Here is some of the information I recently shared in the March newsletter. Each newsletter has a specific focus. This newsletter is focused on cupping. If you would be interested in receiving my newsletters, which include links to the studies as well as special offers and sales coupons, please head over to my contact page and sign up.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
STUDIES and ARTICLES
1. A study titled Effect of Massage and Dry Cupping on Hemodynamic Parameters of Cardiac Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial published in Journal of Chiropractic Medicine in Mar 2023 concludes: the mean systolic blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation level showed no significant difference among the 3 groups. Therefore, our study did not show effects of massage and dry cupping on regulating hemodynamic parameters.
2. A study titled Influence of Cupping Treatment on High-intensity anaerobic performance, published in Kinesiology in 2022 focused on evaluating the efficacy of dry and wet cupping therapy on subsequent anaerobic performance. The study concludes: No significant correlations were detected. The findings demonstrate no beneficial effects of wet and dry cupping therapy and hence do not support its use prior to high-intensity anaerobic sports events.
3. A study titled Effectiveness of Dry Cupping as a Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis: A Critically Appraised Topic, published in Journal of Sport Rehabilitation in Oct 2022 concludes: There is moderate evidence to support the use of dry cupping to improve pain and function in patients with plantar fasciitis.
4. A study titled Effectiveness of Cup Therapy on Reducing Blood Pressure in Hypertension Patients: A Literature Review, published in Scientific Proceedings of Islamic and Complementary Medicine, in 2022 concludes: Cupping is effective in lowering blood pressure in patients with hypertension, with the type and point of effective cupping being wet cupping at the top of the head and neck.
5. A study titled Cupping alleviates lung injury through the adenosine/A2BAR pathway published in Heliyon in 2022 concludes: Cupping attenuates lung inflammation and injury through the adenosine A2BAR pathway. The current study provides evidence-based information about cupping therapy in Acute Lung Injury.
6. A study titled Comparison of the Effects of Skin Microneedling with Cupping Therapy and Microneedling Alone: An Experimental Study, published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in Jan 2023 concludes: The addition of cupping therapy to microneedling increased the thickness of the epidermis and dermis.
7. A study titled Effect of Cupping Therapy on Muscle Tenderness in Collegiate Baseball Players compared to Sham Treatment: A Randomized, Single-Blinded Trial, published in Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association in Feb 2023 concludes: a single 15-minutes cupping therapy treatment can decrease muscle tenderness at the triceps surae when compared to both a control and sham treatment conditions.
Here is some of the information I recently shared in the January newsletter. Each newsletter has a specific focus. This newsletter is focused on chronic pain and Fibromyalgia. If you would be interested in receiving my newsletters, which include links to the studies as well as special offers and sales coupons, please head over to my contact page and sign up.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
STUDIES and ARTICLES
1. An article titled Evidence of a new hidden neural network into deep fasciae, published in Scientific Reports in Jun 2021 states: It is recognized that different fasciae have different type of innervation…in this work the aponeurotic thoracolumbar fascia and the epymisial gluteal fascia were analysed…with the aim to study the organization of nerve fibers, the presence of nerve corpuscles, and the amount of autonomic innervation. Based on the results, it is suggested that the two fasciae have different roles in proprioception and pain perception: the free nerve endings inside thoracolumbar fascia may function as proprioceptors, regulating the tensions coming from associated muscles and have a role in nonspecific low back pain, whereas the epymisial fasciae works to coordinate the actions of the various motor units of the underlying muscle.
2. An article titled Effectiveness of Manual Therapy in Treating Myofascial Pain Related to Temporomandibular Dysfunction: Systemic Literature Review, published in International Journal of Advanced Engineering Research and Science in Jun 2021 concludes: Manual physical therapy is effective in the treatment of myofascial pain related to TMD. Thus, this treatment modality must be considered as one of the therapies in reducing muscle pain related to TMD.
3. An article titled Immediate Effect of Strain Counterstrain Technique versus Muscle Energy Technique on Upper Trapezius Tenderness in Non-Specific Neck Pain, published in International Journal of Science and Healthcare Research in Jun 2021 concludes: Both techniques are equally effective in treating pain, increasing lateral flexion and rotation range of motion, and improving pain pressure sensitivity.
4. A review titled Effect of dry needling on lumbar muscle stiffness in patients with low back pain: A double blind, randomized controlled trial using shear wave elastography, published in Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy in Sept 2021 concludes: dry needling appears to reduce resting erector spine muscle stiffness following treatment of patients with LBP.
5. An anatomy review, published in Clinical Anatomy in Apr 2022, titled The deep fascia and its role in chronic pain and pathological conditions: A review states: The deep fascia is a three-dimensional continuum of connective tissue surrounding the bones, muscles, nerves, and blood vessels throughout our body. Its importance in chronically debilitating conditions has recently been brought to light. We find that five main deep fasciae pathologies are: chronic low back pain, chronic neck pain, Dupuytren’s disease, plantar fasciitis, and iliotibial band syndrome. The corresponding fasciae are respectively the thoracolumbar fascia, the cervical fascia, the palmar fascia, the plantar fascia, and the iliotibial tract. Pathological fascia is characterized by increased tissue stiffness along with alterations in myofibroblast activity and the extra-cellular matrix, both in terms of collagen and Matrix Metalloproteases (MMP) levels. Innervation changes such as increased density and sensitization of nociceptive nerve fibers are observed.
6. A study, titled Melatonin therapy in chronic pain syndrome, published in International Institute for Brain Health in Zagreb, Croatia concludes: …melatonin anti-nociceptive mechanisms have a complex structure. On one hand, being a chronobiotic melatonin restores circadian rhythm, increasing the adaptive capabilities of the body. On the other hand, the anxiolytic effect of melatonin leads to a decrease in pain through the decrease of anxiety and vegetative reactions. There is a direct analgesic effect of melatonin on the melatonin receptors in the areas of the brain responsible for pain perception and control, and on several neurotransmitter systems (GABA, opiod, L-arginine/NO pathway, etc.)
7. A study titled Circulating polyunsaturated fatty acids, pressure pain thresholds, and nociplastic pain conditions, published in Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes, and Essential Fatty Acids in Sept 2022 concludes: a higher Omega6/Omega3 ratio was associated with more pain conditions. Omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids may promote a generalizes up-regulation of nociceptive processing.
8. A study titled Association of Vitamin B12, Vitamin D and Thyroid-stimulating Hormone with Fatigue and Neurologic Symptoms in Patients with Fibromyalgia,published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings; Innovations, Quality & Outcomes in Aug 2022 concluded: fatigue and memory loss were more common in the B12 deficiency group
9. A study titled Neural changes after Emotional Freedom Techniques treatment for chronic pain sufferers, published in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice in Nov 2022 concludes: the study supports findings that EFT may have the ability to significantly reduce pain symptomology and associated psychological indicators. The neuroimaging results add by suggesting EFT also potentially affects connectivity between the medial prefrontal cortex, bilateral grey matter areas in the posterior cingulate cortex, and thalamus in chronic pain sufferers.
10. An article titled An anti-inflammatory and low fermentable oligo, di, and monosaccharides and polyols diet improved patient reported outcomes in fibromyalgia: A randomized controlled trial, published in Frontiers in Nutrition in Aug 2022 concludes: an anti-inflammatory and low-FODMAP diet improved clinical features in patients with FM and may be useful as a complement to pharmacological therapy
Here is some of the information I recently shared in the July newsletter. Each newsletter has a specific focus. This newsletter is focused on chronic pain conditions. If you would be interested in receiving my newsletters, which include links to the studies as well as special offers and sales coupons, please head over to my contact page and sign up.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
STUDIES and ARTICLES
1. An article titled Aerobic Physical Exercise for Pain Intensity, Aerobic Capacity, and Quality of Life in Patients with Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis published in Journal of Physical Activity and Health in Aug 2021 concludes: Aerobic exercise is a nonpharmacological therapeutic option for treatment (of chronic pain). Also, aerobic capacity and endurance improved when this type of exercise was prescribed, thus resulting in a substantial improvement in the quality of life of people suffering from chronic pain.
2. An article titled Mechanistic Insight into the Effects of Curcumin on Neuroinflammation-Driven Chronic Pain, published in Pharmaceuticals in August 2021, reviews and details the role of curcumin in microglia and astrocytes both in vitro and in vivo and how it improved pain.
3. An article titled Melatonin Moderates the Triangle of Chronic Pain, Sleep Architecture and Immunometabolic Traffic, published in Biomedicines in Aug 2021, details and reviews current literature relevant for the shared pathways of sleep, pain, and immunometabolism and elaborates the impact of melatonin on the crossroad of sleep, chronic pain, and immunometabolism.
4. A review titled Ketamine for the Treatment of Chronic Pain: A Comprehensive Review published in Health Psychology Research in 2021 highlights the use of ketamine for: neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, complex regional pain syndrome, phantom limb pain, cancer pain, and post-thoracotomy pain syndrome.
5. A study titled Effectiveness of myofascial release on pain, sleep, and quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome: A systematic review published in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice in November 2021 concludes: moderate evidence for the effect of therapist-administered and self-myofascial release in improving pain, sleep subscales, and quality of life against sam and no treatment, respectively, in fibromyalgia syndrome patients
6. A study, titled Effects of Vitamin D on Pain severity, Quality of Life, Depression and Sleep in Patients with Fibromyalgia published in Medicine International Istanbul Hastanesi in 2021 concludes: Vitamin D deficiency may be a factor associated with symptom severity, sleep and wakefulness problems, and physical function in FMS. Therefore, serum 25OHD status should be evaluated in patients with FMS and its importance in treatment management should not be ignored.
7. A study titled The effect of Reflexology in patients with Fibromyalgia, published in Signa Vitae (Anesthesiology Department, Pain and Palliative Care Center Aretaeion Hospital, University of Athens, Athens Greece) in Feb 2020 concludes: Reflexology may be beneficial as add-on treatment in patients with Fibromyalgia who are unable to receive the recommended dosages of their medication (pregabalin).
8. A study titled The effects of acupuncture in fibromyalgia: integrative review published in April 2020 in BrJP Sao Paulo concludes: studies suggest that acupuncture is effective for the treatment of pain in patients with fibromyalgia, with improved quality of life and positive interference in sleep.
9. A study titled Investigation of effectiveness of reformer pilates in individuals with fibromyalgia: a randomized controlled trial published in Reumatlogía Clínical in Feb 2022 concludes: reformer pilates exercises had positive effects on clinical status and muscle strength while home mat pilates exercises had positive effects on the number of painful regions, clinical status, biopsychosocial status and physical component quality of life.
10. An article titled Infrared Radiation in the Management of Musculoskeletal Conditions and Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review published in European Journal of Investigation Health, Psychology and Education in Mar 2022 concludes: based on findings of our review, we noted a decrease in pain levels, decrease in Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire scores.
Here is some of the information I recently shared in the July newsletter. Each newsletter has a specific focus. This newsletter is focused on chronic pain. If you would be interested in receiving my newsletters, which include links to the studies as well as special offers and sales coupons, please head over to my contact page and sign up.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
STUDIES and ARTICLES
1. An article titled The influence of sleep disturbances and sleep disorders on pain outcomes among veterans: A systematic scoping review, published in Sleep Medicine Reviews in April 2021 concludes: Sleep disturbances and sleep disorders were associated with worse pain outcomes among veterans with chronic pain. Treatment-induced sleep improvements ameliorated pain outcomes in veterans with sleep disorders and sleep disturbances.
2. An article titled Greater somatosensory afferent with acupuncture increases primary somatosensory connectivity and alleviates Fibromyalgia pain via insular y-aminobutyric acid: A randomized neuroimaging trial published in Arthritis & Rheumatology in December 2020 concludes: Fibromyalgia patients who received electroacupuncture therapy experienced a greater reduction in pain severity compared to patients who received mock laser acupuncture.
3. An article titled Use of cryotherapy for managing chronic pain: An evidence-based narrative, published in Pain and Therapy in Dec 2020, concludes: Both local (ice packs) and non-local (partial and whole body cryotherapy) show promise in reducing chronic pain associated with various chronic diseases including those of rheumatic and degenerative origin. Cryotherapy appears to be a safe therapy in carefully selected patients with only minimal adverse effects reported in the literature.
4. A study titled Effect of underwater exercises on treating postmenopausal Fibromyalgia symptoms, published in European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine in Sept 2020 concludes: underwater exercises are very effective in treating Fibromyalgia postmenopausal symptoms.
5. A study titled Cryotherapy alleviates symptoms in chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome published in Andrologia in Dec 2020 concludes: cryotherapy could alleviate voiding symptoms, ameliorate pain and improve the quality of life in people with CP/CPPS.
6. A study titled Effect of Hydrotherapy on chronic pain in the lumbar region published in Journal of IMAB in Oct 2020 found: physiotherapy includes hydrotherapy with a water temperature of 36-37 C and magnetotherapy with a duration of 30-35 minutes treatment of the paravertebral muscle in the lumbar region, gluteus and lower limbs for 3 times a week for 1 month resulting in a reduction of the neurological and pain symptoms and the restoration of neurodynamics of n.ischiadicus.
7. A study, titled Serial whole-body cryotherapy in Fibromyalgia is effective and alters cytokine profiles, published in Advances in Rheumatology in January 2021 concludes: Whole body cryotherapy is effective in FM and reduces the burden of disease. The effects of serial WBC are strongest during application and are diminished 3 months after WBC treatment.
8. A study titled Chronic fatigue syndrome: Abnormally fast muscle fiber conduction in the membranes of motor units at low static force load, published in Clinical Neurophysiology in Apr 2021 concludes: in chronic fatigue patients, muscle conduction increases abnormally with force, surface EMG can elicit abnormalities in both Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue, and the surface EMG abnormalities in Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue differ.
9. A study titled Efficacy and safety of weekly vitamin D3 in patients with Fibromyalgia: 12-week, double-blind, randomized, controlled placebo trial, published in Clinical Rheumatology in Feb 2021, concludes: there is no evidence of a trend in favor of vitamin D treatment, since we did not observe improvement in the VAS of pain or FIQ.
10. A study titled Comparison of the effectiveness of Prolotherapy and facet joint injection in the treatment of chronic low back pain: a retrospective study, published in Turkiye Klinkeri Journal of Medical Sciences in Jan 2021 concludes: facet joint injection is considered more effective at relieving symptoms of back pain early in the condition, but Prolotherapy provided more benefit, according to long-term VAS scores.
Here is some of the information I recently shared in a December newsletter. Each newsletter has a specific focus. This newsletter is focused on chronic pain and fibromyalgia. If you would be interested in receiving my newsletters, please head over to my contact page and sign up.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
STUDIES and ARTICLES
1. An article, titled Fibromyalgia Linked to Gut Bacteria for First Time published in Neuroscience News & Research in Jun 2019, states: In a paper published today in the journal Pain, a Montreal-based research team has shown, for the first time, that there are alterations in the bacteria in the gastrointestinal tracts of people with fibromyalgia.
2. A study, titled Exploring the relationship between serum magnesium, inflammation, and chronic pain in a Vermont primary care population, published in Current Developments in Nutrition Jun 2020, concludes: For adults seen in primary care, lower serum magnesium levels are associated with chronic pain. This inverse relationship is not explained by random noise, including age and gender. The complex relationship between serum magnesium, C-reactive protein, and pain is complex and requires further exploration.
3. A study titled Comparative study of the effectiveness of a low-pressure hyperbaric oxygen treatment and physical exercise in women with fibromyalgia: randomized clinical trial, published in Therapeutic Advances in Musculoskeletal Disease in 2020 concludes: low-pressure hyperbaric oxygen therapy and physical exercise improve pressure pain threshold, endurance and functional capacity, as well as physical performance. Induced fatigue and perceived pain at rest significantly improved only with low-pressure hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
4. An abstract of a study titled Is aquatic therapy more effective than land-based therapy in reducing pain of women with fibromyalgia? published in Ann Rheum Dis in 2020 concludes: Both physiotherapy interventions showed to be effective in reducing pain in patients with fibromyalgia. However, aquatic therapy was more effective in improving quality of sleep and decreasing pain intensity at six weeks of follow-up than land-based therapy. It seems that the therapeutic effects achieved in post-treatment were maintained for a longer time in the aquatic therapy group. Even so, in order to maintain the benefits obtained with the interventions, continuous physiotherapy treatment seems to be necessary.
5. A study titled Association between low vitamin D levels and the Greater impact of fibromyalgia, published in J Clinical Med Res in 2020 concludes: Fibromyalgia patients did not present higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency than healthy individuals, although low vitamin D concentrations could indicate more severe disease impacts.
6. A study titled Pressure-induced referred pain as a biomarker of pain sensitivity in fibromyalgia, published in Pain Physician in Jul 2020 concludes: referred pain induced by applying a suprathreshold pressure of 120% Pain Pressure Threshold can be a useful biomarker to assess sensitized pain mechanisms in patients suffering from Fibromyalgia.
7. A study titled Manual therapy versus therapeutic exercise in non-specific chronic neck pain: a randomized controlled trial, published in Trials in Jul 2020 concludes: manual therapy achieves a faster reduction in pain perception than therapeutic exercise. Therapeutic exercise reduces disability faster than manual therapy.
8. A study titled Hypnotic intervention in people with fibromyalgia: a randomized controlled trial, published in American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis in Aug 2020 concludes: the self-administered audio-recorded hypnotic intervention significantly decreased the intensity and interference of pain and fatigue, as well as the depressive symptomatology.
9. A study title The Impact of a 20-minute animal-assisted activity session on the physiological and emotional states in patients with fibromyalgia, published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings in Nov 2020 showed a decrease in heart rate, an increase in heart rate variability, an increase in well-being survey scores, an increase in salivary oxytocin, and subsequent tympanic membrane temperature changes, suggesting that participants were in a more positive emotional-physiologic state as a result of the session.
10. A study titled Intramuscular Pressure is almost three times higher in fibromyalgia patients: a possible mechanism for understanding the muscle pain and tenderness, published in J Rheum in Dec 2020 concludes; pressure in the trapezius muscle of patients with Fibromyalgia is remarkably elevated and may be an intrinsic feature of FMS that could be monitored as part of the diagnostic evaluation. The burden of the pressure abnormality may help explain the diffuse muscle pain of FMS. Therefore, FMS as a disorder of exclusively central pain processing should be revisited. Therapeutically, the reduction of muscle pressure may change the clinical picture significantly.
TIDBIT
What Hurting Looks Like: Photographer Translates Pain Into Visceral Still Life provides visual and verbal descriptions of pain. Originally published on NPR
Here is some of the information I recently shared in my July newsletter. Each newsletter has a specific focus. This month is focused on fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain information. If you would be interested in receiving my newsletters, please head over to my contact page and sign up.
Tidbits, Updates and Resources:
1.Five myths about pain that many manual therapists are sick of Hearing by Nick Ng (can be found in Massage & Fitness Magazine).
2. 3 steps to be an even more effective pain relief therapist by Irene Diamond--a 45 minutes video of a webcast.
STUDIES, ARTICLES, AND RESOURCES
I receive a weekly update on anything published anywhere on the internet that includes information about fibromyalgia and chronic pain. If you have any problems with the links, please let me know, or if you come across any information that you think would be good to share, please also feel free to pass that information along: info@holistichealingarts.net
1. A study titled"Effectiveness of different styles of massage therapy in fibromyalgia: a systematic review and meta-analysis by Yuan, Matsutani & Marques and publish in Apr 2015 in Man Ther concluded: “myofascial release had large, positive effects on pain and medium effects on anxiety and depression in contrast with placebo…myofascial release also improves fatigue, stiffness and quality of life. Connective tissue massage improves depression and quality of life; manual lymphatic drainage is superior to connective tissue massage regarding depression and quality of life; Shiatsu improves pain, pressure pain threshold, fatigue, sleep and quality of life: and Swedish massage does not improve outcomes.
2. In a study in Sci Rep 2016 titled “Efficacy of cupping therapy in patients with the fibromyalgia syndrome-a randomized placebo-controlled trial” concluded: Five cupping treatments were more effective than usual care to improve pain intensity and quality of life. However, the effects were small and cupping was not superior to sham cupping treatments, further research is warranted.
3. In a paper by Larimer Moseley, “Reconceptualizing Pain According to Modern Pain Science, published through the University of South Australia at BodyinMind.org, he argues that “the biology of pain is never really straightforward, even when it appears to be. It is proposed that understanding what is currently known about the biology of pain requires a reconceptualization of what pain actually is, and how it serves our livelihood. He suggests there are four key points:
4. A short summary of an article by John Quintner, titled “Evolution, Stress, and Fibromyalgia” adapted from Lyon P, Cohen M, Quinter J. An evolutionary stress-response hypothesis for Chronic Widespread Pain (Fibromyalgia Syndrome). Pain Med 2011;12:1167-1178 suggests a Stress Response and Substance P response in combination may explain the disparity in symptoms and why many treatments have not been effective.
5. A follow-up article to the above reference, titled “How did fibromyalgia ever become a brain disease? Disentangling conjecture and truth, by John Quintner, debunks the Central sensitivity syndromes theories.
6. A study published in Scientific Reports titled Functional Brain Network mechanism of Hypersensitivity in Chronic Pain, and summarized by Haley Otman at Medical press, titled Does an exploding brain network cause chronic pain? suggests “as opposed to the normal process of gradually linking up different centers in the brain after a stimulus, chronic pain patients have conditions that predispose them to linking up in an abrupt, explosive manner.”
7. A study titled “Effectiveness of Therapeutic Exercise in Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials", published in Biomed Res Int 2017, concludes: aerobic and muscle-strengthening exercises are the most effective way of reducing pain and improving global well-being in people with fibromyalgia and that stretching and aerobic exercises increase health-related quality of life.
8. A narrative article, published in Minerva Anestesiol Jan 2018, titled "The role of cannabinoids in pain control: the good, the bad and the ugly” concluded: cannabinoids appear to be most effective in controlling neuropathic pain, allodynia, medication-rebound headache, and chronic non cancer pain, but do not seem to offer any advantage over nonopioid analgesics for acute pain. Cannabinoids seem to work no better than placebo for visceral pain and conferred only modest analgesic effect in cancer pain.
9. A study published in Turk J Med Sci Dec 2017, titled “Does fibromyalgia have an effect on hearing loss in women?” concludes: results point to a pathophysiologic link between fibromyalgia and the development of audiological abnormalities in these patients.
10. A study published in Complement Ther Med Feb 2018 titled “Effect of whole body cryotherapy interventions on health-related quality of life in fibromyalgia patients: a randomized controlled trial” concludes: Whole body cryotherapy can be recommended as an effective clinically adjuvant approach in the improvement of health-related quality of life in fibromyalgia patients.”
Alternative Health Arena
1. A study, titled “Effect of tai chi versus aerobic exercise for fibromyalgia: comparative effectiveness randomized controlled trial", published Mar 2018 in BMJ, concludes: Tai chi mind-body treatment results in similar or greater improvement in symptoms than aerobic exercise…for a variety of outcomes for patients with fibromyalgia. Longer duration of tai chi showed greater improvement.”
2. A study, titled “Reiki is better than placebo and has broad potential as a complementary health therapy", published in J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med Oct 2017, concludes: found reasonably strong evidence for Reiki being more effective than placebo.”