Putting the Squeeze on Morton’s Neuroma

One of the more common nerve entrapment problems affecting the lower extremity is Morton’s neuroma. The term, neuroma, is a bit of a misnomer because this condition generally does not involve a true neuroma, which is essentially a nerve cyst or tumor, and instead involves nerve impingement in the forefoot region. In most cases it is strictly … Read more

Baxter’s Neuropathy

Pain on the bottom surface of the foot can be a debilitating condition; in cases, persisting for several years. The most common cause of plantar foot pain is plantar fasciitis. Pain on the underside of the foot that is aggravated with activity is often diagnosed as plantar fasciitis. Yet in some cases this pain persists despite … Read more

Long Thoracic Nerve Compression

Introduction There are numerous nerve compression syndromes that cause significant pain or dysfunction in the upper extremity. Massage therapists often decry the limited focus on the neurological system in their basic education. Yet neurological sensation is a foundational and critical component of every client’s experience. This post explores long thoracic nerve compression, which can go … Read more

The role of sensitization in musculoskeletal shoulder pain.

Borstad, J., & Woeste, C. (2015). The role of sensitization in musculoskeletal shoulder pain. Brazilian Journal of Physical Therapy, 19(4), 251–7. For many years the primary pain models suggested that pain was an indicator of tissue damage or injury. If pain was felt in the body, it meant that some tissue damage or dysfunction existed and the … Read more

Low Back Pain and Leg Length Discrepancy

Research Update: Rannisto, S., Okuloff, A., Uitti, J., Paananen, M., Rannisto, P.-H., Malmivaara, A., & Karppinen, J. (2015). LLD is associated with low back pain among those who must stand while working. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 16(1), 110. Low back pain is a pervasive problem that plagues a huge percentage of the population. Researchers and clinicians … Read more

Research Review: Neuroplasticity in the Central Nervous System

Research Review:Pelletier R, Higgins J, Bourbonnais D. Is neuroplasticity in the central nervous system the missing link to our understanding of chronic musculoskeletal disorders? BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2015;16(1):25. The treatment of musculoskeletal disorders has historically focused on a structural-pathology paradigm where the primary source of dysfunction (and consequently pain) is caused by some local site of … Read more

What is Haglund’s Syndrome?

The Achilles tendon is the largest and strongest tendon in the body. It has to be very strong because of the powerful contraction forces of the gastrocnemius and soleus (triceps surae) muscles. The triceps surae group is active in forward propulsion of the body during normal gait as well as being a primary decelerator of … Read more

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