This information is provided in detail under various sub-heads viz.

Introduction

Radiation force balances

Measurement

Additional Information

Further Reading

The information present herein is quite detailed and a must read for Physiotherapists.

The objective of this study was to determine the immediate effect of activator trigger point therapy and myofascial band therapy compared to sham ultrasound on non-specific neck pain, cervical lateral flexion and pain pressure threshold of upper trapezius trigger points. Forty-five subjects with non-specific neck pain of at least 4 on an 11-point numerical rating scale, an upper trapezius trigger point and decreased cervical lateral flexion were recruited. The subjects were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: activator trigger point therapy, myofascial band therapy or sham ultrasound (control group). All subjects attended one treatment session and outcome measures were repeated within 5 min after treatment. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups at baseline in age, pain level, lateral cervical flexion or pain pressure threshold. For the primary outcome measure of pain reduction the odds of a patient improving with activator trigger point therapy was 7 times higher than a patient treated with myofascial band therapy or sham ultrasound. The number needed to treat with activator trigger point therapy for one patient to improve was 3.

Activator trigger point therapy appears to be more effective than myofascial band therapy or sham ultrasound in treating patients with non-specific neck pain and upper trapezius trigger points.

Clinical Chiropractic, 2008, 11(1), 23-29

Link to Abstract

Unfortunately, applying the theory to real life is not as easy. The high energy fitness gurus would like you to think it is, but it’s not. And if the words “nothing in life is easy” sound familiar to you is because it’s true.

Changing bad habits into good ones, one small step at a time, is the best way to keep from falling off the well-paved path. You still have to work hard and be mindful and accountable for the daily choices you make, but there’s no need to overwhelm yourself only to give it up a week later. It simply won’t work and then the yo-yo dieting begins. Ugh, there’s that word again.

For the next 14 days—Focus on Nutritional changes. Change one thing in your diet—you don’t have to do them all, just pick one to get your started, here are some ideas:

Drink 1 cup of coffee less than before

Eat one fruit in place of chips or another snack

Replace a soft drink with water

Change your milk from whole to 2%, or 2% to 1%

Use less sugar in your tea or coffee

Change one condiment to a lower fat version – salad dressing=olive oil and lemon, mayonnaise=sour cream and mayo, butter=olive oil, etc…

The idea is to make one or two small changes and stick with them until you can do them without much thought. These are small enough to make a big impact but also easy to manage. Each time you become comfortable with your current change then you can add another.

I have made many permanent changes over time. In the next 14 days I will be adding more fruit or vegetable to my daily snacks. So instead of cheese and crackers, I may have cheese with apples, a Granny Smith apple to satisfy my crunchy, tart cravings and fruit smoothies when I need something sweet.

What changes are you willing to make to begin paving the path for your fitness journey? Share them in the comments, maybe someone else will benefit from your ideas.

Stay well,

Spin Diva

The above guest post has been written by Spin Diva, Author of the blog Family In Shape.