This article and any supplementary material should be cited as follows: Kwong EH, Findley TW. Fascia—Current knowledge and future directions in physiatry: Narrative review. J Rehabil Res Dev. 2014;51(6):875–84. http://dx.doi.org/10.1682/JRRD.2013.10.0220

Slideshow ProjectDOI:10.1682/JRRD.2013.10.0220JSP

Fascia—Current knowledge and future directions in physiatry: Narrative reviewEvan H. Kwong, BSc(Pharm), MD, MSc; Thomas W. Findley, MD, PhD

This article and any supplementary material should be cited as follows: Kwong EH, Findley TW. Fascia—Current knowledge and future directions in physiatry: Narrative review. J Rehabil Res Dev. 2014;51(6):875–84. http://dx.doi.org/10.1682/JRRD.2013.10.0220

Slideshow ProjectDOI:10.1682/JRRD.2013.10.0220JSP

To address the following questions:•How connective is fascia? •How much of a role does fascia play in force transmission?•What changes in fascia can occur at the cellular level?•Is fascia innervated?•Can fascia become dysfunctional and result in pain?•What does treatment of fascia involve?

Aim

This article and any supplementary material should be cited as follows: Kwong EH, Findley TW. Fascia—Current knowledge and future directions in physiatry: Narrative review. J Rehabil Res Dev. 2014;51(6):875–84. http://dx.doi.org/10.1682/JRRD.2013.10.0220

Slideshow ProjectDOI:10.1682/JRRD.2013.10.0220JSP

MethodsSearched MEDLINE and CINAHL, reviewing abstracts and introductions of articles for relevance to narrative review

Obtained additional articles from the citations of selected articles

Summarized and used information from all articles for each section contained in this narrative review

Certain book chapters were also included for a general overview

This article and any supplementary material should be cited as follows: Kwong EH, Findley TW. Fascia—Current knowledge and future directions in physiatry: Narrative review. J Rehabil Res Dev. 2014;51(6):875–84. http://dx.doi.org/10.1682/JRRD.2013.10.0220

Slideshow ProjectDOI:10.1682/JRRD.2013.10.0220JSP

ResultsThis narrative review summarized several aspects of structure and function of fascia from the gross anatomical level to the cellular level•Fascia is continuous throughout the body, supporting various functions including force transmission and sliding•Fascia has also been shown to be innervated•Changes in fascia could affect normal functions of force transmission or sliding in the musculoskeletal system, leading to pain or proprioceptive issues

This article and any supplementary material should be cited as follows: Kwong EH, Findley TW. Fascia—Current knowledge and future directions in physiatry: Narrative review. J Rehabil Res Dev. 2014;51(6):875–84. http://dx.doi.org/10.1682/JRRD.2013.10.0220

Slideshow ProjectDOI:10.1682/JRRD.2013.10.0220JSP

ConclusionOnce the structure and functions of fascia in the musculoskeletal system are further elucidated, the pathophysiology and consequences of many disorders may be better explained

Many neuromuscular and musculoskeletal disorders can be additionally served by research with fascial perspective, to optimize treatment strategies