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++2014
Vibration therapy: clinical applications in bone
William R Thompson, Sherwin S Yen, Janet RubinThis review article explores vibration therapy as a way to mimic the positive effects of physical activity on bone and muscle, especially for frail individuals who cannot exercise. Animal and human studies suggest that…
low-intensity vibration; mesenchymal stem cells; osteocyte; osteoporosis - A2014
A decorin-deficient matrix affects skin chondroitin/dermatan sulfate levels and keratinocyte function
Katerina Nikolovska, Jana K Renke, Oliver Jungmann, Kay Grobe, Renato V Iozzo, Alina D Zamfir, Daniela G SeidlerThis study in mice investigated how the absence of a proteoglycan called decorin affects skin structure and function. Researchers found that mice lacking decorin had an altered composition of other sugar molecules (chon…
extracellular matrixDecorinSLRPDermatan sulfateFibroblast growth factor - A++2014
Ultraweak photon emission as a non-invasive health assessment: a systematic review
John A Ives, Eduard P A van Wijk, Namuun Bat, Cindy Crawford, Avi Walter, Wayne B Jonas, Roeland van Wijk, Jan van der…This systematic review explores the use of ultraweak photon emission (UPE) as a non-invasive tool for assessing human health. By analyzing 56 studies, researchers found that measuring light particles emitted by the body…
Ultra-weak photon emissionultra-weak bioluminescencehealt assessment - 1A+2014
Painful Connections: Densification Versus Fibrosis of Fascia
P G Pavan, Antonio Stecco, R Stern, Carla SteccoIn 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…
hyaluronanfasciafibrosisdensificationConnective tissue - A2014
Ultrasound Elastography: The New Frontier in Direct Measurement of Muscle Stiffness
Joline E Brandenburg, Sarah F Eby, Pengfei Song, Heng Zhao, Jeffrey S Brault, Shigao Chen, Kai-Nan AnThis 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…
musclesElastographydiagnostic imagingelasticityhardness - A++2014
Towards whole-body ultra-weak photon counting and imaging with a focus on human beings: A review
Roeland Van Wijk, Eduard P A Van Wijk, Herman A van Wietmarschen, Jan van der GreefIn this review article, the authors describe the history and development of research into ultra-weak photon emission (UPE), the faint light naturally emitted by the human body. The scientific understanding of this pheno…
Ultra-weak photon emissionBiophotonReactive oxygen speciesSystems biologyHuman - A++2014
Oral supplementation of specific collagen peptides has beneficial effects on human skin physiology: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study
E Proksch, D Segger, J Degwert, M Schunck, V Zague, S OesserThis double-blind, placebo-controlled study investigated the effects of daily collagen peptide supplementation in individuals with knee osteoarthritis. Participants received either porcine or bovine collagen, or a place…
skin agingCollagen hydrolysatecollagen peptidesskin health. - A++2014
Ingested hyaluronan moisturizes dry skin
Chinatsu Kawada, Takushi Yoshida, Hideto Yoshida, Ryosuke Matsuoka, Wakako Sakamoto, Wataru Odanaka, Toshihide Sato, Ta…This review article summarizes research on how oral hyaluronan (HA) supplements may influence skin hydration levels. Studies suggest that a daily intake of 120–240 mg of hyaluronic acid can contribute to increased moist…
hyaluronanhaHyaluronic acidSkinsupplementation - A2014
Deformations Experienced in the Human Skin, Adipose Tissue, and Fascia in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine
Hans Chaudhry, Bruce Bukiet, Zhiming Ji, Antonio Stecco, Thomas W FindleyThis study used a mathematical model to investigate how forces from manual therapy affect the skin, adipose tissue, and fascia. The researchers aimed to understand how much each layer deforms under compression and shear…
fasciaosteopathyManual Therapy - A2014
The effectiveness of exercise interventions to prevent sports injuries: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Jeppe Bo Lauersen, Ditte Marie Bertelsen, Lars Bo AndersenThis systematic review and meta-analysis examined 25 studies to evaluate which types of exercise best prevent sports injuries. The analysis included over 26,000 participants and data on more than 3,400 injuries. Researc…
exercisesinjury prevention - A2014
Mapping Sensory Nerve Communications Between Peripheral Nerve Territories
ADIL LADAK, R SHANE TUBBS, ROBERT J SPINNERIn this literature review, researchers examined the traditional maps of skin sensation, known as dermatomes. They searched for evidence of direct communications between sensory nerves from different, adjacent spinal ner…
dermatomes; nerve; communications; map; cutaneous; sensory - A+++2014
Case study: Could ultrasound and elastography visualized densified areas inside the deep fascia?
Carla Stecco fasciacyteIn this case study, researchers used ultrasound and elastography to visualize the deep fascia of a 40-year-old male with calf pain. The imaging techniques allowed them to see changes in the fascia's gliding, echogenicit…
Fascia; Myofascial pain; Fascial manipulation; Manual therapy; Densification; Gliding; Sliding system