Research supports several elements that come together in our work: manual myofascial treatment, fascia, mindfulness, breathing and body-oriented awareness. Here we summarise the findings in plain language and show how we translate them into a responsive, individual approach.
References updated and checked: 2026-10-17 · 30 scientific sources and 12 reading recommendations
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Books for further reading
These include accessible books as well as a few more detailed titles. They offer language, perspectives and practical ideas about fascia, the body, stress and trauma. Reading recommendations are not the same as clinical evidence.
Fascia & movement
Body, emotion & bioenergetics
Joy: The Surrender to the Body and to Life
Lowen’s readable exploration of the body, emotion, vitality and joy.
ISBN 9780140194937
Bioenergetics
A classic introduction to bioenergetic analysis and the relationship between body and emotional life.
ISBN 9780140194715
The Way to Vibrant Health
An exercise-based book on movement, breathing and grounding from the bioenergetic tradition.
ISBN 9781938485145
Trauma & the nervous system
Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma
A well-known, relatively accessible introduction to Peter Levine’s somatic perspective on trauma.
ISBN 9781556432330
In an Unspoken Voice
A deeper exploration of bodily responses, survival and recovery after trauma.
ISBN 9781556439438
The Body Keeps the Score
A substantial but narrative account of how trauma can affect brain, body, relationships and recovery.
ISBN 9780670785933
The Body Remembers
A clear clinical guide to psychophysiology, bodily cues and safety in trauma work.
ISBN 9780393703276
Anchored
An everyday introduction to a polyvagal way of understanding safety and regulation.
ISBN 9781683647065
Stress & mindfulness
Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers, 3rd ed.
An engaging science book on stress physiology and how chronic stress affects the body.
ISBN 9780805073690
Full Catastrophe Living, revised ed.
A practical classic on mindfulness, stress, pain and meeting daily life with greater awareness.
ISBN 9780345536938
DEEPER READING
Professional reference works
More detailed literature that has influenced teaching on fascia, body psychotherapy and somatic trauma work. A book is not in itself controlled clinical evidence.
Fascia: The Tensional Network of the Human Body, 2nd ed.
Stecco C, Driscoll M, Huijing P, Schleip R (red.) (2021). Elsevier.
ISBN 9780702071836
Fascia in Sport and Movement, 2nd ed.
Schleip R, Wilke J, Baker A (red.) (2021). Handspring / Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
ISBN 9781912085774
Fascial Fitness, 2nd ed.
Schleip R, Bayer J (2021). Lotus Publishing / North Atlantic Books.
ISBN 9781623176747
Bioenergetics
Lowen A (1994). Arkana / Penguin Books.
ISBN 9780140194715
The Voice of the Body
Lowen A (2012). The Alexander Lowen Foundation.
ISBN 9781938485046
The Way to Vibrant Health: A Manual of Bioenergetic Exercises
Lowen A, Lowen L (2012). The Alexander Lowen Foundation.
ISBN 9781938485145
Joy: The Surrender to the Body and to Life
Lowen A (1995). Arkana / Penguin Books.
ISBN 9780140194937
Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma
Levine PA, Frederick A (1997). North Atlantic Books.
ISBN 9781556432330
In an Unspoken Voice: How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness
Levine PA (2010). North Atlantic Books.
ISBN 9781556439438
Trauma and the Body: A Sensorimotor Approach to Psychotherapy
Ogden P, Minton K, Pain C (2006). W. W. Norton.
ISBN 9780393704570
The Body Keeps the Score
van der Kolk BA (2014). Viking.
ISBN 9780670785933
Körperpsychotherapie: Grundriss einer Theorie für die klinische Praxis
Geuter U (2015). Springer.
ISBN 9783662447768
SCIENTIFIC DATABASE
30 scientific publications
This database brings together systematic reviews, meta-analyses, randomised studies and key mechanistic papers. A study of myofascial release is not automatically a study of MER, and research on craniosacral approaches is not a direct study of Touch of Presence. The sources therefore illuminate relevant parts of the evidence base rather than proving every method or every possible effect.
Myofascial release & fascia-oriented bodywork 6 sources
Systematic review & meta-analysis
Myofascial Release for Chronic Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Wu Z et al. (2021). Frontiers in Medicine.
DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.697986Systematic review & meta-analysis
The effects of myofascial release technique for patients with low back pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Chen Z, Wu J, Wang X, Wu J, Ren Z (2021). Complementary Therapies in Medicine.
DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2021.102737Systematic review
Effects of Isolated Myofascial Release Therapy in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain—A Systematic Review
Ożóg P, Weber-Rajek M, Radzimińska A (2023). Journal of Clinical Medicine.
DOI: 10.3390/jcm12196143Systematic review of RCTs
Effectiveness of myofascial release: Systematic review of randomized controlled trials
Ajimsha MS, Al-Mudahka NR, Al-Madzhar JA (2015). Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies.
DOI: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2014.06.001Randomised controlled trial
Effectiveness of myofascial release in the management of plantar heel pain: A randomized controlled trial
Ajimsha MS, Binsu D, Chithra S (2014). The Foot.
DOI: 10.1016/j.foot.2014.03.005Systematic review & meta-analysis
The effects of fascial manipulation on pain: a systematic review with meta-analysis
Trybulski R, Olaniszyn G, Smoter M, Clemente FM, Vovkanych A, Kużdżał A (2026). Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy.
DOI: 10.1080/10669817.2025.2486110Fascia, pain & mechanisms of manual therapy 6 sources
Scientific consensus statement
Fascial tissue research in sports medicine: from molecules to tissue adaptation, injury and diagnostics: consensus statement
Zügel M et al. (2018). British Journal of Sports Medicine.
DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2018-099308Systematic anatomical review
What Is Evidence-Based About Myofascial Chains: A Systematic Review
Wilke J, Krause F, Vogt L, Banzer W (2016). Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2015.07.023Systematic review
Intermuscular force transmission along myofascial chains: a systematic review
Krause F, Wilke J, Vogt L, Banzer W (2016). Journal of Anatomy.
DOI: 10.1111/joa.12464Experimental human study
Sensory findings after stimulation of the thoracolumbar fascia with hypertonic saline suggest its contribution to low back pain
Schilder A, Hoheisel U, Magerl W, Benrath J, Klein T, Treede RD (2014). PAIN.
DOI: 10.1016/j.pain.2013.09.025Mechanistic review
The mechanisms of manual therapy in the treatment of musculoskeletal pain: a comprehensive model
Bialosky JE, Bishop MD, Price DD, Robinson ME, George SZ (2009). Manual Therapy.
DOI: 10.1016/j.math.2008.09.001Updated mechanistic model
Unraveling the mechanisms of manual therapy: modeling an approach
Bialosky JE et al. (2018). Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy.
DOI: 10.2519/jospt.2018.7476Body-oriented & somatic approaches 4 sources
Systematic review & meta-analysis
Effectiveness of Body Psychotherapy. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Rosendahl S, Sattel H, Lahmann C (2021). Frontiers in Psychiatry.
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.709798Randomised controlled trial
Somatic Experiencing for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Outcome Study
Brom D, Stokar Y, Lawi C, Nuriel-Porat V, Ziv Y, Lerner K, Ross G (2017). Journal of Traumatic Stress.
DOI: 10.1002/jts.22189Scoping review
Somatic experiencing—effectiveness and key factors of a body-oriented trauma therapy: a scoping literature review
Kuhfuß M, Maldei T, Hetmanek A, Baumann N (2021). European Journal of Psychotraumatology.
DOI: 10.1080/20008198.2021.1929023Systematic review & meta-analysis
Body- and movement-oriented interventions for posttraumatic stress disorder: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis
van de Kamp MM, Scheffers M, Emck C, Fokker TJ, Hatzmann J, Cuijpers P, Beek PJ (2023). Journal of Traumatic Stress.
DOI: 10.1002/jts.22968Breathing, HRV & mindfulness 8 sources
Meta-analysis of RCTs
Effect of breathwork on stress and mental health: A meta-analysis of randomised-controlled trials
Fincham GW, Strauss C, Montero-Marin J, Cavanagh K (2023). Scientific Reports.
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-27247-ySystematic review
How Breath-Control Can Change Your Life: A Systematic Review on Psycho-Physiological Correlates of Slow Breathing
Zaccaro A et al. (2018). Frontiers in Human Neuroscience.
DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2018.00353Systematic review & meta-analysis
Effects of voluntary slow breathing on heart rate and heart rate variability: A systematic review and a meta-analysis
Laborde S et al. (2022). Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews.
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104711Meta-analysis
The effect of heart rate variability biofeedback training on stress and anxiety: a meta-analysis
Goessl VC, Curtiss JE, Hofmann SG (2017). Psychological Medicine.
DOI: 10.1017/S0033291717001003Systematic review & meta-analysis
Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback Improves Emotional and Physical Health and Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta Analysis
Lehrer P et al. (2020). Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback.
DOI: 10.1007/s10484-020-09466-zSystematic review & meta-analysis
Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Goyal M et al. (2014). JAMA Internal Medicine.
DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.13018Umbrella review
A synthesis of meta-analyses of mindfulness-based interventions in pain
Sharpe L et al. (2024). PAIN.
DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002997Systematic review & meta-analysis
Mindfulness Meditation for Chronic Pain: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Hilton L et al. (2017). Annals of Behavioral Medicine.
DOI: 10.1007/s12160-016-9844-2Gentle touch & craniosacral approaches 3 sources
Systematic review & meta-analysis
Craniosacral therapy for chronic pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Haller H, Lauche R, Sundberg T, Dobos G, Cramer H (2020). BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders.
DOI: 10.1186/s12891-019-3017-yRandomised sham-controlled trial
Craniosacral Therapy for the Treatment of Chronic Neck Pain: A Randomized Sham-controlled Trial
Haller H, Lauche R, Cramer H, Rampp T, Saha FJ, Ostermann T, Dobos G (2016). The Clinical Journal of Pain.
DOI: 10.1097/AJP.0000000000000290Neuroscience review
Discriminative and Affective Touch: Sensing and Feeling
McGlone F, Wessberg J, Olausson H (2014). Neuron.
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2014.05.001Stress, trauma, pain & constellation work 3 sources
Theoretical and clinical review
Chronic pain and posttraumatic stress disorder: mutual maintenance?
Sharp TJ, Harvey AG (2001). Clinical Psychology Review.
DOI: 10.1016/S0272-7358(00)00071-4Systematic review & meta-analysis
Psychological trauma and functional somatic syndromes: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Afari N et al. (2014). Psychosomatic Medicine.
DOI: 10.1097/PSY.0000000000000010Systematic review
The Effectiveness of Family Constellation Therapy in Improving Mental Health: A Systematic Review
Konkolÿ Thege B, Petroll C, Rivas C, Scholtens S (2021). Family Process.
DOI: 10.1111/famp.12636SELECTED EXAMPLES
What selected key studies suggest
Below we summarise several of the most relevant findings in plain language and explain how they inform our practice.
Myofascial Release
What the research shows
A review of eight randomised studies involving 375 participants found improvements in pain and physical function in chronic low back pain. The findings support myofascial release as a promising component of an individually adapted approach.
How we use this knowledge
The studies examine myofascial release, while MER also includes presence, breathing, movement and active participation. We therefore use the research as supportive background while also following each person’s response.
Selected research
Wu Z, Wang Y, Ye X, Chen Z, Zhou R, Ye Z, Huang J, Zhu Y, Chen G, Xu X (2021). Myofascial Release for Chronic Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Frontiers in Medicine.
DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.697986Fascia
What the research shows
Fascia is a richly innervated part of the body’s connective-tissue system. It contributes to support, force transmission, movement and sensory information and adapts to mechanical loading. This provides a biologically relevant foundation for fascia-oriented bodywork.
How we use this knowledge
Tissue, pain and experience interact through multiple systems. We therefore combine manual contact with movement, breathing, awareness and individual feedback rather than relying on a single explanatory model.
Selected research
Zügel M, Maganaris CN, Wilke J, Jurkat-Rott K, Klingler W, Wearing SC, Findley T, Barbe MF, Steinacker JM, Vleeming A, Bloch W, Schleip R, Hodges PW (2018). Fascial tissue research in sports medicine: from molecules to tissue adaptation, injury and diagnostics: consensus statement. British Journal of Sports Medicine.
DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2018-099308Breathwork
What the research shows
A meta-analysis of randomised studies found small-to-moderate improvements in self-reported stress and promising findings for anxiety and low mood. Gentle breathing can therefore be a useful, accessible support during a session and in daily life.
How we use this knowledge
Breathing methods vary in intensity. We choose gentle, comfortable practices and adapt them to the person’s response, which is especially important with high stress or trauma-related sensitivity.
Selected research
Fincham GW, Strauss C, Montero-Marin J, Cavanagh K (2023). Effect of breathwork on stress and mental health: A meta-analysis of randomised-controlled trials. Scientific Reports.
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-27247-yMindfulness
What the research shows
A major systematic review found support for improvements in anxiety, depression and pain across several clinical groups. Mindfulness may strengthen the ability to notice bodily signals and respond with greater choice.
How we use this knowledge
The most studied formats are structured programmes. In our sessions, we use brief, accessible practices as part of a broader approach and adapt them to the person’s experience and wishes.
Selected research
Goyal M, Singh S, Sibinga EMS, Gould NF, Rowland-Seymour A, Sharma R, Berger Z, Sleicher D, Maron DD, Shihab HM, Ranasinghe PD, Linn S, Saha S, Bass EB, Haythornthwaite JA (2014). Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Internal Medicine.
DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.13018Craniosacral Approaches & Touch of Presence
What the research shows
A meta-analysis of ten randomised trials involving 681 participants reported improvements in pain and function in chronic pain, with effects in some comparisons lasting up to six months. These findings provide positive research background for gentle craniosacral approaches.
How we use this knowledge
Touch of Presence has its own approach and has not yet been studied separately to the same extent. We therefore present the research as relevant background while keeping the experience of light touch, stillness and presence at the centre.
Selected research
Haller H, Lauche R, Sundberg T, Dobos G, Cramer H (2020). Craniosacral therapy for chronic pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders.
DOI: 10.1186/s12891-019-3017-ySystemic / Family Constellations
What the research shows
A systematic review reported possible improvements in psychological wellbeing. The findings are encouraging and support continued research into constellation work as an experiential way to explore relationships and patterns.
How we use this knowledge
The research field is still developing. At our practice, constellations are used for reflection and personal exploration, with careful interpretation and respect for each person’s unique experience.
Selected research
Konkolÿ Thege B, Petroll C, Rivas C, Scholtens S (2021). The Effectiveness of Family Constellation Therapy in Improving Mental Health: A Systematic Review. Family Process.
DOI: 10.1111/famp.12636Trauma and the Body
What the research shows
Research shows clear links between trauma-related stress, bodily attention, muscle tension, autonomic arousal and the experience of pain. Models of the interaction between PTSD and chronic pain support a whole-person perspective in which both body and mind receive attention.
How we use this knowledge
Bodily responses are understood in context and do not need to be forced or interpreted in only one way. With marked PTSD symptoms, a body-oriented perspective is best combined with qualified trauma-focused assessment and treatment.
Selected research
Sharp TJ, Harvey AG (2001). Chronic pain and posttraumatic stress disorder: mutual maintenance?. Clinical Psychology Review.
DOI: 10.1016/S0272-7358(00)00071-4