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 - B2016
Connecting (T)issues: How Research in Fascia Biology Can Impact Integrative Oncology
Helene M Langevin, Patricia Keely, Jun Mao, Lisa M Hodge, Robert Schleip, Gary Deng, Boris Hinz, Melody A Swartz, Bever…Many cancer patients use complementary therapies like massage, acupuncture, and yoga to improve their quality of life. This review article suggests these treatments may have further benefits by affecting the body's conn…
fasciaextracellular matrixcancerConnective tissue - A2015
A multidisciplinary approach to scars: a narrative review
Emiliano Zanier, Bruno BordoniThis narrative review examines complementary and alternative medicine approaches to treating scar tissue. The authors survey literature on osteopathy, naturopathy, and manual therapies like physiotherapy. They also disc…
fasciaosteopathyscarwoundcomplementary and alternative medicine - A2015
The fascial system and exercise intolerance in patients with chronic heart failure: hypothesis of osteopathic treatment
Bruno Bordoni, F MarelliThis hypothesis paper proposes a connection between the fascial system and exercise intolerance in people with chronic heart failure. The authors note that heart failure is a complex disease affecting the entire body, l…
fasciaManual TherapyOsteopathicfatiguechronic heart failure - 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 - A2015
Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Disturbed Coherence: Gate to Cancer
Jirí Pokorný, Jan Pokorný, Alberto Foletti, Jitka Kobilková, Jan Vrba, Jan Vrba JrThis theoretical paper explores the link between cellular energy and cancer. Healthy cells maintain a stable, coherent electrical state through continuous energy production in the mitochondria. The authors propose that…
fasciacancer biophysicsmitochondrial dysfunctionwater orderingmicrotubule oscillations - 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 - A2015
Glycosaminoglycans and Proteoglycans in Palmar Fascia of Patients with Dupuytren
Priscilla Carneiro Hirai Nascimento, Elsa Yoko Kobayashi, Luiz Guilherme de Saboya Lenzi, João baptista Gomes dos Santo…In this experimental study, researchers investigated the role of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), a type of molecule in connective tissue, in Dupuytren's disease. The team analyzed palmar fascia tissue samples from 23 patient…
fasciaProteoglycansdupuytren contractureglycosaminoglycans - A2015
The content and size of hyaluronan in biological fluids and tissues
Mary K Cowman, Hong-Gee Lee, Kathryn L Schwertfeger, James B McCarthy,, Eva A TurleyHyaluronan is a simple sugar polymer found throughout the body's tissues and fluids. It is typically produced as a very large, high-molecular-mass molecule. This narrative review notes that during processes like inflamm…
hyaluronanfasciaquantificationassaymolecular mass - A++2015
The Effects of Vibration and Muscle Fatigue on Trunk Sensorimotor Control in Low Back Pain Patients
Jean-Alexandre Boucher, Jacques Abboud, François Nougarou, Martin C Normand, Martin DescarreauxThis study compared trunk muscle control between people with chronic low back pain (cLBP) and healthy individuals. Researchers found that the cLBP group was less accurate at reproducing a specific amount of force with t…
fascialow back painmuscle fatiguevibration - A2015
Modes of cancer cell invasion and the role of the microenvironment
Andrew G Clark, Danijela Matic VignjevicFor cancer to spread, or metastasize, tumor cells must first invade the surrounding connective tissue (stroma). This review article describes how cancer cells can move in different ways—either as single cells or in coll…
fasciaextracellular matrixcancertumor invasionmicroenvironment - A2015
Modeled Osteopathic Manipulative Treatments: A Review of Their in Vitro Effects on Fibroblast Tissue Preparations
Manal Zein-Hammoud, Paul R StandleyThis narrative review summarizes lab-based (in vitro) studies investigating how simulated osteopathic treatments, like myofascial release, affect fibroblasts. The authors found that applying mechanical strain to these c…
fasciaFibroblastsManual TherapyOsteopathic