Fascial Tissue: Future Perspectives in Regenerative Medicine

Recent evidences show that fascia plays a key role in myofascial pain, such as chronic low back pain, chronic unspecific neck pain, plantar fasciitis, etc. Nevertheless, little is known about the microscopic structure and the molecular composition of this layer of collagen-rich fibrous connective tissue. Nowadays, many studies have focused attention on the possible role of hyaluronan in fascial gliding, and how the alteration of the gliding seems to be the cause of fascial pain. Actually, there are no studies in literature that analyse the microscopic aspects on the cells of fascia after the use of the various hormonal, pharmacological and physical stimuli, consequently every physician suggests the therapy according his personal experience. This is very dangerous for the patients and causes an uncontrolled cost for the health system. Furthermore, knowing this information would allow us a more targeted therapy. The fascial remodelling could be crucial to translate the role of rehabilitative treatments, but also in the regenerative medicine. Yet surprisingly, relatively little is known about properties and adaptation of connective tissue from fasciae in comparison the knowledge of others tissues. For this purpose, I present a collection of ten peer-reviewed articles which aim to define the response of fascial tissue to different stimuli and the changes in its features as result of different physiological and pathological conditions.