Massage & Fitness Magazine Fall 2017 | Page 6

What's New in Science?

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massage & fitness magazine

A pilot study from the University of South Australia found that back stiffness may likely be more of a perception from your nervous system than actual physical muscle or spine stiffness. The sensation may be a way to protect your body from danger or the threat of danger, similar to how you would tighten your abs when you see someone throw a punch at your stomach.

The research team, led by Dr. Tasha Stanton, also found that those with low back pain tend to overestimate the amount of force a pressure machine that pushed against their mid-back, yet they are more sensitive to pressure changes than those with no back pain. The team mentioned that their findings counter a previous study that finds “poor tactile acuity in people with [low back pain].”

Back Stiffness Does Not Always Reflect Actual Muscle and Spine Stiffness

Within a year after having an arthroscopic rotator cuff surgery, researchers from Ohio State University found that subjects who reported to have poor emotional well-being have higher pain scores and experiences. They also found that the size of the tear did not correlate with pain intensity. Thus, the researchers suggested that pre-operative counseling may be needed to help with patient expectations. Perhaps this is necessary for those who suffer from depression and other forms of mental disorders.

Psychosocial Factors May Have Larger Influence in Shoulder Pain Than Structural Issues

that holding isometric contractions may expend more energy than pushing isometric contractions.

Currently, it is not certain how these two isometric contractions can be applied to physical rehabilitation, but from what scientists currently understand about the effectiveness of eccentric muscle contraction, isometrics could be an adjunct type of therapy for certain patients who are more vulnerable to pain during eccentric contractions.

Understanding the two different types of isometric contractions can help clinicians and trainers decide which type of use or if they should be used at all.