In the January/February 2024 issue of “Massage & Bodywork,” Til Luchau and Jeffrey Bramhall introduce a captivating concept in the field of bodywork: the brain as a prediction machine. This idea, central to their article “The Somatic Edge,” highlights the significant role of predictive coding in shaping our sensory experiences during bodywork sessions. Your client’s
Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), commonly used in studying acute low back pain (aLBP), is traditionally thought to originate from muscle damage. However, recent research suggests that the deep fascia, part of the extramuscular connective tissue (ECT), plays a significant role in DOMS. This challenges previous beliefs about its causes, moving away from muscle-centric theories
Nonspecific neck pain, common in various occupations, is pain in the neck without specific underlying causes or significant daily life interference. It’s often affecting muscles like the trapezius. Myofascial reorganization® (MR) is a treatment that uses manual pressure on the fascia to improve blood flow and reduce muscle tension. A past study showed MR increases
Chronic pain is a persistent challenge, and the use of pharmaceuticals often comes with undesirable side effects. Manual therapies, including massage, acupuncture, and osteopathic manipulative treatments, have shown promise in providing pain relief to humans. However, the underlying mechanisms behind these therapies have remained elusive, hindering their optimization as safe pain management techniques. In a
A study from Turkey, aimed at enhancing the performance of Taekwondo athletes, delved into the effects of varying durations of Swedish massages on both static and dynamic balance at different times of the day. The findings reveal significant improvements in dynamic balance, with the application of longer massage durations, highlighting the potential benefits for athletes’
The festive season celebration boosted alcohol consumption. Some individuals reporting the consumption of alcohol the day before a sporting event. The question of how previous-day alcohol ingestion affects athletic performance has been a subject of interest and debate in sports science. A study by Shaw et al. (2022) published in International Journal of Sports Physiology
Caffeine, a widely consumed stimulant, has been the subject of increasing research attention in the realm of resistance exercise. Recent studies have shed light on its potential benefits in this domain. A review article by Jozo Grgic published in Sports Medicine provides an overview and summary of the latest findings from this burgeoning field of
The importance of sleep and recovery for athletes cannot be overstated, as they directly influence training adaptations, injury risk, and subsequent performance. In a novel approach, a study conducted by Rónán Doherty and colleagues published in the journal Nutrients explored the potential benefits of kiwifruit consumption as a ‘functional food’ intervention to improve sleep quality
After undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA), many patients experience pain, swelling, and reduced knee function. In the quest for effective post-surgery therapies, manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) has emerged as a potential solution. However, a recent study delved into the effectiveness of MLD in improving TKA outcomes, and the results may surprise you. The Review
Fascia is a widespread connective tissue in the human body that surrounds and permeates muscles, bones, blood vessels, nerves, and internal organs. Fascia plays crucial roles in posture, movement, and maintaining bodily functions, and it contains sensory receptors for proprioception, nociception, and hormones. A review article published in Bioengineering journal provides an overview of the