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+++2007
Can Electrons Act as Antioxidants? A Review and Commentary
James OschmanThis narrative review explores the hypothesis that direct physical contact with the earth, known as "earthing" or "grounding," can provide health benefits. The author suggests that modern lifestyles, with insulated foot…
earthinggroundingantioxidantsfree radicals - B2007
Epimuscular myofascial force transmission between antagonistic and synergistic muscles can explain movement limitation in spastic paresis
Peter A HuijingThis review, which includes new animal data, examines how muscles transmit force through their surrounding connective tissue sheaths (fascia). The research indicates that force can be transmitted between all muscles wit…
MyofascialcontractureMyotendinousForce transmissionProximo-distal force difference - A+2007
Breathing exercises with vagal biofeedback may benefit patients with functional dyspepsia
INA E HJELLAND, SVEN SVEBAK, ARNOLD BERSTAD, GEIR FLATAB, TRYGVE HAUSKENFunctional dyspepsia (FD) is often associated with low vagus nerve tone. This study investigated whether breathing exercises with biofeedback could help. Forty patients with FD were divided into two groups; one group pr…
Biofeedbackbreathing exercisesfunctional dyspepsiavagal tone - B2007
Cytokines, Inflammation and Pain
J-M Zhang, J AnThis review chapter describes the role of cytokines—small proteins that cells use for communication—in inflammation and pain. The authors explain that there are both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory types of cytok…
inflammationcytokinepainhyperalgesia - A2007
The Myofibroblast One Function, Multiple Origins
Boris Hinz, Sem H Phan, Victor J Thannickal, Andrea Galli, Marie-Luce Bochaton-Piallat, Giulio GabbianiThis 2007 review article discusses the myofibroblast, a cell type crucial for wound healing but also implicated in fibrosis, or pathological scarring. The authors highlight that while myofibroblasts perform similar func…
fibrosisMyofibroblast - C2007
Cell–Matrix Adhesion
Allison L Berrier, Kenneth M YamadaThe connection between cells and their surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM) is fundamental to how tissues are built and function. This matrix, composed of collagen and other proteins, not only provides structural supp…
Integrinscell adhesion - A2007
Connective Tissue Fibroblast Response to Acupuncture: Dose- Dependent Effect of Bidirectional Needle Rotation
Helene M Langevin, Nicole A Bouffard, David L Churchill, Gary J BadgerThis study on mouse tissue explored how connective tissue cells respond to back-and-forth rotation of an acupuncture needle. Researchers observed that fibroblasts, a type of connective tissue cell, changed shape by spre…
fasciaacupunctureFibroblastsneedle rotation - 1A+2007
Hyaluronan in Tissue Injury and Repair
Dianhua Jiang, Jiurong Liang, Paul W NobleThis 2007 review article explores the complex role of hyaluronan (HA), a component of the extracellular matrix, in tissue injury and repair. The authors describe how HA's function depends on its size: while the large, n…
hyaluronaninflammationtissue repair - B2007
Functional Anatomy of the Female Pelvic Floor
James A Ashton-Miller, John O L DeLanceyThis review of the female pelvic floor's functional anatomy explains how it prevents incontinence and organ prolapse. It details two key systems: sphincters that keep the urethra closed, and a supportive "hammock" of mu…
functional anatomy; female pelvic floor; levator ani muscles; urethra; prolapse; incontinence; vaginal birth - A2007
Myofascial force transmission between antagonistic rat lower limb muscles: Effects of single muscle or muscle group lengthening
Hanneke J M Meijer, Josina M Rijkelijkhuizen, Peter A HuijingIn this study on rats, researchers investigated how lengthening muscles on the front of the lower leg affects their neighbors. They observed that stretching one muscle group significantly changed the forces within an ad…
fasciaConnective tissueAntagonistic musclesExtensor digitorum longus muscleMyofascial force transmission - A+++2007
A driving force for change: interstitial flow as a morphoregulator
Joseph M Rutkowski, Melody A SwartzThis narrative review explores how the slow movement of fluid through the extracellular matrix, known as interstitial flow, acts as a crucial regulator of cell behavior and tissue structure. Driven by pressure gradients…
Morphologyinterstitial flow - A2007
Mechanical Stimulation Increases Collagen Type I and Collagen Type III Gene Expression of Stem Cell–Collagen Sponge Constructs for Patellar Tendon Repair
Natalia Juncosa-Melvin, Karl S Matlin, Robert W Holdcraft, Victor S Nirmalanandhan, David L ButlerThis laboratory study investigated how mechanical stimulation affects tissue-engineered constructs intended for tendon repair. Researchers used rabbit stem cells grown in collagen sponges. One group of these constructs…
mechanical loadCollagen type Icollagen type IIIpatellar tendon