Musculoskeletal System

Research Shows Tai Chi Exercise Reduces Knee Osteoarthritis Pain in the Elderly

Dawn Peters MedScape Arthritis Care Research News Alerts Abstract and Introduction Abstract Regular Sessions Improve Physical Function, Depression and Overall Health Introduction Researchers from Tufts University School of Medicine have determined that patients over 65 years of age with knee osteoarthritis (OA) who engage in regular Tai Chi exercise improve physical function and experience less […]

Chiropractic care helps reduce pain and disability by 83.2% in pregnancy related lumbopelvic pain

Outcome of pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain treated according to a diagnosis-based decision rule: a prospective observational cohort study. Murphy DR1, Hurwitz EL, McGovern EE. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2009 Oct;32(8):616-24. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2009.09.002. PubMed Reference Abstract OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical outcomes of patients with pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain (PRLP) treated according […]

Prevalence of and Screening for Serious Spinal Pathology in Patients Presenting to Primary Care Settings With Acute Low Back Pain

ARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM Vol. 60, No. 10, October 2009, pp 3072–3080 Nicholas Henschke Objective. To determine the prevalence of serious pathology in patients presenting to primary care settings with acute low back pain, and to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of recommended “red flag” screening questions. Methods. An inception cohort of 1,172 consecutive patients receiving primary […]

Implications for Physical Activity in the Population With Low Back Pain

William J. Hanney, PT, DPT, ATC, CSCS, Morey J. Kolber, PT, PhD, OCS, Cert MDT, CSCS, Kristina S. Beekhuizen, PT, PhD, NCS, CSCS Am J Lifestyle Med. 2009;3(1):63-70. ABSTRACT AND INTRODUCTION Abstract Low back pain is considered the most prevalent pain complaint affecting the general population, with a reported lifetime prevalence of up to 75%. […]

Primary Care Physicians are Front Line Defense in Diagnosing Serious Illness in Patients with Acute Lower Back Pain

“Red Flag” Clinical Features Aid PCPs in Screening Patients for Serious Diseases Arthritis & Rheumatism A study by researchers at The George Institute for International Health in Australia found that it is rare for patients presenting to PCPs with acute lower back pain to have previously undiagnosed serious diseases. The most common serious disease cause […]

Increased forward head posture and restricted cervical range of motion in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome

J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2009 Sep;39(9):658-64. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2009.3058. De-la-Llave-Rincón AI1, Fernández-de-las-Peñas C, Palacios-Ceña D, Cleland JA. Abstract STUDY DESIGN: Case control study. OBJECTIVES: To compare the amount of forward head posture (FHP) and cervical range of motion between patients with moderate carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and healthy controls. We also sought to assess the […]

Forehead Lift Eases Migraine Pain

Allison Gandey Full Story August 28, 2009 — For patients with migraines who are difficult to manage with standard protocols, there might be a new option that could prove to have a therapeutic, as well as a cosmetic, effect. Results from a placebo-controlled surgical trial appear in the August issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. […]

Women with Strong Thigh Muscles Protected from Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis

Quadriceps Strength in Either Sex Does Not Predict OA found on X-Rays Arthritis Care Research News Alerts. 2009;61(8) Quadriceps Strength in Either Sex Does Not Predict OA found on X-Rays A new study by researchers at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics found that thigh muscle strength does not predict the occurrence of knee osteoarthritis […]

The short-term effects of thoracic spine thrust manipulation on patients with shoulder impingement syndrome

Manual Therapy August 2009 Volume 14, Issue 4, Pages 375–380 Robert E. Boyle Abstract The study was an exploratory, one group pretest/post-test study, with the objective of investigating the short-term effects of thoracic spine thrust manipulations (TSTMs) on patients with shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS). There is evidence that manual physical therapy that includes TSTM and […]

Obstetric Physicians and Surgeons Encouraged to Consider SMT as a Treatment Option For Back Pain During Pregnancy

Manipulative therapy for pregnancy and related conditions: a systematic review. Khorsan R1, Hawk C, Lisi AJ, Kizhakkeveettil A. Obstet Gynecol Surv. 2009 Jun;64(6):416-27. doi: 10.1097/OGX.0b013e31819f9ddf. Abstract OBJECTIVE: The objective of this review is to evaluate the evidence on the effects of Spinal Manipulative Therapy (SMT) on back pain and other related symptoms during pregnancy. DATA […]

Acupuncture for Treating Acute Attacks of Migraine: A Randomized Controlled Trial (Full Text)

Ying Li MD, PhD Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain Volume 49, Issue 6, pages 805–816, June 2009 Abstract Objective.— To discuss the results of a multicenter randomized controlled trial of the efficacy of verum acupuncture in treating acute migraine attacks. Background.— Acupuncture has been used in China for centuries to treat migraine […]

Efficacy and safety of comfrey root extract ointment in the treatment of acute upper or lower back pain

Results of a double-blind, randomised, placebo controlled, multicentre trial B M Giannetti Br J Sports Med doi:10.1136/bjsm.2009.058677 Published Online First 21 May 2009 Journal Reference Abstract Objective The objective was to show the superiority of comfrey root extract ointment to placebo ointment in patients with acute upper or lower back pain. Design The study was […]

Spinal mechanical load as a risk factor for low back pain: a systematic review of prospective cohort studies

Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2009 Apr 15;34(8):E281-93. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0b013e318195b257. Bakker EW1, Verhagen AP, van Trijffel E, Lucas C, Koes BW. Abstract STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review. OBJECTIVE: To review and critically evaluate the past literature for spinal mechanical load as risk factor for low back pain (LBP). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: LBP is a costly health […]

Exercise Program Reduces Migraine

Allison Gandey April 15, 2009 April 15, 2009 — An exercise program has shown promise in decreasing the frequency of migraine and improving quality of life, report researchers. Even though physical activity can trigger migraine in some, new study results suggest the aerobic intervention can be well tolerated and even improve outcomes. “While the optimal […]

Migraines Linked to Size of Waistline

Published: Feb 12, 2009 By Kristina Fiore , Staff Writer, MedPage Today Full Story Action Points Explain to interested patients that greater waist circumference among patients ages 20 to 55 was associated with a significantly higher rate of migraine for both men and women. Note that the association may be attributable to adipose tissue, which […]

Long-term Effects of Chondroitins 4 and 6 Sulfate on Knee Osteoarthritis

Long-term Effects of Chondroitins 4 and 6 Sulfate on Knee Osteoarthritis: The Study on Osteoarthritis Progression Prevention, A Two-year, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial Arthritis & Rheumatism. 2009;60(2):524-533. Osteoarthritis (OA) causes disability and is a major public health problem. A new study examined the effect of chondroitins 4 and 6 sulfate (CS) on OA progression and […]

Exercise Prescription for Chronic Back or Neck Pain: Who Prescribes It? Who Gets It? What Is Prescribed?

Arthritis Care Research News Alerts. 2009;61(2):192-200. Exercise is commonly used to improve physical function, decrease symptoms and minimize disability caused by chronic low back or neck pain. Numerous randomized trials and clinical practice guidelines have supported this practice, and studies suggest that individually tailored, supervised exercise programs are associated with the best outcomes. Nevertheless, there […]

Risk of Vertebrobasilar Stroke and Chiropractic Care

Results of a Population-Based Case-Control and Case-Crossover Study J. David Cassidy, DC, PhD Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics Volume 32, Issue 2, Supplement , Pages S201-S208, February 2009 Abstract Study Design Population-based, case-control and case-crossover study. Objective To investigate associations between chiropractic visits and vertebrobasilar artery (VBA) stroke and to contrast this with primary […]

The Twin Spine Study: Contributions to a changing view of disc degeneration

The Spine Journal Volume 9, Issue 1, January 2009, Pages 47-59 Michele C. Battié PhD Abstract Background context Disc degeneration was commonly viewed over much of the last century as a result of aging and “wear and tear” from mechanical insults and injuries. Thus, prevention strategies and research in lumbar degenerative changes and associated clinical […]

Is Obesity a Risk Factor for Progressive Radiographic Knee Osteoarthritis?

Arthritis Care Research News Alerts. 2009;61(3):329-335. Obesity is known to be a strong risk factor for the onset of knee osteoarthritis (OA), but studies on the relationship between obesity and progression of the disease have shown mixed results and have lacked large numbers of patients. It’s important to clarify the relationship between weight loss and […]