An article by researchers from UK, Finland, Sweden and Germany published in Frontiers in Psychiatry proposes a new medical discipline called “Touch Medicine.” This field aims to address the gap in applying touch-based research to clinical practice. It emphasizes the therapeutic potential of massage therapy in treating and preventing various diseases, notably affective disorders like
A study from Keio University, Japan aimed to determine whether the pressure applied during a massage on specific muscles—the biceps brachii and the medial head of the gastrocnemius—is linked to the effectiveness of the massage in reducing muscle stiffness. Nine healthy individuals participated in the study. A physiotherapist performed massages on the upper arms and
A study from University of South Alabama examined the physiological responses elicited by myofascial release. As a control the responses were compared with passive limb movement. The study involved nineteen adults, consisting of ten men and nine women, with an average age of 23 years old plus or minus 2.6 years. Participants engaged in two
Depression is prevalent among adults worldwide, with those suffering from chronic pain being especially prone to severe depressive episodes. Both pain and mental health issues can lead to disturbances in the autonomic nervous system, thereby impacting heart function. Myofascial release therapy has been posited as a beneficial treatment for improving both mental and physical health
The way pain manifests and is perceived can vary significantly between men and women, not just in terms of intensity but also in the underlying biological processes involved. Research has shown that certain conditions may provoke pain responses differently based on sex, linked to how pain signals are processed at the cellular level. A key
A study pubslihed in Frontiers in Physiology explored the effects of foam rolling (FR) on the stiffness of hamstring muscles in both non-damaged and exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) states. The study utilized shear wave ultrasound elastography to measure changes in shear modulus, involving fourteen healthy adults in a within-participant repeated measures design. Each participant received
A study publishe din International Journal of Sports Science investigates the impact of myofascial release, specifically foam rolling, on postural control by comparing the effects of rolling on different muscle groups. The focus was on observing changes in postural sway scores before and after foam rolling the proximal muscles (quadriceps and hamstrings) versus the distal
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is characterized by persistent and unexplained fatigue accompanied by various symptoms such as joint pain, fever, and cognitive issues, yet often shows no abnormalities in physical examinations. Globally, the prevalence of CFS varies, with about 0.1% to 2.2% in the general population, and specific surveys noting higher rates, such as 12.54%
In recent years, mounting evidence has suggested that diabetes could play a significant role in the development of frozen shoulder. Numerous epidemiological studies have observed a notable increase in the incidence of frozen shoulder among individuals with diabetes compared to those without. A new study published in BMJ Open Diabetes Research and Care explored the
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures are commonly treated with ACL reconstruction (ACLR), and the frequency of this surgery is on the rise. Despite the surgical advancements, replicating the complex structure and functionality of the native ACL, including its proprioceptive fibers and synchronized bundle movements, remains a challenge. An alternative to surgery is exercise-based rehabilitation, which
