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Showing posts from 2010

Autonomy and the future of physiotherapy.

Link: http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Autonomy+and+the+future+of+physiotherapy.-a0181366670 Either follow the link. If the link is not working properly then copy the above link in a web browser. Then type search. I assure you this is a topic to ponder.

Respiratory muscle stretch gymnastics (RMSG) a review of PUBMED from 1996-2002

Preamble: RMSG can be called an exclusive Japanese contribution to our knowledge pool. First invented & later on further researched by Japanese researchers only. We found 6 papers by search of PUBMED with the search word “Respiratory muscle stretch gymnastics”. Abstract plus search categories found 3 full articles out of 6 mentioned journals listed in PUBMED. This article is a small review of those 6 articles. What is RMSG? RMSG is a group of stretching exercises sequentially performed to stretch specific muscles involved in respiration. There are 5 different muscle groups targeted in RMSG. Respiratory Muscle Stretch Gymnastics RMSG was designed to be easy to learn and to perform at home on a daily basis, and to stretch either the inspiratory intercostal muscles during inspiration or the expiratory intercostal muscles during expiration, in attempt to reduce chest wall stiffness. Who devised it first? Yamanda M et al of Japan devised it first time in 1996 and they applied it on 13

Anticipatory postural adjustment (APA) & Posture

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Objective of this review: To provide the reader basic idea of the anticipatory postural adjustments with spinal disorders. Understanding this topic will lead to appreciate the kinetic chain concepts through understanding of basic postural system operation. Posture & Poise: Posture is a term to describe shape whether good or bad. Poise is either present or absent at any moment so to describe poise as good or bad is to misunderstand its meaning. The term posture is generally accepted to relate to the dynamic relationship of the body segments in activity. Poise is a state; an ability to maintain appropriate muscle tension at all times in both movement and static positions. A well-balanced structure is supported and mobilised by gravitational forces with minimal effort. Correct posture is considered vital for health and functioning of the internal organs and all bodily functions. A poorly balanced structure requires inappropriate muscular activity to maintain position and initiate mo

Neck pain due scapular origin

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Various scapular connections: Following group of muscles are essential for proper shoulder functioning: 1. Scapulo-humeral group (Supra & infraspinatus, Subscapularis) 2. Cervico-scapular group (Levator scapulae, Upper trapezius) 3. Thoraco-scapular group (Ex: Rhonboids, middle trapezius) 4. Other muscle like latissimus dorsi etc Shoulder is one of the most active joints of human body & upper limb function is heavily dependant on optimal shoulder joint function. However, the shoulder function is in turn heavily dependant on the scapular stability & mobility. Among various attachments of the scapula, scapular position is also dependant on the Cervico-scapular & other muscles described above. Various scapular conjugate movements with shoulder joint function demands heavy stress on all of it’s attachments. Specific shoulder tasks demands specific static & dynamic scapular positions. Scapular positional faults & shoulder pain: Rhomboids dominance: This

Shoulder joint functional alteration during arm elevation with impingement syndrome & latent trigger points

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Shoulder elevation mechanics in impingement syndrome: Both glenohumeral and scapulothoracic kinematics are altered during impingement syndrome. Normal & altered mechanics during shoulder elevation is discussed below. Normal mechanics: Functions of Trapezius muscle: Upper trapezius produces clavicular elevation and retraction. The middle trapezius is primarily a medial stabilizer of the scapula. The lower trapezius assists in medial stabilization and upward rotation of the scapula. Functions of serratus anterior muscles: The middle and lower serratus anterior muscles produce scapular upward rotation, posterior tilting, and external rotation. Pectoralis minor: The pectoralis minor is aligned to resist normal rotations of the scapula during arm elevation. Rotator cuff: The rotator cuff is critical to stabilization and prevention of excess superior translation of the humeral head, as well as production of glenohumeral external rotation during arm elevation. Alterations of shoulder musc

Composition of different treatments in subacromion bursitis: Evidence from a recent study.

Tate AR et al recently tried to define the dosage and specific techniques of manual therapy and exercise for rehabilitation for patients with subacromial impingement syndrome in a case series. 10 patients (age range, 19-70 years ware treated with a standardized protocol for 10 visits over 6 to 8 weeks. More about this program: 1. Strengthening rotator cuff and scapular muscles (3-phase progressive strengthening program) 2. Manual stretching 3. Manual therapy aimed at thoracic spine (Both thrust and nonthrust manipulation) 4. Manual therapy aimed at and the posterior and inferior soft-tissue structures of the glenohumeral joint (Both soft & bony. Bony manipulation: Both thrust and nonthrust manipulation) 5. Other components of this program: Activity modification and a daily home exercise program of stretching and strengthening. Result of this program: This case series describes a comprehensive impairment-based treatment which resulted in symptomatic and functional im

Condensing osteitis of clavicle: Presenting with sternoclavicular pain & swelling

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What is Condensing osteitis of clavicle? Osteitis condensans of the sternoclavicular joint was first described by Brower et al in 1974 (5). Till 1989 only 16 cases ware reported in world medical literature (6). Definition: Condensing osteitis of the clavicle is a benign idiopathic entity that is probably degenerative or mechanical in etiology manifesting by variably painful and tender swelling over the medial end of the clavicle. There is no clinical or laboratory evidence of infection in all cases of Condensing osteitis. Where else Condensing osteitis is also marked? Condensing osteitis is also marked at ilium, and pubis (4). The etiopathogenesis of this rare benign clinico-radiologic entity remains unknown (7). However Berthelot et al have proposed a pathogenic hypothesis for condensing osteitis of the clavicle, ilium, and pubis. According to their observation joint aspects spared by the sclerosis are covered with hyaline cartilage but occurs in bone overlaid by fibrocartilage. Clin

Coccygodynia (Tail bonepain): Causes

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What is a dynia? The "dynias" are a group of chronic, focal pain syndromes with a predilection for the orocervical and urogenital regions. They include glossodynia, carotidynia, vulvodynia, orchidynia, prostatodynia, coccygodynia, and proctodynia. In some cases, the dynias occur secondarily, but more often, despite an exhaustive evaluation, no etiology is found and in these remaining cases, the cause of the pain remains enigmatic. The controversy that surrounds this group of disorders, which ranges from questioning their existence to suggesting that they are purely psychosomatic, is counterbalanced by an extensive literature attesting to their organicity (1). What is coccygodynia? & Causes of coccygodynia: The three most common functional disorders causing anorectal and perineal pain are levator ani syndrome, coccygodynia and proctalgia fugax. However, Alcock's canal syndrome is also responsible for pain in these areas (3). A review of Mayo clinic records Physical Med

Compensation for weak gluteus medius

1. Excessive lateral pelvic tilt (Trendelenburg): Areas that may be affected due to compensation: Lumbar spine, sacroiliac joint (SIJ), greater trochanter bursa, insertion of muscle on greater trochanter, overactivity of piriformis and tensor fascia lata (TFL) . 2. Medial knee drift: Areas that may be affected due to compensation: Lateral tibiofemoral compartment (via compression), patellofemoral joint, patella tendon and fat pad, pes anserinus, iliotibial band (ITB) 3. Lateral knee drift: Areas that may be affected due to compensation: Medial tibiofemoral compartment (via compression), ITB, posterolateral compartment, popliteus 4. Same-sided shift of trunk (lateral flexion of trunk): Areas that may be affected due to compensation: Lumbar spine (increased disc and facet joint compression), SIJ (increased shear)

Lumbar facet pain & facet pain in Osteoarthritis of lumbar spine

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Lumbar facet pain (1): Lumbar facet joints are a well recognized source of low back pain and referred pain in the lower extremity in patients with chronic low back pain. Conventional clinical features and other non-invasive diagnostic modalities are unreliable in diagnosing lumbar zygapophysial joint pain. However with invasive diagnostic technique the chance of false positive result may be up to 47% but these controlled diagnostic studies have shown the prevalence of lumbar facet joint pain in 27% to 40% of the patients with chronic low back pain without disc displacement or radiculitis. Facet joint surface area in LBA (2): Facet joint surface area is an important parameter for understanding facet joint function and pathology. Otsuka et al investigated lumbar facet joint surface area in relation to age and the presence of chronic low back pain. In this invivo study the following things are found: 1. The lumbar facet area was significantly greater at the inferior lumbar levels and a

Facet pain: Short falls of inteventional & non-interventional conservative management

How facet joint pain manifests? Facet or zygapophysial joints are considered to be common sources of chronic spinal pain. In addition to causing localized spinal pain, facet joints may refer pain to adjacent structures. Cervical facet joint pain may radiate to the head, neck, and shoulders. Thoracic facets may produce paraspinous mid-back pain with neuralgic characteristics; and lumbar facet joints may refer pain to the back, buttocks, and proximal lower extremities. Referred pain may assume a pseudoradicular pattern, making the underlying diagnosis difficult to confirm, without the use of diagnostic blocks. Joint innervation: Facet joints are well innervated by the medial branches of the dorsal rami. Neuroanatomic, neurophysiologic, and biomechanical studies have demonstrated free and encapsulated nerve endings in facet joints, as well as nerves containing substance P calcitonin gene-related peptide; facet joint capsules contain low-threshold mechanoreceptors, mechanically sensitive n

Facet pain: Prevalence, diagnosis & features

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Clinical examination is not an efficient method of diagnosis of spine pain!!! Pain emanating from various structures of the spine is a major cause of chronic pain problems. Linton et al estimated the prevalence of spinal pain in the general population as 66%, with 44% of patients reporting pain in the cervical region, 56% in the lumbar region, and 15% in the thoracic region. Manchikanti et al reported similar results. Despite the high prevalence of spinal pain, it has been suggested that a specific etiology of back pain can be diagnosed in only about 15% of patients with certainty based on clinical examination alone (2). Prevalence of facet joint pain & Z joint pain: In the 1990s precision diagnostic blocks were developed, including facet joint blocks, provocative discography, and sacroiliac joint blocks. Facet joints have been implicated as a cause of chronic spinal pain in 15% to 45% of patients with chronic low back pain, 48% of patients with thoracic pain, and 54% to 67% of pat

Anterior Knee Pain & It's primary treatment

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I. Introduction o other causes of anterior knee pain, besides primary PF pain o differential diagnosis may be more difficult than anticipated owing to interrelationships o realize that more than one problem may exist concurrently o a small acute injury may stir up an underlying mechanical anomaly that had previously been painfree; daily activity with a malalignment may be enough to perpetuate symptoms II. Plica o embryologically the knee is formed by the fusion of three synovial compartments and the intervening synovial tissues resorbed. The plicae are synovial remnants of these synovial tissues o intrapatellar plica (ligamentus mucosum) most common and runs parallel to the ACL; it has no clincial significance o suprapatellar second most common: acts as a tethering band in the superior portion of the quadriceps bursa and may separate it into two separate segments o medial plica least common, but probably produces the most symptoms; runs distally along the

About PACE

Progressively Accelerating Cardiopulmonary Exertion (PACE) – A More Effective Alternative to Modern Exercise Prescriptions This following is an article from a news letter from Dr. Al Sears (USA) Ask a personal trainer, pick up a fitness magazine, or consult a medical organization and you will see the same fitness-training concepts. These modern exercise prescriptions will be cardiovascular endurance training (CVE) or “cardio” for short, “aerobic” exercises often given in hour-long group classes, and weight training on machines or with free-weights. These forms of exercise, while promoted by a majority of physicians and fitness professionals, fail to bring about the physiological adaptations necessary for a healthy and vital cardiopulmonary system and may leave patients at a heightened risk of mortality. The key failing of both cardiovascular endurance training and aerobics classes is the focus on exercise duration at the expense of intensity. In order to achieve the recommended duratio