Standardized manual palpation of myofascial trigger points in relation to neck/shoulder pain; the influence of clinical experience on inter-examiner reproducibility
A diagnosis of Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS) requires palpation for the identification of at least one clinically relevant trigger point (TP). However, few comparable, high quality studies currently exist from which to draw firm conclusions regarding the robustness of TP examination. An inter-observer agreement study was conducted using two experienced and two inexperienced clinicians. All [...]
One Day Conference: Tendon Biology & Healing
A one day conference on the science of tendon biology and healing. Find out about the latest science and evidence for the causes, diagnosis and treatment of tendon disorders. Topics Include: • The Biology of Tendinopathy (Dr Graham Riley) • Imaging in Tendinopathy (Dr Philip Bearcroft) • Neuro-Immunology of Tendinopathy (Dr Nick Webborn) • Exercise [...]
Corticosteroid injections, eccentric decline squat training and heavy slow resistance training in patellar tendinopathy
A randomized-controlled single-blind trial was conducted to investigate the clinical, structural and functional effects of peritendinous corticosteroid injections (CORT), eccentric decline squat training (ECC) and heavy slow resistance training (HSR) in patellar tendinopathy. Thirty-nine male patients were randomized to CORT, ECC or HSR for 12 weeks. Function and symptoms (VISA-p questionnaire), tendon pain during activity [...]
Low Level Laser Treatment of Tendinopathy: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis.
Tumilty S, Munn J, McDonough S, Hurley DA, Basford JR, Baxter GD The objective of this study was to assess the clinical effectiveness of Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) in the treatment of tendinopathy. Secondary objectives were to determine the relevance of irradiation parameters to outcomes, and the validity of current dosage recommendations for the [...]
Stretching versus strength training in lengthened position in subjects with tight hamstring muscles: A randomized controlled trial
CecÃlia F. Aquino, Sérgio T. Fonseca, Gabriela G.P. Gonçalves, Paula L.P. Silva, Juliana M. Ocarino and Marisa C. Mancini The objective of this study was to compare changes in hamstrings flexibility, peak torque angle and stretch tolerance after two training programs: stretching and strengthening in a lengthened position. Forty-five subjects with tight hamstrings were randomly [...]
Instrument-Assisted Cross-Fiber Massage Accelerates Knee Ligament Healing.
Loghmani MT, Warden SJ The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of instrument-assisted cross-fiber massage (IACFM) on tissue-level healing of knee medial collateral ligament (MCL) injuries. Bilateral knee MCL injuries were created in 51 rodents, while 7 rodents were maintained as ligament-intact, control animals. IACFM was commenced 1 week following injury and [...]
Cyriax Physiotherapy Versus Phonophoresis with Supervised Exercise in Subjects with Lateral Epicondylalgia: A Randomized Clinical Trial
AMIT V. NAGRALE, CHRISTOPHER R. HERD, SHYAM GANVIR, GOPICHAND RAMTEKE, The purpose of this RCT was to compare the effectiveness of deep transverse friction massage with Mill's manipulation versus phonophoresis with supervised exercise in managing lateral epicondylalgia. Sixty patients age 30-60, presenting with the teno- periosteal variety of lateral epicondylalgia with symptom duration received either [...]
The time course of musculotendinous stiffness responses following different durations of passive stretching.
Ryan ED, Beck TW, Herda TJ, Hull HR, Hartman MJ, Costa PB, Defreitas JM, Stout JR, Cramer JT The objective of this study was to examine the acute effects of different durations of passive stretching on the time course of musculotendinous stiffness (MTS) responses in the plantar flexor muscles. Twelve subjects participated in 4 randomly-ordered [...]
Stretching Positions for the Posterior Capsule of the Glenohumeral Joint
Izumi, T., Aoki, M., Muraki, T., Hidaka, E., Miyamoto, S. This study investigated whether the current shoulder stretching program was sufficient to stretch the entire posterior capsule. Using 8 fresh-frozen cadaver shoulders 8 stretching positions for the posterior capsule were simulated by passive internal rotation. Stretching positions of 0°, 30°, 60°, and 90° of elevation [...]
A comparison of two muscle energy techniques for increasing flexibility of the hamstring muscle group
Madeleine Smith, Gary Fryer This study investigated two types of muscle energy techniques that have been advocated in the osteopathic literature that differ primarily in the duration of the post-contraction stretch phase. Forty asymptomatic participants were randomly allocated to one of two groups (Group 1: MET with 30-s post-isometric stretch phase; Group 2: MET with [...]
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