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- A2009
From mechanotransduction to extracellular matrix gene expression in fibroblasts
Matthias Chiquet, Laurent Gelman, Roman Lutz, Silke MaierThis 2009 review article explores how connective tissue cells, or fibroblasts, sense and respond to mechanical forces from their environment. Cells attach to the surrounding extracellular matrix via adhesion contacts, w…
fasciaextracellular matrixfibroblastcytoskeletonmechanotransduction - A+2009
Increased pain from muscle fascia following eccentric exercise: animal and human findings
William Gibson, Lars Arendt-Nielsen, Toru Taguchi, Kazue Mizumura, Thomas Graven-NielsenThis study, combining animal and human experiments, investigated the source of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) after eccentric exercise. Researchers induced DOMS in participants' tibialis anterior muscle, then inje…
fasciahypertonic salineExperimental painDeep tissueEccentric exercise - A2009
Ascorbate and plasma membrane electron transport—Enzymes vs ef!ux
Darius J R Lane, Alfons LawenCells have systems to move electrons across their outer membrane, a process which uses substances like ascorbate (Vitamin C) from inside the cell. Traditionally, this was thought to happen via enzymes that shuttle elect…
Ascorbate Astrocytes Dehydroascorbate Ferricyanide K562 cells Non-transferrin-bound iron Transplasma membrane electron transport Vitamin C - A2009
The Hard Life of Soft Cells
P A Janmey, J P Winer, M E Murray, Q WenThis brief review explores how cells function as both mechanical and chemical machines. Cells constantly generate and respond to physical forces within their environment, the extracellular matrix. The stiffness of this…
fasciamechanotransductionsubstrate stiffnesscell mechanics - A2009
Mechanotransduction at a distance: mechanically coupling the extracellular matrix with the nucleus
Ning Wang, Jessica D Tytell, Donald E IngberIn this narrative review, the authors explore how mechanical forces can influence the cell nucleus from a distance. Research has often focused on how external forces are converted into chemical signals at the cell's sur…
fasciaextracellular matrixcytoskeletonmechanotransductioncell nucleus - 1A+2009
Cannabinoids inhibit fibrogenesis in diffuse systemic sclerosis fibroblasts
E Garcia-Gonzalez, E Selvi, E Balistreri, S Lorenzini, R Maggio, M-R Natale, P-L Capecchi, P-E Lazzerini, M Bardelli, F…Systemic sclerosis is a disease characterized by excessive fibrosis, or scarring, in tissues. In this laboratory study, researchers investigated the effect of a synthetic cannabinoid on fibroblasts (connective tissue ce…
CannabinoidsSystemic sclerosisFibrogenesisFibroblasts - A2009
Communicating About Fascia: History, Pitfalls, and Recommendations
Helene M Langevin, Peter A HuijingIn this commentary, the authors discuss how the word "fascia" can be ambiguous and lead to misunderstandings, as it can refer to anything from loose to dense connective tissue. This lack of precision can hinder communic…
fasciaConnective tissueSubcutaneous tissueterminologyaponeurosis - 1A+2008
Charge transfer in the living matrix
James L OschmanThis theoretical paper describes the "living matrix" as the body's continuous network of connective tissue. The author proposes that this matrix functions as a body-wide reservoir of electrical charge, which may be cruc…
chronic inflammationimmune systemwound repairwhite blood cellsmacrophages - A2008
Differential effects of hyaluronan and its fragments on fibroblasts: Relation to wound healing
Maha David-Raoudi, Frederic Tranchepain, Brigitte Deschrevel, Jean-Claude Vincent, Patrick Bogdanowicz, Karim Boumedien…This lab study investigated how hyaluronan (HA) of different molecular sizes affects human fibroblast cells, which are key to wound healing. Researchers exposed fibroblasts to native HA and two smaller fragments. All th…
hyaluronanfasciawound healingextracellular matrixfibrosis - B2008
Low Molecular Weight Hyaluronic Acid Increases the Self-Defense of Skin Epithelium by Induction of !-Defensin 2 via TLR2 and TLR4
Silvia Gariboldi, Marco Palazzo, Laura Zanobbio, Silvia Selleri, Michele Sommariva, Lucia Sfondrini, Stefano Cavicchini…Hyaluronic acid (HA), a key component of the extracellular matrix, breaks down into smaller fragments (LMW-HA) during injury or inflammation. This study investigated how these fragments affect skin cells. The researcher…
HA - A2008
Vitamin C Deficiency in a University Teaching Hospital
Runye Gan, Shaun Eintracht, L John HofferThis study investigated vitamin C levels in patients at a Canadian teaching hospital. Researchers found that 60% of patients had low levels and 19% were deficient, a much higher rate than in a healthy reference group. F…
supplementationAscorbic acidVitamins.scurvy - 1A+2008
Tissue Stretch Decreases Soluble TGF-β1 and Type-1 Procollagen in Mouse Subcutaneous Connective Tissue: Evidence From Ex Vivo and In Vivo Models
N A Bouffard, K R Cutroneo, G J Badger, S L White, T R Buttolph, H P Ehrlich, D Stevens-Tuttle, H M LangevinThis study on mice investigated how brief, static stretching affects connective tissue healing after an injury. Researchers used two models: tissue samples cultured outside the body (ex vivo) and live mice with minor su…
fasciaConnective tissueStretchingManual TherapyMovement Therapy