In the next installment of my Research Review series for MedBridge Education, we will discuss a recent study that appeared in Physical Therapy Journal conducted by Thomas et al. The authors investigated the changes in vertebral and internal carotid blood flow during selective positions that are commonly associated with manual therapy techniques were assumed. This…
The following is another article written for the online, video-based physical therapy continuing education company MedBridge Education... Following any type of surgery, significant weakness of the primary and secondary musculature is common. For example, quadriceps weakness has been documented during the immediate post-operative phase following surgery (Snyder-Mackler et al), as well as years following rehabilitation (Rosenberg et…
Biomechanical and neuromuscular factors receive considerable attention in discussing Return to Sport Following ACL Reconstruction. Psychological considerations, however, despite playing an integral role in returning an injured athlete to their respective sport, often go under-appreciated. The purpose of this piece is therefore to briefly review the literature related to the psychology of ACL injury and…
This will be the first in a series of monthly posts that I will be contributing to MedBridge Education, who is an online continuing education resource for physical and occupation therapists... According to Sipes et al, 30% of athletes suffer a shoulder injury during their career. Of those injuries, subacromial impingement syndrome and rotator cuff…
In Part 1, the relative risks and important screening areas prior to cervical manipulation were discussed. In this second installment, the effectiveness and a theoretical framework for utilizing cervical manipulation will be laid out. According to the Neck Pain Guidelines published by Cleland et al, manual therapy (mobilization and manipulation) was graded both an 'A'…
Neck pain is a debilitating and all too common issue worldwide. According to a systematic review published by Cote et al, the annual prevalence of neck pain in Quebec City is 48%, 27% in Norway, and 34% in the UK. Subsequently, a limitation in activities of daily living was found in between 11-14% of individuals.…
The 'U Word' (Therapeutic Ultrasound) has had a lot of press recently thanks to everyone's favorite "doctor" and unfortunately this modality just cannot be put to rest. Li et al conducted a survey attempting to determine the typical treatment approaches used for patients suffering from low back pain of varying intensities (Acute, Sub-acute, and Acute…
There are several pathologies and clinical presentations that may indicate targeting the hip abductors, but are you selecting the most effective interventions? Lets start off with some anatomy and biomechanics... The hip abductor musculature consists of the gluteus medius, gluteus minimus, and tensor fasciae latae as determined by Clark et al. Additionally, the piriformis and…
According to the Clinical Guidelines for Hip Osteoarthritis (OA) published in 2009, the prevalence of hip OA is between 0.4% and 27%. The most common complaint of individuals diagnosed with this debilitating disorder is hip and/or groin pain. Additionally, there is a concomitant decrease in the availability of ROM at the involved hip, which is…
The following blog post was written by TJ Moore, SPT, ATC who is currently a 2nd year DPT student at the University of Pittsburgh. TJ graduated from Western Carolina University with a bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training in 2010. Following graduation, he obtained a job at Duke University as an Athletic Trainer and worked with…
John Snyder, DPT 