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- A2015
The fascial system and exercise intolerance in patients with chronic heart failure: hypothesis of osteopathic treatment
Bruno Bordoni, F MarelliThis hypothesis paper proposes a connection between the fascial system and exercise intolerance in people with chronic heart failure. The authors note that heart failure is a complex disease affecting the entire body, l…
fasciaManual TherapyOsteopathicfatiguechronic heart failure - A2015
Duration and Magnitude of Myofascial Release in 3-Dimensional Bioengineered Tendons: Effects on Wound Healing
Thanh V Cao, Michael R Hicks, Manal Zein-Hammoud, Paul R StandleyThis laboratory study investigated how myofascial release (MFR) affects wound healing in bioengineered tendons. Researchers created a wound in the tendon models and then applied different magnitudes and durations of str…
wound healingMyofascial release - A2015
Modeled Osteopathic Manipulative Treatments: A Review of Their in Vitro Effects on Fibroblast Tissue Preparations
Manal Zein-Hammoud, Paul R StandleyThis narrative review summarizes lab-based (in vitro) studies investigating how simulated osteopathic treatments, like myofascial release, affect fibroblasts. The authors found that applying mechanical strain to these c…
fasciaFibroblastsManual TherapyOsteopathic - A2015
Effects of non-pharmacological interventions on inflammatory biomarker expression in patients with fibromyalgia: a systematic review
Kenji Sanada, Marta Alda Díez, Montserrat Salas Valero, María Cruz Pérez-Yus, Marcelo M P Demarzo, Mauro García-Toro, J…This systematic review examined how non-drug treatments affect inflammatory markers in people with fibromyalgia. Researchers analyzed 12 studies involving 536 participants who underwent exercise, dietary, or multidiscip…
fasciaFibromyalgiapaincytokinessleep quality - A2015
Remodelling the extracellular matrix in development and disease
Caroline Bonnans, Jonathan Chou, Zena WerbThis narrative review describes the extracellular matrix (ECM), a dynamic network present in all body tissues that undergoes constant remodeling. This remodeling process is crucial for regulating cell functions like pro…
fasciaextracellular matrixstiffnessmechanotransductionmatrix remodeling - A2015
Evidence for the existence of nociceptors in rat thoracolumbar fascia
S Mense, U HoheiselThis animal study on rats investigated the presence of pain-sensing nerve fibers (nociceptors) in the thoracolumbar fascia. Researchers compared normal fascia with tissue in which they had induced inflammation. The resu…
inflammationfasciafasciitisnon-specific low back painfascia nociceptors - A2015
Tracking CNS and systemic sources of oxidative stress during the course of chronic neuroinflammation
Agata A Mossakowski, Julian Pohlan, Daniel Bremer, Randall Lindquist, Jason M Millward, Markus Bock, Karolin Pollok, Ro…In this animal study, researchers used a mouse model for multiple sclerosis (MS) to track the sources of oxidative stress in the central nervous system. Using an advanced imaging technique, they identified specific immu…
Multiple sclerosis · Oxidative stress · Neuronal dysfunction · Fluorescence lifetime microscopy · Intravital imaging · Oxidative stress memory - A2015
Reflections on osteopathic fascia treatment in the peripheral nervous system
Bruno Bordoni, Giovanni BordoniIn this reflective article, the authors discuss the fascia of the peripheral nervous system. They explain that nerves are enclosed in several layers of fascia that must be able to slide, and that impeded sliding can be…
fasciapainfascial treatmentnerve palpation - A2015
Investigation of meningomyovertebral structures within the upper cervical epidural space: a sheet plastination study with clinical implications
Frank Scali, Matthew E Pontell, Lance G Nash, Dennis E EnixThis cadaver study investigated soft-tissue connections within the epidural space of the upper cervical spine using dissection and a technique called sheet plastination. The researchers found consistent connections wher…
fasciacervical spineMyodural Bridgedural lacerationsepidural space - A2015
Primo-Vascular System as Presented by Bong Han Kim
Vitaly Vodyanoy, Oleg Pustovyy, Ludmila Globa, Iryna SorokulovaIn the 1960s, researcher Bong Han Kim described a new vascular system, distinct from the blood and lymph systems, which he proposed was involved in tissue regeneration. However, his work was difficult for later scientis…
fasciaprimo vascular system - A2015
The effects of grounding (earthing) on inflammation, the immune response, wound healing, and prevention and treatment of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases
James L Oschman, Gaétan Chevalier, Richard BrownThis report summarizes research on the effects of "grounding" or "earthing," which involves direct electrically conductive contact with the Earth's surface. The research suggests this contact may influence the body's ph…
fasciachronic inflammationimmune systemwound repairwhite blood cells - A2015
Biological electric fields and rate equations for biophotons
M Alvermann, Y N Srivastava, J Swain, A WidomThis theoretical paper explores the relationship between biophotons (light emitted by living organisms) and the electric fields within biological systems. The authors note that biophoton intensity is linked to the stren…
biophotonsElectric fieldsNonlinear rate equations
