Journal of bodywork and movement therapies
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Randomized Controlled Trial
The effectiveness of the Pilates method: reducing the degree of non-structural scoliosis, and improving flexibility and pain in female college students.
To evaluate the effectiveness of Pilates with regard to the degree of scoliosis, flexibility and pain. ⋯ The Pilates group was better than control group. The Pilates method showed a reduction in the degree of non-structural scoliosis, increased flexibility and decreased pain.
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Comparative Study
Development of active myofascial trigger points in neck and shoulder musculature is similar after lumpectomy or mastectomy surgery for breast cancer.
Our aim was to describe the differences in the presence of myofascial trigger points (TrPs) in neck and shoulder muscles after 2 surgery approaches for breast cancer: mastectomy or lumpectomy. Thirty-two women (mean age: 50 ± 7 years) who received lumpectomy, 16 women (mean age: 48 ± 10 years) who had received mastectomy after breast cancer, and 16 women (mean age: 49 ± 9 years) with breast cancer who had not received either surgical treatment, participated. Myofascial TrPs in the upper trapezius, sternocleidomastoid, levator scapulae, scalene, infraspinatus and pectoralis major muscles were bilaterally explored by an assessor blinded to the women's condition. ⋯ This study found active TrPs in neck and shoulder musculature in women who had received lumpectomy or mastectomy. The induced local and referred pain pattern from active TrPs reproduced neck and shoulder/axillary symptoms and pain patterns in women after breast cancer surgery. Few active TrPs were found in a control group of women with breast cancer who had not received any surgical treatment.
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Clinical Trial
Effect of flexibility exercise on lumbar angle: a study among non-specific low back pain patients.
The study investigated the influence of lumbar flexibility exercise on the lumbar angle among patients with non-specific low back pain (LBP). Pre-experimental one-group pretest-posttest design trial was conducted at Health Service Center, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. Thirty-five non-specific LBP patients with limitation in lower back range of motion and without neurological deficits were recruited (based on the LBP guidelines by RCGP 1999). ⋯ The exercise program consisted of 7 sets a day (3-2-2 in the morning-afternoon-evening) in series of 10 repetitions for each set for 2 weeks. Lumbar angle was measured at the beginning and at the end of 2 weeks in order to determine the range of motion improved. The results indicated that the low back pain symptom improved as well as the angle.