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- 1A+2016
Hormone receptor expression in human fascial tissue
Caterina Fede, G Albertin, L Petrelli, M M Sfriso, C Biz, R De Caro, Carla SteccoAdult women tend to experience more myofascial pain than men, and this study explored a possible hormonal link. Researchers examined fascial tissue from eight female volunteers, looking for receptors for the hormones es…
Fascia; fascial fibroblasts; estrogen; relaxin; immunostaining - 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
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 - 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 - A2016
Telocytes in focus
Sandra Maria CretoiuThis is a title-only entry, and its contents have not yet been summarized. The title is 'Telocytes in focus', authored by Sandra Maria Cretoiu and published in 2016. Without an abstract or full text, the specific findin…
telocytes - 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 - A2016
What Is Evidence-Based About Myofascial Chains: A Systematic Review
Jan Wilke, Frieder Krause, Lutz Vogt, Winfried BanzerThis systematic review evaluated anatomical dissection studies to find evidence for six proposed myofascial meridians. Researchers analyzed 62 studies and found strong evidence for the anatomical continuity of three lin…
fasciaForce transmissionmyofascial chainsmeridians - A2016
Fascial Manipulation Associated With Standard Care Compared to Only Standard Postsurgical Care for Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Massimo Busato, Cristian Quagliati, Lara Magri, Alessandra Filippi, Alberto Sanna, Mirco Branchini, Aurelie Marie March…This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of adding Fascial Manipulation (FM) to standard rehabilitation after total hip replacement surgery. Researchers divided 51 patients into two groups: one received…
Fascial manipulationHip arthroplasty - A++2016
Myofascial triggerpoint release (MTR) for treating chronic shoulder pain: A novel approach
Christopher-Marc Gordon, Frank Andrasik, Robert Schleip, Niels Birbaumer, Massimiliano ReaThis study evaluated a specific manual therapy, myofascial trigger point release (MTR), for chronic shoulder pain. Twenty-three participants received four 10-minute sessions over two weeks, applied only to their more pa…
Algometer; Chronic shoulder pain; Myofascial triggerpoint release; Myometer; Quality of life; Stress.