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 studiesRelationship of Acupuncture Points and Meridians to Connective Tissue Planes
Researchers investigated the hypothesis that the network of acupuncture points and meridians could represent the body's network of interstitial connective tissue. By mapping points in anatomical cross-sections of a huma…
Adhesive capsulitis: role of MR imaging in differential diagnosis
This study investigated whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can identify the changes typical of adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder). Researchers compared MRI scans from 24 patients with clinical evidence of froze…
Evidence of Connective Tissue Involvement in Acupuncture
Researchers investigated the "needle grasp" phenomenon in acupuncture, where it becomes harder to pull a needle out after manipulation. They hypothesized this is caused by connective tissue winding around the needle, ra…
Mechanical signaling through connective tissue: a mechanism for the therapeutic effect of acupuncture
This paper proposes a hypothesis for how acupuncture might work. The authors focus on the "de qi" sensation, which includes the acupuncturist feeling a "needle grasp" in the tissue. They suggest that when an acupuncture…
Hyaluronan and Homeostasis: A Balancing Act
As only the title of this paper is available, it has not yet been summarized. The title suggests the article discusses the role of hyaluronan in maintaining homeostasis, the body's state of physiological balance. This i…
Effect of Mechanical Load on Articular Cartilage Collagen Structure: A Scanning Electron-Microscopic Study
This study on rabbit knees examined how static mechanical loads affect the collagen structure of articular cartilage. Researchers applied varying levels of force for different durations to simulate muscle activity, then…
Adhesive Capsulitis
In this 2000 review article, the authors examine adhesive capsulitis, or frozen shoulder, a condition of unknown cause that restricts shoulder motion. They review what is known about its etiology and critically evaluate…
Tensegrity and mechanoregulation: from skeleton to cytoskeleton
This review article explores how mechanical forces are transmitted from the whole body down to individual cells. The authors propose that a design principle called "tensegrity," which uses continuous tension and local c…
Oral Administration of 14C Labeled Gelatin Hydrolysate Leads to an Accumulation of Radioactivity in Cartilage of Mice (C57/BL)
In this animal study, researchers investigated how gelatin hydrolysate is absorbed and distributed in the bodies of mice. Using a radioactive label, they tracked the gelatin after it was administered orally. The results…
Tensegrity: The Architectural Basis of Cellular Mechanotransduction
This 1997 review article proposes a model for how cells sense and respond to physical forces, a process called mechanotransduction. The author suggests that cells are built using 'tensegrity' architecture, a system of b…
Effects of continuous and Intermittent forces on human fibroblasts in vitro
This in vitro study investigated how human connective tissue cells (fibroblasts) respond to different types of mechanical force. Researchers grew fibroblasts on flexible membranes and subjected them to either continuous…
Glutathione-Ascorbic Acid Antioxidant System in Animals
This 1994 publication by Alton Meister discusses the biochemical interaction between glutathione and ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) within animal antioxidant systems. As the source material is limited to the title, the summa…