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
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
Meaning of the Solid and Liquid Fascia to Reconsider the Model of Biotensegrity
Bruno Bordoni, David Lintonbon, Bruno MorabitoThis theoretical article proposes a reconsideration of the traditional biotensegrity model. The authors argue that fascia should be viewed as a system with both solid and liquid components, where blood and lymph constit…
fasciaChiropracticManual TherapyMyofascialOsteopathic - A2018
Fascial preadipocytes: another missing piece of the puzzle to understand fibromyalgia?
Bruno Bordoni, Fabiola Marelli, Bruno Morabito, Francesca Cavallaro, David LintonbonIn this review paper, the authors discuss fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition whose cause remains uncertain. While often linked to changes in the central nervous system, research also points to peripheral nerve damag…
fasciaFibromyalgiapainMyofascialneuropathic pain - 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
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
Fasciae of the musculoskeletal system: normal anatomy and MR patterns of involvement in autoimmune diseases
Thomas Kirchgesner, Xavier Demondion, Maria Stoenoiu, Patrick Durez, Adrien Nzeusseu Toukap, Frédéric Houssiau, Christi…This review article describes the fascial system as a three-dimensional continuum of connective tissue found throughout the body. The authors review the normal anatomy of fascia and its appearance on magnetic resonance…
fasciaMusculoskeletalAnatomyAutoimmuneMRI - 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
Chest pain in patients with COPD: the fascia’s subtle silence
Bruno Bordoni, Fabiola Marelli, Bruno Morabito, Roberto CastagnaIn this article, the authors discuss potential causes of chest pain in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). They highlight that chest pain is common in COPD and propose that an often-overlooked so…
fasciadiaphragmmuscle painCOPDthoracic pain - 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 - A2017
The indeterminable resilience of the fascial system
Bruno Bordoni, Fabiola Marelli, Bruno Morabito, Beatrice SacconiThis commentary proposes a model of fascia not as layers, but as a network of polyhedral microvacuoles of connective tissue. These structures connect the body's systems and can change shape in response to tension, allow…
fasciafibroblastManual TherapyOsteopathicfascial continuum - A2017
The Lumbodorsal Fascia as a Potential Source of Low Back Pain: A Narrative Review
Jan Wilke, Robert Schleip, Werner Klingler, Carla SteccoThis narrative review examines the role of the lumbodorsal fascia as a potential source of low back pain. Research shows this fascia contains pain-sensing nerve endings, which may be morphologically altered in people wi…
fasciaNociceptionlow back painlumbodorsal fascia - A2016
A Systematic Review of the Soft-Tissue Connections Between Neck Muscles and Dura Mater
Luis Palomeque-del-Cerro, Luis A Arráez-Aybar, Cleofás Rodriguez-Blanco, Rafael Guzmán-Garcia, Mar Menendez-Aparicio, Á…In this systematic review, researchers compiled data from 26 studies to investigate direct soft-tissue connections between neck muscles and the dura mater, the outermost membrane surrounding the spinal cord. The analysi…
fasciaConnective tissueproprioceptionSpineAnatomy