Author: Chad Reilly
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Free-Weight Lifting helps a LOT for Low Back Pain
The effects of a free-weight-based resistance training intervention on pain, squat biomechanics and MRI-defined lumbar fat infiltration and functional cross-sectional area in those with chronic low back. Welch N, Moran K, Antony J, Richter C, Marshall B, Coyle J, Falvey E, Franklyn-Miller A. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2015 Nov 9;1(1) [FREE FULL TEXT] QUOTES:…
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Chad’s Continued Electric Stimulation Notes 2015-17 and Onward
This is a continuation of the “Notes From My Year Year of Electric Muscle Stimulation” which is becoming one of my more popular blog posts. Those notes were what I wrote down as I did EMS (electric muscle stimulation) for all major muscle groups instead of weight training for an entire year (October 2013 thru…
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Electric Stimulation for RSD / CRPS (Chad’s Review)
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) also known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), causalgia, and a host of other names is kind of like headaches and neuropathy were for me. In that I didn’t initially have any particular interest in the condition but I have a tremendous interests in electric stimulation, particularly electrical muscle stimulation (EMS)…
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Pain in the Butt, Sacroiliac Pain as Tendinopathy?
I recently finished the 3rd edition Stuart McGill’s “Low Back Disorders.” I’ve followed his work since reading edition 2 and bulk of my back pain treatments are based on, or consistent with it and his more recent research. For those who don’t know, McGill is a Professor of Spine Biomechanics at the University of Waterloo…
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Mental & Physical Effects of Drumming (Chad’s Review)
About a year ago I got the idea I was going to buy a djembe. I can’t even remember for sure why but I think I was reading Eliade’s book on Shamanism, which round about came after reading neuroscientist Sam Harris’ book Waking Up. I banged on the drum a few times, thought it was…
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Coracoid Pain Test does NOT diagnose Adhesive Capsulitis
Coracoid pain test: a new clinical sign of shoulder adhesive capsulitis.Carbone S, Gumina S, Vestri AR, Postacchini R. Int Orthop. 2010 Mar;34(3):385-8. “Patients with adhesive capsulitis were clinically evaluated to establish whether pain elicited by pressure on the coracoid area may be considered a pathognomonic sign of this condition. The study group included 85 patients…
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Exercise and Neuropathy (Chad’s Review)
I’m intending to make this blog a review of pertinent research on exercise and neuropathy and making comments with regards to my thoughts and how it affects my current treatment programs for neuropathy. I’ll be updating and adding studies to it as they come out (thus far there aren’t many) or as I locate them,…
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Coracoidopathy Diagnosis Confirmed in New Study
This paper just came out in June this year confirming what I call coracoidopathy (tendinopathy of the short head of the biceps and coracobrachialis muscles where they attach at the coracoid process). They called it “coracoid syndrome,” which I might as well, if they had named it before I did, however I do feel like…
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Type 2 Diabetes Curable! But Mosley’s New Book has HUGE Typo
I was over at a buddy’s house when he opened some mail, and in it was Michael Mosley’s new book The 8-Week Blood Sugar Diet. I was like, “Oh that’s the 5:2 guy, he’s cool he’s into intermittent fasting.” At the time I was familiar with Dr. Moseley from having watched his video on intermittent…
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Coracoid Impingement Syndrome and Coracoidopathy
This blog is probably only of interest to professionals since coracoid impingement syndrome (CIS) is thought to be a very rare, though important, shoulder pathology. CIS describes when the coracoid process is thought to physically impinge upon the lesser tuberosity of the humerus, pinching the subscapularis tendon and perhaps the long head of the biceps…
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Bench Press Shoulder Pain, Probably Coracoidopathy
I’ve done my share of bench presses, mostly back in my bodybuilder years before I got involved in Olympic weightlifting. Back then (well before I was a physical therapist) if someone in the gym had shoulder pain with bench press, none of us knew what it was, and almost nobody thought to see a doctor…
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Coracoidopathy: The Missing Link in Shoulder Pain
To cut to the chase, coracoidopathy (a term I made up) is an unbeknownst but common cause of shoulder pain. My preliminary data gathered from my shoulder pain referrals suggest it is present in up to 85% of people with shoulder pain. It is the primary diagnosis in over a third of them, and is…
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My Continued Electric Stimulation Headache Data
The following is my headache results with electric muscle stimulation (EMS) and builds on a prior blog where I did the same thing but with somewhat different electrode placement, and slightly different parameters programmed into my EMS machines. Treatment results on 20 headaches had an average near immediate pain reduction of 90% effectiveness (which is…
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Are Dietitians Wrong About Dinner Time?
OK, are dietitians wrong about dinner time? I’m about to reinterpret some 20 year old research, which really got me thinking. Though I might be mistaken, I think the experts are wrong, and the research is on my side. Such that the oft made recommendation to have or finish dinner around 6 pm is not,…
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EMS, High-Frequency Fatigue and Pain, Particularly Headaches & Back Pain
I needed a break from fasting papers and, while I’m a big, BIG fan of EMS, and to a substantially lesser extent TENS, I am underwhelmed by high “kilohertz-frequency” alternating type currents as is commonly used in Russian stimulation for strength and interferential currents (IFC), sometimes used for both strength and pain. However, I thought…
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Intermittent Fasting, BDNF, Depression, More
Dietary restriction stimulates BDNF production in the brain and thereby protects neurons against excitotoxic injury. Duan W, Lee J, Guo Z, Mattson MP. J Mol Neurosci. 2001 Feb;16(1):1-12. [FREE FULL TEXT] AbstractDietary restriction (DR) increases the lifespan of rodents and increases their resistance to several different age-related diseases including cancer and diabetes. Beneficial effects of…
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Exercise vs Intermittent Fasting for Longevity
Differential effects of intermittent feeding and voluntary exercise on body weight and lifespan in adult rats. Goodrick CL, Ingram DK, Reynolds MA, Freeman JR, Cider NL. J Gerontol. 1983 Jan;38(1):36-45. AbstractMale wistar rats were housed in laboratory cages or activity-wheel cages at eight 10.5 or 18 months of age. Part of each cage group continued…
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Placebo Effect: You Probably Shouldn’t Know This, But…
This is one of those papers where the abstract doesn’t quite cut it, and the whole paper was a fascinating read. I got thinking about it after reading my favorite paper on acupuncture, “Acupuncture is Theatrical Placebo” and I have since caught myself using the term “theatrical placebo” on the reg. That got me wondering and…
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Intermittent Fasting and Circadian Rhythms
I had a blog idea comparing various cleansing/detoxification schemes with intermittent fasting, with the gist being that there are some similarities. Both probably make you feel better for largely the same reasons, but that fasting is better and free. With detoxing and cleansing, it seems that someone is always trying to separate you from your…
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Hip Pain, Trochanteric “Bursitis”/Tendinopathy, Exercise Best, Cortisone Worst
This study was more interesting in its entirety than its abstract. I thought the home exercises given were beyond banal, but they still turned out best in the long term. Cortisone injected into tendons was yet again shown to be fool’s gold, and shock wave therapy? I don’t know but I’m still skeptical. More comments…
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Intermittent Fasting Improves Heart Attack Survival, A LOT!
Anyone familiar with my blog, or me, will know that I have a pretty fair obsession with intermittent fasting for what are becoming more reasons than I can easily count. So what is particularly interesting about this paper, contrary to other papers where they have animals or people start fasting to prevent problems, this one…
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Dry Needling Collapses Lung, on Video
I had a physical therapist stop by my office last week and try and sell me on dry needling. I said heard all about dry needling and that I thought that like the force, it can have a strong influence on the weak minded. I said I thought dry needling sounded a lot like acupuncture and…
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Retired Weightlifters, Wrestlers, DDD, and Back Pain
Low back pain among retired wrestlers and heavyweight lifters. Granhed H, Morelli B. Am J Sports Med. 1988 Sep-Oct;16(5):530-3. [FREE FULL TEXT] AbstractThe lifetime incidence and prevalence of low back pain among 32 retired wrestlers (ages 39 to 62 years) and 13 retired heavyweight lifters (ages 40 to 61 years) were evaluated and compared to the…
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High Resistance / Weights Needed for Tendon Adaptation
Adaptational responses of the human Achilles tendon by modulation of the applied cyclic strain magnitude. Arampatzis A1, Karamanidis K, Albracht K. J Exp Biol. 2007 Aug;210(Pt 15):2743-53. [FREE FULL TEXT] AbstractTendons are able to remodel their mechanical and morphological properties in response to mechanical loading. However, there is little information about the effects of controlled…
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Massive Herniated Discs and Low Back Pain, the Good News
Conservatively treated massive prolapsed discs: a 7-year follow-up. Benson RT, Tavares SP, Robertson SC, Sharp R, Marshall RW. Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 2010 Mar;92(2):147-53. AbstractINTRODUCTION:The natural history of a lumbar hernia of the nucleus pulposus (HNP) is not fully known and clear indications for operative intervention cannot be established from the literature. Several studies…
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Intermittent Fasting Educational Videos
For those of you who don’t like to read, this blog about intermittent fasting educational videos is for you. I have been doing intermittent fasting for 6 months now, and I have a number of comments to add since making my observations after my first 40 plus days. Since the initial 40 days, I basically…
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Creatine and Weight Training for Older Adults
Creatine supplementation during resistance training in older adults-a meta-analysis. Devries MC, Phillips SM. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2014 Jun;46(6):1194-203. AbstractINTRODUCTION:Age-related sarcopenia and dynapenia have negative effects on strength and the ability to perform activities of daily living. Resistance training (RT) increases muscle mass and strength in older adults and is an established countermeasure for sarcopenia…
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Coffee & Tea: How Much is Healthy?
Coffee and tea: perks for health and longevity? Bhatti SK1, O’Keefe JH, Lavie CJ. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2013 Nov;16(6):688-97. [FREE FULL TEXT] From the Abstract:RECENT FINDINGS:Tea consumption, especially green tea, is associated with significantly reduced risks for stroke, diabetes, depression, and improved levels of glucose, cholesterol, abdominal obesity and blood pressure. Habitual coffee…
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Tennis Elbow, Strong Evidence AGAINST Platelet-Rich Plasma
Strong evidence against platelet-rich plasma injections for chronic lateral epicondylar tendinopathy: a systematic review. de Vos RJ, Windt J, Weir A. Br J Sports Med. 2014 Jun;48(12):952-6. AbstractBACKGROUND:Chronic lateral epicondylar tendinopathy is frequent in athletes, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is being used increasingly in its treatment. OBJECTIVE:To systematically review the literature on the efficacy of PRP…
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Intermittent Fasting Maintains Muscle when Dieting
Intermittent versus daily calorie restriction: which diet regimen is more effective for weight loss? Varady KA. Obes Rev. 2011 Jul;12(7):e593-601. [FREE FULL TEXT] AbstractDietary restriction is an effective strategy for weight loss in obese individuals. The most common form of dietary restriction implemented is daily calorie restriction (CR), which involves reducing energy by 15-60% of…
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Low Level Laser Doesn’t Work for Tendinitis Either
Clinical effectiveness of low-level laser therapy as an adjunct to eccentric exercise for the treatment of Achilles’ tendinopathy: a randomized controlled trial. Tumilty S, McDonough S, Hurley DA, Baxter GD. From the AbstractOBJECTIVE:To investigate the effectiveness of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) as an adjunct to a program of eccentric exercises for the treatment of Achilles’…
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Cold Laser, Low Level Laser, Anodyne… Bogus for Neuropathy
Does anodyne light therapy improve peripheral neuropathy in diabetes? A double-blind, sham-controlled, randomized trial to evaluate monochromatic infrared photoenergy. Lavery LA, Murdoch DP, Williams J, Lavery DC. Diabetes Care. 2008 Feb;31(2):316-21. AbstractOBJECTIVE:The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of anodyne monochromatic infrared photo energy (MIRE) in-home treatments over a 90-day period to improve…
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Alcohol Dose and Mortality (Remedy or Poison?)
Alcohol dosing and total mortality in men and women: an updated meta-analysis of 34 prospective studies. Arch Intern Med. 2006 Dec 11-25;166(22):2437-45. Di Castelnuovo A, Costanzo S, Bagnardi V, Donati MB, Iacoviello L, de Gaetano G. [FREE FULL TEXT] AbstractBACKGROUND:Moderate consumption of alcohol is inversely related with coronary disease, but its association with mortality is…
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Alcohol Fights Fat (in moderation)
Alcohol consumption, weight gain, and risk of becoming overweight in middle-aged and older women. Wang L, Lee IM, Manson JE, Buring JE, Sesso HD. Arch Intern Med. 2010 Mar 8;170(5):453-61. [FREE FULL TEXT] AbstractBACKGROUND:The obesity epidemic is a major health problem in the United States. Alcohol consumption is a source of energy intake that may contribute to…
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Anorexia: Light Weightlifting is all but Worthless
Does resistance training improve the functional capacity and well being of very young anorexic patients? A randomized controlled trial. del Valle MF, Pérez M, Santana-Sosa E, Fiuza-Luces C, Bustamante-Ara N, Gallardo C, Villaseñor A, Graell M, Morandé G, Romo GR, López-Mojares LM,Ruiz JR, Lucía A. J Adolesc Health. 2010 Apr;46(4):352-8. AbstractPURPOSE:We determined the effects of…
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Vegans vs Lacto-Ovo vs Pescetarians
Mortality in vegetarians and nonvegetarians: detailed findings from a collaborative analysis of 5 prospective studies. Key TJ, Fraser GE, Thorogood M, Appleby PN, Beral V, Reeves G, Burr ML, Chang-Claude J, Frentzel-Beyme R, Kuzma JW, Mann J, McPherson K. Am J Clin Nutr. 1999 Sep;70(3 Suppl):516S-524S. AbstractWe combined data from 5 prospective studies to compare…
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Low Back Pain & Reverse Ergonomics: Fit the Person to the Job?
Evolving ergonomics? McGill SM. Ergonomics. 2009 Jan;52(1):80-6. Abstract The theme developed in this position paper follows the current evolution of injury prevention in the backs of workers. Job change or ‘fitting the task to the person’ has come far, but will probably not result in zero injury rates. This is because the cause of injury…
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Traction, Low Back Pain, Research Suggests it Doesn’t Work
Traction for low-back pain with or without sciatica. Wegner I, Widyahening IS, van Tulder MW, Blomberg SE, de Vet HC, Brønfort G, Bouter LM, van der Heijden GJ. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013 Aug 19;8 Quotes from abstract (but I read the whole thing) We included 32 RCTs involving 2762 participants in this review. We considered…
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Intense Strength Training for Anorexia, Works Great!
Resistance training enhances muscular performance in patients with anorexia nervosa: a randomized controlled trial. Fernandez-del-Valle M, Larumbe-Zabala E, Villaseñor-Montarroso A, Cardona Gonzalez C, Diez-Vega I, Lopez Mojares LM, Perez Ruiz M. International Journal of Eating Disorders 2014 Sep;47(6):601-9. From the Abstract METHODS:From a total of 36 female patients with AN-R, one group (intervention, n = 18) underwent a…
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Cross Training: Weights, Cardio and Anxiety
State anxiety responses to 60 minutes of cross training. Hale BS, Koch KR, Raglin JS. Br J Sports Med. 2002 Apr;36(2):105-7. [free full text] AbstractOBJECTIVES:Significant reductions in state anxiety following bouts of aerobic exercise have been consistently noted, whereas changes are generally absent after acute resistance training. However, the influence of a single exercise session involving…
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40 Days of Fasting (Intermittent)
Actually it was 43 days before I got my blood test and 47 days before I finally cheated. My plan at first was 30 days, then figured who fasts for 30 days? 40 days has more history, then I figured I’d try to do at least one more day than Jesus, then I had to…
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Carbonized Rubber Electrodes Best for EMS & TENS
Factors influencing quadriceps femoris muscle torque using transcutaneous neuromuscular electrical stimulation.Physical Therapy. 1991 Oct;71(10):715-21; discussion 722-3. Lieber RL, Kelly MJ. Abstract Quadriceps femoris muscle torque was measured in 40 subjects during transcutaneous neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES). Three different electrode types (carbonized rubber, sponge, and adhesive) were used on each subject, permitting determination of the factors…
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Ness Handmaster EMS for Stroke, Didn’t Appear to Work
Electrical stimulation of the upper limb in stroke: stimulation of the extensors of the hand vs. alternate stimulation of flexors and extensors. de Kroon JR, IJzerman MJ, Lankhorst GJ, Zilvold G. American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. 2004 Aug;83(8):592-600. AbstractOBJECTIVE:To investigate whether there is a difference in functional improvement in the affected arm of…
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Blogs I Like
There aren’t many, I’m starting off with 6 (now 5). I figure I could categorize them, keep track and better follow them myself if I add them in here and maybe later make a fixed page for it. I’m not necessarily endorsing any of them, but if I read some, and I like them enough…
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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…
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TENS, More Electric Stimulation is Better than Less
Adjusting pulse amplitude during transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) application produces greater hypoalgesia.Pantaleão MA, Laurino MF, Gallego NL, Cabral CM, Rakel B, Vance C, Sluka KA, Walsh DM, Liebano RE. J Pain. 2011 May;12(5):581-90. AbstractTranscutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a noninvasive technique used for pain modulation. During application of TENS there is a fading…
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TENS Electrodes Work Best Over Muscle or Soft Tissue
An investigation into the magnitude of the current window and perception of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) sensation at various frequencies and body sites in healthy human participants. Hughes N, Bennett MI, Johnson MI.Clin J Pain. 2013 Feb;29(2):146-53. AbstractINTRODUCTION:Strong nonpainful transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is prerequisite to a successful analgesic outcome although the ease…
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Electroacupuncture and Motor Points
Bilateral effects of 6 weeks’ unilateral acupuncture and electroacupuncture on ankle dorsiflexors muscle strength: a pilot study. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2012 Jan;93(1):50-5. Zhou S1, Huang LP, Liu J, Yu JH, Tian Q, Cao LJ. Normally I could completely disregard this paper because I am not a fan of acupuncture and agree with Colquhoun and…
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Chiropractor Debunks Manipulation/Manual Therapy for Low Back Pain
Do manual therapies help low back pain? A comparative effectiveness meta-analysis. Menke JM. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2014 Apr 1;39(7) :E463-72. AbstractSTUDY DESIGN:Meta-analysis methodology was extended to derive comparative effectiveness information on spinal manipulation for low back pain. OBJECTIVE:Determine relative effectiveness of spinal manipulation therapies (SMTs), medical management, physical therapies, and exercise for acute and…
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Notes from My Year of Electric Muscle Stimulation
“My own results have been so favorable that I am not interesting in debating whether or not EMS works but rather in optimizing the use of EMS in the training of elite athletes.” Charlie Francis About August or September of 2013 I got really interested in the capabilities of electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) for strengthening.…
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Electrical Stimulation for Paraplegia (Good News and Bad)
Muscle biopsies show that FES of denervated muscles reverses human muscle degeneration from permanent spinal motoneuron lesion. Kern H, Rossini K, Carraro U, Mayr W, Vogelauer M, Hoellwarth U, Hofer C. J Rehabil Res Dev. 2005 May-Jun;42(3 Suppl 1):43-53. AbstractThis paper presents biopsy analyses in support of the clinical evidence of muscle recovery induced by…
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Electrical Stimulation for Aerobics
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation can elicit aerobic exercise response without undue discomfort in healthy physically active adults. Crognale D, Vito GD, Grosset JF, Crowe L, Minogue C, Caulfield B. J Strength Cond Res. 2013 Jan;27(1):208-15.[Free Full Text] Abstract Recent studies have suggested that subtetanic neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) protocols applied to the quadriceps and hamstrings may…
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Tennis Elbow and Treatment Frequency
Changes in pain, dysfunction, and grip strength of patients with acute lateral epicondylitis caused by frequency of physical therapy: a randomized controlled trial. Lee S1, Ko Y1, Lee W1. J Physical Therapy Science. 2014 Jul;26(7):1037-40. [Free Full Text] Abstract[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in pain, dysfunction, and grip strength…
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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…
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Manipulation vs Mobilization for Acute Low Back Pain, Neither Work
Spinal manipulative therapy for acute low-back pain. Rubinstein SM, Terwee CB, Assendelft WJ, de Boer MR, van Tulder MW. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012 Sep 12;9 AbstractBACKGROUND:Many therapies exist for the treatment of low-back pain including spinal manipulative therapy (SMT), which is a worldwide, extensively practiced intervention. This report is an update of the earlier Cochrane…
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Intermittent Fasting (16/8) Improves Stroke Recovery
Intermittent fasting attenuates increases in neurogenesis after ischemia and reperfusion and improves recovery. Manzanero S, Erion JR, Santro T, Steyn FJ, Chen C, Arumugam TV, Stranahan AM. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. 2014 May;34(5):897-905 [FREE FULL TEXT] AbstractIntermittent fasting (IF) is neuroprotective across a range of insults, but the question of whether extending the interval…
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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…
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Calorie Restriction Prevents Peripheral Nerve Damage
Lifelong calorie restriction alleviates age-related oxidative damage in peripheral nerves. Opalach K1, Rangaraju S, Madorsky I, Leeuwenburgh C, Notterpek L. Rejuvenation Res. 2010 Feb;13(1):65-74. AbstractAging is associated with protein damage and imbalance in redox status in a variety of cells and tissues, yet little is known about the extent of age-related oxidative stress in the peripheral nervous…
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Intermittent Fasting Types and Terminology
Intermittent Fasting and Human Metabolic Health. Patterson RE, Laughlin GA, Sears DD, LaCroix AZ, Marinac C, Gallo LC, Hartman SJ, Natarajan L, Senger CM, Martínez ME, Villaseñor A. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 2015 Apr 6. My comments: I usually read several papers a day and try to find time to blog…
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Intermittent Fasting and/vs Calorie Restriction Diets
Intermittent fasting dissociates beneficial effects of dietary restriction on glucose metabolism and neuronal resistance to injury from calorie intake. Anson RM1, Guo Z, de Cabo R, Iyun T, Rios M, Hagepanos A, Ingram DK, Lane MA, Mattson MP. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2003 May 13;100(10):6216-20. Epub 2003 Apr 30. AbstractDietary restriction has…
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Exercise Won’t Selectively Activate the VMO but Electric Stimulation Will
Effects of electrical stimulation of vastus medialis obliquus muscle in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome: an electromyographic analysis. Garcia FR1, Azevedo FM, Alves N, Carvalho AC, Padovani CR, Negrão Filho RF. Rev Bras Fisioter. 2010 Nov-Dec;14(6):477-82. AbstractBACKGROUND:The use of surface electromyography (SEMG) has been considered a tool for quantitative assessment of patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS).…
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Decreasing Calories 30% Increases Testosterone 21-27%
Impact of moderate calorie restriction on testicular morphology and endocrine function in adult rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). Sitzmann BD, Brown DI, Garyfallou VT, Kohama SG, Mattison JA, Ingram DK, Roth GS, Ottinger MA, Urbanski HF. Age (Dordr). 2014 Feb;36(1):183-97. Abstract:We previously reported that moderate calorie restriction (CR) has minimal impact on testicular gene expression in…
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Caloric Restriction Decreases Muscle Cell Death with Age
Sarcopenia: the role of apoptosis and modulation by caloric restriction. Dirks Naylor AJ, Leeuwenburgh C. Exerc Sport Sci Rev. 2008 Jan;36(1):19-24. AbstractThe mechanisms of sarcopenia have been slowly unraveled and likely involve activation of apoptosis. It is hypothesized that caloric restriction may, in part, attenuate sarcopenia by affecting apoptotic signaling. The signaling pathways responsible for…
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Short Term Effects of the Epley Maneuver for BPPV
Short-term efficacy of Epley’s manoeuvre: a double-blind randomised trial. von Brevern M, Seelig T, Radtke A, Tiel-Wilck K, Neuhauser H, Lempert T. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2006 Aug;77(8):980-2. AbstractBACKGROUND:Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo of the posterior canal (PC-BPPV) is a common vestibular disorder and can be easily treated with Epley’s manoeuvre. Thus far, the short-term efficacy…
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McKenzie Method as Lackluster as Back School for Back Pain
Effectiveness of back school versus McKenzie exercises in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain: a randomized controlled trial. Garcia AN, Costa Lda C, da Silva TM, Gondo FL, Cyrillo FN, Costa RA, Costa LO. Physical Therapy. 2013 Jun;93(6):729-47. AbstractBACKGROUND:Back School and McKenzie methods are popular active treatment approaches that include both exercises and information…
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Sprints Better than Plyometrics in Every Way
Effects of sprint and plyometric training on muscle function and athletic performance. Markovic G, Jukic I, Milanovic D, Metikos J Strength Cond Res. 2007 May;21(2):543-9. AbstractThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of sprint training on muscle function and dynamic athletic performance and to compare them with the training effects induced by…
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Eat Less for More Muscle?
Always looking for something for nothing, this might be the ultimate. When I was a competitive bodybuilder and weightlifter I was always force feeding myself to gain weight and compete in higher weight classes, and as fun as that sounds it gets old. In the last few years I had been vaguely following the results…
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Electric Stim to Prevent DVTs After Total Hip Replacement
Haemodynamic performance of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) during recovery from total hip arthroplasty. Broderick BJ, Breathnach O, Condon F, Masterson E, Ólaighin G. J Orthop Surg Res. 2013 Mar 5;8:3. AbstractBACKGROUND:Patients post total hip arthroplasty (THA) remain at high risk of developing Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) during the recovery period following surgery despite the availability of…
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Hamstring Activity During Sprints
Hamstring musculotendon dynamics during stance and swing phases of high-speed running. Chumanov ES, Heiderscheit BC, Thelen DG. Med Sci Sports Exerc. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2011 Mar;43(3):525-32. Abstract INTRODUCTION:Hamstring strain injuries are common in sports that involve high-speed running. It remains uncertain whether the hamstrings are susceptible to injury during late swing phase, when the…
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Fast Weight Lifting, Better Than Slow, for Osteopenia
J Appl Physiol (1985). 2005 Jul;99(1):181-8. Power training is more effective than strength training for maintaining bone mineral density in postmenopausal women. Stengel SV, Kemmler W, Pintag R, Beeskow C, Weineck J, Lauber D, Kalender WA, Engelke K. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2005 Jul;99(1):181-8. AbstractPhysical exercise has a favorable impact on bones, but optimum training strategies are…
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Yoga Only Delays Bone Loss in Osteopenic Women
The Effect of Yoga on Markers of Bone Turnover in Osteopenic Women: a Pilot Study. Balk, Judith; Gluck, Melissa; Bernardo, Lisa; Catov, Janet, International Journal of Yoga Therapy;2009, Vol. 19, 63-68 ABSTRACT Weight-bearing exercise is recommended to improve bone density. Hatha Yoga is a popular form of weight-bearing exercise that includes physical postures, stretching, breathing,…
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Vertebral Fractures after Yoga in Women with Osteopenia
Yoga spinal flexion positions and vertebral compression fracture in osteopenia or osteoporosis of spine: case series. Sinaki M. Pain Pract. 2013 Jan;13(1):68-75. [FREE FULL TEXT with good pics] AbstractOBJECTIVE:The objective of this report is to raise awareness of the effect of strenuous yoga flexion exercises on osteopenic or osteoporotic spines. We previously described subjects with…
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Just Squats for Osteoporosis Increases Bone Mineral Content
Maximal strength training in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis or osteopenia. Mosti MP1, Kaehler N, Stunes AK, Hoff J, Syversen U. J Strength Cond Res. 2013 Oct;27(10):2879-86. AbstractCurrent guidelines recommend weight-bearing activities, preferably strength training for improving skeletal health in patients with osteoporosis. What type of strength training that is most beneficial for these patients is…
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Atrophy and Hypertrophy After Hamstring Strain in Athletes
MR observations of long-term musculotendon remodeling following a hamstring strain injury. Silder A, Heiderscheit BC, Thelen DG, Enright T, Tuite MJ. Skeletal Radiol. 2008 Dec;37(12):1101-9. AbstractOBJECTIVE:The objective of this study was to use magnetic resonance (MR) imaging to investigate long-term changes in muscle and tendon morphology following a hamstring strain injury.MATERIALS AND METHODS:MR images were…
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Imbalance/Weak Hamstrings Predict Strains in Pro Soccer
Strength imbalances and prevention of hamstring injury in professional soccer players: a prospective study. Croisier JL, Ganteaume S, Binet J, Genty M, Ferret JM. Am J Sports Med. 2008 Aug;36(8):1469-75. AbstractBACKGROUND:The relationship between muscle injury and strength disorders remains a matter of controversy. PURPOSE:Professional soccer players performed a preseason isokinetic testing aimed at determining whether…
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Sports, Soccer and Recurrent Hamstring Strains
One thing fun about my job is that I never know what’s going to come through my door that I’m going to have to figure out how to treat. Recently I had an former professional soccer player who was super fit but had strained his hamstrings several times and wanted to get back to playing in…
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Osteoarthritis and Obesity
This blog is a request of my Aunt who asked if I could post anything relating to obesity and extra wear and tear on the the joints (aka osteoarthritis). It’s considered common knowledge in medicine that obesity increases the risk for arthritis, and I hear my physical therapy patients frequently say that their knees or…
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NSAIDs vs Corticosteroid Injections for Frozen Shoulder
Comparison between NSAID and intra-articular corticosteroid injection in frozen shoulder of diabetic patients; a randomized clinical trial. Dehghan A, Pishgooei N, Salami MA, Zarch SM, Nafisi-Moghadam R, Rahimpour S, Soleimani H, Owlia MB. Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes. 2013 Feb;121(2):75-9. AbstractINTRODUCTION:Frozen shoulder or adhesive capsulitis is a relatively common encountered musculo-skeletal disease in which arouses following…
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EMS Effects the Brain as well as Muscles
Functional MRI determination of a dose-response relationship to lower extremity neuromuscular electrical stimulation in healthy subjects. Exp Brain Res. 2003 May;150(1):33-9. Epub 2003 Mar 27. Smith GV1, Alon G, Roys SR, Gullapalli RP. AbstractAlthough empirical evidence supports the use of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) to treat physical impairments associated with stroke, the mechanisms underlying the…
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Return to NBA after ACL Reconstruction
Return-to-Sport and Performance After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in National Basketball Association Players. Harris JD, Erickson BJ, Bach BR Jr, Abrams GD, Cvetanovich GL, Forsythe B, McCormick FM, Gupta AK, Cole BJ. Sports Health. 2013 Nov;5(6):562-8. AbstractBACKGROUND:Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture is a significant injury in National Basketball Association (NBA) players. HYPOTHESES:NBA players undergoing ACL…
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Vitamin E Ointment Does Not Improve Scar Healing
The effects of topical vitamin E on the cosmetic appearance of scars. Baumann LS, Spencer J. Dermatol Surg. 1999 Apr;25(4):311-5. AbstractBACKGROUND:Vitamin E is a generic term for a group of tocol and tocotrienol derivatives. Since the discovery that vitamin E is the major lipid soluble antioxidant in skin, this substance has been tried for the…
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Low Hip Strength Associated with Increased Spine Motion
Relationship between hip strength and trunk motion in college cross-country runners. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2013 Jun;45(6):1125-30. Ford KR, Taylor-Haas JA, Genthe K, Hugentobler J. Abstract PURPOSE: Hip strength may directly relate to abnormal running mechanics and contribute to the high incidence of overuse injuries in distance runners. The purpose of this study was to…
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Muscle Strength Protective Against Arthritis
The role of muscles in joint degeneration and osteoarthritis. J Biomech. 2007;40 Suppl 1:S54-63. Epub 2007 Apr 16. Herzog W1, Longino D. AbstractThe purpose of this work was to establish a controlled and reversible muscle weakness model for studying the effects of weakness on joint degeneration leading to osteoarthritis (OA). The knee extensor muscles of…
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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…
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Creatine Increases Strength with Parkinson’s Disease
Resistance training with creatine monohydrate improves upper-body strength in patients with Parkinson disease: a randomized trial. Neurorehabil Neural Repair. 2007 Mar-Apr;21(2):107-15. Hass CJ, Collins MA, Juncos JL. AbstractBACKGROUND:Persons with Parkinson disease (PD) exhibit decreased muscular fitness including decreased muscle mass, muscle strength, bioenergetic capabilities and increased fatigability.OBJECTIVE:This purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the therapeutic effects…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Post-Concussion Syndrome Treated With Aerobic Exercise
A preliminary study of subsymptom threshold exercise training for refractory post-concussion syndrome. Clin J Sport Med. 2010 Jan;20(1):21-7. Leddy JJ, Kozlowski K, Donnelly JP, Pendergast DR, Epstein LH, Willer B. AbstractOBJECTIVE:To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of subsymptom threshold exercise training for the treatment of post-concussion syndrome (PCS). DESIGN:Prospective case series. SETTING:University Sports Medicine Concussion…
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Vestibular Rehabilitation & Post-Concussion Syndrome
Vestibular rehabilitation for dizziness and balance disorders after concussion. J Neurologic Physical Therapy. 2010 Jun;34(2):87-93. Alsalaheen BA, Mucha A, Morris LO, Whitney SL, Furman JM, Camiolo-Reddy CE, Collins MW, Lovell MR, Sparto PJ. AbstractBACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:Management of dizziness and balance dysfunction is a major challenge after concussion. The purpose of this study was to examine…
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Resistance Training Improves Running Biomechanics
Resistance training is accompanied by increases in hip strength and changes in lower extremity biomechanics during running. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 2009 Jan;24(1):26-34. Snyder KR, Earl JE, O’Connor KM, Ebersole KT. AbstractBACKGROUND:Movement and muscle activity of the hip have been shown to affect movement of the lower extremity, and been related to injury. The purpose…
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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…
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Orthotics Cause Shin Splints in Runners?
Risk factors associated with medial tibial stress syndrome in runners: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Open Access J Sports Med. 2013 Nov 13;4:229-41. Newman P, Witchalls J, Waddington G, Adams R. Abstract BACKGROUND: Medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) affects 5%-35% of runners. Research over the last 40 years investigating a range of interventions has not…
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Patellofemoral Pain & Orthotics, Predicting Who Will Benefit
A clinical prediction rule for identifying patients with patellofemoral pain who are likely to benefit from foot orthoses: a preliminary determination. Br J Sports Med. 2010 Sep;44(12):862-6. 26. Vicenzino B1, Collins N, Cleland J, McPoil T. AbstractOBJECTIVE:To develop a clinical prediction rule to identify patients with patellofemoral pain (PFP) who are more likely to benefit…