Blanchette M-A, Pham A-T, Grenier J-M. Conservative treatment of a rock climber with a SLAP lesion: a case report. J Can Chiropr Assoc. 2015;59(3):238-244. Introduction This is a case report of conservative management of an injury to the glenoid labrum, called a SLAP lesion. Usually this condition is a surgical problem, but this single case […]
Introduction There are numerous nerve compression syndromes that cause significant pain or dysfunction in the upper extremity. Massage therapists often decry the limited focus on the neurological system in their basic education. Yet neurological sensation is a foundational and critical component of every client’s experience. This post explores long thoracic nerve compression, which can go […]
Borstad, J., & Woeste, C. (2015). The role of sensitization in musculoskeletal shoulder pain. Brazilian Journal of Physical Therapy, 19(4), 251–7. For many years the primary pain models suggested that pain was an indicator of tissue damage or injury. If pain was felt in the body, it meant that some tissue damage or dysfunction existed […]
Online education has increased dramatically in the massage therapy profession in the last 10 years. At this time, it is used primarily in continuing education, although it is making increasing inroads into entry-level education as well. Many states have set limitations on the amount of continuing education credits that can be earned through online education. […]
When describing postural alignment issues there are two terms that many people get mixed up and consequently miss their biomechanical significance. The terms of valgus and varus refer to alignment of bony segments. Some mistakenly state they are defined by angulations at the knee. However valgus and varus angulations can occur in numerous locations. Let’s […]
The November/December issue of Massage and Bodywork magazine concludes the two-part series I wrote on miserable malalignment syndrome (MMS) (click here to view the article). To recap, MMS involves a series of interrelated biomechanical dysfunctions throughout the lower extremity kinetic chain including: a broad pelvis, a large Q angle, femoral anteversion along with a squinting […]
A recent interesting case reveals how lateral hip and thigh pain can easily be misinterpreted and ascribed to other causes. A client, who I will call Steve, was experiencing lateral hip pain around the greater trochanter of the femur. Some of the pain was extending into the lateral thigh region as a deep aching pain […]
More people than ever before are using massage for a wide variety of ailments, especially back pain. Low back pain is one of the most challenging medical conditions as it is still very difficult to make a direct cause between many low back pain complaints and specific tissue pathology. Massage can be of great benefit […]
Research Update: Rannisto, S., Okuloff, A., Uitti, J., Paananen, M., Rannisto, P.-H., Malmivaara, A., & Karppinen, J. (2015). LLD is associated with low back pain among those who must stand while working. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 16(1), 110. Low back pain is a pervasive problem that plagues a huge percentage of the population. Researchers and clinicians […]
Numerous muscles in the cervical region can play a role in chronic neck or headache pain. These muscles are under regular postural strain from daily activities like forward head posture resulting from work at a computer. These muscles may also be injured from traumatic accidents like the whiplash following a car accident. One of the […]
