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+2013
The effect of acute exercise on collagen turnover in human tendons: influence of prior immobilization period
L Moerch, J Pingel, M Boesen, M Kjaer, Henning LangbergResearchers investigated how a period of immobility affects the Achilles tendon's response to exercise. In this study, eight healthy men had one leg immobilized for two weeks while the other was used normally. Afterward…
Immobilization ! Power Doppler ! Blood flow velocity ! Procollagen type I N-terminal peptide ! Microdialysis - B2013
Understanding mechanotransduction and biotensegrity from an adaptation perspective
Leon ChaitowThis article, for which only the title is available, appears to be a conceptual exploration of mechanotransduction and biotensegrity. Mechanotransduction is the process by which cells sense and respond to mechanical for…
Editorial - B2013
Cranial nerves XIII and XIV: nerves in the shadows
Bruno Bordoni, Emiliano ZanierThis narrative review discusses two often-overlooked cranial nerves: the terminal nerve (XIII) and the intermediate nerve (XIV). The authors note that while these nerves have been known for over a century, they are freq…
cranial nervefacial nervetrigeminal systemTolosa-Hunt syndrome - 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. - A2012
Earthing: Health Implications of Reconnecting the Human Body to the Earth’s Surface Electrons
Gaétan Chevalier, Stephen T Sinatra, James L Oschman, Karol Sokal, Pawel SokalThis 2012 review paper explores the concept of 'earthing' or 'grounding,' which involves direct physical contact with the Earth's surface electrons. The authors propose that modern lifestyles separate humans from this c…
fasciaearthinggroundingearth surface electrons - A+2012
The role of stromal cells in the persistence of chronic inflammation
A J Naylor, A Filer, C D BuckleyThis review article explores why chronic inflammation often persists in specific anatomical locations. The authors highlight that stromal cells, particularly the fibroblasts that define a tissue's architecture, are like…
inflammationfasciafibroblastchronicpersistence - 1A+2012
Stretching of the Back Improves Gait, Mechanical Sensitivity and Connective Tissue Inflammation in a Rodent Model
S M Corey, M A Vizzard, N A Bouffard, G J Badger, H M LangevinIn this rodent study, researchers investigated how stretching affects inflammation in the connective tissue of the low back. They first induced local inflammation, which resulted in altered gait, increased mechanical se…
fasciaConnective tissueStretchingManual TherapyMovement Therapy - A++2012
Fluid Flow along Venous Adventitia in Rabbits: Is It a Potential Drainage System Complementary to Vascular Circulations?
Hong-yi Li, Min Chen, Jie-fu Yang, Chong-qing Yang, Liang Xu, Fang Wang, Jia-bin Tong, You Lv, Caidan SuonanIn this animal study on rabbits, researchers investigated a potential fluid drainage system within the body's connective tissue. By injecting tracers, they visualized pathways along the loose connective tissue surroundi…
interstitial fluidacupuncturefluid flow - A2012
Human myometrium – the ultrastructural 3D network of telocytes
Sanda M Cretoiu, Dragos Cretoiu, Laurentiu M PopescuThis study examined a relatively new type of cell, the telocyte, within the human myometrium, the muscular layer of the uterus. Using advanced microscopy, researchers visualized these cells and their very long extension…
telocytes ! telopodes ! podoms ! podomers ! human uterus ! extracellular vesicles - A2012
An MRI Study of Symptomatic Adhesive Capsulitis
Wen Zhao, Xiaofeng Zheng, Yuying Liu, Wenlu Yang, Vardan Amirbekian, Luis E Diaz, Xudong HuangThis study used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to compare the shoulders of 60 patients with clinically diagnosed adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder) to 60 healthy control subjects. Researchers found significant diff…
Adhesive capsulitisShoulderMagnetic resonance imaging - A++2012
Lymphatic and interstitial flow in the tumour microenvironment: linking mechanobiology with immunity
Melody A Swartz, Amanda W LundThis review explores how tumors interact with the lymphatic system to grow and spread. Increased fluid flow from a tumor to nearby lymph nodes does more than just transport cancer cells. This flow also creates mechanica…
fasciacancerstiffnessmechanobiologymicroenvironment - A2012
The thoracolumbar fascia: anatomy, function and clinical considerations
Frank H Willard, Andry Vleeming, M D Schuenke, L Danneels, Robert SchleipThis overview paper examines the anatomy and function of the thoracolumbar fascia (TLF), the complex sheet of connective tissue in the lower back. The authors describe its multiple layers, which separate and connect the…
fasciathoracolumbarfascia