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 studiesAscorbate and plasma membrane electron transport—Enzymes vs ef!ux
Cells have systems to move electrons across their outer membrane, a process which uses substances like ascorbate (Vitamin C) from inside the cell. Traditionally, this was thought to happen via enzymes that shuttle elect…
Relevance of Collagen Piezoelectricity to “Wolff’s Law”: a Critical Review
This narrative review explores how bone adapts to mechanical stress, a principle known as Wolff's Law. For decades, scientists have investigated how bone cells sense this stress to trigger remodeling. An early theory pr…
Ultrasound evidence of altered lumbar connective tissue structure in human subjects with chronic low back pain
Researchers investigated whether structural differences exist in the low back's connective tissues between people with and without chronic low back pain. Using ultrasound, they measured the thickness and echogenicity (h…
From mechanotransduction to extracellular matrix gene expression in fibroblasts
This 2009 review article explores how connective tissue cells, or fibroblasts, sense and respond to mechanical forces from their environment. Cells attach to the surrounding extracellular matrix via adhesion contacts, w…
Fibronectin Unfolding Revisited: Modeling Cell Traction- Mediated Unfolding of the Tenth Type-III Repeat
Cells build the extracellular matrix by pulling on the protein fibronectin, causing it to assemble into fibrils. This study used computer simulations to investigate how this process works at a molecular level. Researche…
Dorsal horn neurons having input from low back structures in rats
In this animal study, researchers in rats investigated how spinal cord nerve cells (dorsal horn neurons) process signals from the low back. They found that these neurons often receive input from several different tissue…
Differential effects of hyaluronan and its fragments on fibroblasts: Relation to wound healing
This lab study investigated how hyaluronan (HA) of different molecular sizes affects human fibroblast cells, which are key to wound healing. Researchers exposed fibroblasts to native HA and two smaller fragments. All th…
Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Adhesive Capsulitis: Correlation with Clinical Staging
This study investigated whether standard magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used to diagnose and stage adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder). Researchers retrospectively reviewed MRI scans from 46 patients with an…
Mechanotransduction – a field pulling together?
In this 2008 review article, the author discusses mechanotransduction, the process by which cells convert mechanical forces into biochemical signals. Cells are constantly subjected to forces, both from external pressure…
Tensegrity-Based Mechanosensing from Macro to Micro
This review article, based on a lecture, explores how cells convert mechanical signals into biochemical responses. The author proposes that the body uses "tensegrity" (tensional integrity) principles, where interconnect…
Collagen fibrillogenesis: fibronectin, integrins, and minor collagens as organizers and nucleators
This 2008 review article explores how collagen fibrils, the main structural components of connective tissue, are formed. While collagen can self-assemble in a test tube, the process in living tissues is carefully manage…
Anti-angiogenic effect of high doses of ascorbic acid
This laboratory study investigated how high doses of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) affect the formation of new blood vessels, a process called angiogenesis. Researchers exposed several types of human endothelial cells, incl…