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- B2015
Hyaluronan Regulates Bone Morphogenetic Protein-7- dependent Prevention and Reversal of Myofibroblast Phenotype
Adam C Midgley, Lucy Duggal, Robert Jenkins, Vincent Hascall, Robert Steadman, Aled O Phillips, Soma MeranThis study on human lung fibroblasts investigated how a protein called BMP7 might counteract fibrosis. Researchers found that BMP7 can prevent and even reverse the formation of myofibroblasts, which are cells that contr…
hyaluronanMyofibroblastTGF-beta1 - A2015
Pathophysiology and Immune Dysfunction in Endometriosis
Soo Hyun Ahn, Stephany P Monsanto, Caragh Miller, Sukhbir S Singh, Richard Thomas, Chandrakant TayadeThis narrative review explores the current understanding of endometriosis, a chronic inflammatory condition affecting many women of reproductive age. The authors focus on how endometriosis lesions develop a blood supply…
endometriosis - A2015
Hyaluronan, inflammation and breast cancer progression
Katryn L Schwertfeger, Mary K Cowman, Patrick G Telmer, Eva A Turley, James B McCarthyThis narrative review explores the link between inflammation, the tissue component hyaluronan (HA), and breast cancer progression. Cancer cells and surrounding host cells can create an inflamed microenvironment that hel…
hyaluronaninflammationCD44fasciaBreast cancer - 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
A unifying neuro-fasciagenic model of somatic dysfunction - Underlying mechanisms and treatment - Part II
Paolo TozziThis review paper proposes a new, unifying "neuro-fasciagenic" model for understanding somatic dysfunction. The author argues for a shift in perspective, moving from a purely neurological explanation to one where fascia…
fasciaManual Therapysomatic dysfunctionfascial dysfunctionfascial mechanisms - A2015
Remodelling the extracellular matrix in development and disease
Caroline Bonnans, Jonathan Chou, Zena WerbThis narrative review describes the extracellular matrix (ECM), a dynamic network present in all body tissues that undergoes constant remodeling. This remodeling process is crucial for regulating cell functions like pro…
fasciaextracellular matrixstiffnessmechanotransductionmatrix remodeling - A+++2015
Structural and functional features of central nervous system lymphatics
Antoine Louveau, Igor Smirnov, Timothy J Keyes, Jacob D Eccles, Sherin J Rouhani, J David Peske, Noel C Derecki, David…The central nervous system (CNS) was long thought to lack a conventional lymphatic drainage system. In this study, however, researchers discovered functional lymphatic vessels within the meninges, the membranes surround…
lymphatic vesselsCentral nervous system - A2015
Sensory Nerve Fibers Containing Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide in Gastrocnemius, Latissimus Dorsi and Erector Spinae Muscles and Thoracolumbar Fascia in Mice
C M Barry, G Kestell, M Gillan, R V Haberberger, I L GibbinsIn this animal study, researchers investigated sensory nerve fibers containing CGRP, a peptide involved in pain signaling. They compared the presence of these nerve fibers in various muscles (gastrocnemius, latissimus d…
fasciaBack PainThoracolumbar fasciaimmunohistochemistrysensory innervation - A+2015
Changes in electrical pain threshold of fascia and muscle after initial and secondary bouts of elbow flexor eccentric exercise
Wing Yin Lau, Anthony J. Blazevich, Michael J. Newton, Sam Shi Xuan Wu, Kazunori NosakaThis study investigated how pain sensitivity changes in fascia and muscle after strenuous eccentric exercise. Ten young men performed two bouts of maximal eccentric elbow curls, four weeks apart. After the first session…
pressure pain thresholdmuscle damageRepeated bout effectDelayed onset muscle sorenessVisual analogue scale - C2015
Proteoglycan form and function: A comprehensive nomenclature of proteoglycans
Renato V Iozzo, Liliana SchaeferIn this review article, the authors propose a new, comprehensive classification system for proteoglycans, a group of molecules important to connective tissue structure and function. The classification is based on three…
GlycosaminoglycanAngiogenesisProteoglycanCancer growthGrowth factor modulation - B2015
Hyaluronan Controls the Deposition of Fibronectin and Collagen and Modulates TGF-β1 Induction of Lung Myofibroblasts
Stephen P Evanko, Susan Potter-Perigo, Loreen J Petty, Gail A Workman, Thomas N WightThis study investigated how hyaluronan (HA), a key component of the extracellular matrix, influences the formation of myofibroblasts—cells involved in tissue scarring and fibrosis. Researchers observed that while HA lev…
hyaluronanMyofibroblastTGF-β14-methyl umbelliferonefibronectin; collagen - A2015
The effects of grounding (earthing) on inflammation, the immune response, wound healing, and prevention and treatment of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases
James L Oschman, Gaétan Chevalier, Richard BrownThis report summarizes research on the effects of "grounding" or "earthing," which involves direct electrically conductive contact with the Earth's surface. The research suggests this contact may influence the body's ph…
fasciachronic inflammationimmune systemwound repairwhite blood cells