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- A2014
A decorin-deficient matrix affects skin chondroitin/dermatan sulfate levels and keratinocyte function
Katerina Nikolovska, Jana K Renke, Oliver Jungmann, Kay Grobe, Renato V Iozzo, Alina D Zamfir, Daniela G SeidlerThis study in mice investigated how the absence of a proteoglycan called decorin affects skin structure and function. Researchers found that mice lacking decorin had an altered composition of other sugar molecules (chon…
extracellular matrixDecorinSLRPDermatan sulfateFibroblast growth factor - A2014
Contractile elements in muscular fascial tissue – implications for in-vitro contracture testing for malignant hyperthermia
K Hoppe, Robert Schleip, F Lehmann-Horn, Heike J€ager, Werner KlinglerMalignant hyperthermia (MH) is a rare but serious reaction to general anesthesia, diagnosed using a test on a skeletal muscle biopsy. Since muscle samples also contain fascia, which has contractile cells called myofibro…
myofibroblastsmalignant hyperthermiafascial tissuecontraction - A2014
Skin, fascias, and scars: symptoms and systemic connections
Bruno Bordoni, Emiliano ZanierThis review article explores how skin, fascia, and scars are interconnected and can affect the entire body. The authors describe the skin as an organ that communicates with the nervous system and other structures. When…
fasciaOsteopathicSkinscarringscar - A2014
Clinical and symptomatological reflections: the fascial system
Bruno Bordoni, Emiliano ZanierThis narrative review discusses the fascial system as a continuous network of connective tissue that gives form and function to the entire body. The authors note that despite its importance in transmitting force, coordi…
fasciapainlow back painOsteopathicneck - A2014
Definition of the To Be Named Ligament and Vertebrodural Ligament and Their Possible Effects on the Circulation of CSF
Nan Zheng, Xiao-Ying Yuan, Yun-Fei Li, Yan-Yan Chi, Hai-Bin Gao, Xin Zhao, Sheng-Bo Yu, Hong-Jin Sui, John SharkeyIn this cadaver study, researchers investigated connective tissue structures in the upper neck of 30 human specimens. They identified two specific ligaments, the 'to be named ligament' (TBNL) and the vertebrodural ligam…
fasciadura materMyodural Bridgecerebrospinal fluid circulation - A2014
Mapping Sensory Nerve Communications Between Peripheral Nerve Territories
ADIL LADAK, R SHANE TUBBS, ROBERT J SPINNERIn this literature review, researchers examined the traditional maps of skin sensation, known as dermatomes. They searched for evidence of direct communications between sensory nerves from different, adjacent spinal ner…
dermatomes; nerve; communications; map; cutaneous; sensory - A2014
Our Internal Universe
Stephen M LevinThis 2014 entry, titled 'Our Internal Universe' by Stephen M Levin, has not yet been summarized. The title suggests a conceptual exploration of the body's internal environment, possibly from a structural or philosophica…
fasciaTensegrityhapticperception - A2014
Ultrasound Elastography: The New Frontier in Direct Measurement of Muscle Stiffness
Joline E Brandenburg, Sarah F Eby, Pengfei Song, Heng Zhao, Jeffrey S Brault, Shigao Chen, Kai-Nan AnThis 2014 review article describes ultrasound elastography, a technology that can directly measure the mechanical properties of tissue, such as muscle stiffness. The authors suggest that its real-time measurements can a…
musclesElastographydiagnostic imagingelasticityhardness - A2014
Treatment of Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome according to the Fascial Distortion Model: A Prospective Case Control Study
Christoph Schulze, Susanne Finze, Rainer Bader, Andreas LisonThis prospective case-control study investigated the Fascial Distortion Model (FDM) for treating medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS), or shin splints. Researchers applied targeted manual techniques to the lower leg fas…
Manual Therapyfasciaefascial distortion model - A2013
Visceral and Somatic Disorders: Tissue Softening with Frequency-Specific Microcurrent
Carolyn R McMakin, James L OschmanThis review article explores a technique called Frequency-Specific Microcurrent (FSM), which uses microampere-level electrical currents to treat various health conditions. A consistent finding is a rapid and palpable so…
fasciafrequency-specific microcurrentvisceral diseasesomatic disease - A2013
Primo Vascular System: Past, Present, and Future
Byung-Cheon Lee, Walter J Akers, Xianghong Jing, M Isabel Miguel Perez, Yeonhee RyuAs only the title of this article was available, this summary is necessarily limited. The title, "Primo Vascular System: Past, Present, and Future," suggests this is a review article. It likely covers the history of the…
fasciaprimo vascular systemeditorial - A2013
Cellulite's aetiology: a review
M de la Casa Almeida, Suarez Serrano, J Rebollo Roldán, J J Jiménez RejanoIn this literature review, researchers examined the underlying causes of cellulite. They found that cellulite is a complex phenomenon with many interacting factors, rather than a single cause. The research points to wom…
Connective tissuecellulites