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Robert Schleip, PhD presents "Fibrosis, Force and Flow: The Multiscale Dynamics of Fascial Stiffness" at 8am PDT on Sunday, April 19, 2026.

8th August 2026 - 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM PDT - FREE

Hosted by integrative health educator Dr Kathryn Hansen (Vanderbilt University) and fascia researcher Dr Kyra De Coninck (University of Kent).

The first session will focus on practical aspects of research literacy:

• How to find and access research papers (without a University account)
• How to critically evaluate different levels of evidence

We will be running a pilot series of four sessions, taking place every two months. Places are limited to maintain an interactive format, so early booking is recommended. This initiative is part of our broader commitment to making research more accessible, relevant, and usable for the diverse FRS community, from clinicians and manual therapists to movement educators and researchers.

FRS members will have priority access to these sessions.

In this upcoming Fascia Research Society webinar, Jesse Cochrane and Courtney Mascio explore the complex and often misunderstood condition of lipedema through both clinical and fascial perspectives. The session will examine current approaches to diagnosis, common clinical presentations, and the challenges many patients face in obtaining appropriate recognition and care.

Drawing on emerging research and clinical experience, the presenters will discuss the potential role of fascia and connective tissue in lipedema, including how fascial dysfunction may contribute to pain, tissue changes, mobility limitations, and altered biomechanics. The webinar will also address conservative and interdisciplinary treatment approaches, providing practical insights for clinicians working with individuals living with lipedema.

This webinar will be of interest to manual therapists, movement professionals, rehabilitation clinicians, researchers, and healthcare practitioners seeking a deeper understanding of the relationship between fascia, adipose tissue disorders, and whole-person care.

Fascia is increasingly recognized as a dynamic organ that plays essential roles in force transmission, tissue gliding, and tissue repair. Hyaluronan (HA), a major glycosaminoglycan component of the fascial extracellular matrix, has traditionally been viewed as a passive lubricant that facilitates sliding between adjacent fascial layers. However, accumulating evidence indicates that HA possesses a much broader spectrum of biological functions that extend beyond its mechanical properties. HA functions as a highly dynamic signaling molecule whose biological activities are regulated by its molecular weight, turnover, and interactions with diverse cell types and receptors.

Recent studies suggest that HA serves as a critical regulator of tissue homeostasis, orchestrating cellular responses that influence inflammation, regeneration, and fibrosis. In this presentation, “Multiple Faces of Hyaluronan in Fascia Health and Disease,” we will explore the multifaceted roles of HA in maintaining fascial health and discuss how HA signaling contributes to pathological fibrosis and impaired tissue regeneration.