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- A2018
Variations in Contents of Hyaluronan in the Peritumoral Micro-Environment of Human Chondrosarcoma
Caterina Fede, Carla Stecco, Andrea Angelini, Chenglei Fan, Elisa Belluzzi, Assunta Pozzuoli, Pietro Ruggieri, Raffaele…The micro-environment surrounding a tumor greatly influences its growth and response to therapy. This study focused on chondrosarcoma, a type of bone cancer resistant to both chemotherapy and radiation. Researchers quan…
hyaluronan; chondrosarcoma; peritumoral stroma; fascia; tumor micro-environment; malignant bone tumor; grade - A2018
Effectiveness of 3-dimensional shoulder ultrasound in the diagnosis of rotator cuff tears
Aiping Teng, Fanxiao Liu, Dongsheng Zhou, Tao He, Yan Chevalier, Roland M KlarIn this meta-analysis, researchers combined data from seven studies involving 282 patients to evaluate the effectiveness of 3-dimensional (3D) ultrasound in diagnosing rotator cuff tears. The analysis found that 3D ultr…
3-dimensional ultrasounddiagnostic valuemeta-analysisrotator cuff tears - A2018
A fundamental critique of the fascial distortion model and its application in clinical practice
Christoph ThalhamerThis narrative review critiques the Fascial Distortion Model (FDM), a manual therapy approach based on the idea that all musculoskeletal complaints stem from distortions of fascia. The author investigated the scientific…
Manual Therapyfasciaefascial distortion modelreductionismtypaldos - A2018
Morphological evidence of telocytes in human synovium
Irene Rosa, Mirca Marini, Daniele Guasti, Lidia Ibba-Manneschi, Mirko ManettiA relatively new type of cell, called a telocyte, has been found in many human tissues. This study was the first to look for and find these cells in the synovial membrane, which is the lining of our movable joints. Usin…
telocytessynovium - A2018
The anatomical relationships of the tongue with the body system
Bruno Bordoni, Bruno Morabito, Roberto Mitrano, Marta Simonelli, Anastasia ToccafondiIn this review article, the authors examine the tongue's functions and its anatomical connections to the rest of the body. The tongue is not only essential for swallowing, breathing, and speaking, but it also affects po…
fasciadiaphragmphysiotherapytonguespeech therapy - A2018
What Is the Point? The Problem with Acupuncture Research That No One Wants to Talk About
Helene M Langevin, Peter M WayneIn this 2018 commentary, the authors address a persistent criticism of acupuncture research: the unclear scientific basis for "acupuncture points." They argue that the acupuncture research community has not paid enough…
acupunctureAnatomyacupuncture pointsmethodology - A2018
The influence of breathing on the central nervous system
Bruno Bordoni, Shahin Purgol, Annalisa Bizzarri, Maddalena Modica, Bruno MorabitoThis narrative review explores the diaphragm's extensive influence on the central nervous system. The authors discuss how the rhythm of our breath can physically move the brain, alter patterns of neural oscillation, and…
diaphragmbreathingphrenic nervevagus nerveneural oscillation - A2018
Pathobiology of cigarette smoke-induced invasive cancer of the renal pelvis and its prevention by vitamin C
Shinjini Ganguly, Ayan Chandra, Indu B ChatterjeeIn this animal study, researchers investigated how cigarette smoke might cause invasive cancer of the renal pelvis and if vitamin C could offer protection. They found that when guinea pigs were exposed to cigarette smok…
Invasive cancer of the renal pelvis Cigarette smoke Vitamin C Oxidative damage Persistent EGFR signaling Cell cycle deregulation - A2018
Frontiers in fascia research
Carla Alessandra Avila Gonzalez, Mark Driscoll, Robert Schleip, Scott Wearing, Eric Jacobson, Thomas Findley, Werner Kl…This article reviews recent developments in fascia research, emphasizing new ways to assess this highly variable tissue. Researchers note that fascia differs greatly between individuals in density, stiffness, and metabo…
fasciaultrasound.Pain therapySport sciencesIndentometry - A2018
A New Concept of Biotensegrity Incorporating Liquid Tissues: Blood and Lymph
Bruno Bordoni, Fabiola Marelli, Bruno Morabito, Roberto CastagnaThis conceptual article proposes an update to the biotensegrity model, which traditionally focuses on the solid structures of the fascial system. The authors argue that "liquid tissues" like blood and lymph should also…
fasciaChiropracticManual TherapyMyofascialOsteopathic - A2018
The myodural bridge in the common rock pigeon (Columbia livia): Morphology and possible physiological implications
Chukwuemeka Samuel Okoye, Nan Zheng, Sheng-Bo Yu, Hong-Jin SuiIn this anatomical study on pigeons, researchers investigated a connective tissue structure called the myodural bridge. Through dissections and tissue analysis of the suboccipital region where the skull meets the neck,…
Connective tissuecerebrospinal fluiddura materbirdhistological sections - A2018
Biotensegrity and myofascial chains: A global approach to an integrated kinetic chain
S L Dischiavi, A A Wright, E J Hegedus, C M BleakleyThis theoretical paper proposes a holistic way to understand human movement, contrasting it with the traditional approach of studying body parts in isolation. The authors suggest a model based on "biotensegrity," where…
RehabilitationbiotensegrityMuscular chainsDynamic knee valgusHip