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 studiesViscoelastic Retraction of Single Living Stress Fibers and Its Impact on Cell Shape, Cytoskeletal Organization, and Extracellular Matrix Mechanics
Cells maintain their shape and interact with their surroundings using internal tension cables called stress fibers. Using a microscopic laser to cut individual stress fibers inside living cells, researchers studied how…
Dynamic Shear Stimulation of Bovine Cartilage Biosynthesis of Proteoglycan 4
This laboratory study on cartilage from young cows investigated how mechanical forces affect the production of a key lubricating molecule, proteoglycan 4 (PRG4). Researchers applied different types of loads to cartilage…
Low-intensity tensile loading increases intratendinous glucose uptake in the Achilles tendon
Tendons have traditionally been considered to have low metabolic activity, but this study investigated whether light loading could affect this. Six participants performed low-intensity, intermittent calf muscle contract…
Passive muscle stiffness may be influenced by active contractility of intramuscular connective tissue
This paper proposes the hypothesis that connective tissue within muscles, specifically the layer known as the perimysium, can actively contract. This contraction, likely driven by specialized cells called myofibroblasts…
Subcutaneous Tissue Fibroblast Cytoskeletal Remodeling Induced by Acupuncture: Evidence for a Mechanotransduction-Based Mechanism
In this mouse tissue study, researchers investigated how rotating an acupuncture needle affects fibroblasts in the connective tissue under the skin. They found that rotation caused the fibroblasts to actively change sha…
Distribution and change of collagen types I and III and elastin in developing leg muscle in rat
This animal study on rats investigated how the connective tissue components collagen types I and III and elastin develop in leg muscles from birth to eight weeks of age. The results show that muscle connective tissue de…
Connective tissue: A body-wide signaling network?
This paper proposes that loose connective tissue functions as a body-wide communication system, in addition to its structural role. The author hypothesizes that this tissue network is mechanosensitive, meaning it respon…
Cellular mechanotransduction: putting all the pieces together again
This review discusses how cells sense and respond to mechanical forces, a process called mechanotransduction. While many individual molecules involved in this process have been identified, it is less clear how they work…
The key to left-right asymmetry
This summary explores how vertebrates establish left-right asymmetry during embryonic development. Research indicates that cilia are essential components in breaking initial symmetry, supported by an asymmetric signalin…
Adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder: evaluation with MR arthrography
This study evaluated the usefulness of MR arthrography for diagnosing adhesive capsulitis, also known as frozen shoulder. Researchers retrospectively analyzed images from 28 patients, half with the condition and half se…
Letter to the Editor concerning ‘‘A hypothesis of chronic back pain: ligament subfailure injuries lead to muscle control dysfunction’’ (M. Panjabi)
This letter to the editor comments on a hypothesis that chronic back pain can arise from minor injuries to spinal ligaments, disrupting their sensory function and leading to faulty muscle control. The authors agree with…
A hypothesis of chronic back pain: ligament subfailure injuries lead to muscle control dysfunction
This paper presents a hypothesis for the cause of chronic back and neck pain. The author suggests that minor injuries to spinal ligaments, which may not be severe enough to cause a complete tear, can damage the sensory…