Sep
5
2023
J Headache Pain. 2011 Feb 5. [Epub ahead of print]
Manual therapies for migraine: a systematic review.
Chaibi A, Tuchin PJ, Russell MB.
Head and Neck Research Group, Research Centre, Akershus University Hospital, 1478, Lørenskog, Norway,
Abstract
Migraine occurs in about 15% of the general population. Migraine is usually managed by medication, but some patients do not tolerate migraine medication due to side effects or prefer to avoid medication for other reasons. Non-pharmacological management is an alternative treatment option. We systematically reviewed randomized clinical trials (RCTs) on manual therapies for migraine. The RCTs suggest that massage therapy, physiotherapy, relaxation and chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy might be equally effective as propranolol and topiramate in the prophylactic management of migraine. However, the evaluated RCTs had many methodological shortcomings. Therefore, any firm conclusion will require future, well-conducted RCTs on manual therapies for migraine.
Sep
5
2023
Ortho-Bionomy, A Path to Self-Care
by Luann Overmyer
Ortho-Bionomy is based on the premise that the body inherently knows how to heal and self-correct, given the opportunity. This user-friendly self-help guide by one of the pioneers of the approach presents positions, postures, and movements designed to release tension and ease pain. Not only are the techniques simple to perform, but they can be done on one’s own, without the use of special equipment. Positions for each part of the body are clearly described in lay terms and illustrated with photos and drawings. Selected topics include low back, hip and knee pain, neck, shoulder, and rib releases, repetitive strain injuries, and arthritic pain in the hands. Quick fixes for sciatica, suggestions for dealing with menstrual cramps, and gentle movement exercises to address posture, scoliosis, and flexibility of the spine are just a few among 150 techniques described. The book also includes simple movements and exercises to increase ease, function, strength, and flexibility once the pain has subsided. Rounded out with human-interest stories and client examples, this accessible work can be used quickly and effectively by anyone with pain.
This new book is now available from: http://www.terrarosa.com.au/book/ortho_bionomy.htm
Sep
5
2023
Understanding Sports Massage, Second Edition
Understanding Sports Massage, provides readers with an understanding of the fundamental theory and practical basis for using sports massage to keep athletes in top shape, recover from injuries, and improve performance. Like the successful first edition, Understanding Sports Massage is ideal for sport professionals and students in sports massage training programs. The book illustrates and explains massage techniques in detail and describes the procedures involved in conducting effective sports massage sessions, including determining goals, organizing the session, and choosing and applying techniques.
In addition to serving sport professionals, the new edition of Understanding Sports Massage will be useful to coaches, athletes, and teachers. They will be introduced to massage techniques that they can learn and apply in nonmedical situations such as in warm-ups, preparing for and recovering from competition, reducing the potential for injuries, and aiding in injury rehabilitation.
Understanding Sports Massage, Second Edition, also features many updates and improvements from the first edition: Nearly 100 photographs demonstrate proper technique. New two-color presentation highlights specific elements of the photos and text for a clearer understanding of the techniques presented. Updated and expanded material throughout the book includes new sections on medications and massage, specialized massage techniques, and joint movements and stretching; an updated trouble spots form; more examples of remedial and rehabilitation applications; and a description of the increasing use of sports massage in integrative sports medicine settings.
This book is available from: http://www.terrarosa.com.au/book/understanding_sports_massage.htm
Sep
5
2023
Osteopathic manipulative treatment and its relationship to autonomic nervous system activity as demonstrated by heart rate variability: a repeated measures study.
Author(s): Henley, Charles E; Ivins, Douglas; Mills, Miriam; Wen, Frances K; Benjamin, Bruce A
Source: Osteopath Med Prim Care Volume: 2 Pages: 7 Published: 2008
BACKGROUND: The relationship between osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) and the autonomic nervous system has long been acknowledged, but is poorly understood. In an effort to define this relationship, cervical myofascial release was used as the OMT technique with heart rate variability (HRV) as a surrogate for autonomic activity. This study quantifies that relationship and demonstrates a cause and effect.
METHODS: Seventeen healthy subjects, nine males and eight females aged 19-50 years from the faculty, staff, and students at Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine, acted as their own controls and received interventions, administered in separate sessions at least 24 hours apart, of cervical myofascial OMT, touch-only sham OMT, and no-touch control while at a 50-degree head-up tilt. Each group was dichotomized into extremes of autonomic activity using a tilt table. Comparisons were made between measurements taken at tilt and those taken at pre- and post-intervention in the horizontal.The variance of the spectral components of HRV, expressed as frequencies, measured the response to change in position of the subjects. Normalized low frequency (LF) and high frequency (HF) values, including LF/HF ratio, were calculated and used to determine the effect of position change on HRV.
RESULTS: Predominantly parasympathetic responses were observed with subjects in the horizontal position, while a 50-degree tilt provided a significantly different measure of maximum sympathetic tone (p < 0.001). Heart rate changed in all subjects with change in position; respirations remained constant. When OMT was performed in a sympathetic environment (tilt), a vagal response was produced that was strong enough to overcome the sympathetic tone. There was no HRV difference between sham and control in either the horizontal or tilt positions.
CONCLUSION: The vagal response produced by the myofascial release procedure in the maximally stimulated sympathetic environment could only have come from the application of the OMT. This demonstrates the association between OMT and the autonomic nervous system. The lack of significance between control and sham in all positions indicates that HRV may be a useful method of developing sham controls in future studies of OMT.
Sep
5
2023
Research into the causes and treatment of repetitive strain injury is urgently needed for the millions of sufferers worldwide, say experts.
Decades after RSI was first reported, evidence is still lacking to guide diagnosis and care, The Lancet reports.
Unless clear definitions and evidence of effective treatments are found, RSI will remain controversial, says Dutch author Professor Maurits van Tulder.
RSI is an umbrella term for disorders that stem from repetitive movements.
Disabling
Several countries report statistics showing that RSI affects 5% to 10% of the population.
For some occupations, such as dressmakers and secretaries, this goes up to 40%.
According to the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, almost 450,000 UK workers have upper limb RSI.
And between 2003 and 2004, about 4.7m work days were lost to RSI, as workers took an average 18 days sick leave.
Many cases of RSI involve painful hands, wrists, arms, shoulders and neck, and are associated with modern desk work involving computer equipment such as keyboards and mice.
In some populations that we’ve studied, between 22% and 40% of people have evidence of RSI
Professor Peter Buckle, University of Surrey
While there are theories as to how these conditions develop, none are supported by strong scientific evidence, and diagnosis is difficult.
Some experts have suggested that the continuous contraction of muscles from repetitive movements can result in disrupted local blood circulation, or that pain sensors in the muscles could become over-sensitive.
Doctors are also struggling when it comes to appropriate treatments – although several studies have shown exercise to be beneficial for symptom relief.
Treatments such as massage or the use of ergonomic keyboards are often recommended, but researchers trying to verify that they worked found they did not reduce sick leave in people who used them.
‘Disappointing’
Professor van Tulder, who looked at the available evidence on RSI to date, explained: “No gold standard tests for RSI exist. Strong recommendations for any therapeutic intervention cannot be made at present.
“The disorder will remain controversial until high-quality trials provide clear definitions of repetitive strain injury and evidence of effective treatments.”
A British expert, Professor Peter Buckle from the University of Surrey, said that there was an urgent need for more research.
He said: “Given the prevalence in the working population, it’s disappointing we have such a paucity of high quality evidence about diagnosis and treatment.”
Many organisations were blind to the fact that they had massive problems with RSI,” he added.
He advised: “Often when people are finally diagnosed with RSI their condition is often much worse, so it is important that people not only try to prevent it happening in the first place, but also consult a doctor as early as possible.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6692683.stm
