Research.
Every peer-reviewed study on fascia in one place — graded for strength of evidence, summarised in plain language for clinicians, researchers, and curious readers.
We grade studies from A to 1A+++ using the Fascia Research Database rubric — 1A+++ is the strongest.
Researchers behind the studies- 1A+2018
The Equine Hindlimb Proximal Suspensory Ligament: an Assessment of Health and Function by Means of Its Damping Harmonic Oscillator Properties, Measured Using an Acoustic Myography System: a New Modality Study
Jillian Costello Chavers, A Kent Allen, Waqas Ahmed, Lene Høeg Fuglsang-Damgaard, Adrian P HarrisonThis study in horses explored a new method called acoustic myography (AMG) to help diagnose injuries in the proximal suspensory ligament (PSL) of the hindlimb. Researchers used a device to record sound signals from the…
equineCUROAcoustic myographySuspensory desmitisLameness - 1A+2018
Equine Manual Therapies in Sport Horse Practice
Kevin K HausslerManual 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…
osteopathyManual Therapyproprioceptionmassage therapyNeuromuscular control - 1A+2018
The Fasciacytes- A New Cell Devoted To Fascial Gliding Regulation
Carla Stecco, Caterina Fede, Veronica Macchi, Andrea Porzionato, Lucia Petrelli, Carlo Biz, Robert Stern, Raffaele De C…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…
hyaluronanfasciafasciacytesextracellular matrix - 1A+2017
Emotions in Motion: Myofascial Interoception
B Bordoni, F MarelliIn this perspective piece, the authors argue that the myofascial system is closely linked to our emotional state. They suggest that manual treatment not only affects the body physically but also activates the interocept…
fasciaManual TherapyMyofascialOsteopathicInteroception - 1A+2016
Hormone receptor expression in human fascial tissue
Caterina Fede, G Albertin, L Petrelli, M M Sfriso, C Biz, R De Caro, Carla SteccoAdult women tend to experience more myofascial pain than men, and this study explored a possible hormonal link. Researchers examined fascial tissue from eight female volunteers, looking for receptors for the hormones es…
Fascia; fascial fibroblasts; estrogen; relaxin; immunostaining - 1A+2016
STRETCHING IMPACTS INFLAMMATION RESOLUTION IN CONNECTIVE TISSUE
L Berrueta, I Muskaj, S Olenich, T Butler, G J Badger, R A Colas, M Spite, C N Serhan, H M LangevinIn this animal study, researchers investigated the effect of stretching on acute inflammation in the connective tissue of rats. After inducing local inflammation in the rats' backs, one group was subjected to twice-dail…
Stretching; SPM; Resolvin; Inflammation; Connective tissue - 1A+2016
Expression of the endocannabinoid receptors in human fascial tissue
Caterina Fede, G Albertin, L Petrelli, M M Sfriso, C Biz, R De Caro, Carla SteccoResearchers investigated whether human fascia contains cannabinoid receptors, which are part of the body's endocannabinoid system. Taking small tissue samples from volunteers during orthopedic surgery, they analyzed the…
fascia; fascial fibroblasts; endocannabinoid; immunostaining - 1A+2015
Fascia and Primo Vascular System
Chun Yang, Yi-kuan Du, Jian-bin Wu, JunWang, Ping Luan, Qin-lao Yang, Lin YuanIn this review article, the authors explore the idea that the body's network of fascia may be the physical structure corresponding to acupuncture meridians in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). They also discuss the pr…
fasciamechanotransductionprimo vascular systemBonghan systemfasciology - 1A+2015
Gymnastic Training and Dynamic Mobilization Exercises Improve Stride Quality and Increase Epaxial Muscle Size in Therapy Horses
Kátia de Oliveira, Ricardo V G Soutello, Ricardo da Fonseca, Ciniro Costa, Paulo R de L Meirelles, Daniele F Fachiolli,…This study on therapy horses investigated how specific exercises affect stride and back muscles. Over three months, nine horses were divided into three groups: a control group, one doing dynamic mobilization exercises,…
Hippotherapytherapeutic exercisedynamic mobilization exercisephysical trainingthree-dimensional movement - 1A+2015
Electron microscopy of human fascia lata: focus on telocytes
Joanna Dawidowicz, Sylwia Szotek, Natalia Matysiak, Łukasz Miela!nczyk, Krzysztof MaksymowiczThis study used an electron microscope to examine the types of cells present in the fascia lata, a sheet of connective tissue in the thigh. For the first time, researchers confirmed the existence of a specific cell type…
Fibroblastsmyofibroblastshuman fascia latatransmission electron microscopytelocytes - 1A+2014
Peripheral Mechanisms Contributing to Spasticity and Implications for Treatment
Antonio Stecco, Carla Stecco, P RaghavanThis narrative review explores how changes in connective tissue might contribute to spasticity following a central nervous system injury. The authors suggest that the initial injury can alter the turnover of hyaluronic…
fasciaConnective tissueStrokeCerebral palsyHypertonia - 1A+2014
Painful Connections: Densification Versus Fibrosis of Fascia
P G Pavan, Antonio Stecco, R Stern, Carla SteccoIn this review article, the authors describe two types of fascial changes that can cause pain: densification and fibrosis. Densification is described as a reversible alteration in the viscosity of the loose connective t…
hyaluronanfasciafibrosisdensificationConnective tissue