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- A2016
A Systematic Review of the Soft-Tissue Connections Between Neck Muscles and Dura Mater
Luis Palomeque-del-Cerro, Luis A Arráez-Aybar, Cleofás Rodriguez-Blanco, Rafael Guzmán-Garcia, Mar Menendez-Aparicio, Á…In this systematic review, researchers compiled data from 26 studies to investigate direct soft-tissue connections between neck muscles and the dura mater, the outermost membrane surrounding the spinal cord. The analysi…
fasciaConnective tissueproprioceptionSpineAnatomy - A2016
The tongue after whiplash: case report and osteopathic treatment
Bruno Bordoni, Fabiola Marelli, Bruno MorabitoThis case report describes a 30-year-old man who experienced neck pain during swallowing and had a reduced ability to open his mouth following a whiplash injury. He was treated with osteopathic manual techniques directe…
fasciafascial releasetongueindirect osteopathic techniques - 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 - A+++2016
Understanding Mechanobiology: Physical Therapists as a Force in Mechanotherapy and Musculoskeletal Regenerative Rehabilitation
William R Thompson, Alexander Scott, M Terry Loghmani, Samuel R Ward, Stuart J WardenThis perspective article explores the field of mechanobiology and how physical therapists use mechanical forces to promote tissue healing. It explains that cells in our muscles, bones, and tendons respond to physical st…
RehabilitationTherapymechantransduction - A+++2016
Effects of whole body vibration exercises on bone mineral density of women with postmenopausal osteoporosis without medications: novel findings and literature review
C F Dionello, D Sá-Caputo, H Vfs Pereira, C R Sousa-Gonçalves, A I Maiworm, D S Morel, E Moreira-Marconi, L L Paineiras…This systematic review examines the effects of whole-body vibration (WBV) exercises on bone mineral density in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis who are not taking medication. By analyzing twelve studies, researche…
postmenopausbone densitywhole body vibrationvibration; osteoporosis - A++2016
Microbiota-dependent sequelae of acute infection compromise tissue-specific immunity
Denise Morais da Fonseca, Timothy W Hand, Seong-Ji Han, Michael Y Gerner, Arielle Glatman Zaretsky, Allyson L Byrd, Oli…A single acute infection can have long-term consequences for tissue-specific immunity, even after the pathogen is cleared. This study found that following a gut infection with Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, sustained infl…
Gut microbiome / Immunity - A2016
Is remote stretching based on myofascial chains as effective as local exercise? A randomised-controlled trial
Jan Wilke, L Vogt, D Niederer, W BanzerThis randomized controlled trial investigated whether stretching the lower limbs could improve neck mobility as effectively as direct neck stretching. Researchers divided 63 healthy participants into three groups: one s…
Myofascial chains; force transmission; fascia; meridians; MiSpEx - A++2016
Fascial hierarchies and the relevance of crossed-helical arrangements of collagen to changes in shape; part II: The proposed effect of blood pressure (Traube-Hering-Mayer) waves on the fascia
Graham ScarrPeriodic changes in blood pressure, known as Traube-Hering-Mayer waves, are linked to respiration and nervous system activity. While complex and not fully understood, they can provide valuable clinical information. This…
Arterial pressure waveform; Collagen; Cranial rhythmic impulse; Fascia; Helix; Interstitial fluid flow; Mayer waves; Myofascia; Traube Hering - B2016
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), the main extracellular matrix (ECM) enzymes in collagen degradation, as a target for anticancer drugs
Agata Jabłońska-Trypuć, Marzena Matejczyk, Stanisław RosochackiThis review article describes matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), the primary enzymes responsible for breaking down collagen in the extracellular matrix. This breakdown process is normal and necessary for tissue remodelin…
cancercollagenAngiogenesisapoptosismetalloproteinase - A+2016
Comparison of the Hyaluronic Acid Vaginal Cream and Conjugated Estrogen Used in Treatment of Vaginal Atrophy of Menopause Women: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
Azam Jokar, Tayebe Davari, Nasrin Asadi, Fateme Ahmadi, Sedighe ForuhariThis randomized controlled clinical trial compared the effectiveness of hyaluronic acid vaginal cream with conjugated estrogen cream for treating vaginal atrophy in menopausal women. Over an eight-week period, researche…
Atrophic vaginitis; Estrogen; Hyaluronic acid; Menopause - 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 - A++2015
BioTensegrity Fascia and the fallacy of biomechanics, Part 2.
John SharkeyIn this conceptual article, the second in a series, the author introduces BioTensegrity as an alternative to classical biomechanics. He argues that traditional models of animal and human movement, which date back to the…
biotensegrityBiomechanics