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
Fascia Research Congress Evidence from the 100 year perspective of Andrew Taylor Still
Thomas W Findley, Mona ShalwalaThis review paper examines research from the first three International Fascia Research Congresses through the perspective of Andrew Taylor Still, the founder of osteopathic medicine. Over a century ago, Still described…
fasciaextracellular matrixfibroblastOsteopathic medicinefascia anatomy - A2013
Primo Vascular System: Past, Present, and Future
Byung-Cheon Lee, Walter J Akers, Xianghong Jing, M Isabel Miguel Perez, Yeonhee RyuAs only the title of this article was available, this summary is necessarily limited. The title, "Primo Vascular System: Past, Present, and Future," suggests this is a review article. It likely covers the history of the…
fasciaprimo vascular systemeditorial - A++2013
Mathematical Analysis of the Flow of Hyaluronic Acid Around Fascia During Manual Therapy Motions
Max Roman, Hans Chaudhry, Bruce Bukiet, Antonio Stecco,Thomas FindleyThis study used a mathematical model to simulate how different manual therapy techniques affect the flow of hyaluronic acid (HA) within fascia. The researchers compared constant sliding, perpendicular vibration, and tan…
hyaluronanfasciaManual Therapyfluid flowvibration - 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
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) - 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 - 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
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
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
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
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 - 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