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 studiesUltrasound Elastography: The New Frontier in Direct Measurement of Muscle Stiffness
This 2014 review article describes ultrasound elastography, a technology that can directly measure the mechanical properties of tissue, such as muscle stiffness. The authors suggest that its real-time measurements can a…
Skin, fascias, and scars: symptoms and systemic connections
This review article explores how skin, fascia, and scars are interconnected and can affect the entire body. The authors describe the skin as an organ that communicates with the nervous system and other structures. When…
Our Internal Universe
This 2014 entry, titled 'Our Internal Universe' by Stephen M Levin, has not yet been summarized. The title suggests a conceptual exploration of the body's internal environment, possibly from a structural or philosophica…
The theory and fundamentals of bioimpedance analysis in clinical status monitoring and diagnosis of diseases
Bioimpedance analysis is a noninvasive, low cost and a commonly used approach for body composition measurements and assessment of clinical condition. There are a variety of methods applied for interpretation of measured…
Neuroimaging and psychophysiological investigation of the link between anxiety, enhanced affective reactivity and interoception in people with joint hypermobility
This study investigated the connection between joint hypermobility, anxiety, and interoception (the sense of the body's internal state). Researchers confirmed that hypermobility is associated with higher levels of anxie…
Definition of the To Be Named Ligament and Vertebrodural Ligament and Their Possible Effects on the Circulation of CSF
In this cadaver study, researchers investigated connective tissue structures in the upper neck of 30 human specimens. They identified two specific ligaments, the 'to be named ligament' (TBNL) and the vertebrodural ligam…
Painful Connections: Densification Versus Fibrosis of Fascia
In this review article, the authors describe two types of fascial changes that can cause pain: densification and fibrosis. Densification is described as a reversible alteration in the viscosity of the loose connective t…
Pro-Resolving lipid mediators and Mechanisms in the resolution of acute inflammation
In this narrative review, the authors explain that the resolution of inflammation is an active, carefully orchestrated process, not just the passive stopping of an inflammatory response. Specific molecules called specia…
Fascia—Current knowledge and future directions in physiatry: Narrative review
In this 2014 narrative review, the authors discuss fascia from the perspective of physiatry, or rehabilitation medicine. They note that while fascia is part of the body's connective tissue, its definition is unclear in…
Primary frozen shoulder: brief review of pathology and imaging abnormalities
This narrative review examines the underlying pathology of primary frozen shoulder, a condition causing spontaneous pain and stiffness in the shoulder joint. The authors summarize evidence indicating that the main issue…
Contractile elements in muscular fascial tissue – implications for in-vitro contracture testing for malignant hyperthermia
Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a rare but serious reaction to general anesthesia, diagnosed using a test on a skeletal muscle biopsy. Since muscle samples also contain fascia, which has contractile cells called myofibro…
Mechanotransduction and extracellular matrix homeostasis
Connective tissues are dynamic, constantly adapting even at rest. Cells within these tissues continually sense mechanical cues from their environment through a process called mechanotransduction. In response, they maint…