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- C2005
An in vivo microanalytical technique for measuring the local biochemical milieu of human skeletal muscle
Jay P Shah, Terry M Phillips, Jerome V Danoff, Lynn H GerberMyofascial pain is common, but the biochemical environment within the muscle tissue is not well understood. This paper describes a new microanalytical technique developed to measure this environment directly in living h…
myofascial trigger points; musculoskeletal pain; microdialysis; soft tissue pain; pressure pain threshold - A++2005
Obstetric anal sphincter injury ten years after: subjective and objective long term effects
Eva Uustal Fornell, Leif Matthiesen, Rune Sjödahl, Göran BergThis prospective observational study followed women for ten years to evaluate the long-term effects of obstetric anal sphincter injuries. Researchers found that anal function, particularly continence for gas and liquid…
anal sphincter injury; incontinence; anal pressure - A+++2005
Interstitial fluid flow induces myofibroblast differentiation and collagen alignment in vitro
Chee Ping Ng, Boris Hinz, Melody A SwartzThis in vitro study examines how the movement of fluid through tissues, known as interstitial flow, influences connective tissue cells. The researchers found that even low levels of flow, similar to what occurs during s…
fluid flow - A2005
Mechanical control of tissue growth: Function follows form
Donald E IngberThe full text of this 2005 article has not yet been summarized by our team. The title, "Mechanical control of tissue growth: Function follows form," suggests a focus on how mechanical forces influence the development an…
fasciamechanotransductionmorphogenesis - A++2005
Myofibrillar and collagen protein synthesis in human skeletal muscle in young men after maximal shortening and lengthening contractions
Daniel R Moore, Stuart M Phillips, John A Babraj, Kenneth Smith, Michael J RennieThis study compared how two types of maximal muscle contractions affect muscle and collagen repair in young men. Participants performed both shortening (concentric) and lengthening (eccentric) contractions with their le…
eccentric; concentric; resistance exercise; z-band streaming - A2005
Active fascial contractility: Fascia may be able to contract in a smooth muscle-like manner and thereby influence musculoskeletal dynamics
Robert Schleip, Werner Klingler, F Lehmann-HornFascia is typically viewed as a passive tissue that transmits force from muscles. This paper explores the hypothesis that fascia may also be able to actively contract on its own, similar to smooth muscle. Researchers po…
fasciaConnective tissueMyofascial releaseMyofibroblastproprioception - C2005
Distribution of cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) and 2 (CB2) on sensory nerve fibers and adnexal structures in human skin
Sonja Ständer, Martin Schmelz, Dieter Metze, Thomas Luger, Roman RukwiedThis study mapped the precise location of cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 in human skin. Using immunohistochemical methods, researchers found these receptors in numerous structures, including nerve fibers, mast cells,…
Cannabinoid receptorsCutaneous nerve fibersNociceptionItchHuman skin - A+2005
Human Bone Collagen Synthesis Is a Rapid, Nutritionally Modulated Process
John A Babraj, Kenneth Smith, Daniel J R Cuthbertson, Peter Rickhuss, James S Dorling, Michael J RennieResearchers developed a new method to directly measure bone collagen synthesis in young, healthy men. Contrary to previous assumptions, the results showed that bone collagen formation is a surprisingly rapid process, ev…
metabolismnutritionmatrix proteinstable-isotope tracerproline - A+2005
Coordinated collagen and muscle protein synthesis in human patella tendon and quadriceps muscle after exercise
Benjamin F Miller, Jens L Olesen, Mette Hansen, Simon Dossing, Regina M Crameri, Rasmus J Welling, Henning Langberg, Al…Researchers investigated how strenuous exercise affects protein synthesis in both muscle and tendon. In this study, healthy young men performed one-legged kicking exercises, and biopsies were taken over the next 72 hour…
Muscletendonexercisecollegen syntes - A2005
Cannabimimetic Effects of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment
J M McPartland, A Giuffrida, J King, E Skinner, J Scotter, R E MustyIn this dual-blind, randomized controlled trial, researchers investigated whether osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) could produce cannabis-like effects. Thirty-one healthy subjects received either OMT or a sham t…
CannabinoidsEndocannabinoidsMyofascial releaseFibromyalgiaMyofascial trigger points - A+2005
Nutraceutical Therapies for Degenerative Joint Diseases: A Critical Review
ROBERT GOGGS, ANNE VAUGHAN-THOMAS, PETER D CLEGG, STUART D CARTER, JOHN F INNES, ALI MOBASHERI, MEHDI SHAKIBAEI, WOLFGA…This 2005 critical review examines the role of nutrition in managing degenerative joint diseases like osteoarthritis. The authors suggest that while nutritional factors are crucial for cartilage health, dietary programs…
articular cartilagenutritionosteoarthritisnutraceuticalVitamin C - A++2005
Vitamin D
Adriana S Dusso, Alex J Brown, Eduardo SlatopolskyThis narrative review summarizes research on vitamin D, which is well-known for its essential role in calcium balance and bone metabolism. However, research has revealed a wider range of actions, including influencing c…
vitamin D metabolism; vitamin D receptor; calcium homeostasis; transcriptional regulation; rapid steroid actions