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- C2016
Protein—glycosaminoglycan interaction networks: Focus on heparan sulfate
Sylvie Ricard-BlumThis research overview describes a project focused on glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), complex sugars found on the cell surface and in the extracellular matrix. Specifically, it investigates heparan sulfate and how it interac…
extracellular matrixHeparan sulfateInteraction networksInteraction databasesSurface plasmon resonance - A2016
The Physical Mechanism for Retinal Discrete Dark Noise: Thermal Activation or Cellular Ultraweak Photon Emission?
Vahid Salari, Felix Scholkmann, Istvan Bokkon, Farhad Shahbazi, Jack TuszynskiThe visual 'static' or 'noise' we perceive in complete darkness has long been a puzzle. The conventional explanation is that random thermal energy causes photoreceptor cells in the retina to fire, but this model doesn't…
Biophotons - A2016
Systemic inflammatory profiles and their relationships with demographic, behavioural and clinical features in acute low back pain
David M Klyne, Mary F Barbe, Paul W HodgesThis study investigated systemic inflammation in acute low back pain, which is less studied than inflammation in chronic conditions. Researchers analyzed blood samples from 99 individuals within two weeks of LBP onset a…
Pro-inflammatory cytokinesC-reactive protein (CRP)Interleukin-6 (IL-6)Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)Interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) - A2016
Restoration of Full Shoulder Range of Motion After Application of the Fascial Distortion Model
Joshua D Boucher, Jose FigueroaThis case report describes a 28-year-old man with chronic shoulder pain and severely limited movement, 18 months after an injury. His condition, similar to a frozen shoulder, involved significant pain and an inability t…
frozen shoulderfascial distortion modelrange of motion - A2016
Patterns of attachment of the myodural bridge by the rectus capitis posterior minor muscle
Xiao-Ying Yuan, Sheng-Bo Yu, Yun-Fei Li, Yan-Yan Chi, Nan Zheng, Hai-Bin Gao, Bing-Yi Luan, Zhao-Xi Zhang, Hong-Jin SuiThis anatomical study used dissection and plastination techniques to examine the myodural bridge, a small tissue connection in the upper neck. Researchers focused on the attachments of the rectus capitis posterior minor…
Myodural Bridgerectus capitis posterior minor muscleChronic cervicogenic headacheCirculation of cerebrospinal fluidPlastination technology - A++2016
Three Case Reports of Successful Vibration Therapy of the Plantar Fascia for Spasticity Due to Cerebral Palsy-Like Syndrome, Fetal-Type Minamata Disease
Fusako Usuki, Satsuki TohyamaThis series of case reports describes the long-term effects of vibration therapy on lower-limb spasticity in three patients with fetal-type Minamata disease, a condition with symptoms similar to cerebral palsy. Research…
spasticityvibration therapyFDM - A++2016
The effect of an active vibration stimulus according to different shoulder joint angles on functional reach and stability of the shoulder joint
Eun-Kyung Kim, Seong-Gil KimThis study investigated how active vibration exercise with a Flexi-Bar at different shoulder angles affected shoulder joint function and stability in 30 healthy male students. Participants were divided into three groups…
Active vibration stimulusFlexi-BarShoulder joint angle - A++2016
Effects of matrix rhythm therapy on primary lymphedema: a case report
Ayse Neriman Narin, Ayse Zengin Alpozgen, Hilal Denizoglu KulliThis case report investigated the effects of Matrix Rhythm Therapy on a 36-year-old woman with primary lymphedema in her left leg. She received 20 sessions of the therapy over four weeks, applied to the affected leg, sp…
Matrix Rhythm TherapyLower limbPrimary lymphedema - B2016
Internal strain drives spontaneous periodic buckling in collagen and regulates remodeling
Andrew Dittmore, Jonathan Silver, Susanta K Sarkar, Barry Marmer, Gregory I Goldberg, Keir C NeumanThis study investigated how collagen, a key structural protein, is remodeled. Researchers observed that the enzymes responsible for breaking down collagen, called MMPs, bind to specific, vulnerable spots that appear at…
mechanosensingCollagenasematrix metalloproteinasesingle moleculepattern formation - B2016
Limited mechanical effects of intermuscular myofascial connections within the intact rat anterior crural compartment
Chris Tijs, Jaap H van Dieën, Huub MaasIn this animal study, researchers investigated the connective tissue links between two lower leg muscles in rats, the tibialis anterior and extensor digitorum longus. The goal was to see if these connections significant…
Tibialis anteriorExtensor digitorum longus3D kineticsCo-activationMechanical interaction - B2016
Stretch-induced network reconfiguration of collagen fibres in the human facet capsular ligament
Sijia Zhang, Danielle S Bassett, Beth A WinkelsteinThe facet capsular ligament in the neck is a common source of chronic pain, often resulting from excessive stretching. This study investigated how the collagen fibers within this ligament reorganize when it is stretched…
collagenfibre realignmentfacet capsular ligamentcommunity detectiontime-dependent network - C2016
Differential displacement of soft tissue layers from manual therapy loading
Shawn Engell, John J Triano, James R Fox, Helene M Langevin, Elisa E KonofagouTo better understand how manual therapy affects the body, researchers investigated how different layers of soft tissue in the back respond to pressure. They applied a standard preparatory force to the thoracic paraspina…
Spinal manipulationBiomechanicsElastographyCumulative displacementShear displacement