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++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 - 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
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 - A++2019
The architecture and spatial organization of the living human body as revealed by intratissular endoscopy - An osteopathic perspective
Colin ArmstrongThis review article discusses research by Dr. Jean-Claude Guimberteau, who used endoscopy to visualize the internal architecture of the living body. His work reveals a continuous, body-wide multifibrillar network that t…
fasciaextracellular matrixosteopathyCollagen fibersFibrillar network - A++2018
Bone is fascia
Stephen LevinThis entry, based on its title alone, proposes a conceptual link between bone and fascia. Without an abstract or full text, the specific arguments made by the author remain unclear. The title 'Bone is fascia' suggests a…
fascia - A++2017
Biological effects of direct and indirect manipulation of the fascial system. Narrative review
Giovanni Parravicini, Andrea BergnaThis narrative review explores the biological effects of manual fascial therapies. While osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) is clinically effective, its underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. The authors…
fasciaMyofascial releaseManual TherapyMyofascial manipulation - A++2016
Ultra-weak photon emission in healthy subjects and patients with type 2 diabetes: evidence for a non-invasive diagnostic tool
Meina Yang, Wenyu Ding, Yanli Liu, Hua Fan, Rajendra P Bajpai, Jialei Fu, Jingxiang Pang, Xiaolei Zhao, Jinxiang HanAll living organisms emit extremely faint light, known as ultra-weak photon emission (UPE). This study investigated whether these light emissions differ between healthy individuals and people with type 2 diabetes. Resea…
fasciaphoton emissionbiological systemspathological statesUE - A++2015
The Effects of Vibration and Muscle Fatigue on Trunk Sensorimotor Control in Low Back Pain Patients
Jean-Alexandre Boucher, Jacques Abboud, François Nougarou, Martin C Normand, Martin DescarreauxThis study compared trunk muscle control between people with chronic low back pain (cLBP) and healthy individuals. Researchers found that the cLBP group was less accurate at reproducing a specific amount of force with t…
fascialow back painmuscle fatiguevibration - A++2014
New perspective in cell communication: Potential role of ultra-weak photon emission
Ankush Prasad, Claudio Rossi, Stefania Lamponi, Pavel Pospíšil, Alberto FolettiThis 2014 narrative review explores how cells might communicate with each other. Beyond chemical signals and direct contact, the authors discuss evidence for communication via electromagnetic radiation, specifically ult…
fasciabiophotonsUltra-weak photon emissioncellular interactionbiocommunication - A++2014
Spatiotemporal Imaging of Glutamate-Induced Biophotonic Activities and Transmission in Neural Circuits
Rendong Tang, Jiapei DaiThis study on mouse brain tissue investigated biophotons, which are ultra-weak light emissions from biological systems. Researchers found that applying the neurotransmitter glutamate caused a significant and long-lastin…
fasciabiophotonsultraweak photons - A++2013
Mathematical Analysis of the Flow of Hyaluronic Acid Around Fascia During Manual Therapy Motions
Max Roman, Hans Chaudhry, Bruce Bukiet, Antonio Stecco,Thomas FindleyThis study used a mathematical model to simulate how different manual therapy techniques affect the flow of hyaluronic acid (HA) within fascia. The researchers compared constant sliding, perpendicular vibration, and tan…
hyaluronanfasciaManual Therapyfluid flowvibration - A++2013
Squeeze film lubrication for non-Newtonian fluids with application to manual medicine
Hans Chaudhry, Bruce Bukiet, Max Roman, Antonio Stecco, Thomas FindleyResearchers used a mathematical model to investigate how manual therapy affects the fluid in and around fascia. The model focused on hyaluronic acid (HA), a natural lubricant in connective tissue. The results suggest th…
fasciaHyaluronic acidmassage therapyvibrationsmanual manipulation