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.
- A++2023
Change in gliding properties of the iliotibial tract in hypermobile Ehlers–Danlos Syndrome
Tina J Wang, Antonio Stecco, Robert Schleip, Carla Stecco, Carmelo PirriThis study used ultrasonography to examine the gliding properties of the iliotibial tract (ITT) in individuals with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS). Researchers found that the shear strain, which represents ho…
fasciashear strainultrasonographyEhlers–Danlos syndromeIliotibial tract - A2021
Fascial Nomenclature: Update 2021, Part 1
Bruno Bordoni, Allan R Escher, Filippo Tobbi, Antonio Pranzitelli, Luigi PianeseThis review article discusses the need for clear, scientifically grounded terminology for the fascial system. The authors, representing the FORCE organization, emphasize the importance of an impartial approach to fascia…
fasciafascial systemOsteopathicfascial continuumfascintegrity - A2021
Fascial Nomenclature: Update 2021, Part 2
Bruno Bordoni, Allan R Escher, Filippo Tobbi, Bruno Ducoux, Serge PaolettiThis conceptual article addresses the ongoing debate about how to classify and name fascia. The authors suggest that progress is hindered because the discussion is often limited to a few scientific specialties and can b…
fasciafascial systemOsteopathicfascial continuumfascintegrity - A+++2021
Impaired Lymphatic Drainage and Interstitial Inflammatory Stasis in Chronic Musculoskeletal and Idiopathic Pain Syndromes: Exploring a Novel Mechanism
Brian Tuckey, John Srbely, Grant Rigney, Meena Vythilingam, Jay ShahIn this theoretical paper, the authors propose a potential mechanism for chronic pain syndromes. They hypothesize that impaired lymphatic drainage following trauma or an immune response can trap inflammatory substances…
fasciacytokinesinterstitial inflammatory stasislymphatic dysfunctioncounterstrain techniques - A+++2020
The Cranial Bowl in the New Millennium and Sutherland's Legacy for Osteopathic Medicine: Part 1
Bruno Bordoni, Stevan Walkowski, Bruno Ducoux, Filippo TobbiIn 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…
fasciaOsteopathicdiaphragmcraniocraniosacral - A+++2020
A Review of the Theoretical Fascial Models: Biotensegrity, Fascintegrity, and Myofascial Chains
Bruno Bordoni, Tom MyersIn 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…
fasciaMyofascialOsteopathicphysiotherapymyofascial chains - A+2020
Ankle Motion Is Associated With Soft Tissue Displacement in the Dorsal Thigh: An in vivo Investigation Suggesting Myofascial Force Transmission Across the Knee Joint
Jan Wilke, Heloise Debelle, Sarah Tenberg, Andrew Dilley, Constantinos MaganarisThis 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…
fasciamyofascial chainsultrasound.Myofascial force transmissionrange of motion - A+++2020
The Five Diaphragms in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine: Myofascial Relationships, Part 1
Bruno BordoniThis 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…
fasciaMyofascialOsteopathicdiaphragmphysiotherapy - A+++2020
The Five Diaphragms in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine: Myofascial Relationships, Part 2
Bruno BordoniThis 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…
fasciaMyofascialOsteopathicdiaphragmphysiotherapy - A++2020
Fascia and soft tissues innervation in the human hip and their possible role in post-surgical pain
Caterina Fede, Andrea Porzionato, Lucia Petrelli, Chenglei Fan, Carmelo Pirri, Carlo Biz, Raffaele De Caro, Carla SteccoResearchers 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…
fasciapaininnervationproprioceptionSoft tissue - A+++2020
The immediate effect of IASTM vs. Vibration vs. Light Hand Massage on knee angle repositioning accuracy and hamstrings flexibility: A pilot study
George A Koumantakis, Eleonora Roussou, Georgios A Angoules, Nikolaos A Angoules, Theodoros Alexandropoulos, Georgia Ma…This pilot study compared the immediate effects of three different soft tissue techniques on the hamstrings of 16 healthy men. The techniques were instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM), vibration massage,…
fasciaproprioceptionMassageMuscle tightness - A2020
Anatomy, Tendons
Bruno Bordoni, Matthew VaracalloThis is a placeholder for a summary of a publication titled "Anatomy, Tendons". The full text has not yet been reviewed by our team. Once summarized, this entry will provide an overview of the key anatomical features of…
fasciatendonsAnatomytendon sheaths - A+++2020
The Cranial Bowl in the New Millennium and Sutherland's Legacy for Osteopathic Medicine: Part 2
Bruno Bordoni, Stevan Walkowski, Bruno Ducoux, Filippo TobbiThis narrative review, the second in a series, discusses how modern scientific research challenges some of the original concepts of cranial osteopathy. The authors examine the mechanical characteristics of cranial struc…
fasciaManual TherapyOsteopathiccraniocraniosacral - A2020
Ageing of the diaphragm muscle
Bruno Bordoni, Bruno Morabito, Marta SimonelliThis 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…
fasciadiaphragmskeletal musclephrenic nervevagus nerve - A++2020
Ultrasound imaging of a scar on the knee: Sonopalpation for fascia and subcutaneous tissues
Carmelo Pirri, Antonio Stecco, Caterina Fede, Raffaele De Caro, Carla Stecco, Levent ÖzçakarPersistent pain from surgical or trauma-related scars is a common and sometimes debilitating problem. In this article, the authors describe the use of ultrasound imaging to provide an objective diagnosis for debilitatin…
fasciapainscarultrasonographyknee - A2020
Reflections on the Development of Fascial Tissue: Starting from Embryology
Bruno Bordoni, Bruno MorabitoThis reflective article discusses the ongoing challenges in classifying fascial tissue. The authors highlight that the scientific literature contains many contradictions and lacks a clear, straightforward definition. Th…
fasciaMyofascialSurgeryAnatomyembryology