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
Anatomic connections of the diaphragm: influence of respiration on the body system
Bruno Bordoni, Emiliano ZanierThis review article explains why the diaphragm muscle is a critical crossroads of information for the entire body. The authors describe its extensive anatomical, fascial, and neurological connections, which link it to s…
fasciadiaphragmPelvisphrenic nervevagus nerve - A++2013
Vibration Induced Osteogenic Commitment of Mesenchymal Stem Cells is Enhanced by Cytoskeletal Remodeling but not Fluid Shear
Gunes Uzer, Suphannee Pongkitwitoon, M Ete Chan, Stefan JudexThis laboratory study investigated how mechanical vibrations encourage stem cells to develop into bone cells. Researchers tested two potential mechanisms: the force of fluid moving across the cells (fluid shear) and cha…
fasciaBonedifferentiationProliferationvibrations - A++2013
Squeeze film lubrication for non-Newtonian fluids with application to manual medicine
Hans Chaudhry, Bruce Bukiet, Max Roman, Antonio Stecco, Thomas FindleyResearchers used a mathematical model to investigate how manual therapy affects the fluid in and around fascia. The model focused on hyaluronic acid (HA), a natural lubricant in connective tissue. The results suggest th…
fasciaHyaluronic acidmassage therapyvibrationsmanual manipulation - C2013
Of Mice, Men and Elephants: The Relation between Articular Cartilage Thickness and Body Mass
Jos Malda, Janny C de Grauw, Kim E M Benders, Marja J L Kik, Chris H A van de Lest, Laura B Creemers, Wouter J A Dhert,…This study investigated how articular cartilage adapts to body size across different mammals. Researchers analyzed cartilage from the knee joints of 58 species, ranging from mice to elephants. They found that while cart…
fasciamammalsarticular cartilagetissue ticknessosteochondral cores - A2013
Metabolic control of hyaluronan synthases
Davide Vigetti, Manuela Viola, Evgenia Karousou, Giancarlo De Luca, Alberto PassiThis narrative review explores how a cell's energy and nutritional status regulate the production of hyaluronan (HA), a key component of the extracellular matrix. HA is synthesized by enzymes called HAS, which require s…
fasciaGlycosaminoglycanO-GlcNacylationUDP-GlcUAUDP-GlcNA - C2013
What Lies Beneath: Sub-Articular Long Bone Shape Scaling in Eutherian Mammals and Saurischian Dinosaurs Suggests Different Locomotor Adaptations for Gigantism
Matthew F Bonnan, D Ray Wilhite, Simon L Masters, Adam M Yates, Christine K Gardner, Adam AguiarThis study explored why giant dinosaurs were more common than giant mammals by examining their joint structures. Researchers compared the long bones of large mammals like elephants and rhinos with those of saurischian d…
fasciaeutherian mammalsdinosaursherbivoresgiant mammals - A2013
Visceral and Somatic Disorders: Tissue Softening with Frequency-Specific Microcurrent
Carolyn R McMakin, James L OschmanThis review article explores a technique called Frequency-Specific Microcurrent (FSM), which uses microampere-level electrical currents to treat various health conditions. A consistent finding is a rapid and palpable so…
fasciafrequency-specific microcurrentvisceral diseasesomatic disease - A2013
Hyaluronan: A Simple Polysaccharide with Diverse Biological Functions
Kevin T Dicker, Lisa A Gurski, Swati Pradhan-Bhatt, Robert L Witt, Mary C Farach-Carson, Xinqiao JiaThis review paper describes hyaluronan (HA), a simple sugar molecule found abundantly throughout the body's connective tissues. Despite its simple structure, HA has a surprising array of biological functions. It helps o…
hyaluronanfasciawound healingsynthasehyaluronidase - A2013
Sensory findings after stimulation of the thoracolumbar fascia with hypertonic saline suggest its contribution to low back pain
Andreas Schilder, Ulrich Hoheisel, Walter Magerl, Justus Benrath, Thomas Klein, Rolf-Detlef TreedeThis experimental study investigated the role of the thoracolumbar fascia as a potential source of low back pain. Researchers injected a pain-inducing saline solution into the fascia, back muscles, and subcutaneous tiss…
fasciaThoracolumbar fascialow back painhypertonic salineerector spinae muscle - A2013
Molecular assembly and mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix: A fibrous protein perspective
Lisa D Muiznieks, Fred W KeeleyThis review article examines the extracellular matrix (ECM), the dynamic network of molecules surrounding our cells. The authors focus on fibrous proteins like collagen and elastin, which form the structural backbone of…
fasciaextracellular matrixcollageneastinself-assembly - 1A+2013
Fascial Components of the Myofascial Pain Syndrome
Antonio Stecco, M Gesi, Carla Stecco, R SternMyofascial pain syndrome (MPS) involves muscle pain and other symptoms linked to trigger points, but the role of fascia is often overlooked. This review summarizes recent research into the biology of fascia to better un…
fasciaHyaluronic aciddensificationMyofascial pain syndrome (MPS)Myofascial trigger - A2013
Applications and Emerging Trends of Hyaluronic Acid in Tissue Engineering, as a Dermal Filler, and in Osteoarthritis Treatment
Amir Fakhari, Cory BerklandThis narrative review summarizes knowledge about hyaluronic acid (HA), a naturally occurring polymer found in the body's connective tissues and fluids. The authors describe how HA contributes to the structural propertie…
fasciaHyaluronic acidcrosslinkingdermal fillerviscosupplement