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.
Treatment for cellulite
This brief review summarizes the scientific evidence for various treatments for cellulite, a condition present in 80% to 90% of post-pubertal women. The author examines the safety and efficacy of methods ranging from to…
The kinetics of gut microbial community composition in patients with irritable bowel syndrome following fecal microbiota transplantation
This clinical study investigated how fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) affects gut bacteria and symptoms in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Thirteen patients received stool from healthy donors via gas…
Applied Myo-Fascial Advances in Veterinary Medicine and Practice
This review article summarizes recent advances in veterinary medicine with a focus on myofascia. It presents findings on the structure and function of these interconnected tissues, highlighting the benefits of treating…
Non-invasive Assessment of Lameness in Horses with Dorsal Spinous Process Impingement “Kissing spine”: A Case Study.
In this case study, researchers examined a horse with recurring lameness and "kissing spine" using three non-invasive techniques. Acoustic myography was used to assess muscle activity and locate the injury, while bioimp…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Anatomy of the fasciae and fascial spaces of the maxillofacial and the anterior neck regions
This narrative review simplifies the complex anatomy of the fascia in the face, jaw, and front of the neck. The author organizes the region into four distinct portions based on their relationship to a key fascial layer,…
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…
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…
Biotensegrity and myofascial chains: A global approach to an integrated kinetic chain
This theoretical paper proposes a holistic way to understand human movement, contrasting it with the traditional approach of studying body parts in isolation. The authors suggest a model based on "biotensegrity," where…
Fractal fluctuations in muscular activity contribute to judgments of length but not heaviness via dynamic touch
COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is a progressive condition that often involves chest pain. This article analyzes the possible causes of this pain, focusing on a less frequently considered source: the fascia…
A New Concept of Biotensegrity Incorporating Liquid Tissues: Blood and Lymph
This conceptual article proposes an update to the biotensegrity model, which traditionally focuses on the solid structures of the fascial system. The authors argue that "liquid tissues" like blood and lymph should also…
Release of fascial compartment boundaries reduces muscle force output
In this animal study, researchers investigated how the fascial sheets that enclose muscles affect their function. They surgically removed the fascia from a wing muscle in wild turkeys to see how it changed the muscle's…
Hyaluronan in adipogenesis, adipose tissue physiology and systemic metabolism
This narrative review summarizes research on hyaluronic acid (HA), a sugar molecule abundant in the body's extracellular matrix. The functions of HA are largely dictated by its molecular size, and it is commonly used as…
Bone turnover markers after the menopause: T-score approach
This study investigated how bone turnover changes in women before and after menopause by measuring specific markers for bone formation (PINP) and bone resorption (CTX). The researchers found that bone turnover increases…
The Receptor for Hyaluronan- Mediated Motility (CD168) promotes inflammation and fibrosis after acute lung injury
In this animal study, researchers investigated the role of a specific receptor, RHAMM, in the body's response to acute lung injury. Using mouse models, they compared outcomes in mice that lacked the RHAMM receptor to th…
Global Expression Profiling Identifies a Novel Hyaluronan Synthases 2 Gene in the Pathogenesis of Lower Extremity Varicose Veins
Researchers investigated the genetic factors behind varicose veins by comparing vein tissue from patients with and without the condition. They found that the gene hyaluronan synthase 2 (HAS2) was significantly less acti…
Female hormones: do they influence muscle and tendon protein metabolism?
This narrative review examines how female sex hormones, particularly estrogen, influence the metabolism of proteins in muscles and tendons. After menopause, declining hormone levels are associated with accelerated muscl…
Effects of local vibration therapy on various performance parameters: a narrative literature review
This narrative literature review examines how local muscle vibration (LMV) affects performance parameters such as strength, power, and range of motion. By applying vibrations directly to a specific muscle or tendon, LMV…
Cannabis sativa L. and Nonpsychoactive Cannabinoids: Their Chemistry and Role against Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Cancer
This narrative review explores the chemical properties and health effects of non-psychoactive compounds found in hemp (Cannabis sativa L.), focusing primarily on cannabidiol (CBD). The research suggests that CBD acts as…
Variations in Contents of Hyaluronan in the Peritumoral Micro-Environment of Human Chondrosarcoma
The micro-environment surrounding a tumor greatly influences its growth and response to therapy. This study focused on chondrosarcoma, a type of bone cancer resistant to both chemotherapy and radiation. Researchers quan…
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…
Small leucine-rich proteoglycans and matrix metalloproteinase-14: Key partners?
This narrative review summarizes research on a family of proteins called small leucine-rich proteoglycans (SLRPs). These proteins are important regulators of the extracellular matrix and have been identified as potentia…
Evidence is stronger than you think: a meta-analysis of vitamin C use in patients with sepsis
This commentary presents a meta-analysis of research on using vitamin C to treat sepsis. It builds upon two previous reviews by pooling their data for a combined statistical analysis. The aggregated results indicated a…
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…
Sagittal plane fore hoof unevenness is associated with fore and hindlimb asymmetrical force vectors in the sagittal and frontal planes
Unevenness in a horse's fore hooves, defined by differences in the dorsal hoof wall angle, affects how force is distributed across both the fore and hindlimbs. This study of 34 riding horses found that hooves with a ste…
Biomechanical findings in horses showing asymmetrical vertical excursions of the withers at walk
This study investigated movement patterns in seven sound high-level dressage horses to understand why the withers move asymmetrically at a walk. Researchers found that vertical asymmetry in the withers was not caused by…
The laterality of the gallop gait in Thoroughbred racehorses
This observational study investigated whether Thoroughbred racehorses have a preferred leading leg when transitioning from a halt to a gallop in starting stalls. Analyzing over 2,000 horses, researchers found no overall…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
Chest pain in patients with COPD: the fascia’s subtle silence
In this article, the authors discuss potential causes of chest pain in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). They highlight that chest pain is common in COPD and propose that an often-overlooked so…
Muscle spindles of the rat sternomastoid muscle
This animal study on rats examined the sternomastoid muscle in the neck, which has a unique structure. Researchers found it has two distinct regions: a superficial "white" part with fast-twitch fibers and a deep "red" p…
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…
Low Back Pain: The Potential Contribution of Supraspinal Motor Control and Proprioception
This narrative review explores how motor control—the brain's management of posture and movement—adapts in people with low back pain. While these movement adaptations may reduce pain in the short term, they can sometimes…
New Proposal to Define the Fascial System
In this proposal, the authors suggest a new definition for the fascial system, noting that a universally accepted one does not yet exist. They argue for including the epidermis (the outer layer of skin) based on functio…
Fascial well-being: Mechanotransduction in manual and movement therapies
This article discusses mechanotransduction, the process by which cells in connective tissue sense and respond to mechanical forces like stretch, compression, and shear. Specialized cells such as fibroblasts communicate…
From mechanobiology to developmentally inspired engineering
This review article, based on a lecture, explores the field of mechanobiology, which studies the central role of physical forces in development and physiology. The author reviews 40 years of his laboratory's foundationa…
Exclusion zone and heterogeneous water structure at ambient temperature
This study investigates how water interacts with hydrophilic surfaces to form "exclusion zones" (EZ)—regions where water is more structured and dense than bulk water. Researchers found that water can form three-dimensio…
Meaning of the Solid and Liquid Fascia to Reconsider the Model of Biotensegrity
This theoretical article proposes a reconsideration of the traditional biotensegrity model. The authors argue that fascia should be viewed as a system with both solid and liquid components, where blood and lymph constit…
Morphometric and dynamic measurements of muscular fascia in healthy individuals using ultrasound imaging: a!summary of the discrepancies and gaps in the current literature
This narrative review examined existing research on using ultrasound to measure muscular fascia in healthy people. The authors found that while ultrasound is a useful tool, the research is concentrated on a few specific…
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…
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 Impedance Profile of Acupuncture Points
This study investigated real-time electrical impedance (resistance) at acupuncture points in a single subject. The researcher observed that when impedance decreased at the center of a point, it often increased at a loca…
Various stem cells in acupuncture meridians and points and their putative roles
This narrative review explores the connection between acupuncture points and an anatomical network known as the Primo Vascular System (PVS). Formerly called the Bong-Han system, the PVS consists of microscopic vessels a…
Combined vitamin C, hydrocortisone, and thiamine therapy for patients with severe pneumonia who were admitted to the intensive care unit: Propensity score-based analysis of a before-after cohort study
This cohort study investigated a combination therapy of vitamin C, hydrocortisone, and thiamine for ICU patients with severe pneumonia. Researchers compared a group receiving the treatment to a control group from the pr…
Morphological evidence of telocytes in human synovium
A relatively new type of cell, called a telocyte, has been found in many human tissues. This study was the first to look for and find these cells in the synovial membrane, which is the lining of our movable joints. Usin…
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…
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
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…
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…
Sweet, yet underappreciated: Proteoglycans and extracellular matrix remodeling in heart disease
In this review article, the authors discuss the role of proteoglycans in heart disease. Remodeling of the heart's extracellular matrix, which is common in several cardiac diseases, can lead to fibrosis and impaired func…
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—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…
Fascial preadipocytes: another missing piece of the puzzle to understand fibromyalgia?
In this review paper, the authors discuss fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition whose cause remains uncertain. While often linked to changes in the central nervous system, research also points to peripheral nerve damag…
Anatomy of the Superficial Fascia System of the Breast: A Comprehensive Theory of Breast Fascial Anatomy
This study investigated the three-dimensional fascial structure of the breast through 12 cadaver dissections and clinical observations during surgery. The researchers identified a closed system of fascia and fat that su…