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- A2013
Direct magnetic resonance (MR) shoulder arthrography: posterior approach under ultrasonographic guidance and abduction (PAUGA
R F Grasso, E Faiella, P Cimini, R L Cazzato, G Luppi, F Martina, R Del Vescovo, B Beomonte ZobelThis study evaluated a specific technique, called PAUGA, for injecting contrast dye into the shoulder joint before an MRI scan (MR arthrography). Researchers used ultrasound to guide a needle from the back of the should…
ShoulderDirect MR arthrographyUS guidance - A2012
A theoretical framework for the role of fascia in manual therapy
Nigel Simmonds, Peter Miller, Hugh GemmellThis theoretical paper explores why different types of manual therapy, such as soft tissue work and joint manipulation, often seem to produce similar results. The authors compare these approaches based on their effects…
fasciaManual TherapyMyofascialManipulationautonomic nervous system - A2012
An MRI Study of Symptomatic Adhesive Capsulitis
Wen Zhao, Xiaofeng Zheng, Yuying Liu, Wenlu Yang, Vardan Amirbekian, Luis E Diaz, Xudong HuangThis study used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to compare the shoulders of 60 patients with clinically diagnosed adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder) to 60 healthy control subjects. Researchers found significant diff…
Adhesive capsulitisShoulderMagnetic resonance imaging - A2012
Myoton Pro: A Novel Tool for the Assessment of Mechanical Properties of Fascial Tissues
Aleko Peipsi, Ricardas Kerpe, Heike Jäger, Sonja Soeder, Christopher Gordon, Robert SchleipThis research entry, for which only the title is available, appears to introduce a device called the MyotonPRO. The title suggests its purpose is to assess the mechanical properties of fascial tissues, such as their sti…
fasciaMyotone Pro - A2012
A RHAMM Mimetic Peptide Blocks Hyaluronan Signaling and Reduces Inflammation and Fibrogenesis in Excisional Skin Wounds
Cornelia Tolg, Sara R Hamilton, Ewa Zalinska, Lori McCulloch, Ripal Amin, Natalia Akentieva, Francoise Winnik, Rashmin…In this animal study, researchers investigated how to reduce scarring during skin wound healing. They developed a peptide, P15-1, designed to interfere with signals from fragmented hyaluronan, a molecule involved in inf…
hyaluronaninflammationfasciaextracellular matrixfibrosis - A2012
Mechanical properties of human patellar tendon at the hierarchical levels of tendon and fibril
René B Svensson, Philip Hansen, Tue Hassenkam, Bjarki T Haraldsson, Per Aagaard, Vuokko Kovanen, Michael Krogsgaard, Mi…Researchers investigated how the mechanical properties of the whole human patellar tendon compare to its individual collagen fibrils. They tested whole tendons in living subjects and then tested isolated fibrils from th…
atomic force microscopy; collagen; fibril dimensions; modulus; toe region - A2012
Primo Vascular System as a New Morphofunctional Integrated System
Miroslav Stefanov, Jungdae KimThis narrative review summarizes research on the primo vascular system (PVS), a proposed anatomical network found throughout the body. The authors describe the methods and instruments used to study this system, primaril…
fasciacancerphysiologyMorphologyprimo vascular system - A2012
Massage Therapy Attenuates Inflammatory Signaling After Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage
Justin D Crane, Daniel I Ogborn, Colleen Cupido, Simon Melov, Alan Hubbard, Jacqueline M Bourgeois, Mark A TarnopolskyThis study investigated how massage therapy affects skeletal muscle at a cellular level after exercise-induced damage. Researchers took muscle biopsies from 11 young men after an intense workout; one leg received 10 min…
fasciamassage therapyinflammatory cytokinesstretchstrain - A2012
Mathematical model of fiber orientation in anisotropic fascia layers at large displacements
Hans Chaudhry, Max Roman, Antonio Stecco, Thomas FindleyResearchers developed a mathematical model to better understand how collagen fibers within fascia change their orientation when the tissue is stretched. The model suggests that fibers already angled away from the direct…
Fascial; Reinforcement; Collagen fibers; Re-orientation; Tension - A2012
Hyaluronic acid, A key molecule in skin aging
Eleni Papakonstantinou, Michael Roth, George KarakiulakisThis review article discusses the role of hyaluronic acid (HA) in skin aging. The authors explain that youthful skin's plumpness and resilience are largely due to its high water content, which HA is uniquely able to ret…
CD44fasciaHyaluronic acidhyaluronic acid synthaseshyaluronidases - A2012
Strain hardening of fascia: Static stretching of dense fibrous connective tissues can induce a temporary stiffness increase accompanied by enhanced matrix hydration
Robert Schleip, Lutz Duerselen, Andry Vleeming, Ian L Naylor, Frank Lehmann-Horn, Adjo Zorn, Heike Jaeger, Werner Kling…This study investigated why fascia sometimes gets stiffer after being stretched and then rested, a phenomenon called strain hardening. Researchers stretched fascia samples from mice and pigs, finding that after a 15-min…
Lumbar fascia; Paraspinal tissues; Stiffness; Hydration; Stretching - A2012
Earthing: Health Implications of Reconnecting the Human Body to the Earth’s Surface Electrons
Gaétan Chevalier, Stephen T Sinatra, James L Oschman, Karol Sokal, Pawel SokalThis 2012 review paper explores the concept of 'earthing' or 'grounding,' which involves direct physical contact with the Earth's surface electrons. The authors propose that modern lifestyles separate humans from this c…
fasciaearthinggroundingearth surface electrons