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- A2008
Tensegrity and Mechanotransduction
D E IngberThis article summarizes a lecture on how mechanical forces influence biological processes at the cellular level. The author describes mechanotransduction, the process by which cells convert physical forces into biochemi…
fasciaTensegritycytoskeletonmechanotransductionIntegrins - A2008
Diagnosis and management of adhesive capsulitis
Robert C Manske, Daniel ProhaskaThis 2008 review discusses adhesive capsulitis, also known as frozen shoulder, a disabling musculoskeletal condition. The authors cover the diagnosis and management of the condition, which can cause significant morbidit…
SurgeryAdhesive capsulitisShoulder pain - A2008
Three-Dimensional Mathematical Model for Deformation of Human Fasciae in Manual Therapy
Hans Chaudhry, Robert Schleip, Zhiming Ji, Bruce Bukiet, Miriam Maney, Thomas FindleyResearchers developed a mathematical model to calculate the force required to deform human fascia during manual therapy. The model showed that very large forces, beyond the normal physiological range of a therapist, are…
fasciaManual Therapyplantar fasciachiropractic manipulationsoft tissue motion - A2008
Vitamin C Deficiency in a University Teaching Hospital
Runye Gan, Shaun Eintracht, L John HofferThis study investigated vitamin C levels in patients at a Canadian teaching hospital. Researchers found that 60% of patients had low levels and 19% were deficient, a much higher rate than in a healthy reference group. F…
supplementationAscorbic acidVitamins.scurvy - A2008
Simple geometry in complex organisms
Graham ScarrThis theoretical paper explores how simple geometric principles can explain the formation of complex biological structures. The author revisits ancient ideas about fundamental shapes, connecting them to modern concepts…
TensegrityCrystallographyhelixicosahedronnatural law - A2008
Fibroblast mechanics in three-dimensional collagen matrices
Frederick GrinellThis summary describes the relationship between fibroblasts and collagen, the primary cells and protein of fascia, respectively. Fascia provides mechanical support for the body's tissues, and fibroblasts are responsible…
Fascia; Tension; Contraction; Migration; Growth factor; Regulation - A2008
Can cancer be reversed by engineering the tumor microenvironment?
Donald E IngberIn this perspective article, the author proposes a different way of looking at cancer. Instead of focusing solely on genetic mutations, he argues that the physical environment around a tumor, particularly the extracellu…
fasciaextracellular matrixmechanicalcytoskeletonstroma - A2007
The Myofibroblast One Function, Multiple Origins
Boris Hinz, Sem H Phan, Victor J Thannickal, Andrea Galli, Marie-Luce Bochaton-Piallat, Giulio GabbianiThis 2007 review article discusses the myofibroblast, a cell type crucial for wound healing but also implicated in fibrosis, or pathological scarring. The authors highlight that while myofibroblasts perform similar func…
fibrosisMyofibroblast - A2007
Formation and Function of the Myofibroblast during Tissue Repair
Boris HinzMyofibroblasts are specialized cells that play a key role in wound healing and tissue repair. Formed from fibroblasts, their primary function is to contract, which helps pull the edges of a wound together. While this is…
fasciaextracellular matrixfibrosisMyofibroblastwound healing TGF-beta - A2007
Mechanical Stimulation Increases Collagen Type I and Collagen Type III Gene Expression of Stem Cell–Collagen Sponge Constructs for Patellar Tendon Repair
Natalia Juncosa-Melvin, Karl S Matlin, Robert W Holdcraft, Victor S Nirmalanandhan, David L ButlerThis laboratory study investigated how mechanical stimulation affects tissue-engineered constructs intended for tendon repair. Researchers used rabbit stem cells grown in collagen sponges. One group of these constructs…
mechanical loadCollagen type Icollagen type IIIpatellar tendon - A2007
Myofascial force transmission between antagonistic rat lower limb muscles: Effects of single muscle or muscle group lengthening
Hanneke J M Meijer, Josina M Rijkelijkhuizen, Peter A HuijingIn this study on rats, researchers investigated how lengthening muscles on the front of the lower leg affects their neighbors. They observed that stretching one muscle group significantly changed the forces within an ad…
fasciaConnective tissueAntagonistic musclesExtensor digitorum longus muscleMyofascial force transmission - A2007
Connective Tissue Fibroblast Response to Acupuncture: Dose- Dependent Effect of Bidirectional Needle Rotation
Helene M Langevin, Nicole A Bouffard, David L Churchill, Gary J BadgerThis study on mouse tissue explored how connective tissue cells respond to back-and-forth rotation of an acupuncture needle. Researchers observed that fibroblasts, a type of connective tissue cell, changed shape by spre…
fasciaacupunctureFibroblastsneedle rotation
