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+2019
Sensitivity of the fasciae to sex hormone levels: Modulation of collagen-I, collagen-III and fibrillin production
Caterina Fede, Carmelo Pirri, Chenglei Fan, Giovanna Albertin, Andrea Porzionato, Veronica Macchi, Raffaele De Caro, Ca…Women experience myofascial pain more often than men, and evidence suggests fascia can be influenced by sex hormones. In this lab study, researchers examined how cells from human fascia lata responded to various levels…
fasciacollagen Icollagen IIIsex hormones - 1A+2019
Fascia Is Able to Actively Contract and May Thereby Influence Musculoskeletal Dynamics: A Histochemical and Mechanographic Investigation
Robert Schleip, G Gabbiani, Jan Wilke, I Naylor, B Hinz, A Zorn, Heike Jäger, R Breul, S Schreiner, Werner KlinglerThis 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…
Connective tissuestiffnessmyofibroblastscontractilitycontracture - 1A+2019
Role of fasciae in nonspecific low back pain
G Casato, Carla Stecco, R BusinResearch increasingly links the thoracolumbar fascia to non-specific low back pain. This small case study explored the idea that pain could originate elsewhere in the body's continuous fascial network. Five patients wit…
fascianonspecific low back painlimb myofascial manipulationfascial continuitycase series - 1A+2019
Bone Tissue is an Integral Part of the Fascial System
Bruno Bordoni, Maria Marcella LaganaThis 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…
fasciaBonefascial systemMyofascial - 1A+2019
The Other Side of the Fascia: Visceral Fascia, Part 2
Bruno Bordoni, Marta Simonelli, Bruno MorabitoThis 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…
fasciaMyofascialOsteopathicsmooth musclemesoderm - 1A+2019
The Other Side of the Fascia: The SmoothMuscle Part 1
Bruno Bordoni, Marta Simonelli, Bruno MorabitoThis 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…
fasciaMyofascialOsteopathicsmooth musclemesoderm - 1A+2019
The fascial breath
Bruno Bordoni, Marta Simonelli, Bruno MorabitoThis 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…
fasciaMyofascialOsteopathicdiaphragmbreathing - 1A+2019
A Primitive Trait in Two Breeds of Equus Caballus Revealed by Comparative Anatomy of the Distal Limb
Sharon May-Davis, Zefanja Vermeulen, Wendy Y BrownThis comparative anatomy study investigated the lower limbs of 574 equids, including 18 horse breeds, donkeys, zebras, and Przewalski's horses. Researchers looked for two specific ligamentous structures that are remnant…
2nd3rd4th Interosseous muscle; Dutch Konik; Bosnian Mountain Horse; Donkey; Przewalski; Zebra; Atavism - 1A+2019
The Awareness of the Fascial System
Bruno Bordoni, Marta SimonelliIn 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…
fasciafascial systemMyofascialquantum physicsphysiology - 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
From mechanobiology to developmentally inspired engineering
Donald IngberThis 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…
Tensegritymechanicalorgans-on-chipstissue engineering