Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies

Editorial Board

2010-07-01

Clinical prediction rules

Leon Chaitow — 2010-07-01

A trend in manual therapy has been the development of Clinical Prediction Rules (CPR). CPRs are derived statistically – literally “translated” from research evidence – with the aim of identifying the combinations of clinical examination findings that can predict a condition or outcome. ()

Greek traditional dances and quality of old people's life

Fotios H. Mavrovouniotis, Eirini A. Argiriadou, Christina S. Papaioannou — 2010-07-01

Summary: The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of Greek traditional dances on the improvement of old people's quality of life. A hundred and eleven subjects (75 women and 36 men) 60–91 years old, were divided into an experimental group (n=76) which participated in Greek traditional dances and a control group (n=35) which was discussing and watching television, both for 1h. The Subjective Exercise Experiences Scale [McAuley, E., Courneya, K., 1994. The Subjective Exercise Experiences Scale (SEES): development and preliminary validation. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology 16, 163–177] was used to measure positive well-being, psychological distress, and fatigue and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory [Spielberger, C.D., Gorsuch, R., Lushene, R., 1970. Manual for the State-trait Anxiety Inventory. Consulting Psychologists, Palo Alto] to measure state and trait anxiety respectively. Correlational analyses, between the various measures taken postdance, showed that the overall set of relations between the SEES subscales and the SAI-Y1 subscale supports the criterion-related validity of this measure of exercise-induced psychological responses. The independent groups t-tests showed that the control group in comparison to experimental group, at rest as well as on the second measurement, has significantly higher levels of state anxiety (t=−4.45, p<0.001 & t=−6.56, p<0.001), psychological distress (t=−4.30, p<0.001 & t=−5.46, p<0.001), and fatigue (t=−3.16, p<0.01 & t=−3.46, p<0.001), while it has significantly lower levels of positive well-being (t=4.23, p<0.001 & t=6.90, p<0.001). After dancing approximately 63% of maximum heart rate of experimental group was activated, while from paired t-tests significant decreases in state anxiety (t=5.02, p<0.001) and psychological distress (t=3.14, p<0.01) were observed, as well as significant increases in positive well-being (t=−4.44, p<0.001) and fatigue (t=−2.15, p<0.05). On the other hand, no significant difference in control group was observed. Consequently, Greek traditional dances may be used as a functional psycho-physical activity, to produce both physical and mental benefits for elderly individuals.

The use of surface electromyography for the study of auricular acupuncture

2010-07-01

Summary: The advancement of knowledge in neurophysiology has demonstrated that acupuncture is a method of peripheral neural stimulation that promotes local and systemic reflexive responses. The purpose of this study was to determine if surface electromyography can be used as a tool to study the action of auricular acupuncture on striated skeletal muscle. The electromyographic amplitudes of the anterior, middle and posterior deltoid muscle and the upper trapezium muscle with 20%, 40% and 60% of maximal voluntary contraction of 15 healthy volunteers, were analyzed after the individuals were submitted to the auricular acupuncture treatment. The non-parametric Friedman test was used to compare Root Mean Square values estimated by using a 200ms moving window. Significant results were further analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. In this exploratory study, the level of significance of each comparison was set to p<0.05. It was concluded in this study that a surface electromyography can be used as a tool to investigate possible alterations of electrical activity in muscles after auricular acupuncture. However there is still a lack of adequate methodology for its use in this type of study, being that the method used to record the electromyographic signal can also influence the results.

Qi Gong exercises and Feldenkrais method from the perspective of Gestalt concept and humanistic psychology

Paul Posadzki, Andrea Stöckl, Dariusz Mucha — 2010-07-01

Summary: This study describes two similar approaches to human movement: Qi Gong exercises and the Feldenkrais method. These systems are investigated in terms of Gestalt concepts and humanistic psychology. Moshe Feldenkrais created the concept known as Awareness Through Movement. This concept assumes that by becoming more aware of one's movements, one functions at a higher level. In similar ways to those using the Feldenkrais method, individuals may become more aware of their own movements by performing Qi Gong exercises: A therapeutic modality that facilitates mind–body integration. Qi Gong exercises commonly lead to increased personal awareness accompained by enhanced quality, fluency and smoothness of movement. These two methods of movement therapies are explored in terms of their relations with Gestalt concept and humanistic psychology.

Behavior analysis of electromyographic activity of the masseter muscle in sleep bruxers

2010-07-01

Summary: The effects of occlusal splint on the electric activity of masseter were studied in 15 women who presented sleep bruxism using surface electromyography. Sleep bruxism was defined by its clinical characteristics. The signal acquisition was done during mandible occlusion without clenching and maximum voluntary contraction in two situations. The first was after a workday without using the occlusal splint; and the second, after a sleeping night using occlusal splints. Evaluating masseter muscles during mandible occlusion without clenching, it could be observed that lower values were noticed after splint wearing in both sides. The same results were verified in maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). These results confirmed that the use of occlusal splints reduced the electromyographic activity of the right and left masseters, showing its myorelaxing effect.

Differences in practitioners’ proficiency affect the effectiveness of massage therapy on physical and psychological states

Nozomi Donoyama, Masanao Shibasaki — 2010-07-01

Summary: Objective: An examination was made of how differences in the proficiency of massage practitioners had different physical and psychological effects on clients.Method: Eight healthy 50-year-old females, suffering from chronic neck and shoulder stiffness, were recruited and four interventions were conducted: three 40-minute massage therapy interventions, one each by a freshman and a sophomore student studying massage therapy, and one by their instructor, and one rest on the massage table. Visual analogue scale score for muscle stiffness in the neck and shoulder, state anxiety score, and salivary cortisol concentration levels and secretory immunoglobulin A, were measured pre- and post- interventions.Results: Visual analogue scale of neck and shoulder stiffness after massage by the instructor was significantly lower than that after the other interventions, and the score of state anxiety was lower than that after resting.

The experiences of basic body awareness therapy in patients with schizophrenia

Lena Hedlund, Amanda Lundvik Gyllensten — 2010-07-01

Summary: Background: Basic Body Awareness Therapy (BBAT) is a physiotherapeutic treatment method that is commonly used in Scandinavian mental health services. However, for patients with schizophrenia, there are few studies that verify the effectiveness of BBAT, or explain which dysfunctions or disabilities BBAT has an effect on in this group of patients. The aim of the present study was thus to describe patients’ experiences of BBAT, focusing on perceived main treatment effects. The areas of perceived effects are to be investigated in future research.Method: In a qualitative study, eight patients with schizophrenia were interviewed. The interview transcriptions were analysed with content analysis methodology.Result: Patients with schizophrenia report positive treatment effects of physiotherapy with BBAT. Four main categories were identified: affect regulation, body awareness and self-esteem, effects described in a social context and effects on the ability to think. These should be targeted in a future randomized and controlled study.

Notes on visceral adhesions as fascial pathology

Gil Hedley — 2010-07-01

Summary: Fascia is introduced as an organizing anatomical category for visceral mesothelia. Normal tissue relations are discussed in order to frame the presentation of abnormal visceral adhesions as fascial pathology, 4 types of which are identified. Laboratory dissections of fixed and unembalmed human cadavers provide the basis for insights into these pathologies as regards self-care and therapeutic technique.

Extensor coxae brevis: Treatment strategies for the deep lateral rotators in pelvic tilt

Thomas Myers — 2010-07-01

Summary: The group of myofascial units known as the deep lateral rotators are considered in light of their role as postural hip extensors, resulting functional and palpatory assessments of pelvic neutral are presented, and treatment strategies for anterior and posterior pelvic tilt are discussed.

The efficacy of frequency specific microcurrent therapy on delayed onset muscle soreness

Denise Curtis, Stephen Fallows, Michael Morris, Carolyn McMakin — 2010-07-01

Summary: This study compared the effects of frequency specific microcurrent (FSM) therapy versus sham therapy in delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) in order to determine whether specific frequencies on two channels would produce better results than single channel single frequency microcurrent therapy which has been shown to be ineffective as compared to sham treatment in DOMS. 18 male and 17 female healthy participants (mean age 32±4.2 years) were recruited. Following a 15-min treadmill warm-up and 5 sub-maximal eccentric muscle contractions, participants performed 5 sets of 15 maximal voluntary eccentric muscle contractions, with a 1-min rest between sets, on a seated leg curl machine. Post-exercise, participants had one of their legs assigned to a treatment (T) regime (20min of frequency specific microcurrent stimulation), while the participant's other leg acted as control (NT). Soreness was rated for each leg at baseline and at 24, 48 and 72h post-exercise on a visual analogue scale (VAS), which ranged from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain ever). No significant difference was noted at baseline p=1.00. Post-exercise there was a significant difference at 24h (T=1.3±1.0, NT=5.2±1.3, p=0.0005), at 48h (T=1.2±1.1, NT=7.0±1.1, p=0.0005) and at 72h (T=0.7±0.6, NT=4.0±1.6, p=0.0005). FSM therapy provided significant protection from DOMS at all time points tested.

The biomechanics of spinal manipulation

Walter Herzog — 2010-07-01

Summary: Biomechanics is the science that deals with the external and internal forces acting on biological systems and the effects produced by these forces. Here, we describe the forces exerted by chiropractors on patients during high-speed, low-amplitude manipulations of the spine and the physiological responses produced by the treatments. The external forces were found to vary greatly among clinicians and locations of treatment on the spine. Spinal manipulative treatments produced reflex responses far from the treatment site, caused movements of vertebral bodies in the “para-physiological” zone, and were associated with cavitation of facet joints. Stresses and strains on the vertebral artery during chiropractic spinal manipulation of the neck were always much smaller than those produced during passive range of motion testing and diagnostic procedures.

The assessment and treatment of muscular imbalance – The Janda Approach

Philip Maffetone — 2010-07-01

Vladimir Janda, MD, DSc (1923–2002) influenced generations of practitioners spanning many disciplines. This evidence-based book is written by three physical therapists, all of whom worked with Janda. It emphasizes various assessment and treatment procedures based on the existence of muscle imbalance – the combination of abnormal muscle inhibition (“weakness”) and hypertonic muscles (tightness). This would make a useful addition to every clinician's library – especially physical therapists, chiropractors, osteopaths and all those using hands-on therapies.

About prevention

Warrick McNeill — 2010-07-01

About 4500 years ago, according to Chinese tradition, and , the Yellow Emperor, Huang-di, only paid his physician's retainer when he was well and stopped paying when he was not. ‘The wise people (the sages) did not treat those who were already ill; they instructed those who were not yet ill.’ Preventative measures (nourishment, rest, exercise and sleep) consisted of 4 of the 5 modes of treatment espoused at that time.

The need for lumbar–pelvic assessment in the resolution of chronic hamstring strain

Stephanie Panayi — 2010-07-01

Summary: A lumbar–pelvic assessment and treatment model based on a review of clinical and anatomical research is presented for consideration in the treatment of chronic hamstring strain. The origin of the biceps femoris muscle attaches to the pelvis at the ischial tuberosity and to the sacrum via the sacrotuberous ligament. The biomechanics of the sacroiliac joint and hip, along with lumbar–pelvic stability, therefore play a significant role in hamstring function. Pelvic asymmetry and/or excessive anterior tilt can lead to increased tension at the biceps origin and increase functional demands on the hamstring group by inhibiting its synergists. Joint proprioceptive mechanisms may play a significant role in re-establishing balance between agonists and antagonists. An appreciation of neuromuscular connections as well as overall lumbar–pelvic structural assessment is recommended in conjunction with lumbar–pelvic strengthening exercises to help resolve chronic hamstring strain.

The Pelvic Crossed Syndromes: A reflection of imbalanced function in the myofascial envelope; a further exploration of Janda's work

Josephine Key — 2010-07-01

Summary: Structurally, the sacrum–coccyx provides the dual roles of serving as the base of the spinal column while also forming part of the pelvic ring. Physiological movement control of the pelvis and the spine are functionally interdependent. In particular, intra-pelvic control, (that between the ilia and sacrum/coccyx in support and control of the forces and small movements within the pelvic ring) is fundamental to controlling its spatial organization as a whole and its control on the femoral heads, all of which directly influence spinal alignment and control mechanisms. This involves coordinated activity in the related neuro-myofascial systems in providing mechanisms of both intrinsic and extrinsic support and control.

Improving trunk rotation

D.C. Craig Liebenson — 2010-07-01

Sports such as tennis, golf, baseball, and hockey each involve a tremendous amount of trunk rotation. It is not just striking sports, but also throwing, kicking, running, swimming, skiing, etc which all require your body to rotate through your core. In order to transmit forces from your bigger, stronger leg muscles to your arms, trunk rotation is needed.

Obituary: David Simons (1922–2010) – the next adventure

Jan Dommerholt — 2010-07-01

On April 5, 2010, Dr. David Simons, co-author of the Trigger Point Manuals and author of many innovative and thought-provoking articles and research studies on myofascial trigger points, started what he described as “the next adventure”, when he passed away at the age of 87.

Research and osteopathy: An interview with Dr Gary Fryer by Helge Franke

Helge Franke — 2010-07-01

Dr Gary Fryer is a Senior Lecturer at Victoria University, Melbourne, and Research Associate Professor with the A.T. Still Research Institute, Kirksville, Missouri. He graduated in 1991 and practiced osteopathy in Melbourne, Brisbane and rural Victoria. Dr Fryer has been extensively involved in osteopathic education and research. In 2007, he joined the A.T. Still Research Institute in Kirksville, Missouri, the birthplace of osteopathy, where during a two-year period he conducted research with and taught osteopathic manipulative medicine as Adjunct Assistant Professor at Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr Fryer has authored many articles in peer-reviewed journals, several book chapters, and has been an invited speaker at osteopathic conferences in the United States, United Kingdom and Europe.