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- A+++2020
Mechanical stimulation of human dermal fibroblasts regulates pro-inflammatory cytokines: potential insight into soft tissue manual therapies
Aric Anloague, Aaron Mahoney, Oladipupo Ogunbekun, Taylor A Hiland, William R Thompson, Bryan Larsen, M Terry Loghmani,…This lab study investigated how mechanical forces, similar to those in manual therapy, affect human skin cells. Researchers first applied a repetitive strain to cultured dermal fibroblasts to simulate an overuse injury,…
inflammationMyofascial releaseManual Therapyphysical therapyphysiotherapy - A+++2020
Gut Microbiota and Cardiovascular Disease
Marco Witkowski, Taylor L Weeks, Stanley L HazenThis review explores how the gut microbiota influences cardiovascular health through the production of specific metabolic byproducts. Research suggests that the link is not merely associative; certain bacterial metaboli…
atherosclerosis; cardiovascular diseases; gastrointestinal microbiome; thrombosis; vascular diseases - A+++2020
Collagen supplementation for skin health: A mechanistic systematic review
Meisam Barati, Masoumeh Jabbari, Roya Navekar, Fariba Farahmand, Reihaneh Zeinalian, Ammar Salehi-Sahlabadi, Nasrin Abb…This systematic review evaluates the impact of collagen supplementation on skin health and aging parameters. By analyzing ten clinical trials, researchers found that oral intake of both intact and hydrolyzed collagen co…
M2-like macrophage; collagen; collagen hydrolysate; oral tolerance; regulatory T cell; skin health. - A+++2020
Healthy fats and exclusion-zone size
Abha Sharma, Gerald H PollackThis study investigated whether healthy fats can contribute to the formation of exclusion-zone (EZ) water, also known as the fourth phase of water. Researchers tested substances such as ghee, coconut oil, and lard to se…
Coconut oil; Exclusion-zone water; Fats; Ghee; Health-promoting function; Lard; UV–VIS spectroscopy - A+++2020
Cannabidiol (CBD): a killer for inflammatory rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts
Torsten Lowin, Ren Tingting, Julia Zurmahr, Tim Classen, Matthias Schneider, Georg PongratzThis laboratory study investigated how cannabidiol (CBD) affects synovial fibroblasts, the cells responsible for joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis. Researchers found that CBD can reduce the viability of these ce…
inflammationfibroblastCannabinoidsrheumatoid arthritissynovia - A+++2020
Alterations of Extracellular Matrix Mechanical Properties Contribute to Age-Related Functional Impairment of Human Skeletal Muscles
Piero Pavan, Elena Monti, Michela Bondí, Chenglei Fan, Carla Stecco, Marco Narici, Carlo Reggiani, Lorenzo MarcucciThis study investigated why muscles become stiffer with age by comparing individual muscle fibers to bundles of fibers that include the extracellular matrix (ECM). Researchers found that while the stiffness of individua…
aging; collagen; extracellular matrix; resting tension; single muscle fiber; skeletal muscle. - A+++2020
Vitamin D insufficiency as a potential culprit in critical COVID-19 patients
Ruhul Munshi, Mohammad H Hussein, Eman A Toraih, Rami M Elshazli, Christina Jardak, Nasrin Sultana, Mohanad R Youssef,…In this systematic review, researchers analyzed data from six studies to explore the association between vitamin D levels and COVID-19 severity. They found that patients with a poor prognosis had significantly lower ser…
meta-analysisCOVID-19SARS-CoV-2vitamin Doutcome - A+++2020
Antiviral Mechanisms of Vitamin C: A Short Communication Consensus Report
Michael J Gonzalez, Jorge R Miranda-Massari, Jose R Rodriguez, Victor Marcial-Vega, Miguel J Berdiel, Jorge Duconge, St…This 2020 publication is a consensus report from a large group of authors, summarizing agreed-upon points regarding vitamin C. Based on the title, the report details the various mechanisms by which vitamin C may exert a…
Vitamin CAscorbic acidantiviral effects - A+++2020
Vitamin C-An Adjunctive Therapy for Respiratory Infection, Sepsis and COVID-19
Patrick Holford, Anitra C Carr, Thomas H Jovic, Stephen R Ali, Iain S Whitaker, Paul E Marik, A David SmithIn this literature review, the authors examine vitamin C as a potential adjunctive therapy for respiratory infections, sepsis, and COVID-19. They highlight the vitamin's antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulat…
COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; coronavirus; vitamin C; ascorbate; colds; pneumonia; sepsis; immunonutrition; supplementation - 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
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
Repositioning Vitamin C as a Promising Option to Alleviate Complications associated with COVID-19
Mithila Farjana, Akhi Moni, Abdullah Al Mamun Sohag, Adeba Hasan, Abdul Hannan, Golzar Hossain, Jamal UddinThis narrative review explores the potential of Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) for managing complications associated with COVID-19. The authors highlight its known functions, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and i…
COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Vitamin C; Immune response; In!ammation