Does the FasciaBlaster Really Work?
YES, the FasciaBlaster has emerging research aimed at expanding our understanding
3rd Party Independent Testing
The Applied Science Performance Institute
Ashley Black wanted to study many scientific data points so that her company could help as many people as possible. She chose the scientists at ASPI (ASPI) in Tampa, Florida, to provide comprehensive data, extensive conclusions, and professional assessments
The Applied Science and Performance Institute is home to a team of scientific experts and advanced testing technologies only found in the most sophisticated human laboratories in the world. ASPI boasts 10 labs, 150 years of combined experience, and over 500 published studies. Their mission is to “Challenge the dogma in the health and longevity realms. With new insight to effectively promote a healthy lifestyle and optimize human performance.”
The Clinical Study’s In-Depth Testing
Looking for the Needles in the Haystack
To study cases of dysfunctional fascia in adult women, the researchers selected 33 females of average age who reported having cellulite. Participants with cellulite were chosen because we theorized that fascia dysfunction and thickness go hand in hand with the appearance of cellulite. However, this was not the overall focus of the study. The study was designed to look at blood markers for hormones and inflammation, as well as metabolism, subcutaneous fat, and most importantly, the fascia in ultrasound imaging. The safety and efficiency of the FasciaBlaster tools* were also studied.
For the first visit, the participants were vigorously FasciaBlasted for an hour by two Fasciologists. We wanted to provide an extreme FasciaBlaster bodywork experience to either prove or disprove the notion of “going too hard.” Scientists comprehensively tested before this experience, after this experience, and at 30, 60, and 90 days.
Participants were then instructed not to change their diet or exercise routines and to establish a control group to manage unrelated weight gain/weight loss. Further, they were to self-administer FasciaBlaster techniques with various tools and Blaster Oil for roughly 20 minutes on their legs, 3-5x per week, for 90 days. Overall, we looked to see changes in fascia tissue, inflammation, blood chemistry, body composition, and safety.
The Results of the Scientific Data Collection
Piecing it all together
There are a lot of fancy scientific terms in the data, but in lay terms, here are some of the details that were discovered.
The C-reactive Protein was lowered. CRP is a blood marker for systemic inflammation. The most dramatic drop was seen in the first 30 days, which is profound for people struggling with inflammation. In the world of inflammation control, there are few solutions to lower CRP. 1In fact, commonly prescribed pills, such as NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Antiinflammatory Drugs), mask the symptoms but have no effect on the CRP level. This marker lends hope to sufferers of inflammatory diseases such as Mixed Connective Tissue Disorder, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, Gout, and many others. Click here to see a comprehensive list of inflammatory-related conditions.2
The PICP markers for collagen production increased.3 This is important because collagen accounts for 30% of your body’s protein. It provides structure, support, or strength to your skin, muscles, bones, and connective tissues. Collagen fibers are another name for fascia, so this data is paramount for the research because it further supports the conclusions and evidence found in the study's ultrasounds and photos and the thousands of reports from our users.
Serum Irisin Levels were significantly increased. Serum Irisin is a hormone normally associated with HIIT or High-Intensity Interval Training. Irisin is often called the “Exercise Hormone”. New research shows increased irisin helps with obesity, other metabolic disorders, and SARSCoV-2) infection.
There were no spikes in markers for overtaxing the body. This is important because we wanted to make sure that using the FasciaBlaster is safe. Researchers performed a standard comprehensive metabolic panel to give a snapshot of glucose metabolism, kidney and liver function, and electrolyte and fluid balance. Even after extreme FasciaBlasting, participants were measured and found to be within safe limits. Researchers published in the conclusions that: “Some subjects reported mild symptoms of irritability, nausea, headaches, and bruising. These were found to be minor, and all subjects did not report any long-lasting injury or illness to the research team.”5,1
The Conclusions of the Scientific Clinical
A Great Study to Establish Base Science
Further conclusions were drawn and published in the study. These conclusions link the core data to the observations of the scientists. In addition to blood, DEXA, and metabolic testing, as mentioned in the results section, researchers examined Ultrasound images and fixed photographs to understand further the effects of FasciaBlaster tools and techniques on fascia tissue, subcutaneous fat, cellulite, and safety.
The measurement for subcutaneous fat at the site FasciaBlasted decreased. This is important because participants’ overall body fat did not decrease, lending evidence that FasciaBlasting can spot-reduce fat. It is notable because it is thought that only liposuction and freezing fat can spot-reduce fat.
The appearance of cellulite was decreased. The study associates the appearance of cellulite with the condition of the fascia deep inside the leg. The sites were photographed, and ultrasounds were performed in the same spot on a lateral entry of the leg. Double-blinded researchers compared photographic evidence to the Cellulite Severity Scale and determined that ALL participants reduced cellulite, and some eradicated it, establishing the devices as a potential cellulite treatment.
The ultrasounds showed the remodeling of collagen, or fascia remodeling. Remodeling is the scientific word for regenerating or returning collagen fibers to a native state, from fascial dysfunction and thickness to regenerated supple fascia via the FasciaBlaster. Collagen remodeling is integral to medical aesthetics* as well as anti-aging and is considered a marker for success in skin tightening, contouring, flexibility, and overall well-being*. Collagen remodeling is also important in orthopedic conditions and sports performance.6*
What Does Peer-Reviewed and Published Mean?
Breaking the Myth of Fasciology as a Pseudoscience
Fascia (the system of the body), Fasciology (the science based on fascia), and Fasciologist (the bodyworkers who perform fascia treatments) have been dubbed by the media and skeptics as pseudo-science. However, peer-reviewed and published science is helping break down this barrier and establish its legitimacy.
There is nothing pseudo-science about the peer review process with implications across healthcare.
The National Institute of Health defines the peer review process as 7 “a process of subjecting an author’s scholarly work, research, or ideas to the scrutiny of others who are experts in the same field. It functions to encourage authors to meet the accepted high standards of their discipline and to control the dissemination of research data to ensure that unwarranted claims, unacceptable interpretations or personal views are not published without prior expert review.”
The research of the FasciaBlaster was solely performed by scientists at ASPI. Our company was only involved in teaching participants how to FasciaBlast and FasciaBlasting them at the beginning of the study for efficiency. Once the study was completed, it was submitted to Cogent Medical Journal for the stringent peer review process. Cogent unilaterally validated the scientific relevance of the data, as well as the quality of the study. We, as a company, took this risk to ensure the quality and safety of our products and to back our science with the most rigid clinical trial process.
We are excited that this research is gaining steam and lending credibility to its findings. This study has been presented at:
The South American Plastic Surgeons’ (SAPS) annual conference in Cartegena, Colombia, with our founder, Ashley Black, as the keynote speaker.
The Singapore International Conference on Aesthetic Medicine and Cosmetology
The National Strength and Conditioning (NSCA) International Conference in Madrid, Spain
The FasciaBlaster Study has also been published in subsequent medical journals:
Discussions
Base Science for New Hope
At Ashley Black, we do not feel that this study is the end all be all. In fact, our deepest wish is to have academia and medicine use our study as base science to explore further.
How can the FasciaBlaster impact autoimmune diseases caused by inflammation, such as Arthritis* and Lupus?* How can the FasciaBlaster impact degenerative conditions related to thickening fascia, such as Degenerative Disc Disease* and fibrosis?* How can the FasciaBlaster impact Sports performance and muscle recovery through irisin or blood flow? And can we put the cellulite baby to bed once and for all with a comprehensive study aimed to eradicate it?*
This is where YOU come in. If you are a student, researcher, medical facility, or school that would like to study the effects of FasciaBlasting on your specialty, we would love to hear from you. Ongoing research is needed to advance the science of Fasciology and provide non-invasive strategies for the people who need it most. Contact us here if you are interested in us donating FasciaBlasters for your research.
Check out our Curated Kit For
Getting Started with FasciaBlasting!
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Faceblaster - For sculpting the face and little spots, like the knees
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Fasciablaster - For deep myofascial blasting
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Nugget - Trigger point massage
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Back and Abs Wrap Pack - Ultimate Kryotherapy for the back and abs
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3 OZ Roll on Blaster Oil - Infused with patented ingredients that help burn fat and soften the tissue.
Study Authored by:
Dr. Jacob Wilson, Ph.D.
CEO of ASPI
Dr. Ryan Lowery, Ph.D.
CEO of Ketogenic and President
at ASPI
Dr. Swet Chaudri, MD
Double Board Certified Plastic
Surgeon
Cited Works
1. “Effect of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs on the C-reactive protein level in rheumatoid arthritis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.” PubMed,
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22833186/
2. “Inflammatory Disorders and Autoinflammatory Diseases.” HSS, 6 October 2022,
https://www.hss.edu/condition-list_inflammatory-disorders.asp
3. “Collagen: What it is, Types, Function & Benefits.” Cleveland Clinic, 23 May 2022,
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/23089-collagen
4. “Role of Irisin in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders—Possible New Therapeutic Agent?” MDPI,
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/12/5579
5. “The effects of fascia manipulation with fascia devices on myofascial tissue, subcutaneous fat and cellulite in adult women.” Cogent Medicine, 15 April 2019,
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/2331205X.2019.1606146
6. Remodeling and Repair of Orthopedic Tissue: Role of Mechanical Loading and Biologics - PMC
7. “Peer Review in Scientific Publications: Benefits, Critiques, & A Survival Guide.” NCBI,
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4975196/
8. The effects of a fascia manipulation device on subcutaneous fat tissue in middle aged women,
https://www.hilarispublisher.com/proceedings/the-effects-of-a-fascia-manipulation-device-on-subcutaneous-fat-tissue-in-middle-aged-women-10907.html
* The Fasciablaster tools have not been cleared by the FDA for the treatment of cellulite, fascia or any other disease
Ashley Black, Inventor Of The Fasciablaster
Ashley Black is a decorated inventor, thought leader, and entrepreneur. She is best known for her work in the field of Fasciology. Fasciology is the study of the system of the body called fascia. Fascia is publicly known as the connective tissue, or web, that holds our body together, but fascia is also the viscous system that surrounds and feeds every cell in our bodies. Her work is directly related to the regeneration of this system of the body and the astounding effects this process can have on beauty, sports performance, and medical conditions.
She is best known for inventing instrument-assisted fascia techniques and tools, commercially known as FasciaBlasters. The tools entered the marketplace in 2014 and have become a household product. Black was the first person to write a #1 National Best Selling book about fascia, and she was the first person to do a TED Talk on fascia. By 2017-2018, her innovations and perseverance were rewarded with the American Business Association Stevie Award for Entrepreneur of the Year. IAOPT also awarded her with the Inventor of the Year. She also hit Inc's Fastest Growing Companies in America for the first time. This era was wrapped up with Ashley's self-reported highest accomplishment to date: the peer-reviewed Medical Publication of Research proving that FasciaBlasters can regenerate fascia tissue.
Since then, Ashley has received several awards, beginning with a second #1 National Best Selling Book about the struggles of females in business and authenticity in branding. She also received two global Stevie Awards from the International Business Association: Woman of the Year and a Lifetime Achievement Award for Consumer Goods.
In 2022, Ashley founded The Fascia Advancement Academy and the Fascia Advancement Charity to teach bodyworkers Fasciology. She has hit Inc's Fastest Growing Companies list for a second time, with over $150MM in revenue, profitable and growing. She boasts over 9 million social media followers and over 1 trillion unique media impressions for her work. She plans to expand into the beauty, sports, and medical professional markets and create a billion-dollar business in the next two years.
