Plantar Fasciitis Stretches? Why My Patients Skip Them

Tissue-specific plantar fascia-stretching exercise enhances outcomes in patients with chronic heel pain. A prospective, randomized study. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2003 Jul;85-A(7):1270-7. DiGiovanni BF, Nawoczenski DA, Lintal ME, Moore EA, Murray JC, Wilding GE, Baumhauer JF. AbstractBACKGROUND:Approximately 10% of patients with plantar fasciitis have development of persistent and often disabling symptoms. A poor response … 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

Low Back Pain. Free Weights Good, Weight Machines and Stretching Bad — It’s Science.

Are flexibility and muscle-strengthening activities associated with a higher risk of developing low back pain? J Sci Med Sport. 2013 Aug 8 The researchers followed 4610 adults and compared their exercise program and incidence of low back pain over an average of 4.9 years. Quotes from the study:“CONCLUSIONS: In this sample, stretching or use of … Read more