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
Relevance of Collagen Piezoelectricity to “Wolff’s Law”: a Critical Review
Andrew C Ahn, Alan J GrodzinskyThis narrative review explores how bone adapts to mechanical stress, a principle known as Wolff's Law. For decades, scientists have investigated how bone cells sense this stress to trigger remodeling. An early theory pr…
fasciacollagenpiezoelectricwolff's law - 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 - B2009
Protein Crosslinking in Assembly and Remodelling of Extracellular Matrices: The Role of Transglutaminases
Daniel Aeschlimann, Vilmos ThomazyThis review article discusses a family of enzymes called transglutaminases, which help build and remodel the body's extracellular matrix by crosslinking proteins. One specific enzyme, tissue transglutaminase (tTG), is p…
Matrix proteinscrosslinkingtransglutaminaspathology - A++2009
Oxidative Stress and Neurodegenerative Diseases: A Review of Upstream and Downstream Antioxidant Therapeutic Options
Bayani Uttara, Ajay V Singh, Paolo Zamboni, R T MahajanThis review article explores the connection between oxidative stress and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. The authors explain that an imbalance of free radicals, which are normal byproducts o…
Oxidative stressROSantioxidantsneurodegenerative diseasesrns - B2008
Myofascial Force Transmission via Extramuscular Pathways Occurs between Antagonistic Muscles
Peter A Huijing, Guus C BaanIn this experimental study, researchers investigated whether opposing (antagonistic) muscles act independently or influence each other through their fascial connections. By lengthening a lower leg muscle (extensor digit…
Connective tissueProximo-distal force differenceAnterior crural compartmentAnterior tibial muscleExtensor digitorum longus muscle - A2008
Three-Dimensional Mathematical Model for Deformation of Human Fasciae in Manual Therapy
Hans Chaudhry, Robert Schleip, Zhiming Ji, Bruce Bukiet, Miriam Maney, Thomas FindleyResearchers developed a mathematical model to calculate the force required to deform human fascia during manual therapy. The model showed that very large forces, beyond the normal physiological range of a therapist, are…
fasciaManual Therapyplantar fasciachiropractic manipulationsoft tissue motion - A2008
Mechanotransduction – a field pulling together?
Christopher S ChenIn this 2008 review article, the author discusses mechanotransduction, the process by which cells convert mechanical forces into biochemical signals. Cells are constantly subjected to forces, both from external pressure…
fasciastiffnessmechanobiologycell adhesionmechanical force - 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 - A2008
Collagen fibrillogenesis: fibronectin, integrins, and minor collagens as organizers and nucleators
Karl E Kadler, Adele Hill, Elizabeth G Canty-LairdThis 2008 review article explores how collagen fibrils, the main structural components of connective tissue, are formed. While collagen can self-assemble in a test tube, the process in living tissues is carefully manage…
fasciaIntegrinsFibronectincollagen fibrillogenesis - A2008
Fibroblast mechanics in three-dimensional collagen matrices
Frederick GrinellThis summary describes the relationship between fibroblasts and collagen, the primary cells and protein of fascia, respectively. Fascia provides mechanical support for the body's tissues, and fibroblasts are responsible…
Fascia; Tension; Contraction; Migration; Growth factor; Regulation - 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 - B2008
The inflammatory response to cell death
K L Rock, H KonoThis 2008 review article explores how the body responds when cells die from injury rather than infection. Such cell death triggers an inflammatory response that is essential for host defense and tissue repair. However,…
inflammationNecrosisdangertoll-like receptorscytokines