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++2020
What is the Intelligent Tissue !eory and How Does it Relate to Acupuncture?
Fletcher KovichThis article introduces the "intelligent tissue theory," which proposes that organ information is transmitted via electromagnetic waves and interpreted by bodily tissues at specific meridians. The author suggests that t…
acupunctureChiintelligent tissueNei Jing - A++2019
Fascial neuromodulation: an emerging concept linking acupuncture, fasciology, osteopathy and neuroscience
Gianluca BiancoThis conceptual paper presents a model called "fascial neuromodulation" to explain how therapies like acupuncture might work. The author suggests that mechanical signals through the fascial network can influence the ner…
acupunctureosteopathyneuromodulationposturologyfascial system - A++2019
The Stomach’s Communication with Its Related Acupoints, and the “Intelligent Tissue” Hypothesis
Fletcher KovichThis 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…
acupunctureimpedanceduodenalpacesetterslow wave - A2018
What Is the Point? The Problem with Acupuncture Research That No One Wants to Talk About
Helene M Langevin, Peter M WayneIn 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…
acupunctureAnatomyacupuncture pointsmethodology - A++2018
The Impedance Profile of Acupuncture Points
Fletcher KovichThis 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…
acupunctureacupointsimpedancecommunication - A++2017
A New Definition of an Acupuncture Meridian
Fletcher KovichThis perspective article proposes a new definition of acupuncture meridians, moving away from the idea of dedicated anatomical vessels. The author suggests that meridians are actually tracts of tissue that become affect…
acupunctureelectrical wavesemiconductionsignal propagation - A++2017
A Curious Oversight in Acupuncture Research
Fletcher KovichIn this perspective article, the author argues that current acupuncture hypotheses overlook a crucial factor: the speed at which the treatment takes effect. Observations suggest that communication between acupoints and…
acupunctureelectrical wavesemiconductionsignal propagation - A2017
Reconnecting the Body in Eastern and Western Medicine
Helene M Langevin, Rosa N SchnyerDetails for this 2017 publication, titled 'Reconnecting the Body in Eastern and Western Medicine' by Helene M. Langevin and Rosa N. Schnyer, have not yet been summarized. The title suggests a discussion comparing and in…
acupunctureTCM - A2015
New Developments in the Primo Vascular System: Imaging and Functions with regard to Acupuncture
Richard C Niemtzow, Kwang-Sup Soh, Kyung A Kang, John H Barker, He Sheng Luo, Moriya OhkumaThis research entry, for which only the title is available, appears to discuss recent advancements in understanding the primo vascular system. The title suggests a focus on new imaging techniques and the system's functi…
acupunctureprimo vascular systemeditorial - A2015
Essential Experimental Methods for Identifying Bonghan Systems as a Basis for Korean Medicine: Focusing on Visual Materials from Original Papers and Modern Outcomes
Hoon-Gi Kim, Byung-Cheon Lee, Ki-Bog LeeThis narrative review examines methods for identifying the so-called Bonghan system, also known as the primo vascular system (PVS). This system was originally proposed in the 1960s as the anatomical basis for acupunctur…
fasciaacupunctureprimo vascular systembongan system - A2013
Purine receptor mediated actin cytoskeleton remodeling of human fibroblasts
Nanna Goldman, Devin Chandler-Militello, Helene Langevin, Maiken Nedergaard, Takahiro TakanoThis laboratory study investigated how certain molecules, called purines, affect human fibroblast cells. Previous research has shown that acupuncture can trigger the release of purines like ATP. The researchers exposed…
fasciacytoskeletonacupunctureFibroblastscalcium signaling - A++2012
Fluid Flow along Venous Adventitia in Rabbits: Is It a Potential Drainage System Complementary to Vascular Circulations?
Hong-yi Li, Min Chen, Jie-fu Yang, Chong-qing Yang, Liang Xu, Fang Wang, Jia-bin Tong, You Lv, Caidan SuonanIn this animal study on rabbits, researchers investigated a potential fluid drainage system within the body's connective tissue. By injecting tracers, they visualized pathways along the loose connective tissue surroundi…
interstitial fluidacupuncturefluid flow - A2011
Fascia and the mechanism of acupuncture
Steven Finando, Donna FinandoThis theoretical paper re-evaluates the mechanisms of acupuncture. The authors propose that fascia, the body's connective tissue network, is the structure that explains how acupuncture works. They argue for this model b…
fasciaacupunctureShamPlaceboMechanism - A++2011
Review of Evidence Suggesting That the Fascia Network Could Be the Anatomical Basis for Acupoints and Meridians in the Human Body
Yu Bai, Jun Wang, Jin-Peng Wu, Jing-Xing Dai, Ou Sha, David Tai Wai Yew, Lin Yuan, Qiu-Ni LiangThis narrative review explores the idea that the body's fascia network could be the physical structure behind traditional Chinese medicine's (TCM) meridians and acupoints. The authors examine anatomical, physiological,…
fasciaacupunctureacupoints - A2010
Fluorescent Nanoparticles for Observing Primo Vascular System Along Sciatic Nerve
Zhao-Feng Jia, Byung-Cheon Lee, Ki-Hoon Eom, Jin-Myung Cha, Jin-Kyu Lee, Zhen-Dong Su, Wen-Hui Yu, Pan Dong Ryu, Kwang-…In this animal study, researchers injected fluorescent nanoparticles into rats at an acupuncture point to trace their path. The particles traveled along the sciatic nerve, revealing a previously hard-to-detect structure…
fasciaacupunctureSCIATIC NERVEprimo vascular systemprimo-vessel - A2007
Connective Tissue Fibroblast Response to Acupuncture: Dose- Dependent Effect of Bidirectional Needle Rotation
Helene M Langevin, Nicole A Bouffard, David L Churchill, Gary J BadgerThis study on mouse tissue explored how connective tissue cells respond to back-and-forth rotation of an acupuncture needle. Researchers observed that fibroblasts, a type of connective tissue cell, changed shape by spre…
fasciaacupunctureFibroblastsneedle rotation - A2006
Subcutaneous Tissue Fibroblast Cytoskeletal Remodeling Induced by Acupuncture: Evidence for a Mechanotransduction-Based Mechanism
Helene M Langevin, Nicole A Bouffard, Gary J Badger, David L Churchill, Alan K HoweIn this mouse tissue study, researchers investigated how rotating an acupuncture needle affects fibroblasts in the connective tissue under the skin. They found that rotation caused the fibroblasts to actively change sha…
fasciacollagenfibroblastcytoskeletonmechanotransduction - A2005
An Introduction to Human Biophoton Emission
Roeland Van Wijk, Eduard P A Van WijkThis narrative review explores biophoton emission, the ultraweak light naturally produced by all living systems, including the human body. The authors compiled and analyzed existing research, which has investigated how…
acupuncturebiophotonsSkinultraweak photon emissionconsciousness - A2005
Dynamic fibroblast cytoskeletal response to subcutaneous tissue stretch ex vivo and in vivo
H M Langevin, N A Bouffard, G J Badger, J C Iatridis, A K HoweIn this animal study, researchers investigated how fibroblasts, the primary cells in connective tissue, respond to mechanical stretch. By stretching subcutaneous tissue from mice, both in tissue samples (ex vivo) and in…
Connective tissueTensegritymechanotransductionmusculoskeletal manipulationsacupuncture