Free-Weight Lifting helps a LOT for Low Back Pain

The effects of a free-weight-based resistance training intervention on pain, squat biomechanics and MRI-defined lumbar fat infiltration and functional cross-sectional area in those with chronic low back. Welch N, Moran K, Antony J, Richter C, Marshall B, Coyle J, Falvey E, Franklyn-Miller A. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2015 Nov 9;1(1) [FREE FULL TEXT] QUOTES: … Read more

Massive Herniated Discs and Low Back Pain, the Good News

Conservatively treated massive prolapsed discs: a 7-year follow-up. Benson RT, Tavares SP, Robertson SC, Sharp R, Marshall RW. Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 2010 Mar;92(2):147-53. AbstractINTRODUCTION:The natural history of a lumbar hernia of the nucleus pulposus (HNP) is not fully known and clear indications for operative intervention cannot be established from the literature. Several studies … Read more

Vertebral Fractures after Yoga in Women with Osteopenia

Yoga spinal flexion positions and vertebral compression fracture in osteopenia or osteoporosis of spine: case series. Sinaki M. Pain Pract. 2013 Jan;13(1):68-75. [FREE FULL TEXT with good pics] AbstractOBJECTIVE:The objective of this report is to raise awareness of the effect of strenuous yoga flexion exercises on osteopenic or osteoporotic spines. We previously described subjects with … Read more

Emetophobia and the Biopsychosocial Model of Low Back, Neck Pain

Exposure therapy for emetophobia: a case study with three-year follow-up. J Anxiety Disord. 2013 Jun;27(5):527-34. Maack DJ, Deacon BJ, Zhao M. AbstractEmetophobia, also referred to as a specific phobia of vomiting, is a largely under-researched and poorly understood disorder with prevalence estimates of ranging between 1.7 and 3.1% for men and 6 and 7% for … Read more

Kinesio Tape Smells Like Placebo

Current evidence does not support the use of Kinesio Taping in clinical practice: a systematic review. J Physiother. 2014 Mar;60(1):31-9. Parreira Pdo C, Costa Lda C, Hespanhol Junior LC, Lopes AD, Costa LO. AbstractQuestions: Is Kinesio Taping more effective than a sham taping/placebo, no treatment or other interventions in people with musculoskeletal conditions? Is the addition … Read more

Cervicogenic Headaches Reduced Most with Strength Training

Effect of neck exercises on cervicogenic headache: a randomized controlled trial. J Rehabil Med. 2010 Apr;42(4):344-9. Ylinen J1, Nikander R, Nykänen M, Kautiainen H, Häkkinen A. AbstractOBJECTIVE:To compare the efficacy of three 12-month training programmes on headache and upper extremity pain in patients with chronic neck pain. METHODS:A total of 180 female office workers, with … Read more

How to Herniate a Disc, and How Not to

Intervertebral disc herniation: studies on a porcine model exposed to highly repetitive flexion/extension motion with compressive force. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 2001 Jan;16(1):28-37. Callaghan JP, McGill SM. AbstractOBJECTIVE:To determine whether repeated motion with low magnitude joint forces, and flexion/extension moments consistently produce herniation in a non-degenerated, controlled porcine spine motion segment.DESIGN:Combined loading (flexion/extension motions and … Read more

Central Sensitization and Chronic Pain

Central sensitization: implications for the diagnosis and treatment of pain. Pain. 2011 Mar;152(3 Suppl):S2-15. Woolf CJ. [FREE FULL TEXT] AbstractNociceptor inputs can trigger a prolonged but reversible increase in the excitability and synaptic efficacy of neurons in central nociceptive pathways, the phenomenon of central sensitization. Central sensitization manifests as pain hypersensitivity, particularly dynamic tactile allodynia, secondary … Read more

Neck Pain/Tender Points Reduced Most by Strength Exercise

Effect of long-term neck muscle training on pressure pain threshold: a randomized controlled trial. Eur J Pain. 2005 Dec;9(6):673-81. Ylinen J, Takala EP, Kautiainen H, Nykänen M, Häkkinen A, Pohjolainen T, Karppi SL, Airaksinen O. AbstractMuscle tenderness has been measured in several studies to evaluate effectiveness of treatment methods, but only short-term results have been reported … Read more

Neck Pain Immediately Reduced After Strength and Posture Exercise

Specific therapeutic exercise of the neck induces immediate local hypoalgesia. J Pain. 2007 Nov;8(11):832-9. Epub 2007 Jul 19. O’Leary S, Falla D, Hodges PW, Jull G, Vicenzino B. AbstractThis study compared the effect of 2 specific cervical flexor muscle exercise protocols on immediate pain relief in the cervical spine of people with chronic neck pain. … Read more

Strength Training with Chronic Neck Pain Improves Quality of Life

Effect of neck strength training on health-related quality of life in females with chronic neck pain: a randomized controlled 1-year follow-up study. Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2010 May 14;8:48. Salo PK, Häkkinen AH, Kautiainen H, Ylinen JJ. Abstract BACKGROUND: Chronic neck pain is a common condition associated not only with a decrease in neck muscle … Read more

Strength Better than Stretch for Neck Pain AND Range of Motion

This was one of the earlier cervical strength training studies on neck pain that influenced my physical therapy treatments for neck pain. Active neck muscle training in the treatment of chronic neck pain in women: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2003 May 21;289(19):2509-16. Ylinen J1, Takala EP, Nykänen M, Häkkinen A, Mälkiä E, Pohjolainen T, Karppi … Read more