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 studiesMechanical signaling through connective tissue: a mechanism for the therapeutic effect of acupuncture
This paper proposes a hypothesis for how acupuncture might work. The authors focus on the "de qi" sensation, which includes the acupuncturist feeling a "needle grasp" in the tissue. They suggest that when an acupuncture…
Effect of Mechanical Load on Articular Cartilage Collagen Structure: A Scanning Electron-Microscopic Study
This study on rabbit knees examined how static mechanical loads affect the collagen structure of articular cartilage. Researchers applied varying levels of force for different durations to simulate muscle activity, then…
Adhesive Capsulitis
In this 2000 review article, the authors examine adhesive capsulitis, or frozen shoulder, a condition of unknown cause that restricts shoulder motion. They review what is known about its etiology and critically evaluate…
Role of collagen hydrolysate in bone and joint disease
This narrative review examines the role of collagen hydrolysate in the management of osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. Research suggests that a daily intake of 10 grams of pharmaceutical-grade collagen hydrolysate may he…
Tensegrity and mechanoregulation: from skeleton to cytoskeleton
This review article explores how mechanical forces are transmitted from the whole body down to individual cells. The authors propose that a design principle called "tensegrity," which uses continuous tension and local c…
Oral Administration of 14C Labeled Gelatin Hydrolysate Leads to an Accumulation of Radioactivity in Cartilage of Mice (C57/BL)
In this animal study, researchers investigated how gelatin hydrolysate is absorbed and distributed in the bodies of mice. Using a radioactive label, they tracked the gelatin after it was administered orally. The results…
Thyroid hormone-induced upregulation of Na channels and Na-K pumps: implications for contractility
In this animal study, researchers investigated how thyroid hormone affects muscle endurance in rats. They treated rats with the hormone T3, which increased the concentration of both sodium (Na+) channels and sodium-pota…
The Architecture of Life
As this is a title-only entry, the full text has not yet been reviewed. The title, "The Architecture of Life," suggests a focus on the structural principles governing biological systems, possibly involving concepts like…
Mechanical Loading and TGF-b Regulate Proteoglycan Synthesis in Tendon
Tendons can develop cartilage-like properties in areas subjected to compressive loading. In this study on fetal bovine tendon tissue, researchers investigated how mechanical compression affects the cells. They found tha…
Tensegrity: The Architectural Basis of Cellular Mechanotransduction
This 1997 review article proposes a model for how cells sense and respond to physical forces, a process called mechanotransduction. The author suggests that cells are built using 'tensegrity' architecture, a system of b…
Functional morphology of serially linked skeletal muscle fibers
Skeletal muscle fibers don't always run the full length of a muscle; they often link together in series. This study describes two main ways these connections occur: end-to-end via connective tissue plates, or by overlap…
Biophoton emission of the human body
Researchers measured "ultraweak" photon emissions, or biophotons, from the human body using a sensitive light detector. The study, involving about 200 individuals, found that these emissions are not random. They appear…