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++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 - A2015
Innervation Changes Induced by Inflammation of the Thoracolumbar Fascia
U Hoheisel, J Rosner, S MenseThis animal study investigated how inflammation affects the nerves in the thoracolumbar fascia (TLF) of rats. Researchers induced inflammation in the TLF and compared its nerve fiber density to that of healthy fascia. W…
inflammationfasciafasciitisfascia innervationsympathetic fibers - A++2015
BioTensegrity Fascia and the fallacy of biomechanics. Part 1
John SharkeyThis conceptual article introduces Biotensegrity as an emerging model for understanding human anatomy. It challenges traditional biomechanics by viewing the body as a continuous tensional network in which fascia plays a…
biotensegrityBiomechanics - A2015
Evidence for the existence of nociceptors in rat thoracolumbar fascia
S Mense, U HoheiselThis animal study on rats investigated the presence of pain-sensing nerve fibers (nociceptors) in the thoracolumbar fascia. Researchers compared normal fascia with tissue in which they had induced inflammation. The resu…
inflammationfasciafasciitisnon-specific low back painfascia nociceptors - A2015
Essential Experimental Methods for Identifying Bonghan Systems as a Basis for Korean Medicine: Focusing on Visual Materials from Original Papers and Modern Outcomes
Hoon-Gi Kim, Byung-Cheon Lee, Ki-Bog LeeThis narrative review examines methods for identifying the so-called Bonghan system, also known as the primo vascular system (PVS). This system was originally proposed in the 1960s as the anatomical basis for acupunctur…
fasciaacupunctureprimo vascular systembongan system - A++2015
Telocytes in regenerative medicine
Yihua Bei, Fei Wang, Changqing Yang, Junjie XiaoThis 2015 review article summarizes research on telocytes, a distinct type of cell found in the connective tissue of many organs. These cells form a complex 3D network and are thought to play a key role in guiding stem…
interstitial cells; progenitor cells; regeneration; regenerative medicine; stem cells; telocytes. - A2015
New Developments in the Primo Vascular System: Imaging and Functions with regard to Acupuncture
Richard C Niemtzow, Kwang-Sup Soh, Kyung A Kang, John H Barker, He Sheng Luo, Moriya OhkumaThis research entry, for which only the title is available, appears to discuss recent advancements in understanding the primo vascular system. The title suggests a focus on new imaging techniques and the system's functi…
acupunctureprimo vascular systemeditorial - A++2015
Glycine improves biochemical and biomechanical properties following inflammation of the achilles tendon
Cristiano Pedrozo Vieira, Letícia Prado De Oliveira, Flávia Da Ré Guerra, Marcos Dos Santos De Almeida, Maria Cristina…This animal study investigated the effect of the amino acid glycine on inflamed Achilles tendons in rats. Researchers induced inflammation and then fed one group of rats a diet supplemented with 5% glycine. After 22 day…
achilles tendon; extracellular matrix; glycine; inflammatory process; tendinopathy. - A2015
Collagen network strengthening following cyclic tensile loading
Monica E Susilo, Jeffrey A Paten, Edward A Sander, Thao D Nguyen, Jeffrey W RubertiTissues adapt to the mechanical loads they experience, with collagen being the primary load-bearing component. In this study, researchers investigated how a collagen-based material responded to repeated, cyclic tensile…
collagen networkmechanical adaptationtissue remodelling - A++2015
Estrogen inhibits lysyl oxidase and decreases mechanical function in engineered ligaments
Cassandra A Lee, Ann Lee-Barthel, Louise Marquino, Natalie Sandoval, George R Marcotte, Keith BaarThis lab study investigated why women are more likely to rupture their anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) than men, focusing on the role of estrogen. Researchers used human ACL cells to create engineered ligaments in a la…
ACL; exercise; tendon; ultimate tensile strength - A+2015
Chondroprotection and the Prevention of Osteoarthritis Progression of the Knee
Brian Gallagher, Fotios P Tjoumakaris, Marc I Harwood, Robert P Good, Michael G Ciccotti, Kevin B FreedmanIn this systematic review, researchers evaluated whether certain medications and supplements could protect joint cartilage and slow the progression of knee osteoarthritis. By analyzing randomized controlled trials, they…
knee; articular cartilage; chondroprotection; nutraceutical - 1A+2015
Gymnastic Training and Dynamic Mobilization Exercises Improve Stride Quality and Increase Epaxial Muscle Size in Therapy Horses
Kátia de Oliveira, Ricardo V G Soutello, Ricardo da Fonseca, Ciniro Costa, Paulo R de L Meirelles, Daniele F Fachiolli,…This study on therapy horses investigated how specific exercises affect stride and back muscles. Over three months, nine horses were divided into three groups: a control group, one doing dynamic mobilization exercises,…
Hippotherapytherapeutic exercisedynamic mobilization exercisephysical trainingthree-dimensional movement