Spinal Manipulation in Physical Therapy, Death Throes in Research

Basis for spinal manipulative therapy: a physical therapist perspective. Bialosky JE, Simon CB, Bishop MD, George SZ. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2012 Oct;22(5):643-7. [Free Full Text] My comments: This paper has an extremely well referenced number of facts seemingly leading to one conclusion, that oddly appears to escape the authors. I think this paper was intended … Read more

Manipulation & Mobilization for Chronic Low Back Pain, Not Worth the Effort

Spinal manipulative therapy for chronic low-back pain: an update of a Cochrane review. Rubinstein SM, van Middelkoop M, Assendelft WJ, de Boer MR, van Tulder MW. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2011 Jun;36(13) AbstractSTUDY DESIGN:Systematic review of interventions. OBJECTIVE:To assess the effects of spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) for chronic low-back pain. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA:SMT is … Read more

Physical Therapy for Parkinson’s Loses to Strength & Conditioning

Comparison of strength training, aerobic training, and additional physical therapy as supplementary treatments for Parkinson’s disease: pilot study. Carvalho A, Barbirato D, Araujo N, Martins JV, Cavalcanti JL, Santos TM, Coutinho ES, Laks J, Deslandes AC. Clin Interv Aging. 2015 Jan 7;10:183-91. AbstractINTRODUCTION:Physical rehabilitation is commonly used in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) to improve … 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

Physical Therapy After Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty

Significantly fewer refractures after vertebroplasty in patients who engage in back-extensor-strengthening exercises. Huntoon EA, Schmidt CK, Sinaki M. Mayo Clin Proc. 2008 Jan;83(1):54-7. AbstractOBJECTIVE:To determine whether patients with osteoporotic compression fractures would have decreased fracture recurrence or a longer time before refracture after percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) if they also participated in the Rehabilitation of Osteoporosis … Read more

Short Foot Exercise for Flat Feet

Effect of foot orthoses and short-foot exercise on the cross-sectional area of the abductor hallucis muscle in subjects with pes planus: a randomized controlled trial. Jung DY1, Koh EK, Kwon OY. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2011;24(4):225-31.  Abstract OBJECTIVE:To prevent overuse injuries related to excessively pronated feet, the strengthening of the foot intrinsic muscles has been recommended. The … Read more

Electric Stimulation and Plantar Fasciitis

Use of low-frequency electrical stimulation for the treatment of plantar fasciitis. J Am Podiatr Med Assoc. 2009 Nov-Dec;99(6):481-8. Stratton M1, McPoil TG, Cornwall MW, Patrick K. AbstractBACKGROUND:Recent research has discussed the use of low-frequency electrical stimulation to increase blood flow by eliciting muscular contraction in soft tissues. This randomized clinical trial examined the efficacy of … Read more

Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction & Muscle Weakness

Women with posterior tibial tendon dysfunction have diminished ankle and hip muscle performance. J Orthop Sports Physical Therapy. 2011 Sep;41(9):687-94. Kulig K, Popovich JM Jr, Noceti-Dewit LM, Reischl SF, Kim D. Abstract STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study using a cross-sectional design. OBJECTIVES: To characterize ankle and hip muscle performance in women with posterior tibial tendon … 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

Strength Better than Stretch for Plantar Fasciitis

High-load strength training improves outcome in patients with plantar fasciitis: A randomized controlled trial with 12-month follow-up. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2014 Aug 21. Rathleff MS1, Mølgaard CM, Fredberg U, Kaalund S, Andersen KB, Jensen TT, Aaskov S, Olesen JL. AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of shoe inserts and … Read more

Runners with Patellofemoral Pain, Have Altered Hip and Knee Rotational Stress

Patellofemoral joint stress during running in females with and without patellofemoral pain. Knee. 2012 Oct;19(5):703-8. Wirtz AD1, Willson JD, Kernozek TW, Hong DA. AbstractPatellofemoral pain (PFP) is a common complaint among female runners. The etiology for PFP is frequently associated with increased patellofemoral joint stress (PFJS) and altered hip and knee joint kinematics during running. … Read more

Reversing Disc Protrusions, McKenzie Mostly Correct in Theory

Disc prolapse: evidence of reversal with repeated extension. Scannell JP, McGill SM. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2009 Feb 15;34(4):344-50. AbstractSTUDY DESIGN:A basic science study that used a porcine cervical spine model to produce disc prolapse subsequently exposed to an extension protocol.OBJECTIVE:This study investigated whether extension or combined extension and side flexion could move the displaced portion … Read more

Runners with Plantar Fasciitis Have Weak, Tight Calf Muscles

Functional biomechanical deficits in running athletes with plantar fasciitis. Am J Sports Med. 1991 Jan-Feb;19(1):66-71. Kibler WB1, Goldberg C, Chandler TJ. Abstract Plantar fasciitis is a relatively common injury that occurs in running athletes. The disease entity is a good example of an overloaded process of the plantar fascia at its calcaneal insertion. This study … Read more

Plantar Fasciitis Associated with Foot Muscle Atrophy

Use of MRI for volume estimation of tibialis posterior and plantar intrinsic foot muscles in healthy and chronic plantar fasciitis limbs. Chang R, Kent-Braun JA, Hamill J. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 2012 Jun;27(5):500-5. Abstract BACKGROUND: Due to complexity of the plantar intrinsic foot muscles, little is known about their muscle architecture in vivo. Chronic plantar fasciitis … Read more

Electric Muscle Stimulation for Athletes

Electromyostimulation–a systematic review of the effects of different electromyostimulation methods on selected strength parameters in trained and elite athletes. J Strength Cond Res. 2012 Sep;26(9):2600-14. Filipovic A1, Kleinöder H, Dörmann U, Mester J. AbstractThis is the first part of 2 studies that systematically review the current state of research and structure the results of selected … Read more

Eccentric calf muscle training in non-athletic patients with Achilles tendinopathy

Eccentric calf muscle training in non-athletic patients with Achilles tendinopathy. Sayana MK, Maffulli N. J Sci Med Sport. 2007 Feb;10(1):52-8. Epub 2006 Jul 7. AbstractOBJECTIVE: Achilles tendinopathy is prevalent in athletes, but can also affect sedentary patients. We studied the effects of eccentric exercises in sedentary non-athletic patients with Achilles tendinopathy.METHODS: Thirty-four sedentary patients (18 … Read more