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 studiesHistological examination of the human obliquus capitis inferior myodural bridge
This cadaver study examined the connection between a deep neck muscle, the obliquus capitis inferior (OCI), and the dura mater, the tough outer layer covering the spinal cord. Researchers dissected tissue from eight cad…
Mathematical Analysis of the Flow of Hyaluronic Acid Around Fascia During Manual Therapy Motions
This 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…
Molecular assembly and mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix: A fibrous protein perspective
This 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…
Hyaluronan: A Simple Polysaccharide with Diverse Biological Functions
This 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…
Plantar fascia anatomy and its relationship with Achilles tendon and paratenon
This study investigated the detailed anatomy of the plantar fascia and its connection to the Achilles tendon. Dissections of human cadavers revealed that the fascia is more closely linked to the paratenon (the tendon's…
Training principles for fascial connective tissues: Scientific foundation and suggested practical applications
Conventional sports training often emphasizes muscles, cardiovascular conditioning, and coordination, yet most overload injuries occur within the body's connective tissue network, or fascia. This review article proposes…
Massage Therapy Attenuates Inflammatory Signaling After Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage
This 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…
Stretching of the Back Improves Gait, Mechanical Sensitivity and Connective Tissue Inflammation in a Rodent Model
In this rodent study, researchers investigated how stretching affects inflammation in the connective tissue of the low back. They first induced local inflammation, which resulted in altered gait, increased mechanical se…
Real-time imaging of cortical areas involved in the generation of increases in skin sympathetic nerve activity when viewing emotionally charged images
This 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…
Lymphatic and interstitial flow in the tumour microenvironment: linking mechanobiology with immunity
This review explores how tumors interact with the lymphatic system to grow and spread. Increased fluid flow from a tumor to nearby lymph nodes does more than just transport cancer cells. This flow also creates mechanica…
A RHAMM Mimetic Peptide Blocks Hyaluronan Signaling and Reduces Inflammation and Fibrogenesis in Excisional Skin Wounds
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…
The thoracolumbar fascia: anatomy, function and clinical considerations
This 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…