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A recent study from Denmark and USA finds physiological changes in one muscle help ease pain. The study appears in the Journal of Applied Physiology.

Strength training exercises using dumbbells can reduce pain and improve function in the trapezius muscle, the large muscle which extends from the back of the head, down the neck and into the upper back. The team’s latest finding confirms that that five strength exercises — the one-arm row, shoulder abduction, shoulder elevation, reverse fly and upright row — can substantially reduce perceived pain. The exercises also improve the muscle’s ability to respond quickly and forcefully among women suffering trapezius myalgia, a tenderness and tightness in the upper trapezius muscle. The results are the latest findings from an ongoing Danish study aimed at reducing repetitive strain injury caused by office work.

Photos showing these exercises are found by clicking here: http://bit.ly/F86Mw

The authors speculate that strength training reduced the pain, which then enhanced the body’s ability to rapidly activate the muscle. Activating the muscle depends upon rapid coordination of nerve signals and it was the nerve signaling that seemed to have improved. The researchers also said that the strength training may have encouraged the women to set aside the fear of pain and thus helped improve performance.

In addition to providing further evidence that these five exercises can help women who suffer trapezius myalgia, the study also showed that reduced rapid force capacity can be a good screening tool to determine who would benefit from this type of rehabilitation, the authors said.

Can wearing new shoes give your muscles a better workout?

The athletic shoe giant Reebok claims you can. The new EasyTone walking shoe, a provocative new marketing campaign says, leaves leg and buttock muscles better toned than regular walking shoes.

While most athletic shoes offer support and cushioning, the new muscle-activating shoes are engineered to create a sense of instability. Design elements like curved soles and Reebok’s “balance pods” are said to force the wearer to engage stabilizing muscles further, resulting in additional toning for calf, hamstring and gluteal muscles.

That sounds great, but do they really work? To support the claims, the shoemakers each offer company-financed exercise studies suggesting that the shoes produce a higher level of muscle engagement, at least in a controlled research setting.

But the claim that the shoes offer muscle toning is backed by a single study involving just five people, not published in a peer-reviewed academic journal. In that study, done at the University of Delaware, five women walked on a treadmill for 500 steps wearing either the EasyTone or another Reebok walking shoe, and while barefoot. Using sensors that measure muscle activity, the researchers showed that wearing the EasyTone worked gluteal muscles an average of 28 percent more than regular walking shoes. Hamstring and calf muscles worked 11 percent harder.

The EasyTone is the brainchild of Mr. McInnis, a former NASA engineer, who said he was interested in the stability balls used in gym workouts and wanted to translate the technology to a shoe. In particular, he was intrigued by the Bosu ball, a small half-sphere that exercisers stand on during workouts as a way to engage leg and core muscles better.

In designing the EasyTone, Mr. McInnis and his team sought to mimic that concept by adding “balance pods” to the toe and heel of the shoe. As the person walks, the air pushes back and forth between toe and heel, and the person sinks into the shoe. The effect is similar to that of walking on a sandy beach — which requires more work, balance and muscle engagement than walking on a flat surface.

Reebok says it has collected 15,000 hours’ worth of wear-test data from shoe users who say they notice the difference. “They definitely feel something in their muscles after they’ve walked in the product,” Mr. McInnis said. But it remains to be seen whether such effects will make a difference over time. In a July 2008 study of instability boards and balls, Canadian researchers found that among experienced exercisers, moderate instability balls like the Bosu had little effect on muscle activation.

Can stimulating massage improve joint repositioning error in patients with knee osteoarthritis?

Researchers from Sweden investigated this topic published in Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy. The study investigated the effect of massage applied to the thigh muscles on joint repositioning error in patients suffering from osteoarthritis (OA). The authors hypothesized that stimulating massage of the muscles around an osteoarthritic knee joint, could improve the neuromuscular function and thereby optimize the positive and minimize the negative performance factors in relation to an exercise program.

In a cross-over design, 19 patients with knee osteoarthritis, mean age of 73 years, recruited from the local department of rheumatology, were randomly allocated to either receive massage and a week later, act as controls or vice versa. The applied massage consisted of stimulating massage of the quadriceps femoris, sartorious, gracilus, and hamstrings muscles for 10 min on the affected leg. Participants had their Joint Repositioning Error measured before and immediately after the 10 min massage and control sessions.

Results showed no significant change in joint repositioning error. They concluded that Massage has no effect on the immediate joint repositioning error in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Reflexology for the treatment of pain in people with multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) results in pain and other symptoms which may be modified by conventional treatment, however, MS is still not curable. Several studies have reported positive effects of reflexology in the treatment of pain, however, no randomised controlled clinical trials for the treatment of pain have been conducted within this population. The objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of reflexology on pain in and MS population. We randomly allocated 73 participants to receive either precision or sham reflexology weekly for 10 weeks. Outcome measures were taken pre-and post-treatment with follow-up at 6 and 12 weeks by a researcher blinded to group allocation. The primary outcome measure recorded pain using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).

A significant and clinically important decrease in pain intensity was observed in both groups compared with baseline. Median VAS scores were reduced by 50% following treatment, and maintained for up to 12 weeks. Significant decreases were also observed for fatigue, depression, disability, spasm and quality of life. In conclusion, precision reflexology was not superior to sham, however, both treatments offer clinically significant improvements for MS symptoms via a possible placebo effect or stimulation of reflex points in the feet using non-specific massage.

Exercise Best for Knee Pain

For patients with severe knee pain, supervised exercise therapy is more effective at reducing pain and improving function than usual care, finds a study published on bmj.com.

Patellofemoral pain syndrome is a condition in which pain occurs at the front of the knee during or after exercise and is a common reason to visit the doctor. Women are more likely to be affected than men, and symptoms usually start during adolescence when participation in sporting activities is high. General advice is to rest during periods of pain and to avoid pain provoking activities. This “wait and see” approach is considered usual care. A recent study reported only limited evidence for the effectiveness of exercise therapy with respect to pain reduction, while there is conflicting evidence with respect to functional improvement.

So researchers based in the Netherlands investigated the effectiveness of supervised exercise therapy compared with usual care in 131 patients aged between 14 and 40 years with patellofemoral pain syndrome. A total of 131 participants were included in the study, 65 to a supervised exercise program (intervention group) and 66 to usual care (control group). Both groups received similar written information about the syndrome and similar instructions for home exercises, as well as advice to refrain from painful activities. Patients rated their recovery, pain at rest, pain on activity, and function scores at the start of the study and again at three and 12 months.

After three months, the intervention group reported significantly less pain and better function than the control group. At 12 months, the intervention group continued to show better outcomes than the control group with regard to pain at rest and pain on activity, but not function. A higher proportion of patients in the exercise group than in the control group reported recovery, but these results were not significantly different between the two groups.

This study provides evidence that supervised exercise therapy for patellofemoral pain syndrome in general practice is more effective than usual care for pain at rest, pain on activity, and function at three and 12 months, say the authors. However, supervised exercise therapy had no effect on perceived recovery.

Brain Reward Activity during massage

A functional neuroimaging investigation was recently carried out to find the neural mechanisms behind massage. The group's previous study showed that when the scalp is massaged with a proprietary tactile device, the feelings of pleasure cause activations in the cerebral reward centres: medial- and orbital frontal- cortex (MFC, OFC), anterior cingulate, caudate, septum and nucleus accumbens.

In a study presented at the Organization for Human Brain Mapping 2009 Annual Meeting , the authors investigate the association between cortical reward centres and massage by a professional masseuse as compared to a non-experienced operator (the control), and we also look at how the subjective behavioural ratings correlate with the cortical activations observed. Five volunteers participated (aged 26-35). All participants received two fMRI scans with a randomised order of 20s hand or 20s foot massage from either the masseuse or the non-experienced operator, interspersed with 20s rest, with 8 trials for each condition, then rated massages after scanning.

Behavioural results: All participants in general enjoyed the massage by the masseuse compared to the control. Some preferred the foot than the hand, and others vice versa.

fMRI Results: There was significant activation in the reward centres during the massage of the foot, but not the hand. Interestingly, individual subjective ratings were consistent with their fMRI data. One subject showed significant reward activation in nucleus accumbens, OFC and pons during the foot massage and this matches the subjective report of strong preference for the foot massage. Another found hand massage unexpectedly pleasurable and this confirms the reward activation (nucleus accumbens, OFC and caudate) observed during hand massage.

The authors concluded that in healthy volunteers who enjoyed massage showed activations in the cerebral reward centres (nucleus accumebns, caudate, pons, thalamus and OFC), which corresponds with the known dopamine projection sites, suggesting the association of pleasure sensations with massage therapy.

* AAMT National Conference, 21-13 May 2010, Sydney with Whitney Lowe as Keynote. http://www.aamt.com.au/page.php?pgname=Conf10Announce

* Onsen Muscle Therapy

Volume 1 to be held at: Kotara Bowling Club, Howell Street Kotara. Date: Friday 5th, Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th March 2010. For all enquiries and bookings please contact Kristin Osborn 4920 70 10 or email osborntherapy@bigpond.com. Numbers are limited so please book early.

* Art Riggs' Deep Tissue Massage Workshop. Sydney & New Zealand, October 2010. Class size is limited. To register your interest, email: terrarosa@gmail.com. The schedule is:

Sydney:
Fundamentals of Touch: 4,5,6 November 2010
Integrated Deep Tissue Massage: 8,9 November 2010
Second class (Advanced Integrated body) :  25,26,27,28 Nov 2010

New Zealand:
Fundamentals of Touch: 13,14,15 November 2010
More details: http://www.terrarosa.com.au/articles/art_riggs.pdf

* Fascial Manipulation course

To be held in Thiene, Italy in June 2010, This course will be the first time English speaking participants will have the opportunity to learn the Fascial Manipulation © technique in its land of origin - Italy! Luigi Stecco, founder of the Fascial Manipulation technique, will be present for some question and answer sessions and the team of instructors will include Dr. Carla Stecco and Dr. Antonio Stecco. For more details: http://www.fascialmanipulation.com/Englishcourse/tabid/87/Default.aspx

Special This Month

Many DVDs will be discounted during this new year, discount more than 20%!

http://www.terrarosa.com.au/spdec09.htm

Only for a limited time until 24 Jan 2010, so be hurry

New DVDs

A Guide using Forearm for Massage

Auth Method of Therapeutic Massage. Learn to massage without taxing the delicate joints of the hand and increase career longevity. Learn to give a full body massage using the forearms as the primary tool. These techniques can be used for both deep tissue work and light circulatory massage. This DVD teaches simple qi gong exercises for better body mechanics, as well as, how to use body weight to engage tissue, depth of pressure, speed of strokes and developing sensitivity in the forearms.

Orthopedic massage for  complicated knee conditions

The latest from James Waslaski. This new DVD addresses ACL & PCL Sprains, Medial, and Lateral Collateral Ligament Sprains, Medial and Lateral Meniscus injuries, Patellar Tendinosis, Chondromalacia, IT Band Friction Syndrome, Hamstring Strains, Posterior Fixated Fibular Head Pain and Posterior Knee Pain. This Dynamic Multi-Media DVD will be sharing cutting edge research on myofascial pain, scar tissue mobilization, trigger points and joint pain. Following detailed functional assessment and extensive Orthopedic testing, you will combine multiple modalities to address the following clinical conditions.

Orthopedic Assessment

Pinpoint the exact cause of pain with this new DVDs for Massage Therapists produced by  Real Bodywork. These two DVDs cover Orthopedic Assessment for the whole body, including the ankle, knee, hip, spine, neck, shoulder and elbow. Lavishly produced and filled with beautiful 3-D animations that show exactly which structures are involved. Over 4 1/2 hours of footage, and 249 assessment techniques such as passive range-of-motion, active range-of-motion, strength tests, nerve conduction tests, spinal facet joint assessment, impingement tests for the rotator cuff, knee meniscus assessment, ligament tests and more. Now buy both at a special price!

Affirmotion is a new and pleasurable way to create a more positive state of mind. Developed by Debbie Saggers, Affirmotion includes 8 sequences that include choreographed movements with self-empowering and inspirational spoken words over relaxing music, for example; Breathing, Present Moment, Forgiveness, Love & Respect. Affirmotion has been developed for people who are looking for a daily practice that is simple yet powerful, and connects mind, body and soul, encompassing positive affirmations, thoughts and attitudes with gentle movements for total wellbeing.

Integral Anatomy with Gil Hedley

See what you touch. Rare visions of the human form explored through dissection. Each volume of this series presents the anatomy of human form, layer by layer, from an integral, whole body perspective. The DVDs in this series systematically document tissues and dissection perspectives missing from the established anatomical texts and videos. Skin, superficial fascia, deep fascia, muscle, visceral wrappings and viscera are dissected and demonstrated on camera as whole body layers in a series of truly unique and revealing sequences available nowhere else. In these DVDs, the viewer is brought directly into the laboratory as a first-hand eye-witness to the dissection and discovery process. Warning: contains human dissection.

Advanced Myofascial Techniques

These series of DVDs and manuals by Til Luchau are now available in a new format. The 5-Program DVD series gives practicing manual and massage therapists unique, interesting and fresh approaches that will increase effectiveness, inspire innovation and lead to increased client satisfaction and covers these areas of the body:  (1) Neck Jaw and Head, Improve your skills for working with neck pain, facet fixations, whiplash, migraines, jaw issues, and more. (2) Spine and Lower Back, relieving chronic back pain and spinal fixations, easing diaphragm and rib issues, increasing spine mobility, and more. (3) Arm Wrist and Shoulder, work with rotator cuff and shoulder issues including carpal tunnel, repetitive stress injuries, thoracic outlet syndrome, and more. (4) Legs Knees and Feet, hamstring injuries, knee and ankle issues, hammertoes, Morton’s Neuroma, heel spurs, plantar fasciitis, and more.  (5) Pelvis Hip and Sacrum, work with hip, back, and thigh pain, sacroiliac issues, sciatica, and more. Each DVD program contains 2 discs and a manual.

Eckhart Tolle Lecture

A series of lectures by Spiritual teacher and author Eckhart Tolle. He is a sought-after public speaker who teaches and travels extensively throughout the world. His books include the #1 New York Times bestseller The Power of Now (translated into 33 languages) and the highly acclaimed follow-up A New Earth, along with Stillness Speaks and Practicing the Power of Now. His DVDs include What is Meditation, Bringing Stillness into Everyday Life, Finding Your Life’s Purpose.

Recommended Books

The Muscular System Manual

This manual authored by Dr. Joseph E. Muscolino makes the study of musculoskeletal anatomy easier and more engaging with a highly visual approach! This innovative, vibrantly illustrated atlas details the muscles and bones of the human body with unrivaled clarity and helps you build the strong anatomic understanding needed for success in practice. Include a student-friendly design with special icons that direct you to the CD. Notes on Functions section explains each muscle’s mover, antagonist, and stabilization functions to help you learn and retain content instead of just memorizing it.

THE BRAIN THAT CHANGES ITSELF

A best seller in Australia and the world.The discovery of neuroplasticity, that our thoughts can change the structure and function of our brains, even into old age, is the most important breakthrough in our understanding of the brain in four hundred years. Dr. Norman Doidge introduces principles we can all use to overcome brain limitations and explores the profound brain implications of the changing brain in an immensely moving book that will permanently alter the way we look at human possibility and human nature. A must read for bodyworkers to understand how the brain controls pain, movement, and the body.

Orthopedic Massage 2009 2nd Edition by Whitney Lowe

Fully updated and revised Orthopedic Massage has been written for those interested in understanding and applying massage as an intervention for soft-tissue disorders. Full colour. Recent research into the physiological effects of massage has strengthened the justification for its use in the treatment of soft-tissue pain and injury conditions. The definitive resource for all those wanting to use massage therapy to treat pain and injury conditions. Whitney Lowe approached orthopedic massage as a broad spectrum of techniques and approaches to treat soft-tissue dysfunction.

The Art of Hojo Undo

By Australian Author Michael Clarke. Hojo undo means 'supplemental training equipment' for traditional martial artists. This book comprehensively details how to construct and use the most popular martial arts training tools of Okinawa. The value of hojo undo is that the strength building exercises are linked to the motion of the fighting techniques of karate; this is the kind of information many practitioners need to have in order to make sense of where karate's devastating power comes from. This book shows you how to construct and use the most common martial arts training tools, First book in over twenty years to systematically present these traditional power

A Massage Therapist's Guide to Treating Headaches and Neck Pain by Leon Chaitow & Sandy Fritz

This is a practical guide for the massage therapist to assist them in identifying appropriate massage treatment for those experiencing headaches and neck pain. The book describes the most common headache types and causes for neck pain that can be effectively addressed with therapeutic massage and associated methods easily incorporated into massage. Assessment procedures are provided both to identify appropriate treatment and to alert the massage therapist to more serious conditions that could be responsible for the symptoms and require a referral for further diagnosis and treatment. Protocols for treatment using massage and other soft tissue methods are provided. Incorporates a DVD demonstrating the palpation and treatment methods.

The Anatomy of Pilates by Paul Massey

This book shows what actually happens to the body’s muscles and joints during Pilates exercises. Each two-page spread features detailed anatomical illustrations of an exercise (with muscle actions highlighted in red), a detailed description of the exercise and its objectives, the particular breathing pattern to be used, a list of the specific muscles being worked, visualization techniques, complementary exercises, and more. The Anatomy of Pilates is an accessible, authoritative guide for current and prospective teachers of Pilates, practitioners at all skill levels, physical therapists, and other health professionals.