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+++2017
Activation of type 2 cannabinoid receptor (CB2R) by selective agonists regulates the deposition and remodelling of the extracellular matrix
Tao Guan, Guiyang Zhao, Honghui Duan, Yang Liu, Feng ZhaoThis in vitro study investigated how activating the type 2 cannabinoid receptor (CB2R) affects scar formation in eye connective tissue after surgery. Researchers found that human Tenon’s fibroblasts express these recept…
Matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1); Tenon’s fibroblasts; Transforming growth factor-β1; Type 2 cannabinoid receptor (CB2R); Wound healing - A+++2017
Resveratrol Treatment Normalizes the Endothelial Function and Blood Pressure in Ovariectomized Rats
Victor Fabricio, Jorge Camargo Oishi, Bruna Gabriele Biffe, Leandro Dias Gonçalves Ruffoni, Karina Ana da Silva, Keico…This animal study on rats investigated how resveratrol affects blood pressure and vascular function during estrogen deficiency, mimicking post-menopausal conditions. Researchers found that a lack of estrogen led to high…
blood pressureresveratrolPostmenopause - A+++2017
The deep fascia and retinacula of the equine forelimb - structure and innervation
Aleksandra Skalec, Monika EgerbacherThis study investigated the deep fascia and its reinforcements (retinacula) in the equine forelimb using anatomical dissection and microscopic analysis. The researchers found that horse fascia is structurally similar to…
equine; fascia; forelimb; innervation; retinaculum; structure - C2017
X-Rays Effects on Cytoskeleton Mechanics of Healthy and Tumor Cells
Valeria Panzetta, Marta De Menna, Ida Musella, Mariagabriella Pugliese, Maria Quarto, Paolo A. Netti, Sabato FuscoThis study investigated how X-ray radiation affects the internal structure, or cytoskeleton, of both healthy cells and tumor cells in a lab setting. Researchers exposed both cell types to different doses of radiation an…
X-rays; Cytoskeleton; Mechanobiology; Focal Adhesion; Particle Tracking; Microrheology - A+++2017
Electric Nutrition: The Surprising Health and Healing Benefits of Biological Grounding (Earthing)
Stephen T Sinatra, James L Oschman, Gaétan Chevalier, Drew SinatraThis narrative review summarizes research on grounding (earthing), which involves direct physical contact with the Earth's surface. The authors suggest that grounding may provide a form of "electric nutrition" with pote…
Grounding - A++2017
Touch, Tension, and Transduction - The Function and Regulation of Piezo Ion Channels
Jason Wu, Amanda H Lewis, Jörg GrandlThis narrative review explores Piezo1 and Piezo2, specialized proteins that act as the body's primary mechanical sensors. These ion channels convert physical forces like touch, tension, and fluid flow into electrical si…
Mechanotransductionpiezo - A+++2017
Therapeutic effectiveness of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization for soft tissue injury: mechanisms and practical application
Jooyoung Kim, Dong Jun Sung, Joohyung LeeThis narrative review explores the mechanisms and practical use of Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) for treating soft tissue injuries. IASTM involves using specialized tools to apply mechanical press…
Injury; Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization; Pain; Range of motion; Soft tissue function. - A+++2017
Proinflammatory Cytokines and Oxidative Stress Decrease the Transport of Dopamine Precursor Tyrosine in Human Fibroblasts
Ravi Vumma, Jessica Johansson, Nikolaos VenizelosThis laboratory study investigated how inflammation and oxidative stress affect the transport of the amino acid tyrosine in human fibroblasts, a type of connective tissue cell. Tyrosine is a crucial precursor for the ne…
Dopamine precursor; Human fibroblasts; Neuropsychiatric disorders; Oxidative stress; Proinflammatory cytokines; Tyrosine transport. - A++2017
A New Definition of an Acupuncture Meridian
Fletcher KovichThis perspective article proposes a new definition of acupuncture meridians, moving away from the idea of dedicated anatomical vessels. The author suggests that meridians are actually tracts of tissue that become affect…
acupunctureelectrical wavesemiconductionsignal propagation - B2017
The Application of Acoustic Myography in Canine Muscle Function and Performance Testing
Christina Fenger, Adrian P HarrisonThis animal study on 11 Labrador dogs used acoustic myography (AMG) to measure muscle activity during walking and trotting. Researchers focused on two muscles, the m. gluteus superficialis and m. longissimus lumborum, t…
Mechanomyographym.longissimusm.glutealDogMuscle contraction - A++2017
A Curious Oversight in Acupuncture Research
Fletcher KovichIn this perspective article, the author argues that current acupuncture hypotheses overlook a crucial factor: the speed at which the treatment takes effect. Observations suggest that communication between acupoints and…
acupunctureelectrical wavesemiconductionsignal propagation - B2017
Identification of a new subset of lymph node stromal cells involved in regulating plasma cell homeostasis
Hsin-Ying Huang, Ana Rivas-Caicedo, François Renevey, Hélène Cannelle, Elisa Peranzoni, Leonardo Scarpellino, Debbie L…This study investigated how antibody-producing plasma cells are supported within lymph nodes. Researchers identified a specific type of connective tissue cell, a medullary fibroblastic reticular cell (FRC), that forms a…
FRC subsetslymph node medullaextrafollicular B cell differentiationplasma cell survivalhumoral response