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- 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 - B2012
Hyaluronan injection in murine osteoarthritis prevents TGFbeta 1-induced synovial neovascularization and fibrosis and maintains articular cartilage integrity by a CD44-dependent mechanism
Jun Li, Daniel J Gorski, Wendy Anemaet, Jennifer Velasco, Jun Takeuchi, John D Sandy, Anna PlaasIn this mouse study, researchers investigated how hyaluronan (HA) injections might protect joints in osteoarthritis. They found that even though the injected HA was cleared from the knee joint in under two hours, a sing…
hyaluronanCD44fibrosisTGF-beta1osteoarthritis - A++2012
INTERSTITIAL FLUID AND LYMPH FORMATION AND TRANSPORT: PHYSIOLOGICAL REGULATION AND ROLES IN INFLAMMATION AND CANCER
Helge Wiig, Melody A SwartzThis 2012 review explores the interstitium, the fluid-filled space surrounding our cells that contains interstitial fluid (IF). Formed by filtration from blood capillaries and cleared by lymphatic vessels, IF and its fl…
ImmunologyLymphTumorinterstitiumfluid - B2012
Hyaluronan differently modulates TLR-4 and the inflammatory response in mouse chondrocytes
Giuseppe M Campo, Angela Avenoso, Angela D’Ascola, Vera Prestipino, Michele Scuruchi, Giancarlo Nastasi, Alberto Calatr…This study on mouse cartilage cells investigated how different sizes of hyaluronan (HA) affect inflammation. Researchers found that small HA fragments increased the production of several inflammatory markers. In contras…
hyaluronancytokinesNF-kBtoll-like receptor-4chondrocytes - A+2012
The effect of menopause on the skin and other connective tissues
J Calleja-Agius, M BrincatThis narrative review examines how menopause and the resulting decline in estrogen affect the body's connective tissues, particularly the skin. Research suggests that skin collagen levels drop significantly following me…
collagenageingskin tissuemenopauseoestrogen - A2012
A theoretical framework for the role of fascia in manual therapy
Nigel Simmonds, Peter Miller, Hugh GemmellThis theoretical paper explores why different types of manual therapy, such as soft tissue work and joint manipulation, often seem to produce similar results. The authors compare these approaches based on their effects…
fasciaManual TherapyMyofascialManipulationautonomic nervous system - B2012
Fascia: a morphological description and classification system based on a literature review
Myroslava Kumka, Jason BonarIn this literature review, the authors address the historical problem of ambiguous and inconsistent terminology for fascia. Based on a review of existing research, they propose a new system for classifying fascia accord…
fasciaConnective tissueManual TherapyterminologyAnatomy - A++2012
Discovering the link between nutrition and skin aging
Silke K Schagen, Vasiliki A Zampeli, Evgenia Makrantonaki, Christos C ZouboulisThis narrative review examines the relationship between nutrition and skin aging, focusing on how specific nutrients may protect against damage from ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The authors describe how antioxidants such…
antioxidants; diet; fatty acids; flavonoids; nutrition; skin aging; ultraviolet protection; vitamins. - B2012
Mechanical strain applied to human fibroblasts differentially regulates skeletal myoblast differentiation
Michael R Hicks, Thanh V Cao, David H Campbell, Paul R StandleyThis laboratory study investigated how different types of stretching affect muscle repair at a cellular level. Researchers applied two types of strain to human fibroblasts (connective tissue cells) and observed the effe…
myotubescocultureinterleukin-6 - A2012
CTGF is a central mediator of tissue remodeling and fibrosis and its inhibition can reverse the process of fibrosis
Kenneth E Lipson, Carol Wong, Yuchin Teng, Suzanne SpongFibrosis is a process of excessive connective tissue formation, leading to scarring and stiffness in organs. A protein called Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CTGF) plays a central role in driving this process. This res…
extracellular matrixfibrosisfascia CTGFtissue remodeling - C2012
NGF-evoked sensitization of muscle fascia nociceptors in humans
Saskia Deising, Benjamin Weinkauf, James Blunk, Otilia Obreja, Martin Schmelz, Roman RukwiedThis study investigated whether nerve growth factor (NGF) can sensitize pain receptors in muscle fascia. Researchers injected a small amount of NGF into the fascia of the erector spinae muscle in the lower back of 14 ma…
hyperalgesialow back painmusculoskeletal painPressure pain - A+++2012
Total antioxidant capacity of diet and risk of stroke: a population-based prospective cohort of women
Susanne Rautiainen, Susanna Larsson, Jarmo Virtamo, Alicja WolkThis Swedish population-based study examined the relationship between the total antioxidant capacity of the diet and stroke risk in over 36,000 women. By measuring the combined effect of all antioxidants in food rather…
Antioxidantsstroke