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+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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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
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 - A2012
A RHAMM Mimetic Peptide Blocks Hyaluronan Signaling and Reduces Inflammation and Fibrogenesis in Excisional Skin Wounds
Cornelia Tolg, Sara R Hamilton, Ewa Zalinska, Lori McCulloch, Ripal Amin, Natalia Akentieva, Francoise Winnik, Rashmin…In this animal study, researchers investigated how to reduce scarring during skin wound healing. They developed a peptide, P15-1, designed to interfere with signals from fragmented hyaluronan, a molecule involved in inf…
hyaluronaninflammationfasciaextracellular matrixfibrosis - 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 - A+2012
Nutritional regulation of muscle protein synthesis with resistance exercise: strategies to enhance anabolism
Tyler A Churchward-Venne, Nicholas A Burd, Stuart M PhillipsIn this 2012 review article, the authors discuss how nutrition can regulate muscle protein synthesis, especially when combined with resistance exercise. Consuming protein (amino acids) stimulates muscle building, an eff…
MusclenutritionhypertrophyAnabolic intramuscular signaling - 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 - A2011
A questionnaire survey of UK physiotherapists on the diagnosis and management of contracted (frozen) shoulder
Nigel C A Hanchard, Lorna Goodchild, Jackie Thompson, Tracey O’Brien, Dot Davison, Chris RichardsonThis survey of 289 UK physiotherapists explored how they diagnose and manage frozen shoulder. The results showed that diagnosis typically relies on assessing movement restriction, particularly passive external rotation.…
frozen shoulderAdhesive capsulitisShoulder painDiagnosisTherapy