Physical Modalities

A randomized trial of trigger point dry needling versus sham needling for chronic tension-type headache

Medicine (Baltimore). 2019 Feb;98(8):e14520. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000014520. Gildir S, Tüzün EH, Eroğlu G, Eker L. Abstract BACKGROUND: In this randomized, double-blind, parallel-group trial, we aimed to explore the effectiveness of trigger point dry needling in patients with chronic tension-type headache in reducing headache frequency, intensity and duration, and improvement of health-related quality of life. METHODS: The […]

Immediate biomechanical, systemic, and interoceptive effects of myofascial release on the thoracic spine: A randomised controlled trial

Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies January 2019 Volume 23, Issue 1, Pages 74–81 Ellie Cathcart Abstract Background Myofascial release (MFR) is used to restore tissue extensibility of the fascia tissue and is considered to be useful in a number of clinical settings such as low back pain, ankle injuries, fibromyalgia, and headaches. There is, […]

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)

AuthorsTeoli D1, An J2. SourceStatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2019-. 2019 Jan 6. Excerpt Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, known by its acronym TENS, is a modality that uses electric current to activate nerves for therapeutic reasons. The TENS unit is a small device, often battery-operated, which can sometimes even fit into a pocket. […]

Kinesio Taping to generate skin convolutions is not better than sham taping for people with chronic non-specific low back pain: a randomised trial – Full Text Article

J Physiother. 2014 Jun;60(2):90-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jphys.2014.05.003. Epub 2014 Jun 10. Patrícia do Carmo Silva Parreira Abstract Question: For people with chronic low back pain, does Kinesio Taping, applied according to the treatment manual to create skin convolutions, reduce pain and disability more than a simple application without convolutions? Design: Randomised trial with concealed allocation, intention-to-treat analysis and blinded […]

Additive Effect of Therapeutic Ultrasound in the Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Authors: Yigal Katzap, MPT1,2, Michael Haidukov, BPT3, Olivier M. Berland, PT, MSc4, Ron Ben Itzhak, MD5, Leonid Kalichman, PT, PhD1 Published: Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 2018 Volume:48 Issue:11 Pages:847–855 DOI: 10.2519/jospt.2018.8110 Background Plantar fasciitis is the chief cause of pain in the plantar surface of the heel. Therapeutic ultrasound is one of […]

Integrative Medicine in Childhood Cancer – Full Text Article

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine Vol. 24, No. 9-10 Invited Review ArticlesFree Access Elena J. Ladas Published Online:24 Sep 2018 Abstract The diagnosis of cancer in a child leaves parents and families devastated and vulnerable. In an effort to do everything possible, families often choose an integrative medicine approach to their child’s care. […]

Do Patients With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Benefit From Low-Level Laser Therapy? A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2017 Jun 16. pii: S0003-9993(17)30391-X. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2017.06.002. [Epub ahead of print] Franke TP, Koes BW, Geelen SJ, Huisstede BM. Abstract OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the literature on the effectiveness of low-level laser therapy for patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. DATA SOURCES: The Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and Physiotherapy Evidence Database […]

Additive Effect of Therapeutic Ultrasound in the Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Authors: Yigal Katzap, MPT Study Design A prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Background Plantar fasciitis is the main cause of pain in the plantar surface of the heel. One of the most common conservative treatment modalities used by physical therapists worldwide is therapeutic ultrasound, despite the scarce evidence of its efficacy in the treatment […]

Effectiveness of Kinesio Taping® in Patients With Chronic Non-specific Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review With Meta-analysis

Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2018 Jun 26. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000002756. [Epub ahead of print] Júnior MADL Abstract STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of Kinesio Taping (KT) in patients with non-specific low back pain. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: KT is widely used in patients with low back pain. METHODS: We conducted searches on […]

Effects of Low-Level Laser Therapy in Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Adv Exp Med Biol. 2018 Jun 29. doi: 10.1007/5584_2018_234. [Epub ahead of print] Leisman G1,2,3, Machado C4, Machado Y4, Chinchilla-Acosta M4. Abstract The study examined the efficacy of low-level laser therapy, a form of photobiomodulation, for the treatment of irritability associated with autistic spectrum disorder in children and adolescents aged 5-17 years. Twenty-one of the […]

Spinal manipulation combined with laser therapy is more beneficial than laser therapy alone in chronic non-specific low back pain. A randomized controlled study

Eur J Phys Rehabil Med. 2018 Apr 24. doi: 10.23736/S1973-9087.18.05005-0. [Epub ahead of print] Abstract BACKGROUND: Low back pain (LBP) is a common musculoskeletal disorder causing pain and disability in most of the countries. In recent years, new approaches such as Spinal manipulation and laser therapy have been considered as an alternative to conventional exercise […]

Effect of Adding Interferential Current in an Exercise and Manual Therapy Program for Patients With Unilateral Shoulder Impingement Syndrome: A Randomized Clinical Trial – Full Text

JMPT. March–April, 2018Volume 41, Issue 3, Pages 218–226 Cid André Fidelis de Paula Gomes, PT, PhD Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to measure the additional effect of adding interferential current (IFC) to an exercise and manual therapy program for patients with unilateral shoulder impingement syndrome. Methods Forty-five participants were randomly assigned to […]

Effects of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation on Proinflammatory Cytokines: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis – Full Text Article

Mediators Inflamm. 2018; 2018: 1094352. Published online 2018 Apr 2. doi: 10.1155/2018/1094352 PMCID: PMC5901481 PMID: 29805310 Tábata Cristina do Carmo Almeida,corresponding author 1 Francisco Winter dos Santos Figueiredo, 1 Valter Cordeiro Barbosa Filho, 2 Luiz Carlos de Abreu, 3 Fernando Luiz Affonso Fonseca, 4 and Fernando Adami 1 Abstract The mechanism of pain reduction involves […]

Literature Review and Meta-Analysis of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation in Treating Chronic Back Pain

Wu, Lien-Chen Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine: February 1, 2018 – Volume Online First – Issue – p doi: 10.1097/AAP.0000000000000740 Background and Objectives This study is a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing the efficacy of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) to a control and to other nerve stimulation therapies (NSTs) for the treatment of […]

Cervical Radiculopathy: Effectiveness of Adding Traction to Physical Therapy—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials – Full Text

Antonio Romeo Physical Therapy, Volume 98, Issue 4, 1 April 2018, Pages 231–242, https://doi.org/10.1093/physth/pzy001 Published: 05 January 2018 Abstract Background Cervical radiculopathy (CR) is a common cervical spine disorder. Cervical traction (CT) is a frequently recommended treatment for patients with CR. Purpose The purpose of this study was to conduct a review and meta-analysis of […]

New and Accurate Predictive Model for the Efficacy of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy in Managing Patients With Chronic Plantar Fasciitis

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation December 2017 Volume 98, Issue 12, Pages 2371–2377 Mengchen Yin, MD Abstract Objective To identify factors for the outcome of a minimum clinically successful therapy and to establish a predictive model of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) in managing patients with chronic plantar fasciitis. Design Randomized, controlled, prospective study. […]

CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME:  Manual Therapy vs Laser Therapy

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is due to compression of the median nerve and is the most commonly occurring compression neuropathy. Due to the varied etiopathogenesis of CTS, it remains a challenge for clinicians, as inadequate studies exist regarding conservative treatment. Based on the promising results of previous studies with manual therapy, the authors of the […]

Systematic Review of Nondrug, Nonsurgical Treatment of Shoulder Conditions

J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2017 May 26. pii: S0161-4754(17)30009-X. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2017.04.001. [Epub ahead of print] Hawk C1, Minkalis AL2, Khorsan R3, Daniels CJ4, Homack D5, Gliedt JA6, Hartman JA2, Bhalerao S7. Abstract OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this review was to evaluate the effectiveness of conservative nondrug, nonsurgical interventions, either alone or in combination, for conditions […]

Effects of Myofascial Release in Nonspecific Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Arguisuelas, María D. PT, PhD Spine: 1 May 2017 – Volume 42 – Issue 9 – p 627–634 doi: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000001897 Randomized Trial Study Design. Double-blind, randomized parallel sham-controlled trial with concealed allocation and intention-to treat analysis. Objective. To investigate the effects of an isolate myofascial release (MFR) protocol on pain, disability, and fear-avoidance beliefs in […]

Mechanical effects of traction on lumbar intervertebral discs: A magnetic resonance imaging study

Musculoskeletal Science & Practice June 2017 Volume 29, Pages 78–83 Daniel H.K. Chow, PhD Highlights Mechanical effects of traction on lumbar discs was evaluated using MRI. Horizontal traction using 42% of body weight was associated with an increased disc height of lower lumbar discs. Horizontal traction also resulted in reduced lordosis and change in tilt angle. The […]