controlled trial investigated whether local vibration could prevent muscle fatigue. Thirty healthy, non-athletic young men were divided into two groups: one received two minutes of vibration on their qua…
Is It All About the Fascia? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Prevalence of Extramuscular Connective Tissue Lesions in Muscle Strain Injury
This systematic review and meta-analysis examined how often connective tissue is damaged in athletic muscle strains. Researchers analyzed 16 imaging studies and found that lesions to the fascia and tendons are highly pr…
The Primo Vascular System as a Possible Exosomal Route Across the Body: Implications for Tumor Proliferation and Metastasis
This literature review proposes a possible link between the primo vascular system (PVS)—a network associated with Traditional Chinese Medicine meridians—and the way cancer spreads. The theory is that exosomes, tiny vesi…
The plasma membrane as a mechanochemical transducer
In this review article, researchers describe how the plasma membrane, the cell's outer boundary, acts as a key sensor for mechanical forces. The membrane senses and responds to physical stresses from its environment, su…
Cellular nanoscale stiffness patterns governed by intracellular forces
Cell stiffness is important in many biological processes, but its precise relationship to the forces acting inside the cell has been unclear. In this study, researchers developed a new high-resolution imaging platform t…
Mechanobiology of cells and cell systems, such as organoids
This review discusses organoids, which are three-dimensional tissues grown in a lab that self-organize to mimic organ development. While organoids offer great potential for disease modeling and drug development, little…
The Awareness of the Fascial System
In this theoretical article, the authors propose a new way of looking at the fascial system, drawing on concepts from quantum physics. They suggest that fascial cells can sense, remember, and even anticipate mechanical…
The fascial breath
This narrative review proposes a new way of understanding the diaphragm muscle, moving beyond a purely mechanical view. The authors argue that the diaphragm is not just covered by fascia but is fundamentally a fascial t…
A Systematic Review of the Morphology and Function of the Sacrotuberous Ligament
This systematic review examined existing research on the sacrotuberous ligament (STL) to clarify its anatomy and function. The STL is often implicated in conditions like pelvic girdle pain, but its exact role has been d…
The Other Side of the Fascia: The SmoothMuscle Part 1
This theoretical article challenges the standard definition of fascia. Traditionally, fascia is considered connective tissue originating from two embryonic layers, the mesoderm and ectoderm. The authors propose expandin…
Specific Collagen Peptides in Combination with Resistance Training Improve Body Composition and Regional Muscle Strength in Premenopausal Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial
This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of combining resistance training with a daily intake of 15 grams of specific collagen peptides in premenopausal women. Over 12 weeks, participants trained three…
High-dose vitamin C suppresses the invasion and metastasis of breast cancer cells via inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition
This study on breast cancer cells in the lab and in mice explored how different doses of vitamin C affect cancer cell behavior. Researchers found that low and medium doses of vitamin C seemed to encourage cancer cells t…
The Other Side of the Fascia: Visceral Fascia, Part 2
This editorial, part two of a series, argues for including certain internal organs (viscera) within the definition of fascia. From an osteopathic perspective, the authors suggest that understanding these organs as fasci…
Acute Effects of Static Stretching on Muscle Strength and Power: An Attempt to Clarify Previous Caveats
This narrative review examines how static stretching affects subsequent strength and power. While static stretching was once thought to hinder performance, recent evidence suggests the duration of the stretch is the cri…
Collagen changes in pelvic support tissues in women with pelvic organ prolapse
This narrative review summarizes research on how changes in collagen are linked to pelvic organ prolapse in women. Collagen is a critical component of the pelvic floor, providing essential supportive functions. Studies…
Effect of collagen supplementation on osteoarthritis symptoms: a meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials
This meta-analysis of five randomized placebo-controlled trials evaluated the impact of oral collagen supplementation on osteoarthritis (OA) symptoms. The findings suggest that collagen may help reduce the overall disea…
Intra-articular effects of combined xenogenous serum rich in growth factors (SRGF) and vitamin C on histopathology grading and staging of osteoarthritis in rat model
This animal study investigated a potential treatment for osteoarthritis (OA) in rats. Researchers induced OA in the rats' knees and then treated them with intra-articular injections. One group received a combination of…
Suboccipital Myodural Bridges Revisited: Application to Cervicogenic Headaches
This anatomical study investigated the connective tissue structures, known as myodural bridges, in the suboccipital region of 30 human fetuses. Researchers identified two types of these bridges connecting muscles at the…
Bone Tissue is an Integral Part of the Fascial System
This review article proposes that bone tissue should be considered an integral part of the fascial system, a departure from the current definition. The authors support this by highlighting the shared embryological origi…
Role of the immune system in vascular function and blood pressure control induced by faecal microbiota transplantation in rats
This animal study investigated the link between gut bacteria, the immune system, and blood pressure in rats. Researchers transplanted gut microbiota between spontaneously hypertensive rats and rats with normal blood pre…
Vitamin C: an essential “stress hormone” during sepsis
The body's stress response involves hormones like cortisol and catecholamines, but in most mammals, it also includes increased production of vitamin C. These substances work together to protect the body from damage duri…
Quantifying muscle glycosaminoglycan levels in patients with post-stroke muscle stiffness using T1p MRI
This study is the first to quantify the amount of hyaluronan, a key component for gliding movements within fascia. Researchers measured hyaluronan in tissue samples from various human anatomical sites and found that the…
Effects of season long participation on ACL volume in female intercollegiate soccer athletes
This study investigated how a competitive season affects the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in female collegiate soccer players. Researchers used MRI scans to measure ACL volume in 17 athletes before and after their s…
A Primitive Trait in Two Breeds of Equus Caballus Revealed by Comparative Anatomy of the Distal Limb
This comparative anatomy study investigated the lower limbs of 574 equids, including 18 horse breeds, donkeys, zebras, and Przewalski's horses. Researchers looked for two specific ligamentous structures that are remnant…
Drinking hydrogen water enhances endurance and relieves psychometric fatigue: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study investigated the effects of drinking hydrogen-infused water (H2 water) before exercise. Across two experiments involving both untrained and trained participants on…
Measuring the Human Ultra-Weak Photon Emission Distribution Using an Electron-Multiplying, Charge-Coupled Device as a Sensor
Living systems, including humans, emit an extremely faint light called ultra-weak photon emission (UPE). This light is thought to be a byproduct of metabolic processes, particularly those involving reactive oxygen speci…
Negative Air Ions and Their Effects on Human Health and Air Quality Improvement
This review paper examines the research on negative air ions (NAIs) and their effects on human health and air quality. Used for over a century in air cleaning, NAIs are associated with improved psychological health and…
Equine Manual Therapies in Sport Horse Practice
Manual therapies can provide diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for assessing and managing neuromuscular coordination and strength in sport horses. This review describes various techniques, including active and passi…
Effects of Plantar Vibration on Bone and Deep Fascia in a Rat Hindlimb Unloading Model of Disuse
This animal study investigated how disuse affects deep fascia and bone, and whether vibration could counteract these effects. Researchers used a rat model where hindlimbs were unloaded for 21 days to simulate disuse, wh…
Effect of Health-Promoting Agents on Exclusion-Zone Size
This experimental study investigated how various health-promoting agents affect the formation of "exclusion zone" (EZ) water, often referred to as the fourth phase of water. Researchers found that substances such as hol…
Bone is fascia
This entry, based on its title alone, proposes a conceptual link between bone and fascia. Without an abstract or full text, the specific arguments made by the author remain unclear. The title 'Bone is fascia' suggests a…
Quantification of hyaluronan in human fasciae: variations with function and anatomical site
This study quantified for the first time the amount of hyaluronan (HA), a key lubricant, in human fascia from different parts of the body. Since HA is essential for the smooth gliding between fascial layers, understandi…
Emission of Biophotons and Adjustable Sounds by the Fascial System: Review and Reflections for Manual Therapy
In this narrative review, the authors explore how fascia, the web of connective tissue enveloping everything in the body, might communicate. They discuss research suggesting the fascial system may emit faint light parti…
Lymphatic System Flows
The lymphatic system plays a crucial role in the body's fluid balance by collecting fluid that has leaked from blood vessels and returning it to the bloodstream. This process works against an adverse pressure gradient,…
Cellular Mechanotransduction: From Tension to Function
In this review article, the authors describe mechanotransduction—the process by which cells sense and respond to physical forces from their environment, such as the extracellular matrix. These mechanical cues are conver…
The myodural bridge in the common rock pigeon (Columbia livia): Morphology and possible physiological implications
In this anatomical study on pigeons, researchers investigated a connective tissue structure called the myodural bridge. Through dissections and tissue analysis of the suboccipital region where the skull meets the neck,…
Immediate effects of self-myofascial release on latent trigger point sensitivity: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial
This randomized, placebo-controlled trial examined whether foam rolling could immediately reduce sensitivity in latent trigger points. Researchers compared 90 seconds of static compression, dynamic rolling, and a placeb…
Lipedema—An update
This review provides an update on lipedema, a chronic condition affecting subcutaneous fat tissue in the limbs, almost exclusively in women. It typically appears during or after puberty and is characterized by symmetric…
Endogenous systems involved in exercise-induced analgesia
This narrative review describes the phenomenon of exercise-induced analgesia, which is the pain-relieving effect of physical activity. Studied since the 1970s, this effect is seen in both endurance and resistance exerci…
Effectiveness of sodium bicarbonate infusion on mortality in septic patients with metabolic acidosis
This retrospective database study investigated whether sodium bicarbonate infusion affected mortality in septic patients with metabolic acidosis. The researchers found no overall survival benefit in the general populati…
Not merely a protective packing organ? A review of fascia and its force transmission capacity
This review article examines fascia's role in transmitting force throughout the body. Traditionally seen as just a "packing" material, research now suggests fascia is an active tissue that connects muscles into a body-w…
Emerging Therapies for Spastic Movement Disorders
Spasticity following a central nervous system injury can cause muscle stiffness, partly due to secondary changes in muscles and connective tissue. The 'hyaluronan hypothesis' suggests that an accumulation of hyaluronan,…
Low-frequency vibrotherapy considerably improves the effectiveness of manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) in patients with lipedema: A two-armed, randomized, controlled pragmatic trial
This randomized controlled trial investigated the effect of adding low-frequency vibrotherapy to manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) for 30 women with stage 2–3 lipedema. Participants were randomly assigned to receive eithe…
Fascial tissue research in sports medicine: from molecules to tissue adaptation, injury and diagnostics: consensus statement
This consensus statement reviews the current state of knowledge on fascial tissue in sports medicine. It describes fascia as a body-wide network of connective tissue that integrates all body systems and is crucial for m…
The infrapatellar fat pad and the synovial membrane: an anatomo-functional unit
This descriptive review summarizes evidence on the close relationship between the infrapatellar fat pad and the synovial membrane in the knee. Anatomically, they are linked, as parts of the synovial membrane insert into…
Mineralization can be an incidental ultrasonographic finding in equine tendons and ligaments
In this observational study on horses, researchers investigated the presence of mineralization, or calcium deposits, in tendons and ligaments using ultrasound. They found it was most common in the deep digital flexor te…
Orientation and property of fibers of the myodural bridge in humans
The myodural bridge is a fibrous connection between the deep suboccipital muscles of the neck and the spinal dura mater, the tough outer covering of the spinal cord. In this anatomical study, researchers investigated th…
Subcutaneous adipose tissue therapy reduces fat by dual X-ray absorptiometry scan and improves tissue structure by ultrasound in women with lipoedema and Dercum disease
This small study investigated a non-surgical therapy for subcutaneous adipose tissue in seven women with lipoedema or Dercum disease. Over four weeks of treatment, participants experienced significant reductions in weig…
The Fasciacytes- A New Cell Devoted To Fascial Gliding Regulation
Researchers have identified a new type of cell within fascia, which they have named "fasciacytes." This study presents evidence that these specialized cells are responsible for producing hyaluronan, a key component of t…
The anatomical relationships of the tongue with the body system
In this review article, the authors examine the tongue's functions and its anatomical connections to the rest of the body. The tongue is not only essential for swallowing, breathing, and speaking, but it also affects po…
What Is the Point? The Problem with Acupuncture Research That No One Wants to Talk About
In this 2018 commentary, the authors address a persistent criticism of acupuncture research: the unclear scientific basis for "acupuncture points." They argue that the acupuncture research community has not paid enough…
Improvement of Functional Ankle Properties Following Supplementation with Specific Collagen Peptides in Athletes with Chronic Ankle Instability
This randomized, placebo-controlled study investigated the effect of specific collagen peptides on athletes with chronic ankle instability (CAI). Fifty athletes received either a daily collagen supplement or a placebo f…
Comparison of vibration rolling, nonvibration rolling, and static stretching as a warm-up exercise on flexibility, joint proprioception, muscle strength, and balance in young adults
This study compared the immediate effects of three warm-up techniques in young adults: vibration rolling, non-vibration rolling, and static stretching. Researchers measured changes in lower-body flexibility, joint posit…
Elevated expression of hyaluronan synthase 2 associates with decreased survival in diffusely infiltrating astrocytomas
Astrocytomas are the most common type of brain tumor in adults. In this retrospective study, researchers investigated hyaluronan, a key component of the brain's extracellular matrix, and its related enzymes in 163 tumor…
The different distribution of enzymatic collagen cross-links found in adult and children bone result in different mechanical behavior of collagen
This computational study explored how molecular bonds called collagen cross-links affect bone mechanics differently in children and adults. Using models based on real bone samples, researchers simulated how collagen fib…
Metabolic acidosis and the role of unmeasured anions in critical illness and injury
In this review article, the authors discuss metabolic acidosis, a common condition in critically ill patients that is associated with increased mortality. A significant component of this acidosis can be caused by so-cal…