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- B2017
Acoustic wave therapy for cellulite, body shaping and fat reduction
Doris Hexsel, Fernanda Oliveira Camozzato, Aline Flor Silva, Carolina SiegaThis study evaluated the efficacy of acoustic wave therapy (AWT) for cellulite and body shaping. Thirty women with moderate to severe cellulite underwent 12 treatment sessions on the glutes and thighs over six weeks. Th…
Acoustic wave therapy; body shaping; cellulite; Cellulite Severity Scale; subcutaneous fat tissue thickness - A++2017
Vitamin C–enriched gelatin supplementation before intermittent activity augments collagen synthesis
Gregory Shaw, Ann Lee-Barthel, Megan L R Ross, Bing Wang, Keith BaarIn a small study involving eight healthy men, researchers investigated the effect of vitamin C-enriched gelatin supplementation before exercise. Participants who consumed 15 grams of gelatin one hour before a short, int…
Bonetendonexerciseligamentreturn to play - 1A++2017
Microscopic anatomy of the visceral fasciae
Carla Stecco, Maria Martina Sfriso, Andrea Porzionato, Anna Rambaldo, Giovanna Albertin, Veronica Macchi, Raffaele De C…Researchers examined the microscopic structure of visceral fascia—the connective tissue surrounding internal organs—from eight cadavers. They analyzed samples from the thorax, abdomen, and around organs like the heart,…
elastic lamina; Gerota fascia; pericardium; peritoneum; serous membrane; visceral fascia; visceral manipulation. - A2017
Correlation between chronic headaches and the rectus capitis posterior minor muscle: A comparative analysis of cross-sectional trail
Xiao-Ying Yuan, Sheng-Bo Yu, Cong Liu, Qiang Xu, Nan Zheng, Jian-Fei Zhang, Yan-Yan Chi, Xu-Gang Wang, Xiang-Tao Lin, H…Researchers investigated the relationship between chronic headaches and a small muscle at the base of the skull, the rectus capitis posterior minor (RCPmi). Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), they compared the size…
Myodural Bridgerectus capitis posterior minor musclechronic headacheshypertrophy - A+++2017
Fasting-Mimicking Diet Promotes Ngn3-Driven β-Cell Regeneration to Reverse Diabetes
Chia-Wei Cheng, Valentina Villani, Roberta Buono, Min Wei, Sanjeev Kumar, Omer H Yilmaz, Pinchas Cohen, Julie B Sneddon…This study, involving mice and human pancreatic cells, explores how cycles of a fasting-mimicking diet (FMD) may influence the pancreas's ability to produce insulin. Researchers found that the diet appears to activate g…
fasting; fasting-mimicking diet; inflammation; intermittent fasting; diabetes - A2017
The second terminations of the suboccipital muscles: An assistant pivot for the To Be Named Ligament
Xiao-Ying Yuan, Chan Li, Jia-Ying Sui, Qi-Qi Zhao, Xiao Zhang, Na-Na Mou, Zhao Huang-Fu, Okoye Chukwuemeka Samuel, Nan…In this anatomical dissection study of 35 head-neck specimens, researchers investigated small muscle attachments in the suboccipital region. The scientists confirmed the existence of "second terminations" from several s…
Myodural Bridge - A2017
The universal existence of myodural bridge in mammals: an indication of a necessary function
Nan Zheng, Xiao-Ying Yuan, Yan-Yan Chi, Pei Liu, Bing Wang, Jia-Ying Sui, Seung-Ho Han, Sheng-Bo Yu, Hong-Jin SuiThe myodural bridge is a connective tissue structure linking one of the deep, upper neck muscles to the spinal dura mater. This anatomical study investigated whether this structure, known in humans, also exists in other…
Myodural Bridge - A2017
Muscle strength and stiffness in resistance exercise: Force transmission in tissues
Hans Chaudhry, Bruce Bukiet, Ellen Z Anderson, Jared Burch, Thomas FindleyResearchers used a mathematical model to estimate how forces are transmitted through the quadriceps muscle during isometric resistance exercises. They specifically looked at how knee angle affects muscle stiffness, stre…
Knee muscle strength; Stiffness; Mathematical modeling; Resistance exercise - A2017
Telocytes heterogeneity: From cellular morphology to functional evidence
Dragos Cretoiu, Beatrice Mihaela Radu, Adela Banciu, Daniel Dumitru Banciu, Sanda Maria CretoiuThis review discusses telocytes, a recently identified type of cell found throughout the connective tissue (stroma) of vertebrates. They are characterized by extremely long, thin extensions called telopodes, which form…
cancertelocytesregenerative medicinestem cellsImmunophenotype heterogeneity - A++2017
The effect of pre-exercise vibration stimulation on the exercise-induced muscle damage
Ji-Yun Kim, Da-Haeng Kang, Joon-Hee Lee, Se-Min O, Jae-Keun JeonThis study investigated whether vibration stimulation before or after exercise could reduce exercise-induced muscle damage. Thirty healthy men were divided into three groups: one receiving vibration before exercise, one…
pressure pain thresholdmuscle fatiguemuscle damage - A2017
Rectus Capitis Posterior Minor
Gabriel Venne, Brian J Rasquinha, Manuela Kunz, Randy E EllisThis cadaver study investigated the connection between a small neck muscle (Rectus Capitis Posterior Minor, RCPMi) and the spinal dura mater. Researchers used both microscopic analysis and biomechanical testing to clari…
biomechanical testingcervical dura matermechanical influence of musclesmechanical influence of soft tissuerectus capitis posterior minor - A2017
Correlations of magnetic resonance imaging findings with clinical symptom severity and prognosis of frozen shoulder
Jong Pil Yoon, Seok Won Chung, Byung Joo Lee, Hyung Sup Kim, Jae Hyuck Yi, Hyun‑Joo Lee, Won‑Ju Jeong, Sung Gyu Moon, K…Researchers used a specific type of MRI (indirect MR arthrography) to examine the shoulders of 52 people with frozen shoulder and 52 without. They found that certain features, like thickening and inflammation-related ch…
frozen shoulderMR findingIndirect MR arthrogramClinical symptomCorrelation