Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics
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J Manipulative Physiol Ther · Nov 2013
Comparative StudyThe effect of chronic pain intensity on the stability limits in patients with low back pain.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate if the intensity of recurrent chronic pain would modify postural performance in reaching the functional limits of stability (LOS) in chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients. ⋯ Subjects with CLBP had reduced forward LOS regardless the pain level. However, the higher level of pain was associated with slower execution of voluntary leaning tasks, with EC only.
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J Manipulative Physiol Ther · Nov 2013
Comparative StudyTrunk neuromuscular responses to a single whole-body vibration session in patients with chronic low back pain: a cross-sectional study.
Whole-body vibration (WBV) exercise is progressively adopted as an alternative therapeutic modality for enhancing muscle force and muscle activity via neurogenic potentiation. So far, possible changes in the recruitment patterns of the trunk musculature after WBV remain undetermined. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the short-term effects of a single WBV session on trunk neuromuscular responses in patients with chronic low back pain (cLBP) and healthy participants. ⋯ Increased lumbar EMG activity after a single WBV session most probably results from potentiation effects of WBV on lumbar muscles reflex responses. Decreased EMG activity in full trunk flexion, usually observed in healthy individuals, was still present after WBV, suggesting that the ability of the spine stabilizing mechanisms to transfer the extension torque from muscles to passive structures was not affected.
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J Manipulative Physiol Ther · Nov 2013
Comparative StudyReferral to massage therapy in primary health care: a survey of medical general practitioners in rural and regional New South Wales, Australia.
Massage therapists are an important part of the health care setting in rural and regional Australia and are the largest complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) profession based on both practitioner numbers and use. The purpose of this study was to survey medical general practitioners (GPs) in rural and regional New South Wales, Australia, to identify their knowledge, attitudes, relationships, and patterns of referral to massage therapy in primary health care. ⋯ There appears to be substantial interface between massage therapy and GPs in rural and regional Australia. There are high levels of support for massage therapies among Australian GPs, relative to other CAM professions, with low levels of opposition to the incorporation of these therapies in patient care.
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J Manipulative Physiol Ther · Nov 2013
Effects of deep cervical flexor training on pressure pain thresholds over myofascial trigger points in patients with chronic neck pain.
The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of a low-load training program for the deep cervical flexors (DCFs) on pain, disability, and pressure pain threshold (PPT) over cervical myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) in patients with chronic neck pain. ⋯ Patients performing DCF training for 6 weeks demonstrated reductions in pain and disability but did not show changes in pressure pain sensitivity over MTrPs in the splenius capitis, levator scapulae, or upper trapezius muscles.
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J Manipulative Physiol Ther · Nov 2013
Comparative Study Observational StudyChiropractic use and changes in health among older medicare beneficiaries: a comparative effectiveness observational study.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of chiropractic on 5 outcomes among Medicare beneficiaries: increased difficulties performing activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental ADLs (IADLs), and lower body functions, as well as lower self-rated health and increased depressive symptoms. ⋯ The evidence in this study suggests that chiropractic treatment has comparable effects on functional outcomes when compared with medical treatment for all Medicare beneficiaries, but increased risk for declines in self-rated health among beneficiaries with back conditions.