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
Comparison of vibration rolling, nonvibration rolling, and static stretching as a warm-up exercise on flexibility, joint proprioception, muscle strength, and balance in young adults
Chia-Lun Lee, I-Hua Chu, Bo-Jhang Lyu, Wen-Dien Chang, Nai-Jen ChangThis study compared the immediate effects of three warm-up techniques in young adults: vibration rolling, non-vibration rolling, and static stretching. Researchers measured changes in lower-body flexibility, joint posit…
Vibration; self-myofascial release; foam rolling; exercise; performance - 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 - 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
Immediate effects of self-myofascial release on latent trigger point sensitivity: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial
Jan Wilke, Lutz Vogt, Winfried BanzerThis randomized, placebo-controlled trial examined whether foam rolling could immediately reduce sensitivity in latent trigger points. Researchers compared 90 seconds of static compression, dynamic rolling, and a placeb…
fasciaMyofascial painFoam rollingSelf-masage - A2018
Fractal fluctuations in muscular activity contribute to judgments of length but not heaviness via dynamic touch
Madhur Mangalam, James D Conners, Damian G Kelty-Stephen, Tarkeshwar SinghCOPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is a progressive condition that often involves chest pain. This article analyzes the possible causes of this pain, focusing on a less frequently considered source: the fascia…
Biotensegrity · Effortful touch · Fractality · Haptic perception · Multifractality · Muscular effort · Perceptual invariance · Psychophysics - A2018
New Proposal to Define the Fascial System
Bruno Bordoni, Fabiola Marelli, Bruno Morabito, Roberto Castagna, Beatrice Sacconi, Paul MazzuccoIn this proposal, the authors suggest a new definition for the fascial system, noting that a universally accepted one does not yet exist. They argue for including the epidermis (the outer layer of skin) based on functio…
fasciaConnective tissuefibroblastMyofascialSkin - A2018
Treatment for cellulite
Neil SadickThis brief review summarizes the scientific evidence for various treatments for cellulite, a condition present in 80% to 90% of post-pubertal women. The author examines the safety and efficacy of methods ranging from to…
Cellulite pathophysiology adipocytes radiofrequency lasers - 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
The myodural bridges’ existence in the sperm whale
Pei Liu, Chan Li, Nan Zheng, Xiaoying Yuan, Yutong Zhou, Pu Chun, Yanyan Chi, Campbell Gilmore, Shengbo Yu, Hongjin SuiIn this anatomical animal study, researchers examined tissue from a sperm whale to see if it possessed a myodural bridge, a connection between the neck muscles and the dura mater previously identified in humans. The inv…
Myodural Bridge - 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
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