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- A++2018
Release of fascial compartment boundaries reduces muscle force output
Roy J Ruttiman, David A Sleboda,, Thomas J RobertsIn this animal study, researchers investigated how the fascial sheets that enclose muscles affect their function. They surgically removed the fascia from a wing muscle in wild turkeys to see how it changed the muscle's…
Muscletendoncompartmentfasciotomyintramuscular pressure - B2018
The Receptor for Hyaluronan- Mediated Motility (CD168) promotes inflammation and fibrosis after acute lung injury
Zheng Cui, Jie Liao, Naeun Cheongb, Christopher Longoria, Gaoyuan Cao, Horace M DeLisser, Rashmin C SavaniIn this animal study, researchers investigated the role of a specific receptor, RHAMM, in the body's response to acute lung injury. Using mouse models, they compared outcomes in mice that lacked the RHAMM receptor to th…
HA - A2018
Lipedema—An update
Uwe WollinaThis review provides an update on lipedema, a chronic condition affecting subcutaneous fat tissue in the limbs, almost exclusively in women. It typically appears during or after puberty and is characterized by symmetric…
painEdemaobesitylipedemalymphedema - A++2018
Female hormones: do they influence muscle and tendon protein metabolism?
Mette HansenThis narrative review examines how female sex hormones, particularly estrogen, influence the metabolism of proteins in muscles and tendons. After menopause, declining hormone levels are associated with accelerated muscl…
ACL anterior cruciate ligament; ER oestrogen receptors; ERT oestrogen replacement therapy; HRT hormone replacement therapy; IGF-I insulin-like growth factor-I; OC oral contraceptive; Collagen; Hormone replacement therapy; Muscle strength; Oestrogen; Sarcopenia. - B2018
Global Expression Profiling Identifies a Novel Hyaluronan Synthases 2 Gene in the Pathogenesis of Lower Extremity Varicose Veins
Chia-Shan Hsieh, Chia-Ti Tsai, Yau-Hung Chen, Sheng-Nan Chang, Juey-Jen Hwang, Eric Y Chuang, I-HuiWuResearchers investigated the genetic factors behind varicose veins by comparing vein tissue from patients with and without the condition. They found that the gene hyaluronan synthase 2 (HAS2) was significantly less acti…
varicose veins; HAS2; RNA seq - A2018
Fascial well-being: Mechanotransduction in manual and movement therapies
Leon ChaitowThis article discusses mechanotransduction, the process by which cells in connective tissue sense and respond to mechanical forces like stretch, compression, and shear. Specialized cells such as fibroblasts communicate…
mechanotransduction - 1A+2018
Equine Manual Therapies in Sport Horse Practice
Kevin K HausslerManual therapies can provide diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for assessing and managing neuromuscular coordination and strength in sport horses. This review describes various techniques, including active and passi…
osteopathyManual Therapyproprioceptionmassage therapyNeuromuscular control - A2018
New Proposal to Define the Fascial System
Bruno Bordoni, Fabiola Marelli, Bruno Morabito, Roberto Castagna, Beatrice Sacconi, Paul MazzuccoIn this proposal, the authors suggest a new definition for the fascial system, noting that a universally accepted one does not yet exist. They argue for including the epidermis (the outer layer of skin) based on functio…
fasciaConnective tissuefibroblastMyofascialSkin - A2018
Muscle spindles of the rat sternomastoid muscle
Walter Giuriati, Barbara Ravara, Andrea Porzionato, Giovanna Albertin, Carla Stecco, Veronica Macchi, Raffaele De Caro,…This animal study on rats examined the sternomastoid muscle in the neck, which has a unique structure. Researchers found it has two distinct regions: a superficial "white" part with fast-twitch fibers and a deep "red" p…
ratsternomastoid musclemuscle spindlesfiber typestranslational studies - A+2018
Anatomy of the Superficial Fascia System of the Breast: A Comprehensive Theory of Breast Fascial Anatomy
Robert D Rehnke, Rachel M Groening, Eric R Van Buskirk, John M ClarkeThis study investigated the three-dimensional fascial structure of the breast through 12 cadaver dissections and clinical observations during surgery. The researchers identified a closed system of fascia and fat that su…
superficial fasciabreastreconstructive breast surgerycosmetic breast surgery - A++2018
Biotensegrity-Anatomy for the 21st Century Informing Yoga and Physiotherapy Concerning New Findings in Fascia Research
John SharkeyThis short article discusses how a new view of anatomy, called biotensegrity, is changing our understanding of the human body. This perspective focuses on fascia as a continuous, interconnected network that creates a un…
biotensegrityyogahuman anatomy - A++2018
Low-frequency vibrotherapy considerably improves the effectiveness of manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) in patients with lipedema: A two-armed, randomized, controlled pragmatic trial
Rainer SchneiderThis randomized controlled trial investigated the effect of adding low-frequency vibrotherapy to manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) for 30 women with stage 2–3 lipedema. Participants were randomly assigned to receive eithe…
Lipedema; MLD; quality of life; shock wave vibrotherapy