MASSAGE & BODYWORK MAGAZINE
Tic, Tic, Tic Douloureux The Mysterious—and Frustrating—Condition of Trigeminal Neuralgia, Massage & Bodywork Magazine, March/April, 2020
A very good article on a very complex clinical issue such as Trigeminal Nerve Neuralgia, which has a horrible nickname (when it is really bad): ‘Worst pain known to humankind.’ MT indeed plays a supportive role in pain management, and the results are very unpredictable, from zero effect to significant relief. In any scenario, TNN must be identified and treated first.
Rectus Femoris, Massage & Bodywork Magazine, March/April, 2020
A good article on the topic.
A Cautionary Tale about All that Glitters is Not Gold—Including RCTs. Massage & Bodywork Magazine, March/April, 2020
A very good article on the science behind Randomized Controlled Studies.
Increasing Range of Motion Using PNF as Its Success Physical or Psychological Massage & Bodywork Magazine, March/April, 2020
A very informative article on PNF application.
Rethinking Scoliosis. Massage & Bodywork Magazine, March/April, 2020
The author is correct in some aspects of this article. Yes, the therapist must think in terms of 3-D instead of 2-D spine orientation. Management of scoliosis (SS) requires full-body assessment, therapy and prevention. Do not promise to correct scoliosis after growth is over.
However, it seems that the author doesn’t fully understand the pathophysiology of SS, and reading the article leaves the impression that SS is not a big deal.
The author writes that “…scoliosis is most often asymptomatic…”.
Yes, it is true for a while, but asymptomatic SS doesn’t mean that nothing must be done and that the patient and therapist should sit and wait for pain and discomfort to develop. Sooner or later, symptoms are going to appear, but by that time treatment is going to face many obstacles that can be avoided if therapists take a proactive position when there is no pain. Later in the article, the author acknowledges that “If people with scoliosis do have back pain, it can be more severe than in those without scoliosis.”
So, the therapist MUST be involved at the asymptomatic stage to prevent critical accumulation of pressure within the curvature(s) and the appearance of pain when the patient enters the decompensation stage. We think that the author is missing an important point by concentrating on the pain itself. The reason for this is the fact that SS, even at the asymptomatic stage, greatly affects the body in multidirectional ways. Therapists do not have the professional right to consider the asymptomatic state of SS a nothing-to-do period.
Here are some examples from medical sources as illustrations:
- SS significantly increases the degree and speed of disk degeneration (Buttermann and Mullin, 2008).
- SS triggers early osteopenia, and, as a result, osteoporosis develops earlier in older patients (Hassan and Bjerkreim, 1983).
- SS plays a role in the early development of hip dysplasia (Segreto et al., 2018), which is one of the main factors in Hip Osteoarthritis developing later in life (Ishidou et al., 2017).
- Patients with SS have a much higher risk of developing circulatory changes in the lower extremities (Talic et al., 2017).
- Idiopathic SS may trigger migraine vestibulopathy (Uneri et al., 2009).
We could continue this list. Many of these patients don’t have pain, but later in life SS becomes the trigger for various dysfunctions in the human body, and underestimating this fact, as this article does, is a great clinical mistake which misleads therapists into inaction.
Let’s now talk about the treatment options discussed in the article. The author is correct in saying that somatic medicine has concentrated too much on fixing and stabilizing the spine curvatures themselves while paying less attention to the whole body. However, in this article the author falls into the same trap, but from the opposite direction. While the author promotes a full-body approach to rehabilitation, he undermines direct decompression of the spinal curvatures. Here is a quote:
“use…whole-body kinesthetic experience in your work, rather than becoming over-focused on trying to passively stretch or straighten out the spine’s static shape.”
The recommendation of such a one-sided approach is similarly misleading for therapists and hurts patients. The ultimate solution requires an integrative approach to the SS treatment. It consists of a full-body approach and local decompression of the curvatures.
Here is one example of such a combination. This is the final quote from the article (Fishman et al., 2014), which examined the impact of yoga on the asymmetrical local decompression of the curvature, which the author of the reviewed article undermines:
“Asymmetrically strengthening the convex side of the primary curve with daily practice of the side plank pose held for as long as possible for an average of 6.8 months significantly reduced the angle of primary scoliotic curves.”
Finally, there is another important aspect of SS therapy the author completely missed. The patient must be on lifelong, correctly designed supportive care (local and full-body) to control and decompress the degree of curvature(s).
As was shown by Hassan and Bjerkreim (1983) in a 10-year-long observational study of patients with SS who stopped therapy, the average annual increase in the curvatures was 3 degrees for a single curve and 2 degrees for double curves.
We would like the author and readers to pause and digest these numbers: 2-3 degrees per year if nothing is done! That process can be completely stopped, and curvatures controlled, if a correct somatic therapy protocol is designed and executed. It must combine local therapy by PT, MT (Medical Massage protocol for SS) and DC (spinal adjustments) and a full body approach with correct exercise, stretching routine and nutritional support.
As a conclusion to the article: Don’t Rethink Scoliosis as the author suggests, but rather treat it actively and correctly at the asymptomatic stage using local and full-body approaches. Your clients/patients will greatly appreciate your efforts.
REFERENCES
- Buttermann GR, Mullin WJ. Pain and disability correlated with disc degeneration via magnetic resonance imaging in scoliosis patients. Eur Spine J. 2008;17(2):240-249. doi:10.1007/s00586-007-0530-8
- Fishman LM, Groessl EJ, Sherman KJ. Serial case reporting yoga for idiopathic and degenerative scoliosis. Glob Adv Health Med. 2014;3(5):16-21. doi:10.7453/gahmj.2013.064
- Hassan I, Bjerkreim I. Progression in idiopathic scoliosis after conservative treatment. Acta Orthop Scand. 1983;54(1):88-90. doi:10.3109/17453678308992874
- Ishidou Y, Matsuyama K, Sakuma D, et al. Osteoarthritis of the hip joint in elderly patients is most commonly atrophic, with low parameters of acetabular dysplasia and possible involvement of osteoporosis. Arch Osteoporos. 2017;12(1):30. doi:10.1007/s11657-017-0325-4
- Sadat-Ali M, Al-Othman A, Bubshait D, Al-Dakheel D. Does scoliosis causes low bone mass? A comparative study between siblings. Eur Spine J. 2008;17(7):944-947. doi:10.1007/s00586-008-0671-4
- Segreto FA, Vasquez-Montes D, Brown AE, et al. Incidence, trends, and associated risks of developmental hip dysplasia in patients with Early Onset and Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis. J Orthop. 2018;15(3):874-877. doi:10.1016/j.jor.2018.08.015
- Talic G, Talic L, Stevanovic-Papica D, Nozica-Radulovic T, Novakovic-Bursac S. The effect of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis on the occurrence of varicose veins on lower extremities. Med Arch. 2017;71(2):107-109. doi:10.5455/medarh.2017.71.107-109
- Uneri A, Polat S, Aydingoz O, Bursali A. Migraine vestibulopathy in three families with idiopathic scoliosis: a case series. Cases J. 2009;2:9367. doi:10.1186/1757-1626-2-9367
Exploring Tendon Disorders. Massage & Bodywork Magazine, March/April, 2020
A very good overview of tendon injury and overuse.
Low-Back Z-Joint Pain Addressing Facet Joint Syndrome. Massage & Bodywork Magazine, March/April, 2020
The author correctly mentioned in the article that the tests suggested for the examination of facet joints can be positive in cases of disk degeneration.
We would like to emphasize one more time that ALL tests suggested in the article can be reliable ONLY if disk pathology is ruled out by MRI or CT. The application of these tests without such information is going to be misleading, and it is going to be impossible to isolate pure Facet Joint Syndrome.
Massage & Bodywork Magazine, Special Issue, 2020
The Editorial Board of Massage & Bodywork Magazine deserves a lot of credit for composing the special issue Covid 2020. It helps therapists understand the nature of the virus and its spread around the globe, challenges conspiracy theories and finally gives therapists hope for a brighter professional future.
Can We Cut the Charade? Massage & Bodywork Magazine, May/June, 2020
A cute little article on a very large topic: the clinical value of a correctly conducted patient interview and soft tissue evaluation. The author is right that it is the cornerstone of all clinical work which is very frequently missing or incorrectly done.
“Low Risk” Does Not Equal “No Risk” An Overview of Reports of Adverse Events. Massage & Bodywork Magazine, May/June, 2020
The article is even scary because it emphasizes not only the profound impact MT has on the human body, but also how much therapists can hurt clients/patients when they act from the system of their beliefs, rather than from the interests of the people they are trying to help.
Splenius Cervicis. Massage & Bodywork Magazine, May/June, 2020
A good article on the topic.
Take The Danger Out Of Endangerment Sites. Massage & Bodywork Magazine, May/June, 2020
This is a VERY cool article, thank you! Each therapist should read, copy and memorize its content.
Muscles That Can’t Be Stretched? A Negative Ideology That is Largely Hyperbole. Massage & Bodywork Magazine, May/June, 2020
Another excellent piece! Dr. Muscolino is, as always, on target!
Under Pressure for More Pressure. The Client Who Demands Deeper. Massage & Bodywork Magazine, May/June, 2020
Great article! Conclusion from the article for therapists: don’t work deep, work smart and actively engage the client/patient.
Understanding COVID-19’s Cytokine Storm. Massage & Bodywork Magazine, May/June, 2020
A very good and educational article.
Kinesiology for the Massage Therapist. Massage & Bodywork Magazine, May/June, 2020
A good introduction to kinesiology.
Superior Tib-Fib Fixation The Mystery Knee Pain Generator. Massage & Bodywork Magazine, May/June,
A very good article on the subject.
MASSAGE TODAY
Assessment: Collateral Ligaments of Fingers. Massage Today, March-April, 2020
A good article on the assessment of ligamentous injuries to the interphalangeal and metacarpophalangeal joints.
Treating Top Sports Injuries, Massage Today, March-April, 2020
There is no doubt that the author knows the subject she discussed in the article. However, we have a problem with the article’s format. It would be much more helpful to therapists if the author discussed one type of sports injury at a time and concentrated on the evaluation and treatment strategy instead of trying to cover several topics in one piece. The current article gives rather basic information, which has limited practical application, while the potential for a good, practical piece is there.
Artery Compression on the Neck. Massage Today, March-April, 2020
A very good article on a very important subject.
MASSAGE MAGAZINE
Push Me-Pull Me. Massage Magazine, May 2020
A basic introductory article on muscle contractions.
Myofascial Release. Massage Magazine, May 2020
This article is supposed to be an introduction to Myofascial Release. The strange thing is that the author unites Bonnie Prudden Myotherapy, Rolfing, Deep Tissue Massage, Muscle Energy Techniques, Bowen Techniques and even Energy Medicine under the one name Myofascial Release.
All of those are completely different methods and techniques with their own philosophy and clinical application, and no one, as far as we know, has tried to unite them under one name.
The name Myofascial Release belongs to a completely different modality, and if the author teaches that to therapists, he must be aware of this very basic fact. The author indeed mentioned Barnes’ Myofascial Release in the same list despite the fact that it is the real Myofascial Release as a clinical system.
MASSAGE THERAPY JOURNAL
Post-surgery Relief. MTJ, Spring 2020
This article covers a very important but rarely mentioned issue: post-surgical scar management with massage therapy. The article provides necessary reference material and very good illustrations.
The author discusses available data on the subject. The time when the therapist may start working on the scar is a critical issue in controlling scar tissue formation and preventing adhesions. The article presents different views. We would like to weigh in on this topic as well.
The therapist should start therapy as early as the next day, using LDM and enhancing drainage from the segment or area without doing anything to the area of the scar itself. Gentle work on the scar should start 3-4 days after stitch removal and final healing. Techniques to work on the scar discussed in the article are also helpful.
Massage Therapy for Workplace Injuries. MTJ, Spring 2020
This subject is also very important, but the article itself is extremely basic and written more for the general population than for a professional publication.
Sports Massage: Athlete Care and Conditions. MTJ, Spring 2020
This article reviews sports-related conditions. It is a very helpful piece for therapists who work with athletes.
Can Massage Therapy Enhance Mental Health? MTJ, Summer 2020
This article gives therapists who work in this environment needed reference sources and basic information on a very important subject.
Addressing Shoulder and Neck Pain with Massage Therapy. Upper Body. MTJ, Summer 2020
A great, informative and very well-illustrated article. We recommend it to all therapists who do clinical work.
Category: Good Apples, Bad Apples
Tags: JMS 2020 Issue #2
