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- A2020
Symptomatology correlations between the diaphragm and irritable bowel syndrome
Bruno Bordoni, Bruno MorabitoThis narrative review explores the potential connection between the diaphragm muscle and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). The authors propose that an altered contractile ability of the diaphragm and different breathing p…
painlow back paindiaphragmirritable bowel syndromechronic headache - A2020
T1ρ‐Mapping for Musculoskeletal Pain Diagnosis: Case Series of Variation of Water Bound Glycosaminoglycans Quantification before and after Fascial Manipulation® in Subjects with Elbow Pain
Rajiv G Menon, Stephen F Oswald, Preeti Raghavan, Ravinder R Regatte, Antonio SteccoIn this small case series, researchers evaluated five patients with chronic elbow pain. Using an advanced MRI technique (T1ρ-mapping), they measured the concentration of bound and unbound water in the deep fascia before…
T1ρ; fascial manipulation; epicondylitis - A2020
A randomized clinical trial for the effect of static stretching and strengthening exercise on pelvic tilt angle in LBP patients
Mohammad Bagher Shamsi, Soodeh Shahsavari, Ameneh Safari, Maryam MirzaeiThis randomized clinical trial investigated whether stretching or strengthening tight hamstrings could change pelvic posture in people with low back pain. Forty-five participants were divided into three groups: static s…
low back painPelvic tiltHamstring - A2020
Identification of Telocytes in the Pancreas of Turtles—A role in Cellular Communication
Noor Samad Gandahi, Botao Ding, Yonghong Shi, Xuebing Bai, Jameel Ahmed Gandahi, Waseem Ali Vistro, Qiusheng Chen, Ping…In this animal study, researchers examined the pancreas of turtles to look for a specific cell type called telocytes. Using advanced microscopy and other laboratory techniques, they confirmed for the first time that the…
cellular communication; exosomes; pancreas; soft-shelled turtle; telocytes; telopodes. - A2020
Calf stretching and plantar fascia-specific stretching for plantar fasciitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Akkradate Siriphorn, Sukanya EksakulklaThis systematic review and meta-analysis looked at eight studies to compare two common stretching techniques for plantar fasciitis: calf stretching and plantar fascia-specific stretching. The authors analyzed the data t…
Achilles stretching; Calf stretching; Plantar fascia-specific stretching; Plantar fasciitis; Tendon. - A2020
Day of peak pain reduction by a single session of dry needling in the upper trapezius myofascial trigger points: A 14 daily follow-up study
Phichamon Khanittanuphong, Phichaporn UphoThis study tracked daily pain in people with upper trapezius trigger points following a single dry needling session. Participants received one treatment combined with self-stretching exercises and reported their pain fo…
Dry needling; Myofascial trigger points; Pain; Upper trapezius muscle. - A2020
Iliopsoas muscle thickness and pelvic alignment in pronated and normal foot postures
Zinat Ashnagar, Mohammad-Reza Hadian, Gholamreza Olyaei, Saeed Talebian, Asghar Rezasoltani, Hassan Saeedi, Mir Saeed Y…This study investigated whether chronic foot hyperpronation is linked to changes in pelvic alignment and iliopsoas muscle thickness. Researchers compared a group of women with pronated feet to a group with normal foot p…
Hyperpronation; Iliopsoas; Pelvic angle; Ultrasound imaging. - A2020
The relaxin family peptide receptor 1 (RXFP1): An emerging player in human health and disease
Ting-Yun Chen, Xiaoyun Li, Ching-Hsia Hung, Harinath Bahudhanapati, Jiangning Tan, Daniel J Kass, Yingze ZhangThis review article explores the relaxin hormone and its receptor, RXFP1, a signaling pathway known for its ability to soften ligaments and connective tissue. While relaxin shows potent antifibrotic potential in laborat…
RXFP1; alternative splicing; fibrosis; relaxin. - A2020
Ageing of the diaphragm muscle
Bruno Bordoni, Bruno Morabito, Marta SimonelliThis narrative review explores how the diaphragm, our main breathing muscle, is affected by aging. Like other muscles, the diaphragm can weaken and lose mass over time, a condition known as sarcopenia. This age-related…
fasciadiaphragmskeletal musclephrenic nervevagus nerve - A2020
Muscle Cramps
Bruno Bordoni, Kavin Sugumar, Matthew VaracalloMuscle cramps are involuntary, painful, and localized contractions of a muscle or muscle fibers, often felt as a palpable knot. While common in sports, their exact cause is not fully understood and likely depends on var…
Diagnosiscramp - A2020
Evaluation of scapular mobilization and comparison to pectoralis minor stretching in individuals with rounded shoulder posture: A randomized controlled trial
Maedeh Fani, Samaneh Ebrahimi, Ali GhanbariThis randomized controlled trial investigated treatments for rounded shoulder posture in 52 healthy students. Researchers compared the effects of scapular mobilization, pectoralis minor self-stretching, and a combinatio…
Mobilization; Pectoralis minor stretching; Rounded shoulder; Scapular kinematics. - A2020
Low-intensity vibration restores nuclear YAP levels and acute YAP nuclear shuttling in mesenchymal stem cells subjected to simulated microgravity
Matthew Thompson, Kali Woods, Joshua Newberg, Julia Thom Oxford, Gunes UzerAstronauts lose bone and muscle in space, partly because their cells become less responsive to mechanical forces. This study investigated if low-intensity vibration (LIV) could help counteract this effect in a lab setti…
vibrationsstem cellsmicrogravity