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.
Anatomy, Bony Pelvis and Lower Limb, Pelvic Fascia
This anatomical review describes the pelvis not as a rigid, static base, but as a dynamic structure. Applying a biotensegrity model, the authors explain how the pelvic bones are suspended within a complex web of tension…
Overuse Injury: The Result of Pathologically Altered Myofascial Force Transmission?
In this narrative review, the authors propose a new perspective on overuse injuries. Traditionally, therapy focuses on the site of pain, viewing the injury as the result of local, repetitive microdamage. The authors hyp…
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…
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…
Biophysics of Cell-Substrate Interactions Under Shear
In this review article, the authors examine how cells adhere to surfaces and respond to mechanical forces. Cells use complex structures called focal adhesions to sense and react to their environment, including forces fr…
Effect of Vitamin C Infusion on Organ Failure and Biomarkers of Inflammation and Vascular Injury in Patients With Sepsis and Severe Acute Respiratory Failure
This randomized controlled trial investigated whether intravenous vitamin C could help patients with sepsis and severe acute respiratory failure. Researchers gave 167 patients either a high-dose vitamin C infusion or a…
The Stomach’s Communication with Its Related Acupoints, and the “Intelligent Tissue” Hypothesis
This study explores the "intelligent tissue" hypothesis, which suggests that an organ's functional state is reflected in real-time at specific acupuncture points. By monitoring electrical impedance at six stomach-relate…
Plasma Amino Acid Concentrations After the Ingestion of Dairy and Collagen Proteins, in Healthy Active Males
This study investigated how blood amino acid levels changed in healthy, active men after they consumed either collagen or dairy proteins. Researchers found that the different protein sources led to distinct amino acid p…
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 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…
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…
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…
Age-related changes in leg proprioception: implications for postural control
This narrative review examines how aging affects proprioception—the body's sense of its own position and movement—and its implications for balance. To maintain an upright stance, the brain relies on signals from recepto…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Development of a biotensegrity focused therapy for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse: A retrospective case series
This retrospective case series explores a new biotensegrity-focused therapy for pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Challenging the common view that POP is caused by weak tissue, this approach hypothesizes that the condition i…
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…
TMEM2: a missing link in hyaluronan catabolism identified?
Hyaluronan (HA) is a large molecule in our connective tissues that is broken down and replaced very quickly. Scientists have long understood that large HA molecules are first chopped into smaller pieces on the surface o…
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…
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…
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…
The neural basis of the senses of effort, force and heaviness
This narrative review explores how we sense effort, force, and heaviness during muscle contraction. Traditionally, these sensations were thought to originate in the brain from copies of motor commands. However, new evid…
Rehabilitation and nutrition protocols for optimising return to play from traditional ACL reconstruction in elite rugby union players: A case study
This case report followed two professional rugby players undergoing rehabilitation after an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. In addition to a standard rehabilitation program, they received specific suppl…
Active Contractile Properties of Fascia
This narrative review explores how fascia, often seen as a passive tissue, can actively contract. Researchers point to the presence of cells called myofibroblasts within the fascia, which give it the ability to change i…
The diaphragm muscle manual evaluation scale
This technical report describes a new method for manually assessing the diaphragm's function, called the Manual Evaluation Diaphragm (MED) scale. The scale is designed to generate a value for the respiratory muscle's mo…
Fascia Is Able to Actively Contract and May Thereby Influence Musculoskeletal Dynamics: A Histochemical and Mechanographic Investigation
This study investigated whether fascia can actively contract, challenging the traditional view of it as a passive tissue. Researchers examined human and rat fascial samples for the presence of contractile cells called m…
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…
Role of Hyaluronan in Inflammatory Effects on Human Articular Chondrocytes
Some researchers have proposed that fragments of hyaluronan (HA), a key molecule in connective tissue, can trigger inflammation in cartilage. This study investigated that idea in human articular cartilage cells. Researc…
Vitamin C Inhibits Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Metastasis by Affecting the Expression of YAP1 and Synaptopodin 2
In this study using cell cultures and animal models, researchers investigated how vitamin C might inhibit the spread of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). They found that vitamin C, at concentrations achievable throu…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
A fundamental critique of the fascial distortion model and its application in clinical practice
This narrative review critiques the Fascial Distortion Model (FDM), a manual therapy approach based on the idea that all musculoskeletal complaints stem from distortions of fascia. The author investigated the scientific…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
Lipedema
A detailed summary of this 2018 publication by Caitriona Canning and John R. Bartholomew is not yet available. The work is titled simply 'Lipedema,' suggesting it may be a general overview or review of the condition. Wi…
Frontiers in fascia research
This article reviews recent developments in fascia research, emphasizing new ways to assess this highly variable tissue. Researchers note that fascia differs greatly between individuals in density, stiffness, and metabo…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Oral Intake of Low-Molecular-Weight Collagen Peptide Improves Hydration, Elasticity, and Wrinkling in Human Skin: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study
This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated the effects of daily low-molecular-weight collagen peptide (LMWCP) supplementation on the skin of 64 women. Over 12 weeks, researchers measured skin hydr…
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…