Immediate Effects of Core-Stability Exercises and Clinical Massage on Dynamic-Balance Performance of Patients With Chronic Specific Low Back Pain.

Context: Previous studies showed improved dynamic-balance (DB) performance after core-stability (CS) exercises in populations with chronic low back pain. Although clinical massage plus exercise is likely to better enhance analgesia than exercise alone, its efficacy on balance remains unclear.

Objective: To evaluate the immediate effects of CS exercises plus myofascial trigger-point (MTrP) therapy in comparison with CS exercises alone on DB performance, pressure-pain threshold (PPT), and cross-sectional area of active MTrPs in patients with clinical instability of the lumbar spine and chronic myofascial pain syndrome.

Clinical massage and modified Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation stretching in males with latent myofascial trigger points.

Objectives: To determine the immediate effects of modified Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) stretching (group I) versus Myofascial Trigger Point (MTrP) therapy plus modified PNF stretching (group II) in comparison to a control group receiving no treatment.

Design: Randomized, assessor-blind, (3 x 4) mixed-model repeated measures.

Setting: University laboratory.

Effects of intensity of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) on pressure pain threshold and blood pressure in healthy humans: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Objectives: Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is primarily used for pain relief. However, evidence is beginning to emerge that TENS may also have a lowering effect on systemic blood pressure (BP). The purpose of this study was to investigate the comparative effects of 2 intensities on pressure pain threshold (PPT) and resting BP in healthy humans, using low-frequency stimulation applied segmentally to the pain site.