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+2012
The role of stromal cells in the persistence of chronic inflammation
A J Naylor, A Filer, C D BuckleyThis review article explores why chronic inflammation often persists in specific anatomical locations. The authors highlight that stromal cells, particularly the fibroblasts that define a tissue's architecture, are like…
inflammationfasciafibroblastchronicpersistence - A+2011
Why does chronic inflammation persist: An unexpected role for fibroblasts
C D BuckleyThis 2011 review explores why chronic inflammation persists. Traditionally, research has focused on immune cells, but this text highlights the crucial role that stromal cells, particularly fibroblasts, play in sustainin…
inflammationfasciafibroblast - A+2011
Diet-induced metabolic acidosis
María M Adeva, Gema SoutoThe typical Western diet, high in animal products and low in fruits and vegetables, can lead to a state of chronic, low-grade metabolic acidosis. This means the body becomes slightly more acidic, a situation that can wo…
Metabolic acidosisAmmonium ionsCitrateInsulin resistance - A+2011
The Alkaline Diet: Is There Evidence That an Alkaline pH Diet Benefits Health
Gerry K SchwalfenbergThis 2011 review examined the published medical literature to evaluate the health benefits of an alkaline diet. The author looked at studies on the body's pH and its connection to bone health, muscle function, back pain…
Metabolic acidosisalkaline dietmetabolic syndrom - A+2011
Change in knee osteoarthritis cartilage detected by delayed gadolinium enhanced magnetic resonance imaging following treatment with collagen hydrolysate: a pilot randomized controlled trial
T E McAlindon, M Nuite, N Krishnan, R Ruthazer, L L Price, D Burstein, J Grif!th, K FlechsenharThis pilot randomized controlled trial investigated if collagen hydrolysate supplements could affect knee cartilage in people with mild osteoarthritis. Using a specialized MRI technique (dGEMRIC), researchers tracked ch…
MRIosteoarthritisMagnetic resonance imagingCartilageDelayed gadolinium enhanced - A+2011
The presence of physiological stress shielding in the degenerative cycle of musculoskeletal disorders
Mark Driscoll, L BlyumThis theoretical paper discusses how mechanical stimulation is essential for tissue health, a concept known as mechanical homeostasis. When this process is flawed, it can contribute to the development of musculoskeletal…
Fascia; Musculoskeletal; Cerebral palsy; Remodeling; Stress shielding - A+2010
Tendon and ligament fibrillar crimps give rise to left-handed helices of collagen fibrils in both planar and helical crimps
Marco Franchi, Vittoria Ottani, Rita Stagni, Alessandro RuggeriTendons and ligaments have a wavy structure known as a "crimp," which straightens out as the tissue is stretched. This study on rat tissue used various microscopy techniques to examine the 3D shape of the individual col…
collagen handedness; fibrillar crimp; helical crimps; ligament; planar crimps; tendon - A+2010
The straight line hypothesis elaborated: Case reference obesity, an argument for acidosis, oxidative stress, and disease conglomeration
Shoma BerkemeyerThis review article brings together existing research to explain how obesity may be linked to oxidative stress. The author proposes that a proton imbalance, or acidosis, could be a key mechanism. This imbalance may inhi…
Oxidative stressobesityacidosisproton imbalance - A+2009
The polyvagal theory: New insights into adaptive reactions of the autonomic nervous system
STEPHEN W PORGESThe Polyvagal Theory describes the autonomic nervous system from an evolutionary perspective. It focuses on a key phylogenetic shift in the vagus nerve that occurred between reptiles and mammals. This change created a l…
vagus nervepolyvagalfighy and flightfreezeparasympathetic system - A+2009
Increased pain from muscle fascia following eccentric exercise: animal and human findings
William Gibson, Lars Arendt-Nielsen, Toru Taguchi, Kazue Mizumura, Thomas Graven-NielsenThis study, combining animal and human experiments, investigated the source of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) after eccentric exercise. Researchers induced DOMS in participants' tibialis anterior muscle, then inje…
fasciahypertonic salineExperimental painDeep tissueEccentric exercise - A+2007
Breathing exercises with vagal biofeedback may benefit patients with functional dyspepsia
INA E HJELLAND, SVEN SVEBAK, ARNOLD BERSTAD, GEIR FLATAB, TRYGVE HAUSKENFunctional dyspepsia (FD) is often associated with low vagus nerve tone. This study investigated whether breathing exercises with biofeedback could help. Forty patients with FD were divided into two groups; one group pr…
Biofeedbackbreathing exercisesfunctional dyspepsiavagal tone - A+2006
Dynamic Shear Stimulation of Bovine Cartilage Biosynthesis of Proteoglycan 4
Gayle E Nugent, Nicole M Aneloski, Tannin A Schmidt, Barbara L Schumacher, Michael S Voegtline, Robert L SahThis laboratory study on cartilage from young cows investigated how mechanical forces affect the production of a key lubricating molecule, proteoglycan 4 (PRG4). Researchers applied different types of loads to cartilage…
ProteoglycansCartilagePRG4dynamic shear stressstatic compression