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 - A2012
Primo Vascular System as a New Morphofunctional Integrated System
Miroslav Stefanov, Jungdae KimThis narrative review summarizes research on the primo vascular system (PVS), a proposed anatomical network found throughout the body. The authors describe the methods and instruments used to study this system, primaril…
fasciacancerphysiologyMorphologyprimo vascular system - 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 - 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 - A2012
Hyaluronic acid, A key molecule in skin aging
Eleni Papakonstantinou, Michael Roth, George KarakiulakisThis review article discusses the role of hyaluronic acid (HA) in skin aging. The authors explain that youthful skin's plumpness and resilience are largely due to its high water content, which HA is uniquely able to ret…
CD44fasciaHyaluronic acidhyaluronic acid synthaseshyaluronidases - A2012
Myoton Pro: A Novel Tool for the Assessment of Mechanical Properties of Fascial Tissues
Aleko Peipsi, Ricardas Kerpe, Heike Jäger, Sonja Soeder, Christopher Gordon, Robert SchleipThis research entry, for which only the title is available, appears to introduce a device called the MyotonPRO. The title suggests its purpose is to assess the mechanical properties of fascial tissues, such as their sti…
fasciaMyotone Pro - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - A+++2012
Brain structure and joint hypermobility: relevance to the expression of psychiatric symptoms
Jessica A Eccles, Felix D C Beacher, Marcus A Gray, Catherine L Jones, Ludovico Minati, Neil A Harrison, Hugo D Critchl…This study investigated the relationship between joint hypermobility and brain structure in 72 healthy volunteers. Using structural brain scans, researchers found that the volume of the amygdala, a brain region importan…
Fibromyalgiaproprioceptionhypermobilitypsychiatric symptomsbrain structure - 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.