Physical Modalities

Research pours cold water on ice bath recovery theory

August 11, 2015 If the thought of a post workout ice bath is enough to make you shiver, new research from QUT and The University of Queensland (UQ) will warm your heart. The comprehensive study found cold water immersion after strength training hindered muscle adaptation — pouring cold water on the long-held theory that an […]

Upper trapezius relaxation induced by TENS and interferential current in computer users with chronic nonspecific neck discomfort: An electromyographic analysis.

Randomized controlled trial Acedo AA, et al. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2015. Abstract BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown that a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and interferential current (IFC) application reduces pain in subjects with musculoskeletal disorders. However there are no clinical trials evaluating or comparing the muscle relaxation generated for these devices. PURPOSE: To […]

Use of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Device in Early Osteoarthritis of the Knee

J Knee Surg. 2015 Aug;28(4):321-7. doi: 10.1055/s-0034-1389160. Epub 2014 Aug 27. Jeffrey J Cherian PMID: 25162407 DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1389160 Abstract Some have proposed the use of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) as an adjunct to the current standard of care in treatment of osteoarthritis knee pain. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects […]

Lumbar Traction For Managing Low Back Pain: A Survey Of Physical Therapists In The United States

Authors: Timothy J. Madson, PT, MS Study Design Cross-sectional survey. Objectives To examine how many physical therapists use traction, the patients for whom traction is used, the preferred delivery modes/parameters of traction, the supplemental interventions used with traction, and whether professional characteristics influence traction usage. Background Several systematic reviews and clinical guidelines have questioned the […]

Lumbar Traction for Managing Low Back Pain: A Survey of Physical Therapists in the United States

Authors: Timothy J. Madson, PT, MS Study Design Cross sectional survey. Objectives To examine how many physical therapists (PTs) use traction, patients for whom traction is used, preferred delivery modes/parameters, supplemental interventions, and whether professional characteristics influence traction usage. Background Several systematic reviews and clinical guidelines question traction’s effectiveness for managing low back pain (LBP), […]

A comparative study of the pain relieving effect of laser treatment and acupuncture

Acta Physiol Scand. 1987 Sep;131(1):161-2. A comparative study of the pain-relieving effect of laser treatment and acupuncture. Lundeberg T1, Hode L, Zhou J. Full Text Article

Comparing Effects of U.S., Low-Level Laser, Massage, Interferential Current, and Vibration on Achilles Tendon Microcirculation

Study Design Controlled laboratory study. Objectives To measure Achilles tendon microcirculation (total hemoglobin [THb] and oxygen saturation [StO2]) before and after the application of a physical agent in asymptomatic participants and to compare differences between application location and physical agent dosage. Background The microcirculation in the tendon can be altered by superficial heating or cryotherapy. […]

Can Low Level Laser Help With Intractable Discogenic Back Pain?

J Pain Res. 2015 May 26;8:253-6. doi: 10.2147/JPR.S84458. eCollection 2015. Can intractable discogenic back pain be managed by low-level laser therapy without recourse to operative intervention? Ip D, Fu NY. Abstract OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study reported here was to investigate the possible clinical role of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in discogenic back pain […]

Considerations for practice-based research: a cross-sectional survey of chiropractic, acupuncture and massage practices

BMC Complement Altern Med. 2015 May 2;15(1):140. [Epub ahead of print] Floden L1, Howerter A2, Matthews E3, Nichter M4, Cunningham JK5, Ritenbaugh C6, Gordon JS7, Muramoto ML8. Author information Abstract BACKGROUND: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use has steadily increased globally over the past two decades and is increasingly playing a role in the healthcare system in the United States. CAM practice-based effectiveness […]

Effectiveness of different styles of massage therapy in fibromyalgia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Manual Therapy Volume 20, Issue 2, April 2015, Pages 257-264 Systematic review Susan Lee KingYuan Abstract The systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of massage in fibromyalgia. An electronic search was conducted at MEDLINE, SCiELO, EMBASE, ISI, PEDro, SPORTDiscus, CINAHL, Cochrane CENTRAL and LILACS (Jan 1990–May 2013). Ten randomized and non-randomized controlled trials investigating […]

Short-Term Effectiveness of Precut Kinesiology Tape Versus an NSAID as Adjuvant Treatment to Exercise for Subacromial Impingement

Clin J Sport Med. 2015 Apr 24. [Epub ahead of print] Short-Term Effectiveness of Precut Kinesiology Tape Versus an NSAID as Adjuvant Treatment to Exercise for Subacromial Impingement: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Devereaux M, Velanoski KQ, Pennings A, Elmaraghy A. Abstract OBJECTIVE: To compare the short-term effectiveness of precut kinesiology tape (PCT) to a nonsteroidal […]

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy Articles

Peer-reviewed scientific and medical evidence regarding the effectiveness of the Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy. Elbow Treatment of Lateral Epicondylitis of the Elbow with Shock Waves Yildiz lateral epicondylitis GOOD ISMST 2009 ANALGESIC EFFECT OF EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCK-WAVE Shockwave Therapy for Lateral Epicondylitis of the Elbow (Retrospective Study) Safety and Efficacy of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy for Chronic […]

Can intractable discogenic back pain be managed by low-level laser therapy without recourse to operative intervention?

Journal of Pain Research Published 26 May 2015 Volume 2015:8 Pages 253—256 Objective: The aim of the study reported here was to investigate the possible clinical role of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in discogenic back pain patients who failed to respond to a conventional physical therapy program to avoid recourse to operative intervention. Methods: The […]

Kinesio taping improves pain, range of motion, and proprioception in older patients with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial

Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2015 Mar;94(3):192-200. doi: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000000148. Hwi-young Cho 1, Eun-Hye Kim, Junesun Kim, Young Wook Yoon PMID: 25706053 DOI: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000000148 Abstract Objective: This study investigated the short-term effects of Kinesio taping (KT) on various types of pain, active range of motion (AROM), and proprioception in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Design: Forty-six older […]

The Effect Of Elastic Therapeutic Taping On Back Extensor Muscle Endurance In Patients With Low Back Pain

The Effect Of Elastic Therapeutic Taping On Back Extensor Muscle Endurance In Patients With Low Back Pain: A Randomized, Controlled, Crossover Trial Authors: Lindsey Hagen, PT, DPT Study Design Randomized, controlled, crossover trial. Objectives To examine the effects of elastic therapeutic taping (ETT) applied to the lumbar paraspinal region on back muscle endurance (BME) compared […]

Influences of spinal decompression therapy and general traction therapy on the pain, disability, and straight leg raising of patients with intervertebral disc herniation

Journal of Physical Therapy Science Vol. 27 (2015) No. 2 February p. 481-Jioun Choi [Purpose] The purpose of this study was to identify how spinal decompression therapy and general traction therapy influence the pain, disability, and straight leg raise (SLR) ability of patients with intervertebral disc herniation. [Subjects] The subjects were 30 patients with chronic […]

TENS Effective for Post-Herpetic Neuralgia

February 03, 2015 Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Effective for Post-Herpetic Neuralgia International Journal of Dermatology TAKE-HOME MESSAGE A small pilot study of patients with post-herpetic neuralgia refractory to other treatments compared the use of a transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TENS) device with the use of a sham device. All patients receiving the sham device treatment chose […]

Does Therapeutic Ultrasound Work?

Ultrasound is ultra-popular … and ultra-unproven. Does Therapeutic Ultrasound Work? Many concerns about the widespread usage of therapeutic ultrasound, especially extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) 3,000 words, published 2009, updated Jan 25th, 2015 by Paul Ingraham, Vancouver, Canada bio Ultrasound therapy (US) is the use of sound waves above the range of human hearing12 to treat injuries like muscle strains or runner’s knee. […]

Kinesio taping in musculoskeletal pain and disability that lasts for more than 4 weeks: is it time to peel off the tape and throw it out with the sweat?

Br J Sports Med. 2015 Jan 16. pii: bjsports-2014-094151. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2014-094151. [Epub ahead of print] Kinesio taping in musculoskeletal pain and disability that lasts for more than 4 weeks: is it time to peel off the tape and throw it out with the sweat? A systematic review with meta-analysis focused on pain and also methods of […]

Comprehensive Management Of Chronic Knee Pain

Tory McJunkin, MD Pain Medicine News ISSUE: DECEMBER 2014 | VOLUME: 12(12) Knee pain is a very common complaint that can be debilitating when severe. A proper evaluation must begin with a thorough history and physical examination. If the patient is not a surgical candidate, there are several conservative treatment options—such as physical therapy for […]