Importance of heat therapy in the treatment of pain in the daily clinical practice.

Background: Musculoskeletal (MSK) pain includes a wide variety of causes and conditions. Despite the heterogeneity of MSK pain, it is possible to identify some common clinical features and treatments. Heat therapy (HT) is one of the most common and could be a suitable non-pharmacological approach.

Diagnostic accuracy of the upper limb neurodynamic test 1 using neurodynamic sequencing in diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Background: The upper limb neurodynamic test 1 is used in the diagnosis of median nerve neuropathies such as carpal tunnel syndrome but its diagnostic validity remains limited. Neurodynamic sequencing has been suggested to increase the specificity of the neurodynamic tests, however, to date, information on the diagnostic accuracy of this variation in neurodynamic testing is required.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze the diagnostic validity of the local sequence of ULNT1 (LS-ULNT1) (i.

Effects of diacutaneous fibrolysis in patients with tension-type headache: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Manual therapy appears to be effective for the relief of tension-type headache (TTH), just as diacutaneous fibrolysis (DF) has shown to be a beneficial technique for the relief of symptoms in other dysfunctions. However, no studies have evaluated the potential beneficial effect of DF in TTH. The aim of this study is to analyze the effect of three sessions of DF in patients with TTH.

An International Multidisciplinary Delphi-Based Consensus on Heat Therapy in Musculoskeletal Pain.

Introduction: Musculoskeletal pain (MP) is prevalent in our society, having a strong negative impact on physical and psychosocial quality of life. Heat therapy (HT) has been frequently described as a treatment strategy for musculoskeletal pain, but scientific evidence is still poor. The aim of the present Delphi method study is to gather a consensus among European experts on the role of HT in MP.

In vitro upper cervical spine kinematics: Rotation with combined movements and its variation after alar ligament transection.

Previous studies indicate that maximum upper cervical axial rotation occurs only through a combination of transverse, frontal, and sagittal plane motions. This study explores the relationship between transection of the alar ligament and combined upper cervical axial rotation movements. Ten cryopreserved upper cervical spines were manually mobilized in bilateral axial rotation and two different motion combinations with simultaneous motion in the three anatomical planes: rotation in extension (extension + axial rotation + contralateral lateral bending) and rotation in flexion (flexion + axial rotation + ipsilateral lateral bending).

An upper cervical spine treatment protocol for cervicogenic dizziness: a randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: Physiotherapy is a common treatment used for cervicogenic dizziness (CD). Treatment of the cervical spine using manual therapy techniques shows moderate evidence in favor of its use. International criteria for the treatment of the cervical spine have been described.

A Role for Superficial Heat Therapy in the Management of Non-Specific, Mild-to-Moderate Low Back Pain in Current Clinical Practice: A Narrative Review.

Low back pain (LBP) is a leading cause of disability. It significantly impacts the patient's quality of life, limits their daily living activities, and reduces their work productivity. To reduce the burden of LBP, several pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment options are available.

Manual Therapy as a Management of Cervical Radiculopathy: A Systematic Review.

Background: Cervical radiculopathy is defined as a disorder involving dysfunction of the cervical nerve roots characterised by pain radiating and/or loss of motor and sensory function towards the root affected. There is no consensus on a good definition of the term. In addition, the evidence regarding the effectiveness of manual therapy in radiculopathy is contradictory.

The Effect of Diacutaneous Fibrolysis on Local and Widespread Hyperalgesia and Muscle Length in Patients With Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: Secondary Analysis of a Pretest-Posttest Clinical Trial.

Context: Localized and widespread hyperalgesia has been observed in patients with patellofemoral pain. Diacutaneous fibrolysis (DF) has shown to be effective in reducing pain in several musculoskeletal conditions including patellofemoral pain syndrome, but no studies have evaluated the effects of this technique in reducing localized and widespread hyperalgesia.

Objective: To assess the effect of DF on the pressure pain threshold and muscle length tests in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome.

Temperature and current flow effects of different electrode placement in shoulder capacitive-resistive electric transfer applications: a cadaveric study.

Background: Impingement syndrome is currently estimated to represent 60% of all shoulder pain disorders. Capacitive-Resistive electric transfer therapy is aimed to provoke temperature and current flow changes in superficial and deep tissues. This in vitro study has evaluated the variation of temperature and current flow in the shoulder tissues during two different areas of application of the movable capacitive-resistive electric transfer electrode.

Thermal and Current Flow Effects of a Capacitive-Resistive Electric Transfer Application Protocol on Chronic Elbow Tendinopathy. A Cadaveric Study.

Lateral elbow tendinopathy, or "tennis elbow," is a pathology that affects around 1.3% of the general population. Capacitive-resistive electric transfer therapy aims to provoke temperature and current flow changes in superficial and deep tissues.

Effects of the Manual Therapy Approach of Segments C0-1 and C2-3 in the Flexion-Rotation Test in Patients with Chronic Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

: Flexion-rotation test predominantly measures rotation in C1-2 segment. Restriction in flexion-rotation may be due to direct limitation in C1-2, but also to a premature tightening of the alar ligament as a result of lack of movement in C0-1 or C2-3. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of a 20-min single cervical exercise session, with or without manual therapy of C0-1 and C2-3 segment in flexion-rotation test, in patients with chronic neck pain and positive flexion-rotation test.

Effect of diacutaneous fibrolysis on the muscular properties of gastrocnemius muscle.

Diacutaneous fibrolysis is a noninvasive technique that has been shown to be effective in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders such as shoulder pain, lateral epicondylalgia, patellofemoral pain syndrome and carpal tunnel syndrome. However, while diacutaneous fibrolysis is applied to soft tissue, its effects on muscular properties are unknown. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of diacutaneous fibrolysis on muscle properties as measured by tensiomyography and myotonometry in asymptomatic subjects.

Thermal and non-thermal effects off capacitive-resistive electric transfer application on the Achilles tendon and musculotendinous junction of the gastrocnemius muscle: a cadaveric study.

Background: Calf muscle strain and Achilles tendon injuries are common in many sports. For the treatment of muscular and tendinous injuries, one of the newer approaches in sports medicine is capacitive-resistive electric transfer therapy. Our objective was to analyze this in vitro, using invasive temperature measurements in cadaveric specimens.

Neurodynamic test of the peroneal nerve: Study of the normal response in asymptomatic subjects.

Background: Neurodynamic tests (NDTs) have shown to be useful in evaluating neural tissue involvement. Peroneal nerve reaches high importance in ankle injuries. However, up to date, no study has documented the normal responses for this nerve.

Validity and reliability of two Smartphone applications to measure the lower and upper cervical spine range of motion in subjects with chronic cervical pain.

Background: Cervical pain is the biggest musculoskeletal health problem in industrialised countries. There is an important association between this and decrease in range of motion.

Objective: Estimate the validity and reliability intra and inter examiner of two Smartphone apps regarding the measurement of lower and upper cervical spine range of motion in subjects with chronic cervical pain.

Relationship between knee alignment in asymptomatic subjects and flexibility of the main muscles that are functionally related to the knee.

Objective To assess the relationship between static frontal knee alignment in asymptomatic subjects and flexibility of the main muscles functionally related to the knee. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed in 33 healthy adults (19-31 years). The frontal knee angle (valgus/varus angle) was measured by photogrammetry and it was measured in the lateral side.

The Effect of Diacutaneous Fibrolysis on Patellar Position Measured Using Ultrasound Scanning in Patients With Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome.

Context: Tightness or lack of flexibility of several muscles of the thigh has been associated with patellofemoral joint pain. A tight iliotibial band can lead to laterally located patella and an abnormal patellar tracking pattern. Diacutaneous fibrolysis (DF) is commonly used to reduce muscle tightness, but no studies have evaluated the effects of this technique in the treatment of patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome.

Dimensional changes of the carpal tunnel and the median nerve during manual mobilization of the carpal bones.

Introduction: The carpal tunnel is a clinically important fibro-osseous conduit for the median nerve and associated tendons. It is mechanically dynamic, such that the dimensions of the tunnel and median nerve change with position, movement and application of externally applied force with mechanical devices. Therapeutic manual techniques that appear to move and change tunnel shape are part of clinical practice.

Adherence to Mediterranean Diet Pattern among Spanish Adults Attending a Medical Centre: Nondiabetic Subjects and Type 1 and 2 Diabetic Patients.

Objective: To identify adherence to Mediterranean diet among two groups of Spanish adults: diabetic patients and nondiabetic subjects.

Methods: Adherence to Mediterranean diet was measured by a 14-item screener (scale: 0-14; ≤5: low, 6-9: moderate, and ≥10: high) in 351 volunteers.

Results: Mean age was 50.

Validity of the Upper Limb Neurodynamic Test 1 for the diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. The role of structural differentiation.

Background: Several studies have analysed the use of the Upper Limb Neurodynamic Test 1 (ULNT1) for diagnosing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) obtaining weak diagnostic accuracy, which could be related to the lack of consensus in the selected diagnostic criteria of ULNT1.

Objective: To determine the concurrent validity of ULNT1 in comparison to Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS) for the diagnosis of CTS, considering the structural differentiation (SD) as an essential part of the diagnosis.

Design: Prospective diagnostic test study.

[Relationship between ultrasound measurements of the median nerve and electrophysiological severity in carpal tunnel syndrome].

Introduction: Ultrasonography is a tool that has advanced a great deal in the diagnosis of neural compressive pathologies, such as carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). In order to plan the treatment it is important to establish the severity of the pathology, which means that it would be important to know the capacity of ultrasonography to determine the extent to which the median nerve is compromised at this level.

Aim: To investigate the correlation between ultrasound measurements and electrophysiological severity in patients with CTS.

[Diagnostic validity of ultrasonography in carpal tunnel syndrome].

Introduction: Ultrasonography has emerged as an alternative tool for diagnosing peripheral neuropathies, such as carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Yet, data are still lacking as regards the diagnostic validity of the different ultrasonography measurements for detecting CTS in clinical settings.

Aims: To determine the diagnostic validity of ultrasound measurements of the cross-sectional area of the median nerve in the wrist (CSA-M) and of the ratio of the area of the median nerve between the wrist and the forearm (R-WF) in the diagnosis of CTS, using electroneuromyography (ENG) as the reference technique.