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BACKGROUND: Neck pain is a common musculoskeletal complaint, with a point prevalence of 15% of males and 23% of females experiencing symptoms. Approximately 20% of individuals visiting orthopaedic clinics have neck pain that originates from myofascial cause. Persistence of myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) in the neck for long periods results in headache, dizziness or vertigo, limited neck and shoulder range of motion (ROM), abnormal sensation, autonomic dysfunction, and disability.AIM: The purpose of the study was to determine the combined effect of dry needling (DN) and muscle energy technique (MET) on neck pain of myofascial origin.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six subjects, both male and female, aged 20–40 years with MTrPs in the upper trapezius (UT) and levator scapulae (LS) muscles having unilateral or bilateral pain in the neck, were recruited with a convenience sampling technique. The subjects were equally (n = 12) divided into three groups: Group A received only MET, Group B received only DN, and Group C received both DN and MET. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Neck Disability Index (NDI), Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), pain pressure threshold (PPT) levels, and cervical ROM were assessed at baseline and after each intervention. The subjects were treated for three sessions with a 2-days break between each session, and the outcomes were assessed. The data collected were analyzed by SPSS (version 26).RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Significant improvements were observed in all the three groups in terms of decrease in the VAS, NDI, and PCS scores (P < 0.05). The PPT levels on both UT and LS muscles, along with ROM of cervical (lateral flexion and rotation), were improved (P < 0.05) in all the three groups; however, Group DN + MET showed (P < 0.01) better results. Therefore, the combined use of DN and MET is recommended as a better technique for the management of myofascial neck pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Flexibility is an important physiological component of physical fitness. The length of the muscle tissue is thought to play an important role in the effectiveness and efficacy of human movement. Calf is one of the commonest muscle prone to tightness. Most of the forefoot and ankle problems arise due to gastrocnemius and soleus tightness and contractures. To manage such a condition, stretching of the calf muscles are commonly prescribed to increase available dorsiflexion of the ankle joint. Though there are several effective physiotherapeutic exercises available to resolve this problem, but it's still in dilemma about the immediate effects. Muscle Energy Technique (MET) and Static Stretching (SS) are the techniques which can efficiently improve the flexibility of muscles and also very scarce literature is present on comparing the effect of these techniques for increasing ankle dorsiflexion for improving calf tightness. So, this study aimed to evaluate and compare the immediate effect of Muscle Energy Technique and Static Stretching on calf flexibility in females. Methodology: An experimental study in which 30 female subjects aged between 18 to 25 years were divided into two groups.GroupA (n= 15) and Group B (n=15) were given MET and Static Stretching (SS) respectively. Ankle Dorsiflexion ROM was assessed pre- intervention and post- intervention. The data collected were analyzed by SPSS (version 26). Result and Conclusion: Group A (MET) and Group B (SS) were given suitable intervention for calf muscle tightness, and bothgroups showed that the mean ROM during post-test was higher than pre-test. After the comparison of both groups, no significant difference was seen in the mean scores (p≥ 0.05). Equal number of repetitions of both techniques were given, however, still MET showed slightly greater effect. Therefore, the study concluded that fewer repetitions of MET could have greater or equal effect as Static Stretching. Further studies with large sample size and follow up are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of the study: To determine the effects of Nerve Mobilisation on Vibration Perception Threshold (VPT) in Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy. Materials and Methods: 30 male subjects with VPT > 25, mean height of 175.93 and mean weight of 82.53 kg on the basis of thorough assessment and after signing informed consent were randomly divided into experimental and control group. The vibration perception Threshold was measured on all the four points on the plantar aspect of the foot i.e. pulp of the toe and 1st, 3rd and 5th metatarsal heads bilaterally for both the groups on Day 1 prior to treatment. The subjects in the experimental group were given Tibial nerve mobilization bilaterally. This procedure was continued for a total of 21 days. The subjects in the control group were not given any intervention. Dependent Variables: VPT readings at great toe and 1st, 3rd and 5th metatarsal head. The subjects in both the groups were reassessed for Vibration Perception Threshold on the 21st Day. The post- test measurements of VPT were then compared with the pre - test ones and the appropriate data analysis was done.Results: It was found that the subjects who were given tibial nerve mobilization showed reduction in VPT scores. Conclusion: Nerve mobilisation may be an effective technique for delaying the diabetes related peripheral neuropathy, if detected at its earlier stages. This will ultimately help in preservation of the vibration sense of the foot and consequently reduce or delay the incidence of the devastating effects such as foot ulceration which may lead to foot amputation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]