We are all experts in how our own body feels but how does this come about and what happens to this when we're in pain? As a clinician you use specific assessment techniques to understand and validate your patient's pain experience. Are these always appropriate or subtle enough?
This article introduces three bedside tests that explore bodily perception: left/right judgement tasks, two-point discrimination, and localisation of touch. These tests help to identify those patients at risk of their pain persisting and where rehabilitation may be failing. Having a better understanding of what helps construct our body perception and how this can change in pain, helps guide the rehabilitation process. This article includes a certificated elearning assessment, videos and a powerpoint presentation.
This patient information leaflet covers exercises and advice for patellofemoral pain syndrome. The leaflet includes an overview of patellofemoral pain syndrome, along with specific strengthening and stretching exercises and repetition guidelines (which can be changed... Read More
Communication about a patient’s pain experience is a fundamental component of rehabilitation, but often requires the use of metaphoric expressions. However, whilst the meaning of some metaphors is clear, for others it can be obscure.... Read More
Our regular research review summarises research looking into the effectiveness of dry needling for myofascial pain.
Our regular research reviewer, physical therapist Joseph Brence, reviews research looking into complex regional pain syndrome.
Our regular research reviewer, physical therapist Joseph Brence, reviews research looking into chronic widespread pain.
Our brains are constantly being remodelled in response to our movement and pain experiences. This article seeks to highlight the neural mechanisms involved in this neuroplastic remodelling, as these processes are vital for therapists to understand. We will look at how we can start to target the cortical representations of the physical parts of the body within our cerebral cortex and the research, science and techniques behind the process.
Pain is a complex phenomenon and cannot be attributed to the physical damage of tissues alone. Other factors such as the psychological and social aspects can all contribute to a person’s experience of pain. Everyone who participates in sport will experience pain from injury at some time and will search for effective pain relief with minimal side-effects. Music is all around us and has many benefits, including relieving pain. However, most people do not associate music with lessening pain and have probably been neglecting its great potential to benefit them. In this article, we explain the research evidence for the influence of music on pain and how it might work as a pain killer. We compare it to medication and discuss the advantages that music possesses since it is acceptable across cultures and increasingly accessible to us. Then, practical ways in which we might use music, both as patients and therapists, are discussed.
Movement is a highly variable and contextual activity. The specific movement reaction will be according to the brain interpretation of a given situation and the perceived risk or threat to the body’s tissues. By appreciating this context based reaction we can create assessment, treatment and rehab processes that enable us to understand and then change specific movement reactions that maybe causing pain or limitations thus leading to more applicable treatment methods. This may be the missing link between finding a cause and merely treating a symptom.
This article discusses the science of pain in relation to the sports injury and how it can evolve into a persisting problem. No injury happens in isolation, and the early responses and management have an influence upon the journey – hence the need for effective pain control, diagnosis and a plan. Understanding that a persisting problem is underpinned by an ongoing protective and vigilant state allows for wise action in terms of treatment. The article is accompanied by a certificated elearning assessment.
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