Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies

Editorial Board

2012-04-01

The ARTT of palpation?

Leon Chaitow — 2012-02-03

‘Palpation cannot be learned by reading or listening; it can only be learned by palpation’ () Studies regularly emerge that question the reliability of manual palpation and assessment methods () – with, unsurprisingly, periodic acknowledgment that well-trained practitioners perform more accurately and reliably than novices (), and also that – sometimes – palpation methods are actually reliable ().

Weaving a mat of fascia research

Geoffrey M. Bove — 2012-01-24

My first thought when asked to write this editorial was “I don’t know enough about fascia to do this.” I had the same feeling when I was asked to be the chair of the scientific review committee for the first Fascia Research Congress in 2007. My guess was that I was asked because I was in the Harvard system, was an “alternative-therapy” minded researcher, and the meeting was to be held in a Harvard facility. Only later did I realize the main reason, which was that some of my research had characterized the innervation of the fascia of nerves. Already, new connections were being made.

Acute repetitive lumbar syndrome: A multi-component insight into the disorder

Moshe Solomonow, Bing He Zhou, Yun Lu, Karen B. King — 2011-10-24

Summary: Purpose: Repetitive Lumbar Injury (RLI) is common in individuals engaged in long term performance of repetitive occupational/sports activities with the spine. The triggering source of the disorder, tissues involved in the failure and biomechanical, neuromuscular, and biological processes active in the initiation and development of the disorder, are not known. The purpose is, therefore, to test, using in-vivo feline model and healthy human subjects, the hypothesis that RLI due to prolonged exposure to repetitive lumbar flexion–extension is triggered by an acute inflammation in the viscoelastic tissues and is characterized by lingering residual creep, pronounced changes in neuromuscular control and transient changes in lumbar stability. This report, therefore, is a summary of a lengthy research program consisting of multiple projects.Methods: A series of experimental data was obtained from in-vivo feline groups and normal humans subjected to prolonged cyclic lumbar flexion–extension at high and low loads, high and low velocities, few and many repetitions, as well as short and long in-between rest periods, while recording lumbar displacement and multifidi EMG. Neutrophil and cytokines expression analysis were performed on the dissected feline supraspinous ligaments before loading (control) and 7 h post-loading. A comprehensive, time based model was designed to represent the creep, motor control, tissue biology and stability derived from the experimental data.Results: Prolonged cyclic loading induced creep in the spine, reduced muscular activity, triggered spasms and reduced stability followed, several hours later, by acute inflammation/tissue degradation, muscular hyperexcitability and hyperstability. Fast movement, high loads, many repetitions and short rest periods, triggered the full disorder, whereas low velocities, low loads, long rest and few repetitions, triggered only minor but statistically significant pro-inflammatory tissue degradation and significantly reduced stability.Conclusion: Viscoelastic tissue failure via inflammation is the source of RLI and is also the process which governs the mechanical and neuromuscular characteristic symptoms of the disorder. The experimental data validates the hypothesis and provides insights into the development of potential treatments and prevention.

Are child bearing hips a risk factor for Greater trochanteric pain syndrome?

A.M. Fearon, S. Stephens, J.L. Cook, P.N. Smith, W. Cormick, J.M. Scarvell — 2012-04-01

Greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS) can be painful and debilitating. Other than being female and over the age of 50, no risk factors have been evaluated for developing GTPS. We aimed to determine if pelvic or hip width predisposed women to GTPS.

Quantifying Effects of Non-Invasive Interventions to Reduce Low Back Dysfunction

Nadi Atalla, Hans Chaudhry, Thomas Findley — 2012-04-01

The goal of this study is to quantify the effect of non-invasive treatment for low back pain by calculating the Hysteresis Loop Area (HLA) using the Automated Anatomic Torsion Monitor (A-ATM).

Clinical Evidence Suggests IV Glutathione Enhances Myofascial Manipulative Effects

2012-04-01

Adhesions alter the architecture and adaptability of connective tissue. We explored a multi-disciplinary approach for reconfiguring fiber orientation using simultaneous bio-mechanical/bio-chemical interventions: Feldenkrais, Rolfing and intravenous glutathione.

Sonographic Features of the Abdominal Wall Perimuscular Connective Tissues in People with and without Lumbopelvic Pain

Jackie L. Whittaker, Maria Stokes — 2012-04-01

The abdominal wall muscles are important for spinal control and under normal circumstances function in a coordinated manner to pressurize the abdominal cavity and transfer loads around the trunk through the perimuscular connective tissue (PMCT).1 There is evidence of functional deficits (ranging from delayed onset and diminished responses, to excessive responses) in individuals with LPP2 however little is known about the PMCT in this population. Ultrasound imaging (USI) provides a non-invasive method to quantify PMCT thickness3 and may be able to identify differences in the resting characteristics of these tissues in the abdominal wall of persons with LPP.

Finite Element Analysis of the Lumbosacral Spine: an Evaluation of Stress Concentrations at Entheses

Matthew Mooberry, Michael Berry, Charles Corrie, Kalyani Nair, Alfonse Masi — 2012-04-01

Entheses, or attachments of tendons, joint capsules, ligaments or fascia to bones, are sites of stress concentration. Bone spur formation can occur at entheses (enthesophytes) as an adaptive tissue reaction to mechanical stress [1]. In ankylosing spondylitis (AS), lesions are characteristically localized at entheses. Such patients clinically present with subjective and objective tight and stiff lower back muscles [2]. A constitutional axial (spinal) passive myofascial hypertonicity is hypothesized to be a primary predisposing factor in AS and a contributor to enhanced development of entheseal lesions [2]. Finite element analysis (FEA) of the spine and its components has been performed extensively [3]. This method is helpful in understanding load transfer and geometrically-driven stress concentration. FEA of enthesis sites promises to be an integrative approach for better understanding of AS through a detailed investigation of the structural mechanics. The specific objective of this study is to determine stress distributions and quantify stress concentrations at enthesis sites in a resting, supine state at the L4 and L5 vertebrae. METHODS A novel finite element model of the lumbosacral spine was developed using Abaqus® 6.9-1 (Simulia, Providence, RI). Specifically, the L4, L5, and S1 vertebrae, intervertebral discs, endplates, and ligaments were modeled as solid elements based on geometry from another study [4]. Material properties of spinal components were assumed to be linear and elastic with values derived from literature [5]. Boundary and loading conditions were applied on the model to accurately simulate anatomical load transfer in a resting, supine state.

An ultrasound evaluation of the relationship between changes in the lumbar perimuscular layer and Body Mass Index in people with non-specific lower back pain

Kyra De Coninck, Louis Passfield, Marco Arkesteijn, Kristina Charlotte Dietz — 2012-04-01

Mechanisms underlying non-specific lower back pain are still poorly understood. In an ultrasound-based study, Langevin et al. [1] found differences in the lumbar connective tissue structures in people with non-specific lower back pain (LBP) compared to people without (no-LBP). The aim of this study is to extend the work of Langevin and colleagues, and evaluate the relationship between the lumbar perimuscular layer and Body Mass Index (BMI) in LBP and no-LBP people.

Existence and Distribution of the Membranous Layer of Superficial Fascia in the Human Body

Marwan F. Abu–Hijleh — 2012-04-01

A discrete membranous layer "stratum membranosum", in human subcutaneous tissue is classically described as confined to the lower anterior abdominal wall and perineum and referred to as Scarpa's and Colles' fasciae, respectively. Evidence for its existence elsewhere in the body is scanty and therefore the present study was undertaken.

Sono-Elastography Combined with Electrical Impedance as a Tool for the Examination of Lumbar Fascia

Stefan Dennenmoser, Robert Schleip, Heike Jäger, Werner Klingler — 2012-04-01

In order to characterize tissue properties we apply US and impedance measurements. Ultrasound-Elasticity imaging has recently attracted attention as a technique which directly reveals the physical property of fascial tissues and makes it possible to quantify changes in, for example, tissue hardness due to disease. As manual myofascial treatments often claim to change the tissues’ properties, this device can also be used to assess changes in thickness as well as stiffness before and after manipulation. Electrical impedance is a parameter which can be used to determine the amount of water within human tissue. Measuring with low and high frequencies it is also possible to differentiate between intra- and extracellular water.

Connective tissue infiltration and subcutaneous fat in fascioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy-affected biceps brachii muscle

2012-04-01

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is the third most common of the inherited muscular dystrophies [1]. Quantitative ultrasound has been used to evaluate the severity of pathology and the relationship of pathology with strength and function [2]. This feasibility study examined quantitatively the content of epimuscular fat and intramuscular connective tissue vs clinical severity scale (CSS) [3] as a baseline for elastographic estimates of tissue strata strain, in progress. Quantifying the differences between distributions of epimuscular fat and intramuscular connective tissue in FSHD and healthy controls may allow for a better understanding of how muscle distributes load during motion.

Bradykinin activation of fibroblasts of the rat subcutaneous tissue triggers the release of ATP and P2 purinoceptors activation

2012-04-01

Pain related to musculoskeletal system is increasingly common and purines, acting through distinct signaling pathways, are described to be involved in nociception (Schleip & Klingler, 2008). Considering that fibroblasts from subcutaneous connective tissue can release adenine or uridine nucleotides, triggering intracellular Ca2+ waves in response to stressful conditions, these cells may play a key role in the propagation/amplification of signals to primary afferent neurons (Furuya et al., 2005). Thus, we decided to investigate the involvement of purinoceptors on bradykinin (BK)-induced activation of fibroblasts of the rat subcutaneous tissue.

Mechanical deformation of posterior thoracolumbar fascia in asymptomatic participants- a dynamic ultrasound study

2012-04-01

Research interest has focused on the biomechanical roles of the posterior thoracolumbar fascia (PLF) [1]. However, the methodology to quantify fascia properties in vivo is still lacking. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to establish a quantitative and reliable in vivo measurement of the posterior layer of the thoracolumbar fascia, and to compare the deformation of the fascia after contraction of the attached muscles, Latissimus Dorsi (LD), at different force levels.

Morphological Change of Muscle-fascia Junctions of Transversus Abdominis in Asymptomatic Participants–a Dynamic Ultrasonographic Study

Yen-Hua Chen, Huei-Ming Chai, Chung-Li Wang, Yio-Wha Shau, Shwu-Fen Wang — 2012-04-01

The transversus abdominis (TrA) is the deepest abdominal muscle which is connected to the lumbar spine via thoracolumbar fascia [1]. Patients with chronic low back pain demonstrated a deficit in the performance of the TrA. Previous studies focus on measuring sliding of the anterior muscle-fascia junction of TrA.

Mathematical model of fiber orientation in anisotropic fascia layers at large displacements

Hans Chaudhry, Roman Max, Stecco Antonio, Thomas Findley — 2011-06-20

Summary: A mathematical model is developed to determine the relationship between stretch and the orientation of fibers in the fascia. The transversely isotropic stress- strain relation for large displacements valid for the human fascia reinforced by the collagen fibers is employed. The relation between the orientation of fibers in the un-deformed and deformed state depending upon the stretch is plotted. It is observed that for greater fiber angle orientation, the fibers are more resistant to reorientation as the fascia is stretched longitudinally. It is also concluded that the reinforced fascia will always be in tension as the stretch is applied. However, we suggest future research to resolve the tension and compression issues in fascia.

Musculoskeletal myths

Craig Liebenson — 2011-12-19

Summary: This paper discusses a number of common myths in the musculoskeletal pain management and rehabilitation/athletic development fields. The origins or rationale for these beliefs are reviewed. New scientific evidence disputing or refuting the myth is then presented followed by and explanation and evidence for an updated perspective.

Development of active myofascial trigger points in neck and shoulder musculature is similar after lumpectomy or mastectomy surgery for breast cancer

2011-06-15

Summary: Our aim was to describe the differences in the presence of myofascial trigger points (TrPs) in neck and shoulder muscles after 2 surgery approaches for breast cancer: mastectomy or lumpectomy. Thirty-two women (mean age: 50 ± 7 years) who received lumpectomy, 16 women (mean age: 48 ± 10 years) who had received mastectomy after breast cancer, and 16 women (mean age: 49 ± 9 years) with breast cancer who had not received either surgical treatment, participated. Myofascial TrPs in the upper trapezius, sternocleidomastoid, levator scapulae, scalene, infraspinatus and pectoralis major muscles were bilaterally explored by an assessor blinded to the women’s condition. TrPs were considered active when palpation reproduced local and referred pain symptoms recognized by the patient as familiar pain symptoms. The number of active TrPs within mastectomy (mean ± SD: 4.6 ± 1) and lumpectomy (mean ± SD: 4.5 ± 1) groups was significantly higher (P < 0.001) as compared to the control group (mean ± SD: 1.1 ± 1.3), but not significantly different between them (P = 0.641). Women who received either lumpectomy or mastectomy showed similar distribution of active TrPs and a higher prevalence of active TrPs as compared to the control group. Active TrPs in the pectoralis major muscle were the most prevalent in both surgery groups The number of active TrPs was weakly correlated with neck (rs = 0.385; P = 0.029) and shoulder/axillary (rs = 0.397; P = 0.024) pain intensity within the lumpectomy, but not the mastectomy group. This study found active TrPs in neck and shoulder musculature in women who had received lumpectomy or mastectomy. The induced local and referred pain pattern from active TrPs reproduced neck and shoulder/axillary symptoms and pain patterns in women after breast cancer surgery. Few active TrPs were found in a control group of women with breast cancer who had not received any surgical treatment.

The effectiveness of the Pilates method: Reducing the degree of non-structural scoliosis, and improving flexibility and pain in female college students

2012-01-09

Summary: Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of Pilates with regard to the degree of scoliosis, flexibility and pain.Method: The study included 31 female students divided into two groups: a control group (CG = 11), which had no therapeutic intervention, and an experimental group (EG = 20), which underwent Pilates-based therapy. We used radiological goniometry measurements to assess the degree of scoliosis, standard goniometry measurements to determine the degree of flexibility and the scale of perceived pain using the Borg CR 10 to quantify the level of pain.Results: The independent t test of the Cobb angle (t = - 2.317, p = 0.028), range of motion of trunk flexion (t = 3.088, p = 0.004) and pain (t = −2.478, p = 0.019) showed significant differences between the groups, with best values in the Pilates group. The dependent t test detected a significant decrease in the Cobb angle (Δ% = 38%, t = 6.115, p = 0.0001), a significant increase in trunk flexion (Δ% = 80%, t = −7.977, p = 0.0001) and a significant reduction in pain (Δ% = 60%, t = 7.102, p = 0.0001) in the EG. No significant difference in Cobb angle (t = 0.430, p = 0.676), trunk flexion, (t = 0.938p = 0.371) or pain (t = 0.896, p = 0.391) was found for the CG.Conclusion: The Pilates group was better than control group. The Pilates method showed a reduction in the degree of non-structural scoliosis, increased flexibility and decreased pain.

Electromyographic analysis of masseter and anterior temporalis muscle in sleep bruxers after occlusal splint wearing

2011-06-15

Summary: Bruxism is widely defined as an anxiety response to environmental stress. Occlusal splints are frequently used in sleep bruxism, to protect teeth from damage resulting from the contraction force of mandibular muscles, or to reduce the orofacial pain by relaxing masticatory muscles. Surface electromyography (EMG) of the right and left masseter and temporalis muscles was performed in 15 women presenting sleep bruxism and temporomandibular disorders related to occupational stress, after nocturnal use of the occlusal splint. The EMG signals were recorded twice per patient: After a work shift (pre-splint) and after a night of sleep with the occlusal splint (post-splint) before a new workday. The parametric t-paired test was used to compare differences of the RMS amplitude between pre and post-splint records, for resting and maximal clenching effort. The level of significance for each comparison was set to p < 0.05. The results of the study supports the premise that the use of occlusal splint reduces EMG activity in the masseter and anterior temporalis muscles, in patients who presented with sleep bruxism related to occupational stress.

Yoga and massage therapy reduce prenatal depression and prematurity

2011-09-26

Summary: Eighty-four prenatally depressed women were randomly assigned to yoga, massage therapy or standard prenatal care control groups to determine the relative effects of yoga and massage therapy on prenatal depression and neonatal outcomes. Following 12 weeks of twice weekly yoga or massage therapy sessions (20 min each) both therapy groups versus the control group had a greater decrease on depression, anxiety and back and leg pain scales and a greater increase on a relationship scale. In addition, the yoga and massage therapy groups did not differ on neonatal outcomes including gestational age and birthweight, and those groups, in turn, had greater gestational age and birthweight than the control group.

Reliability of photogrammetry in the evaluation of the postural aspects of individuals with structural scoliosis

2011-06-15

Summary: Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the reliability of photogrammetry in the measurement of the postural deviations in individuals with idiopathic scoliosis.Methods: Twenty participants with scoliosis (17 women and three men), with a mean age of 23.1±9 yrs, were photographed from the posterior and lateral views. The postural aspects were measured with CorelDRAW software.Results: High inter-rater and test–retest reliability indices were found. It was observed that with more severity of scoliosis, greater were the variations between the thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis measures obtained by the same examiner from the left lateral view photographs. A greater body mass index (BMI) was associated with greater variability of the trunk rotation measures obtained by two independent examiners from the right, lateral view (r=0.656; p=0.002). The severity of scoliosis was also associated with greater inter-rater variability measures of trunk rotation obtained from the left, lateral view (r=0.483; p=0.036).Conclusions: Photogrammetry demonstrated to be a reliable method for the measurement of postural deviations from the posterior and lateral views of individuals with idiopathic scoliosis and could be complementarily employed for the assessment procedures, which could reduce the number of X-rays used for the follow-up assessments of these individuals.

Reliability testing of the patellofemoral joint reaction force (PFJRF) measurement during double-legged squatting in healthy subjects: A pilot study

Javid Mostamand, Dan L. Bader, Zoë Hudson — 2012-02-02

Summary: Introduction: Anterior knee pain or patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is supposed to be related to patellofemoral joint reaction forces (PFJRF). Measuring these forces may therefore provide reliable evidence for conservative treatments to correct probable malalignment in subjects with PFPS. The aim of the present study was to examine the reliability of PFJRF measurements during double-legged squatting in healthy subjects.Methods: Using a motion analysis system and one forceplate, PFJRF of 10 healthy subjects were assessed during double-legged squatting. Data were collected from superficial markers taped to selected landmarks. This procedure was performed on the right knees, at three different knee flexion angles of 30, 45 and 60° during three separate double-legged squats. Subjects were then requested to repeat this test procedure on two separate test sessions at different occasions. The PFJRF was calculated using a biomechanical model of the patellofemoral joint.Results: The data reveal an increase in PFJRF values (from mean, SD of 425.2, 35.5N to 1075.4, 70.1N)with an increase in the tibiofemoral joint angle during double-legged squatting. The CV (coefficient of variation) values during within and between session tests, revealed the high repeatability and reproducibility of PFJRF measurements, while the ICC (intra class correlation coefficient) values showed the low reliability of these measurements.Conclusion: The low reliability of PFJRF measurements suggests that the PFJRF measurement during double-legged squatting should be performed with caution with improving the method of kinetic measurement of the patellofemoral joint in healthy subjects.

Postural control under visual and proprioceptive perturbations during double and single limb stances: Insights for balance training

2011-06-15

Summary: Single Limb Stance under visual and proprioceptive disturbances is largely used in clinical settings in order to improve balance in a wide range of functional disabilities. However, the proper role of vision and proprioception in SLS is not completely understood.The objectives of this study were to test the hypotheses that when ankle proprioception is perturbed, the role of vision in postural control increases according to the difficulty of the standing task. And to test the effect of vision during postural adaptation after withdrawal of the somesthetic perturbation during double and single limb stanceEleven males were submitted to double (DLS) and single limb (SLS) stances under conditions of normal or reduced vision, both with normal and perturbed proprioception. Center of pressure parameters were analyzed across conditions.Vision had a main effect in SLS, whereas proprioception perturbation showed effects only during DLS. Baseline stability was promptly achieved independently of visual input after proprioception reintegration.In conclusion, the role of vision increases in SLS. After proprioception reintegration, vision does not affect postural recovery. Balance training programs must take that into account.

Lifelong physical activity affects mini mental state exam scores in individuals over 55 years of age

Habibollah Nemati Karimooy, Mahmoud Hosseini, Maryam Nemati, Habib Ollah Esmaily — 2011-09-19

Summary: Introduction: The positive effects of physical activity on cognition have been widely documented. Human studies and the results obtained from animal models of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) have shown that if commenced early in life, exercise effectively reduces the development of cognitive deficits caused by aging. In the present study, the scores on Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE) of individuals over 55 years old who had a history of exercising have been compared to those without a history of exercising.Methods: This research was carried out on 273 individuals over 55 years of age. The subjects were randomly chosen from different areas of Mashhad and from exercise clubs. Each person completed a personal information form containing data such as demographics in addition to details of their involvement in sporting activity. Subjects were categorized as follows: 1- non-exercised, 2- exercised. The people in group 2 were then divided into non-professionally exercised (with a history of 2–10 years exercising) or professionally – exercised subjects (i.e. people who were currently, or had previously been members of an exercise club and/or had been trained for at least 10 years).Result: Out of 273 subjects questioned in the present study, 229 were males and 44 were females. The MMSE score in men was significantly higher than women (p < 0.001). The exercised individuals of both sexes had significantly higher scores compared to non-exercised group (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference between professionally- exercised individuals of either sex in comparison with exercised ones.Conclusion: It is suggested that lifelong physical activity and exercise affects cognitive performance in old age.

Effect of flexibility exercise on lumbar angle: A study among non-specific low back pain patients

2011-09-01

Summary: The study investigated the influence of lumbar flexibility exercise on the lumbar angle among patients with non-specific low back pain (LBP). Pre–experimental one-group pretest-posttest design trial was conducted at Health Service Center, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. Thirty-five non-specific LBP patients with limitation in lower back range of motion and without neurological deficits were recruited (based on the LBP guidelines by ). Lumbar flexibility exercise program developed based on McKenzie therapy was performed individually each day for 2 weeks. Patients attended an exercise program daily in the first week under the supervision of a physiotherapist. The exercise program consisted of 7 sets a day (3-2-2 in the morning-afternoon-evening) in series of 10 repetitions for each set for 2 weeks. Lumbar angle was measured at the beginning and at the end of 2 weeks in order to determine the range of motion improved. The results indicated that the low back pain symptom improved as well as the angle.

Immediate beneficial effects of self-monitoring body movements for upright postural stability in young healthy individuals

2011-07-08

Summary: Objective: The present study is an investigation of whether an intervention involving awareness of joint movement without vision (i.e., self-monitoring) contributes to improved stability of upright posture as measured immediately after self-monitoring.Methods: Eighteen young adults (ages: 22.6 ± 2.2 years) participated in two interventions: self-monitoring and control. In the self-monitoring intervention, the blindfolded participants tried to reproduce a target angle using both the ankle and the wrist while self-monitoring the movement. In the control intervention, they performed the same task while continuously performing an arithmetic subtraction task.Results: Pre-post measurements of postural stability using a force plate for each intervention showed that self-monitoring significantly improved the stability of unipedal posture but not that of bipedal posture. Such beneficial effect for unipedal posture was obtained even when the participant monitored the wrist movement.Conclusions: Self-monitoring was effective to improve postural stability in cases in which maintaining the whole body balance was challenging.

Reproducibility of the pressure biofeedback unit in measuring transversus abdominis muscle activity in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain

2011-07-07

Summary: The Pressure Biofeedback Unit (PBU) is often used by clinicians and researchers to indirectly evaluate transversus abdominis (TrA) muscle activity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the inter and intra-examiner reproducibility of the PBU in measuring TrA muscle activity in fifty patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain. This study was performed using a test-retest design with a seven day interval. An Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC2,1) of 0.74 (95% CI 0.54 to 0.85) and 0.76 (95% CI 0.58 to 0.86) was observed for the intra and inter-examiner reproducibility, respectively. The intra-examiner agreement (Limits of Agreement - LOA = 2.1 to −1.8 mmHg) and the inter-examiner agreement (LOA = 2.0 to −1.9 mmHg) were within the limits of agreement on 95% of occasions. The reproducibility of PBU in measuring TrA muscle activity in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain ranged from satisfactory to excellent.

The Yin & Yang of rehabilitation & performance

Matt Wallden — 2012-03-14

In this pre-Olympic edition of JBMT, three papers have been selected for discussion: Acute repetitive lumbar syndrome: A multi-component insight into the disorder, by Solomonow et al, which is located in the Fascia Science and Clinical Applications section, Yoga and massage therapy reduce prenatal depression and prematurity, by Field et al. in the main body of the journal, as well as an excellent paper by Craig Liebenson on “Musculoskeletal Myths”.

Rebalancing the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) with work in exercises: Practical applications

Matt Wallden — 2012-03-01

Clinical experience suggests that most patients and athletes whose aim is to return to full function or to realize their fullest potential, very commonly are in, or approaching, the exhaustion phase of Selye’s stress response. This is sometimes termed “adrenal fatigue” or overtraining syndrome. To relate this to the editorial, these people would be leading a life that is yang dominant. Ultimately, if this lifestyle is continued, adrenal exhaustion, chronic fatigue syndrome or Addison’s disease may be the end result.

The Serratus Punch

Craig Liebenson — 2012-02-10

Shoulder pain is common, especially with overhead tasks. A common misconception is that the rotator cuff should be trained with internal and external rotation exercises. The shoulder girdle is complex due to it’s inherent instability. This allows a tremendous range of mobility, but comes with a price. Namely, overuse injuries from repetitive strain especially with lifting, throwing, striking, etc.

Corrigendum to “Fascia research – A narrative review” [Journal of Bodywork & Movement Therapies 16/1 (2012) 67–75]

Thomas Findley, Hans Chaudhry, Antonio Stecco, Max Roman — 2012-03-02

In the above the paper the following reference was incorrect: Warren, A. et al., 2008. The effect of mechanical load on degenerated soft tissue. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies 12, 246–256. Should be: