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- A2013
Dosed Myofascial Release in Three-Dimensional Bioengineered Tendons: Effects on Human Fibroblast Hyperplasia, Hypertrophy, and Cytokine Secretion
Thanh V Cao, Michael R Hicks, David Campbell, Paul R StandleyThis laboratory study investigated how different amounts and durations of simulated myofascial release (MFR) affect lab-grown human tendon tissue. Researchers applied varying degrees of stretch for different lengths of…
fasciamusculoskeletal manipulationsFibroblaststendons - A++2013
Cell-to-cell signaling through light: just a ghost of chance?
Ondřej Kučera, Michal CifraThis paper examines the physical feasibility of cell-to-cell communication via weak light signals, often referred to as biophotons. The researchers analyze whether electromagnetic signaling is possible when considering…
Cell signalingbiophotonsphoton emission - C2013
Of Mice, Men and Elephants: The Relation between Articular Cartilage Thickness and Body Mass
Jos Malda, Janny C de Grauw, Kim E M Benders, Marja J L Kik, Chris H A van de Lest, Laura B Creemers, Wouter J A Dhert,…This study investigated how articular cartilage adapts to body size across different mammals. Researchers analyzed cartilage from the knee joints of 58 species, ranging from mice to elephants. They found that while cart…
fasciamammalsarticular cartilagetissue ticknessosteochondral cores - A2013
Visceral and Somatic Disorders: Tissue Softening with Frequency-Specific Microcurrent
Carolyn R McMakin, James L OschmanThis review article explores a technique called Frequency-Specific Microcurrent (FSM), which uses microampere-level electrical currents to treat various health conditions. A consistent finding is a rapid and palpable so…
fasciafrequency-specific microcurrentvisceral diseasesomatic disease - A+++2013
The 17-β-oestradiol inhibits osteoclast activity by increasing the cannabinoid CB2 receptor expression
Francesca Rossi, Giulia Bellini, Livio Luongo, Silvia Mancusi, Marco Torella, Chiara Tortora, Iolanda Manzo, Francesca…This in vitro study investigated how 17-β-oestradiol (estrogen) affects osteoclasts, the cells responsible for bone resorption. The researchers found that estrogen inhibits the formation and activity of these cells by i…
cannabinoidsosteoporosis - C2013
What Lies Beneath: Sub-Articular Long Bone Shape Scaling in Eutherian Mammals and Saurischian Dinosaurs Suggests Different Locomotor Adaptations for Gigantism
Matthew F Bonnan, D Ray Wilhite, Simon L Masters, Adam M Yates, Christine K Gardner, Adam AguiarThis study explored why giant dinosaurs were more common than giant mammals by examining their joint structures. Researchers compared the long bones of large mammals like elephants and rhinos with those of saurischian d…
fasciaeutherian mammalsdinosaursherbivoresgiant mammals - A2013
Training principles for fascial connective tissues: Scientific foundation and suggested practical applications
Robert Schleip, Divo Gitta MüllerConventional sports training often emphasizes muscles, cardiovascular conditioning, and coordination, yet most overload injuries occur within the body's connective tissue network, or fascia. This review article proposes…
fasciaStretchingfascial netCollagen renewalelastic recoil - A2013
Fascia Research Congress Evidence from the 100 year perspective of Andrew Taylor Still
Thomas W Findley, Mona ShalwalaThis review paper examines research from the first three International Fascia Research Congresses through the perspective of Andrew Taylor Still, the founder of osteopathic medicine. Over a century ago, Still described…
fasciaextracellular matrixfibroblastOsteopathic medicinefascia anatomy - A+2013
Exercise training initiated in late middle age attenuates cardiac fibrosis and advanced glycation end-product accumulation in senescent rats
Kathryn J Wright, Melissa M Thomas, Andrew C Betik, Darrell Belke, Russell T HeppleThis animal study investigated if exercise started later in life could still benefit the aging heart. Researchers had late middle-aged rats begin treadmill training and continue into old age, comparing them to sedentary…
%BF; AGE; ANOVA; Advanced glycation end-products; Aging; DXA; ECM; ET; Endurance exercise; F344BNF1; Fibrosis; Fischer 344 Brown Norway F1 hybrid rat; GAPDH; Heart; LV; MMP; Matrix metalloproteinases; RT-PCR; TIMP; TTBS; Tris-buffered saline (+0.5% Tween); WGA; advanced glycation end-product; analysis of variance; dual energy X-ray absorptiometry; exercise training; extracellular matrix; glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase; left ventricle; matrix metalloproteinase; percent body fat; reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction; tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase; wheat germ agglutinin. - A2013
Earthing (Grounding) the Human Body Reduces Blood Viscosity—a Major Factor in Cardiovascular Disease
Gaétan Chevalier, Stephen T Sinatra, James L Oschman, Richard M DelanyThis small study investigated how direct physical contact with the earth, known as 'grounding' or 'earthing', affects blood properties. Ten healthy participants were grounded for two hours using conductive patches on th…
fasciaearthinggroundingearth surface electronscardiovasclar disease - 1A+2013
History of Bioelectrical Study and the Electrophysiology of the Primo Vascular System
Sang Hyun Park, Eung Hwi Kim, Ho Jong Chang, Seung Zhoo Yoon, Ji Woong Yoon, Seong-Jin Cho, Yeon-Hee RyuThis review paper summarizes the history of research on the bioelectrical properties of the primo vascular system (PVS), also known as the Bonghan system. This system has been proposed as a novel circulatory system in t…
primo vascular systemelectrophysiologybioelectrical signals - A2013
Anatomic connections of the diaphragm: influence of respiration on the body system
Bruno Bordoni, Emiliano ZanierThis review article explains why the diaphragm muscle is a critical crossroads of information for the entire body. The authors describe its extensive anatomical, fascial, and neurological connections, which link it to s…
fasciadiaphragmPelvisphrenic nervevagus nerve