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Purpose: The purpose of our study was to present options for the application of tensegrity massage to manage pain caused by the overload of soft tissues in musicians., Design: Tensegrity massage was applied to a 34-year-old male violinist., Methods: The methodology included a correct positioning and tensegrity massage with individually designed procedure., Findings: After therapy, the patient achieved complete pain relief, and relaxation of muscles in the shoulder girdle and free part of the upper arm. The analgesic effect lasted for 6 months after the end of therapy., Conclusions: Massage is an effective method in eliminating pain caused by the overload of soft tissues. If used regularly before physical effort, it can prevent muscle overload., Clinical Relevance: The presented massage procedure is an effective therapy in pain caused by the overload of soft tissues in musicians and it can be one of the elements of complex physiotherapy in active musicians., (© 2014 Association of Rehabilitation Nurses.)

Background: Lower back pain is one of the most common complaints in the elderly. Pain symptoms can be chronic and aggravated by comorbidities. Back pain leads to reduced function, difficulty performing activities of daily living, and prevents physical activity. Massage is one of the more commonly used forms of physiotherapy for these complaints. Aim of the study: The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of therapeutic massage for spinal pain in older adults. Material and methods: Twenty-three participants, including 18 females and 5 males aged 61-85 years old, participated in the study. All patients had degenerative lesions of the spine that were diagnosed by their primary care physician. Patients received classical therapeutic back massages for a period of 3 weeks at a frequency of 2 times a week. Each treatment session was 40-minute-long. Analysis of pain was performed before and immediately after therapy to assess changes in pain. The McGill (short form) and the WHOQL-BREF questionnaires were used to assess the level and quality of life of the study participants. Pain intensity was assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS). Results: There was a reduction in pain intensity (VAS) and pain perception after massage therapy, with changes in the sensory and emotional components of the pain score. The changes were statistically significant. Quality of life measured by the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire was at a good level. Elderly participants rated social relationships the highest and physical components the lowest. Conclusions: Massage therapy resulted in a reduction of spinal pain in older adults. Massage is an effective form of therapy for reducing back pain in older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acne vulgaris is a chronic disease affecting almost 100% of the population. The treatment of this condition is not limited to the disease itself, but also involves eliminating the resultant scars. The most common treatments for acne and the associated scars are pharmacotherapy, cosmetic and physical therapy, and aesthetic medicine therapies. An alternative method for treating this condition may be massage, which, as a mechanical stimulus, may be effective at increasing scar mobility and reducing the pain experienced during movement. Aim of the study: The aim of this case study was to examine the effectiveness of massage for treating the scars resulting from keloid acne. Material and methods: Massage treatments were performed on a young man (32 years old) who, as a result of acne, had scars on the chest and back areas. Massage was performed twice a week for 3 weeks (6 treatments), and each session lasted 40 minutes. Before the therapy, the VAS scale was used to assess the perceived pain, and palpation was used to assess the consistency (hardness) of the post-acne lesions. Skin displacement was measured with the use of an innovative device allowing for determination of the angle of displacement of the superficial skin layer within the scar. A questionnaire was also used to assess well-being and quality of life. The measurements were repeated after each session and immediately after the end of the massage cycle. Results: After a series of massages, the experienced pain, as assessed by the VAS scale, was reduced from level 5 before therapy to level 1 after therapy. Skin mobility was also increased by the massage treatments, and the patient's well-being and quality of life improved after each session. Conclusions: The presented case shows that massage can be used in the treatment of post-acne lesions. This therapy can support the conventional treatment process by contributing to a reduction in pain, increasing the limited mobility and displacement of the scarred skin, and improving overall well-being and quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. In general practice, dysfunctions within the locomotor system are a recurring health issue. Most frequently, diagnoses and treatments relate to pain syndromes of the backbone, the shoulder girdle or the pelvic girdle. The authors believe that physiotherapy, along with other clinical disciplines, should be regarded as an important factor which influences the effectiveness of the therapeutic process in this area. In primary care, treatment of musculoskeletal disorders - especially at the stage of early clinical symptoms - should incorporate basic physiotherapy methods, e.g., massage, physical procedures, kinesiotherapy and the underrated education of the patient. Restoring appropriate spatial arrangement of tissues provides the right conditions for the regeneration and repair of muscles, ligaments and tendons, although it is a process that requires a long time. Therefore, it can be very important to introduce self-therapy in the form of systematically repeated, easy-to-replicate procedures in the scope of self-massage and self-kinesiotherapy. Objectives. This paper presents the impact of physiotherapy in treating selected disorders and pain syndromes of the locomotor system with particular attention to the role of massage. Emphasis is placed on the meaning of self-massage in the process of restoring structural balance of tissues. The model of active inclusion of the patient in the treatment process as preparation for self-therapy is presented. This paper aims to justify the need to reorganize health services provided through general practicioners within the National Health Fund network by incorporating physiotherapy in primary care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of these guidelines is to attract attention to the need for systemic corrections in the existing health care model to become an effective tool for improving health. The intention of the authors is to present the assumptions of a new approach of physiotherapeutic treatment standards for patients with motor disorders in back pain syndromes: cervical, thoracic and lumbar- -sacral, at the primary health care level. The current management provides care for this group of primary care patients mainly through pharmacotherapy and/or by referring them to an appropriate specialist outpatient clinic. In the latter situation, the waiting time from the appearance of pain to first contact with the physiotherapist in Poland is several months. In many patients, the symptoms of back pain are uncomplicated and require a few simple low-cost physiotherapeutic procedures (massage, simple physical therapy and kinesis therapy). In such cases, physiotherapeutic treatment should be based on the simple assessment of the patient's condition and planning therapy on this basis. This can be achieved by performing a functional examination and palpation assessment to determine which muscles and ligaments are responsible for pain. This evaluation provides a basis for establishing a physiotherapeutic strategy based on massage, physical therapy and kinesitherapy. In addition, simple instruction on self-massage, self-physiotherapy and self- -kinesitherapy should be provided, as well as the need for orthotic supplies and other technical assistance ought to be considered. The potential effects of such a form of primary care activation include: increase of the possibility to have influence, using directed simple physical factors, on a particular motion system disorder by the patient himself/herself, support of the rehabilitation process performed by a physiotherapist in the primary care and specialist outpatient clinic setting and shaping conscious pro-health attitudes in primary care patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]