Physical Modalities

Whole-Body Vibration Versus Eccentric Training or a Wait-and-See Approach for Chronic Achilles Tendinopathy

A Randomized Clinical Trial Thomas Horstmann, MD Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 2013, Volume: 43 Issue: 11 Pages: 794-803 Study Design Randomized clinical trial. Objectives To test the hypothesis that whole-body vibration training results in greater improvements in symptoms and pain, structural changes, and muscle flexibility and strength of the triceps surae muscle-tendon […]

Whole body vibration therapy for painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy

A pilot study Nathan J. Kessler, BA Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies Volume 17, Issue 4 , Pages 518-522, October 2013 Summary The unsatisfactory results associated with conventional treatments for symptoms of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) demonstrate a need for research into alternative therapies. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy […]

Cryotherapy Reduces Pain, Narcotic Use After Surgery

Miriam E. Tucker October 11, 2013 WASHINGTON, DC — Cryotherapy involving the simplest of pain remedies can ease symptoms after major abdominal surgery, according to a new randomized controlled trial. “Ice packs can reduce postoperative pain and narcotic use. They are an easy, benign, and cost-effective addition to postoperative pain management,” said Ammara Abbasi, MD, a general […]

Intradiscal Pressure Changes during Manual Cervical Distraction

A Cadaveric Study Gudavalli MR, et al. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013;2013:954134. doi: 10.1155/2013/954134. Epub 2013 Aug 20. Abstract The objective of this study was to measure intradiscal pressure (IDP) changes in the lower cervical spine during a manual cervical distraction (MCD) procedure. Incisions were made anteriorly, and pressure transducers were inserted into each […]

Traction for low-back pain with or without sciatica

These findings indicate that traction, either alone or in combination with other treatments, has little or no impact on pain intensity, functional status, global improvement and return to work among people with LBP.

One-week time course of the effects of Mulligan’s Mobilisation with Movement and taping in painful shoulders

Pamela Teys Previous research suggests that Mulligan’s Mobilisation-with-Movement (MWM) technique for the shoulder produces an immediate improvement in movement and pain. The aims of this study were to investigate the time course of the effects of a single MWM technique and to ascertain the effects of adding tape following MWM in people with shoulder pain. […]

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy relieved pain in patients with coccydynia

A report of two cases Yousef Marwan, MBBS The Spine Journal Available online 2 October 2013 Abstract Background context Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ECSWT) has been used widely for musculoskeletal conditions; however, no reports are available about its use for coccydynia. Purpose Study the effect of ECSWT in relieving pain of coccydynia. Study design Case […]

Whole-Body Vibration Versus Eccentric Training or a Wait-and-See Approach for Chronic Achilles Tendinopathy

A Randomized Clinical Trial Thomas Horstmann, MD Study Design Randomized clinical trial. Objectives To test the hypothesis that whole-body vibration training results in greater improvements in symptoms and pain, structural changes, and muscle flexibility and strength of the triceps surae muscle-tendon unit than those achieved with eccentric training or with a wait-and-see approach. Background The […]

Traction for low-back pain with or without sciatica

Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013 Aug 19;8:CD003010. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD003010.pub5. Traction for low-back pain with or without sciatica. Wegner I Astract BACKGROUND: Traction has been used to treat low-back pain (LBP), often in combination with other treatments. We included both manual and machine-delivered traction in this review. This is an update of a Cochrane review first published […]

The Effectiveness of Therapeutic Class IV (10 W) Laser Treatment for Epicondylitis

Lasers in Surgery & Medicine Volume 45, Issue 5, July 2013, p 311-317. Delia B. Roberts PhD, FACSM Abstract Background and Objective Photobiomodulation has been shown to modulate cellular protein production and stimulate tendon healing in a dose‐dependent manner. Previous studies have used class IIIb lasers with power outputs of less than 0.5 W. Here we […]

Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) for Neck Pain

Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) for Neck Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Regression. Gross AR, et al. Open Orthop J. 2013. Abstract PURPOSE: This systematic review update evaluated low level laser therapy (LLLT) for adults with neck pain. METHODS: Computerized searches (root up to Feb 2012) included pain, function/disability, quality of life (QoL) and global […]

Effects of Class IV laser therapy on fibromyalgia impact and function in women with fibromyalgia

J Altern Complement Med. 2013 May;19(5):445-52. doi: 10.1089/acm.2011.0398. Epub 2012 Nov 23. Lynn Panton PMID: 23176373 DOI: 10.1089/acm.2011.0398 Abstract Objectives: This study evaluated the effects of Class IV laser therapy on pain, Fibromyalgia (FM) impact, and physical function in women diagnosed with FM. Design: The study was a double-blind, randomized control trial. Setting: Testing was […]

Inversion therapy in patients with pure single level lumbar discogenic disease: a pilot randomized trial

Disabil Rehabil. 2012;34(17):1473-80. doi: 10.3109/09638288.2011.647231. Epub 2012 Jan 23. K S Manjunath Prasad Abstract Purpose: Backache and sciatica due to protuberant disc disease is a major cause of lost working days and health expenditure. Surgery is a well-established option in the management flowchart. There is no strong evidence proving that traction for sciatica is effective. […]

How to Tape an Ankle to Prevent Inversion

Can Low-Level Laser Therapy Have An Impact For Small Fiber Neuropathy?

Thursday, 05/26/11 Podiatry Today Issue Number: Volume 24 – Issue 6 – June 2011 Author(s): Kerry Zang, DPM, Janna Kroleski, DPM, Shahram Askari, DPM, and Sanford Kaner, DPM In addition to reviewing diagnostic testing for small fiber neuropathy and current treatments, these authors discuss recent study results for low-level laser therapy. Diabetic neuropathy is the […]

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 […]

Effects of Biofreeze and chiropractic adjustments on acute low back pain: a pilot study

John Zhang, MD, PhD Journal of Chiropractic Medicine Volume 7, Issue 2 , Pages 59-65, June 2008 Abstract Objective This randomized controlled study was designed to determine the pain-relieving effect of Biofreeze (Performance Health Inc., Export, PA) body surface application and chiropractic adjustments on subjects with acute low back pain (LBP). Methods The data were […]

Treatment of Neck Pain: Noninvasive Interventions: Results of the Bone and Joint Decade 2000–2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders

Eur Spine J. 2008 Apr; 17(Suppl 1): 123–152. Published online 2008 Mar 4. doi: 10.1007/s00586-008-0631-z PMCID: PMC2271098 Eric L. Hurwitz Abstract Study Design. Best evidence synthesis. Objective. To identify, critically appraise, and synthesize literature from 1980 through 2006 on noninvasive interventions for neck pain and its associated disorders. Summary of Background Data. No comprehensive systematic […]

Low level laser therapy for low-back pain – Cochrane Review

Published:  16 April 2008 Authors:  Yousefi-Nooraie R, Schonstein E, Heidari K, Rashidian A, Pennick V, Akbari-Kamrani M, Irani S, Shakiba B, Mortaz Hejri S, Jonaidi A-R, Mortaz-Hedjri S Sixty to eighty per cent of people suffer from back pain at some time in their lives. Of those who develop acute low-back pain (LBP), up to […]

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation: Mechanisms, Clinical Application and Evidence – Full Text Article

Rev Pain. 2007 Aug; 1(1): 7–11. doi: 10.1177/204946370700100103 PMCID: PMC4589923 PMID: 26526976 Professor Mark Johnson Abstract Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a non-invasive, inexpensive, self-administered technique to relieve pain. There are few side effects and no potential for overdose so patients can titrate the treatment as required. TENS techniques include conventional TENS, acupuncture-like TENS […]