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- A2010
Role of Matrix-Rhythm-Therapy in the treatment of non-traumatic restricted movements of shoulder
Sandeep BhagwatThis study investigated the effectiveness of Matrix-Rhythm-Therapy (MRT) for treating shoulder pain and stiffness not caused by injury. Forty patients received one hour of MRT weekly for three weeks, combined with daily…
CyberneticsNonlinear ThermodynamicsMatrix-Rhythm-Therapy (MaRhyThe®)vibrations - A2010
Comparison of Trunk Proprioception Between Patients With Low Back Pain and Healthy Controls
Angela S Lee, Jacek Cholewicki, Peter Reeves, Bohdanna T Zazulak, Lawrence W MysliwiecIn this case-control study, researchers compared trunk proprioception, or the sense of body position and movement, between 24 patients with non-specific low back pain and 24 healthy controls. Participants' ability to se…
Kinesthesis; Low back pain; Proprioception; Rehabilitation; Spine - A2010
Edema and fluid dynamics in connective tissue remodelling
Rolf K Reed, Åsa Lidén, Kristofer RubinThis review describes the role of loose connective tissues, focusing on fluid exchange across capillaries and the formation of edema (swelling). This process is relevant for conditions like inflammation, fibrosis (scarr…
inflammationLoose connective tissueConnective tissueheartEdema - B2010
Detail microscopic analysis of deep fascia of lower limb and its surgical implication
Visweswar Bhattacharya, Partha Sarathi Barooah, Tapas Chandra Nag, Gaurab Ranjan Chaudhuri,, Siddhartha BhattacharyaThis study investigated the microscopic structure of the deep fascia in the lower limb, a tissue previously thought to be relatively simple and avascular. Researchers analyzed 50 tissue specimens using light, confocal,…
Confocal microscopydeep fasciaelectron microscopyflapmicroscopic anatomy - A+++2010
Hindlimb response to tactile stimulation of the pastern and coronet
H M Clayton, A D White, L J Kaiser, S Nauwelaerts, M Lavagnino, N C StubbsThis study investigated how lightweight tactile stimulators placed around horses' hind pasterns affect their movement patterns at a trot. Researchers found that the stimulation caused the horses to lift their hooves sig…
Rehabilitationphysiotherapytactile stimulationjoint motion - B2010
Mechanical Strain Stabilizes Reconstituted Collagen Fibrils against Enzymatic Degradation by Mammalian Collagenase Matrix Metalloproteinase 8 (MMP-8)
Brendan P Flynn, Amit P Bhole, Nima Saeidi, Melody Liles, Charles A DiMarzio, Jeffrey W RubertiThis laboratory study investigated how mechanical tension affects collagen's resistance to breakdown. Researchers created small networks of type I collagen fibers, gently stretching some while leaving others unloaded. B…
collagenstrainCollagenase - B2010
Force Transmission between Synergistic Skeletal Muscles through Connective Tissue Linkages
Huub Maas, Thomas G SandercockThis review examines how force is transmitted between neighboring muscles through their shared connective tissue. Traditionally, muscles were seen as independent units pulling on bones via tendons, but emerging research…
Connective tissueForce transmissionepimuscular - A++2010
Biophotons as neural communication signals demonstrated by in situ biophoton autography
Yan Sun, Chao Wang, Jiapei DaiThis in vitro study on rat nerve tissue explored whether biophotons—extremely weak light emitted by living cells—could act as signals in the nervous system. Researchers stimulated one end of a spinal nerve root with var…
fasciabiophotonsultraweak photonsneural communication - A2010
Spontaneous and visible light-induced ultraweak photon emission from rat eyes
Chao Wanga, István Bókkonb, Jiapei Daia, István AntalcIn this in vitro study on rats, researchers found that isolated parts of the eye—the whole eye, lens, vitreous humor, and retina—emit extremely faint light, or photons. This photon emission occurred both spontaneously a…
fasciabioluminescent photonslipid peroxidationdiscrete dark noiseretinal phosphenes - A++2009
Bonghan Circulatory System as an Extension of Acupuncture Meridians
Kwang-Sup SohThis article describes the Bonghan circulatory system (BHS), a network proposed in the 1960s to correspond with classical acupuncture meridians. After a long period of being overlooked, researchers have recently develop…
fasciacanceracupuncture meridianbonghan corpusclebonghan duct - A2009
Fascia: A missing link in our understanding of the pathology of fibromyalgia
Ginevra L LiptanThis 2009 paper proposes that inflammation in the fascia, the body's connective tissue, could be a key source of the persistent pain signals that lead to central sensitization in fibromyalgia. While muscle tissue itself…
inflammationfasciaConnective tissueMyofascial releaseManual Therapy - A2009
The Architecture of the Connective Tissue in the Musculoskeletal System—An Often Overlooked Functional Parameter as to Proprioception in the Locomotor Apparatus
Jaap van der WalThis article proposes that the traditional anatomical view, which separates muscles from "passive" connective tissues like ligaments, is incomplete. The author argues that muscle and connective tissue function together…
fasciaConnective tissueproprioceptionskeletal muscledissection