Instrument-Assisted Soft-Tissue Mobilization for the Management of Chronic Plantar Heel Pain: A Pilot Study.

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine feasibility of further investigation of treatment with instrument-assisted soft-tissue mobilization (IASTM), using the Graston technique, compared with conservative care for treatment of chronic plantar heel pain (CPHP).

Methods: Eleven participants with plantar heel pain lasting 6 weeks to 1 year were randomly assigned to one of two groups, with each group receiving up to eight physical therapy visits. Both groups received the same stretching, exercise, and home program, but the experimental group also received IASTM using the Graston technique.

Physician Impressions of Physical Therapist Practice in the Emergency Department: Descriptive, Comparative Analysis Over Time.

Background: Emergency department (ED) use in the United States is expected to rapidly increase. Nearly half of all ED visits are classified as semiurgent or nonurgent, and many fall into the musculoskeletal category. Despite growing international evidence that patients are appropriately and safely managed by ED physical therapists in a time-efficient manner, physical therapist practice in EDs is not widely understood or utilized in the United States.

A Preliminary Exploration of the Effects of a 6-week Interactive Video Dance Exercise Program in an Adult Population.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a 6-week interactive video dance game (IVDG) program on adult participants' cardiorespiratory status and body mass index (BMI).

Methods: Twenty-seven healthy adult participants attended IVDG sessions over a 6-week period. Participants completed pre- and post-testing consisting of a submaximal VO(2) treadmill test, assessment of resting heart rate (RHR) and blood pressure (BP), BMI, and general health questionnaires.

The influence of a topic-specific, research-based presentation on physical therapists' beliefs and practices regarding evidence-based practice.

Background/purpose: Evidence-based practice (EBP) is an important objective as physical therapists strive for autonomous practice. The most commonly identified barrier to EBP is clinicians' lack of time. Purposes of this study were to determine (1) clinicians' opinions of EBP; (2) whether EBP presentations would influence clinicians' beliefs and practices; and (3) if additional barriers would be identified.

Differential diagnosis and treatment in a patient with posterior upper thoracic pain.

Background And Purpose: Determining the source of a patient's pain in the upper thoracic region can be difficult. Costovertebral (CV) and costotransverse (CT) joint hypomobility and active trigger points (TrPs) are possible sources of upper thoracic pain. This case report describes the clinical decision-making process for a patient with posterior upper thoracic pain.