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
The Primo Vascular System as a New Anatomical System
Miroslav Stefanov, Michael Potroz, Jungdae Kim, Jake Lim, Richard Cha, Min-Ho NamThis review paper proposes the existence of a "primo vascular system" (PVS) as the physical, anatomical basis for the meridian system of traditional Eastern medicine. According to the authors, this previously unknown sy…
fasciaEvolutioncirculatory systemnew morphologicalfunctional theory - 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
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
Real-time imaging of cortical areas involved in the generation of increases in skin sympathetic nerve activity when viewing emotionally charged images
Luke A Henderson, Alexandra Stathis, Cheree James, Rachael Brown, Skye McDonald, Vaughan G MacefieldThis study investigated which brain regions are involved when our bodies react to emotional images. Researchers simultaneously measured brain activity with fMRI and skin sympathetic nerve activity (SSNA), a marker of th…
fasciaMRIIASP imagesmicroneurographyskin sympathetic nerve activity - 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
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
The thoracolumbar fascia: anatomy, function and clinical considerations
Frank H Willard, Andry Vleeming, M D Schuenke, L Danneels, Robert SchleipThis overview paper examines the anatomy and function of the thoracolumbar fascia (TLF), the complex sheet of connective tissue in the lower back. The authors describe its multiple layers, which separate and connect the…
fasciathoracolumbarfascia - 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 - 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
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 - A2011
Correlations Between Fasciology and Yin Yang Doctrine
Hui Tao, Mei-Chun Yu, Hui-Ying Yang, Rong-Mei Qu, Chun Yang, Xin Zhou, Yu Bai, Jing-Peng Wu, Jun Wang, Ou Sha, Lin YuanThis theoretical paper explores correlations between "fasciology," a model based on 3D reconstruction of connective tissue, and the traditional Chinese doctrine of yin and yang. According to fasciology, the body can be…
fasciafasciologyfascial anatomytwo-system theoryyin yang doctrine - A2011
Fibroblast cytoskeletal remodeling contributes to connective tissue tension
H M Langevin, N A Bouffard, J R Fox, B M Palmer, J Wu, J C Iatridis, W D Barnes, G J Badger, A K HoweThe mechanical properties of connective tissue, such as its elasticity and resistance, have traditionally been attributed to its non-cellular matrix. This study investigated the role of fibroblasts, the cells residing w…
fasciaConnective tissuefibroblastcytoskeletal remodeling