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

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

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

Muscle Spasms and Low Back Pain

This was a pair of studies by the same authors that have some great, real world implications with regards to prevention and physical therapy treatment of low back pain and neck pain. Short rest periods after static lumbar flexion are a risk factor for cumulative low back disorder. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2005 Feb;15(1):37-52. Courville A, … 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