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- A2019
The Primo Vascular System as a Possible Exosomal Route Across the Body: Implications for Tumor Proliferation and Metastasis
Chiara GhironThis literature review proposes a possible link between the primo vascular system (PVS)—a network associated with Traditional Chinese Medicine meridians—and the way cancer spreads. The theory is that exosomes, tiny vesi…
cancer microenvironment; exosomes; hyaluronic acid; primo vascular system; tumor metastasis. - A2019
Dermatome and Fasciatome
Carla Stecco, Carmelo Pirri, Caterina Fede, Chenglei Fan, Federico Giordani, Luigi Stecco, Calogero Foti, Raffaele De C…This theoretical paper proposes a new distinction between the body's sensory maps, based on increased knowledge of fascial innervation. The authors define a "dermatome" as the area of skin and superficial fascia supplie…
fascia; dermatome; nerve; pain; proprioception - A2019
The neural basis of the senses of effort, force and heaviness
Uwe Proske, Trevor AllenThis narrative review explores how we sense effort, force, and heaviness during muscle contraction. Traditionally, these sensations were thought to originate in the brain from copies of motor commands. However, new evid…
Force sense · Proprioception · Muscle spindle · Tendon organ · Motor command · Efference copy · Vibration - 1A+2019
Role of fasciae in nonspecific low back pain
G Casato, Carla Stecco, R BusinResearch increasingly links the thoracolumbar fascia to non-specific low back pain. This small case study explored the idea that pain could originate elsewhere in the body's continuous fascial network. Five patients wit…
fascianonspecific low back painlimb myofascial manipulationfascial continuitycase series - A+++2019
Tentorium Cerebelli: Muscles, Ligaments, and Dura Mater, Part 1
Bruno Bordoni, Marta Simonelli, Maria Marcella LaganaIn this narrative review, the authors describe the anatomy of the tentorium cerebelli, part of the reciprocal tension membranes that divide areas of the brain. They highlight its connections to the dura mater, ligaments…
fasciafascial systemdura matercraniotentorium cerebelli - A2019
Oral Collagen Supplementation: A Systematic Review of Dermatological Applications
Franchesca D Choi, Calvin T Sung, Margit L W Juhasz, Natasha Atanaskova MesinkovskThis systematic review examined eleven clinical trials investigating the impact of oral collagen supplements on skin health. The findings suggest that collagen hydrolysates and peptides may improve skin elasticity, hydr…
wound healingcollagenskin aging - A++2019
Vitamin C Inhibits Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Metastasis by Affecting the Expression of YAP1 and Synaptopodin 2
Liping Gan, Vladimir Camarena, Sushmita Mustafi, Gaofeng WangIn this study using cell cultures and animal models, researchers investigated how vitamin C might inhibit the spread of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). They found that vitamin C, at concentrations achievable throu…
F-actin; HIF-1α; YAP1; hippo pathway; lamellipodia; metastasis; synaptopodin 2; triple-negative breast cancer; vitamin C. - B2019
The secret life of proteins
Abigail SawyerThe traditional scientific view has long held that single protein molecules are electrical insulators. However, a recent discovery overturns this belief, suggesting instead that proteins are strong electrical conductors…
AntibodyAntigenConductorElectrica L SignalsProtein - A2019
Role of Hyaluronan in Inflammatory Effects on Human Articular Chondrocytes
Mary K Cowman, Claire Shortt, Shivani Arora, Yuhong Fu, Jemma Villavieja, Jai Rathore, Xiayun Huang, Tatini Rakshit, Gy…Some researchers have proposed that fragments of hyaluronan (HA), a key molecule in connective tissue, can trigger inflammation in cartilage. This study investigated that idea in human articular cartilage cells. Researc…
hyaluronan; hyaluronidase; articular cartilage; chondrocytes; inflammation - A2019
Educational Avenues for Promoting Dialog on Fascia
Rebecca L PrattThis article argues that fascia is a critically important, yet often overlooked, organ system in healthcare education. The author highlights fascia's diverse roles in pathology, fluid movement, proprioception, pain perc…
fascia; connective; tissue; curriculum; anatomy - A2019
Hyaluronan: molecular size-dependent signaling and biological functions in inflammation and cancer
Anastasia G Tavianatou, Ilaria Caon, Marco Franchi, Zoi Piperigkou, Devis Galesso, Nikos K KaramanosThis narrative review explores how hyaluronan (HA), a key component of the extracellular matrix, functions differently depending on its molecular size. Large, high-molecular weight HA has different biological properties…
cancer; CD44; cell signaling; hyaluronan; inflammation; pharmacological targeting; RHAMM - A2019
Ultrasound Imaging of the Fascial Layers
Carmelo Pirri, Carla Stecco, Levent ÖzçakarThis publication, for which a full summary is not yet available, appears to discuss using ultrasound to visualize the body's fascial layers. Ultrasound imaging is a non-invasive technique that provides real-time views o…
ultrasound.fascial layers