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
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 - A2013
Earthing (Grounding) the Human Body Reduces Blood Viscosity—a Major Factor in Cardiovascular Disease
Gaétan Chevalier, Stephen T Sinatra, James L Oschman, Richard M DelanyThis small study investigated how direct physical contact with the earth, known as 'grounding' or 'earthing', affects blood properties. Ten healthy participants were grounded for two hours using conductive patches on th…
fasciaearthinggroundingearth surface electronscardiovasclar disease - A++2013
Implementation of Matrix Rhythm Therapy and Conventional Massage in Young Females and Comparison of Their Acute Effects on Circulation
Ferruh Taspinar, Ummuhan Bas Aslan, Nuran Sabir, Ugur CavlakThis randomized controlled trial compared the acute effects of Matrix Rhythm Therapy and conventional massage on lower leg blood circulation in young, healthy women. Fifteen participants received a single 30-minute sess…
fascia - A2013
Purine receptor mediated actin cytoskeleton remodeling of human fibroblasts
Nanna Goldman, Devin Chandler-Militello, Helene Langevin, Maiken Nedergaard, Takahiro TakanoThis laboratory study investigated how certain molecules, called purines, affect human fibroblast cells. Previous research has shown that acupuncture can trigger the release of purines like ATP. The researchers exposed…
fasciacytoskeletonacupunctureFibroblastscalcium signaling - A2013
Histological analysis of the rectus capitis posterior major’s myodural bridge
Frank Scali, Matthew E Pontell, Dennis E Enix, Ewarld MarshallThis cadaver study investigated a small tissue bridge between a suboccipital muscle (rectus capitis posterior major) and the dura mater, the protective covering of the spinal cord. Using microscopic analysis on tissue f…
fasciacervical spinerectus capitis posterior majorMyodural Bridgecervical dura mater - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - A2013
Nociception originating from the crural fascia in rats
T Taguchi, M Yasui, A Kubo, M Abe, H Kiyama, A Yamanaka, K MizumuraThis animal study investigated how the crural fascia, the connective tissue around the lower leg muscles, might be a source of pain signals in rats. Researchers found that this fascia is densely populated with nerve fib…
fasciacrural fascianociceptorsactivity-dependent change in conduction velocity (ADCCV)twin pulse difference (TPD) - 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
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