Dry needling of muscle motor points for chronic low-back pain: a randomized clinical trial with long-term follow-up.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Acupuncture Therapy↗
SEARCH · Search PubMed
Results for “Back Muscles”
Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.
Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.
Associated postural adjustments in Parkinson's disease.
Postural activity in muscles of the back and legs associated with voluntary forward elevation of the arm at the shoulder with the subject standing was examined in 14 patients with Parkinson's disease and nine normal individuals. The time of onset of EMG activity in each of the postural muscles, relative to the onset of activity in the prime mover, was the same for both patient and normal groups and did not depend on load. The amplitude of the EMG bursts and their frequency of occurrence, was less in patients off drug treatment and immobile, than when mobile on therapy. We conclude that the timing of associated postural adjustments is normal in Parkinson's disease, although their size may be decreased.
Adult↗
Trunk muscle composition as a predictor of reduced functional capacity in the health, aging and body composition study: the moderating role of back pain.
BACKGROUND: Cross-sectionally, lower trunk muscle attenuation (higher fat infiltration) has been associated with poorer physical function in older adults. We hypothesize that lower trunk muscle attenuation will be associated with lower functional capacity 3 years later and that back pain status will moderate this relationship. METHODS: The study sample consisted of a biracial cohort of well functioning men (739) and women (788) aged 70-79 years from the Pittsburgh site of the Health, Aging and Body Composition (Health ABC) study. Computed tomography was used to measure trunk muscle area and attenuation of the lumbar paraspinal, lateral abdominal, and rectus abdominus muscles at baseline. The Health ABC Physical Performance Battery (usual and narrow walk, chair stands, and standing balance) was used to measure functional capacity at the first and fourth annual clinic visits. RESULTS: Regardless of back pain status, average trunk muscle attenuation (but not muscle area) was positively associated with overall physical performance, particularly balance (p <.01), in a fully adjusted model. The association between trunk attenuation and functional capacity was significantly stronger in participants with at least moderate back pain in the year prior to baseline (p <.05 for interaction; attenuation x back pain). Participants with moderate to extreme back pain had a greater decline in function over time (p <.05). CONCLUSIONS: Older adults with poorer trunk muscle composition (higher fat infiltration) exhibit reduced functional capacity, especially balance, 3 years later. Improving trunk muscle composition may be an important yet overlooked approach to maintain function and potentially reduce balance impairments, particularly in persons with a history of back pain.
Aged↗
How does a backrest work?
After discussing the distribution of forces in the stable upright posture and illustrating the importance of the lumbar lordosis for minimising muscular effort in this position, the loadings on the spine and muscles of the back are outlined during upright sitting. It is shown that the backrest locates the lumbar spine so that the CG of the superincumbent body parts can be positioned above the vertebrae, permitting the gravity load to be transmitted to the seat without the counteracting torques which muscles would have to provide if this position was not adopted. The forces arising from other sitting positions are then discussed, and some conclusions drawn for seat design.
Journal Article↗
Contrast-enhanced MRI of brown adipose tissue after pharmacological stimulation.
A non-invasive method for studying the modifications induced in lipid depots by hormonal stimulation could extend knowledge of adipose tissues. We studied the effect of adrenergic stimulation on interscapular brown adipose tissue (IBAT) of rats using contrast-enhanced MRI. Controls and rats pre-treated with adrenaline 40 s before the acquisition of pre-contrast images were used. In the control group, IBAT showed an enhancement of 56 +/- 29%, whereas adrenaline pre-treatment resulted in a significantly higher value (83 +/- 49%, P < 0.05). In the control group, the skeletal muscle of the anterior limb showed an enhancement of 24 +/- 12%, while adrenaline pre-treatment led to a higher value (26 +/- 10%), although the difference was not significant. In the control group, the skeletal muscle adjacent to the IBAT showed an enhancement of 30 +/- 13%, while adrenaline pre-treatment resulted in a non-significantly higher value (33 +/- 10%). In both groups, enhancement values in the muscle adjacent to the IBAT were significantly higher than the values in the muscle of the anterior limb (P < 0.05). This study demonstrates the feasibility of detecting the effect of hormonal stimulation on small fat depots. The demonstration of greater blood flow in the muscles surrounding the IBAT than in the muscles of the anterior limb suggests that the muscles of the back operate in synergy with the IBAT.
Adipose Tissue, Brown↗
The mh gene causing double-muscling in cattle maps to bovine Chromosome 2.
While the hereditary nature of the "double-muscling" phenotype (a generalized muscular hypertrophy documented in several cattle breeds) is well established, its precise segregation mode has remained controversial. Both monogenic models (autosomal dominant or recessive) and oligogenic models have been proposed. Using a panel of 213 bovine microsatellite markers, and an experimental pedigree obtained by backing "double-muscled (Belgian Blue) x conventional (Friesian)"1 dams to double-muscle sire, we have mapped a locus on bovine Chromosome (CHr) 2 that accounts for all the phenotypic variance in the backcross generation. This locus, referred to as mh (muscular hypertrophy), has been positioned with respects to a map composed of seven Chr 2-specific microsatellites, at 2 cM from the closet marker. This result confirms the validity in the Belgian Blue population of the monogenic model involving an autosomal mh locus, characterized by a wild-type "+" and a recessive "mh" allele, causing the double-muscling phenotype in the homozygous condition. The linkage relationship between the mh locus and the Chr 2 markers was confirmed in three informative pedigrees collected from the general Belgian Blue Cattle population, reinforcing the notice of genetic homogeneity of the double-muscling trait in this breed. This work paves the way towards marker-assisted selection for or against the double muscling trait, and towards positional cloning of the corresponding gene.
Animals↗
Retained gallstones: a pain in the back.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Abdominal Muscles↗
Etiology of low back pain in athletes.
Low back pain and injury is a common affliction for patients involved in athletic endeavors. For this reason, the health care professional should be cognizant of age-related and sports-specific considerations when evaluating athletes with low back complaints. An elevated index of suspicion with regard to specific etiologies of back pain proves invaluable in order to avoid the misdiagnosis of a more serious problem. Although a number of conditions exist that require more aggressive evaluation and treatment, the majority of low back pain in athletes is self-limiting. In this context, a treatment plan designed to increase low back and abdominal muscle strength, flexibility, and range of motion often proves beneficial not only in returning the athlete to competition, but also in preventing injury recurrence.
Athletic Injuries↗
Effects of a quantitative trait locus for muscle hypertrophy from Belgian Texel sheep on carcass conformation and muscularity.
A QTL for muscle hypertrophy has been identified in the Belgian Texel breed. A population of F2 and backcross lambs created from crosses of Belgian Texel rams with Romanov ewes was studied. Effects on carcass traits and muscle development of the Belgian Texel breed polygenes and Belgian Texel single QTL were compared. In both cases, carcass conformation and muscularity were improved. The Texel polygenic environment improved conformation mainly through changes in skeletal frame shape. Segments were shorter and bone weight lower. Muscles were more compact, shorter, and thicker. The single QTL affected muscle development. Thickness and weight of muscles were increased. Composition in myosin changed toward an increase of fast contractile type. The relative contribution of hind limb joint to carcass weight was increased. Differences in skeletal frame morphology among the three genotypes of the single QTL were small. Conformation scoring was mainly influenced by leg muscularity. Back and shoulder muscle development, which largely contributed to variability of muscularity, were less involved in the conformation scoring. Lastly, the QTL explains a small part of differences between these Belgian Texel and Romanov breeds for conformation or muscle development. A large part of genetic variability remains to be explored.
Animals↗
A model analysis of internal loads, energetics, and effects of wobbling mass during the whole-body vibration.
The internal loads, energetics, and the effects of wobbling mass during the whole-body vibration are studied in terms of analysis and comparison of two models: one is a system of four degrees-of-freedom with rigid and wobbling masses in both lower body and upper body (Model A), while the other one (Model B) is a system of three degrees-of-freedom with a rigid upper body and is otherwise identical to Model A. The main findings are the following: (1) The wobbling mass in the upper body is able to reduce the total internal load on the rigid mass of the upper body considerably. (2) "Partial" internal loads on a certain part of the body may be even larger than the total load on the same part of the body because of the phase differences among the partial loads. Therefore, a full consideration of safety during the whole-body vibration has to take not only the total, but also all the partial internal loads into account. (3) The fluctuation of power input and the fluctuation of mechanical energy could be much larger than the fluctuation of dissipation rate. (4) For frequencies higher than the resonance frequency range, the amplitude of the oscillation of the centre of mass of the body is so reduced that only the change of elastic potential energy dominates in the change of mechanical energy. Thus, a simple picture of energy flow is obtained as follows: for approximately one half of the oscillation period, the energy flows from the vibrator into the human body and is mainly stored in the muscle-tendon system, while for the remaining approximate half of the period, the energy flows from the muscle-tendon system back to the vibrator with a slightly smaller amount because a small part of the flown-in energy has been dissipated.
Biomechanical Phenomena↗
The dorsal scapular island flap: an alternative for head, neck, and chest reconstruction.
The back has become an increasingly popular donor site for flaps because it can provide thin, pliable tissue, with minimal bulk, and the scar can be easily hidden under clothing. The authors performed a cadaveric and clinical study to evaluate the anatomy of the dorsal scapular vessels and their vascular contribution to the skin, fascia, and muscles of the back. On the basis of anatomical studies in 28 cadavers and clinical experience with 32 cases, it was concluded that the dorsal scapular vessels provide a reliable blood supply to the skin of the medial back, making it a versatile flap to use as an island flap. A flap raised on the dorsal scapular vessels can be harvested with a long pedicle and can be rotated to reach as far as the anterior regions of the head, neck, and chest wall. Delaying and expanding the flap may help to facilitate venous drainage. The authors recommend the use of this versatile island pedicle flap as an alternative to microvascular free-tissue transfer for the reconstruction of defects in the head, neck, and anterior chest.
Adolescent↗
Muscle response pattern to sudden trunk loading in healthy individuals and in patients with chronic low back pain.
STUDY DESIGN: A quick-release method in four directions of isometric trunk exertions was used to study the muscle response patterns in 17 patients with chronic low back pain and 17 matched control subjects. OBJECTIVES: It was hypothesized that patients with low back pain would react to sudden load release with a delayed muscle response and would exhibit altered muscle recruitment patterns. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: A delay in erector spinae reaction time after sudden loading has been observed in patients with low back pain. Muscle recruitment and timing pattern play an important role in maintaining lumbar spine stability. METHODS: Subjects were placed in a semiseated position in an apparatus that provided stable fixation of the pelvis. They exerted isometric contractions in trunk flexion, extension, and lateral bending. Each subject performed three trials at two constant force levels. The resisted force was suddenly released with an electromagnet and electromyogram signals from 12 trunk muscles were recorded. The time delay between the magnet release and the shut-off or switch-on of muscle activity (reaction time) was compared between two groups of subjects using two-factor analysis of variance. RESULTS: The number of reacting muscles and reaction times averaged over all trials and directions showed the following results: For healthy control subjects a shut-off of agonistic muscles (with a reaction time of 53 msec) occurred before the switch-on of antagonistic muscles (with a reaction time of 70 msec). Patients exhibited a pattern of co-contraction, with agonists remaining active (3.4 out of 6 muscles switched off) while antagonists switched on (5.3 out of 6 muscles). Patients also had longer muscle reaction times for muscles shutting off (70 msec) and switching on (83 msec) and furthermore, their individual muscle reaction times showed greater variability. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with low back pain, in contrast to healthy control subjects, demonstrated a significantly different muscle response pattern in response to sudden load release. These differences may either constitute a predisposing factor to low back injuries or a compensation mechanism to stabilize the lumbar spine.
Adult↗
Face lift, part 5: suspending sutures for platysma cording.
We describe the technical details used in applying nonabsorbable sutures running from the anterior platysma muscles and/or adjacent fascia back to the fascia just in front of or covering the sternocleidomastoid muscles. These sutures usually pass 1.5-2 cm below the angle of the mandible. Anteriorly, they cover or are attached to the platysma muscles at the level of the cervical concavity or angle. The sutures suspend or draw back the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) at this level, preventing some of the anterior displacement of the platysma when it is contracted in normal use. We believe that the sutures have relatively long-lasting effects and that they delay the early return of "platysma cording" after cheek-neck lifting. Their application using Reverdin and Keith needles is demonstrated. Differences in technique when submental lipectomy is and is not performed with the lift are shown.
Face↗
Intermediate follow-up of a simple method of hip arthrodesis in adolescent patients.
Thirteen male patients (average age, 15.6 years) underwent intraarticular hip arthrodesis for unilateral disabling hip disease. Follow-up averaged 6.6 years. Seven patients had excellent or good Harris hip scores. Ten patients had low back pain, and seven patients had knee pain on the side of the fused hip. Limb-length discrepancy averaged 3.7 cm. A progressive hip adduction drift (average, 7 degrees) occurred during follow-up. Patients whose hips were fused in a position of 20-25 degrees flexion and whose limb-length discrepancies were < 2 cm had significantly lower incidences of back pain. Cybex muscle testing revealed significantly decreased quadriceps strength (29%) on the hip-fusion side. Gait laboratory analysis demonstrated decreased velocity, stride length, and cadence. There were two mildly symptomatic nonunions. Based on these results, we recommend that the hip fusion be positioned in 20 degrees flexion and 0 degree abduction. The joint must be completely debrided down to viable bone to maximize chances for union. Maintaining a limb-length discrepancy of < 2 cm is essential to minimize the incidence of low back pain, quadriceps deficiency, and abnormal gait parameters.
Adolescent↗
Successful transplantation of genetically corrected DMD myoblasts following ex vivo transduction with the dystrophin minigene.
Myoblast transplantation and gene therapy are two promising therapeutical approaches for the treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). So far, both strategies have met many hurdles, mainly because of immune reactions. In this study, we investigated a third and novel strategy based on the combination of these two basic ones, i.e., transplantation of genetically modified myoblasts. We first derived a primary culture from a muscle biopsy of a young DMD patient (3 years old). Adenoviral-mediated dystrophin gene transfer into these DMD cultures and expression of the dystrophin transgene were achieved in vitro. The transduced cultures were then transplanted the same day in immunodeficient SCID mouse muscles. Three weeks following the graft, many human dystrophin-positive fibers were observed throughout sections of the injected muscles. However, many fibers expressed human MHC antigens without expressing human dystrophin due to the low percentage of infected primary muscle cells in vitro (even when a high MOI [400] was used) and to a reduction and even to a complete loss of transgene copy number during myoblast replication. From our results, we conclude that, although not at a high proportion, (1) DMD primary myoblast cultures are infectable by adenoviruses; (2) they can be efficiently transplanted back in a muscle, leading to normal fusion of infected myoblasts with the host fibers; and (3) they can correct the dystrophin deficiency in the host fibers by the expression of a mini-dystrophin transgene.
Adenoviridae↗
Endometriosis is associated with central sensitization: a psychophysical controlled study.
Endometriosis is a pain syndrome representing a major cause of pelvic pain in women of reproductive age. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that persistent nociceptive input from endometriotic tissues leads to central sensitization manifested by somatic hyperalgesia and increased referred pain areas to experimental saline-induced muscle pain in patients with endometriosis, compared to healthy control subjects. Ten women with laparoscopically confirmed endometriosis and 10 healthy, age-matched women participated in the study. Hypertonic saline (0.5 mL, 5.8%) was injected intramuscularly, in random succession, into 1 site of menstrual pain referral (the multifidus muscle at the low back) and into 1 non-pain control site (first dorsal interosseous muscle [FDI] of the hand). The post-saline pain intensity and pain areas at the FDI were significantly greater in patients with endometriosis than in control subjects (P <.05) but were not different between the groups for the back. An absence of enhancement of post-saline pain responses at the back in the endometriosis group suggests that saline-induced pain at the back appears to activate segmental inhibitory systems in patients with endometriosis. Manifestation of central sensitization in women with endometriosis is demonstrated by increased muscle nociceptor input in the form of increased post-saline pain intensity, pain areas at the FDI, and hypersensitivity to pressure stimulation. These findings provide new insights into the complex pain mechanisms associated with endometriosis.
Adult↗
Iliolumbar membrane, a newly recognised structure in the back.
Despite intensive research in the anatomical sciences for the last two centuries, some structures of the human body still remain controversial or incompletely described. We describe a new membranous fascial anatomical entity, which we refer to as the iliolumbar membrane (ILM). During the 2004-2005 academic semesters at the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine we dissected 40 human cadavers fixed in formalin-alcohol-phenol solution. Iliolumbar membrane is a thick connective tissue structure, deep to the skin, originating from the fibres of the thoracolumbar fascia at the lateral border of the erector spinae. It runs inferior to the superior border of the iliac crest, lateral to the posterior superior iliac spine, overlying the iliac crest at the level of the 4th lumbar vertebra. Iliolumbar membrane terminates within subcutaneous fat, where it divides into multiple layers. All cadavers showed considerable variation in the blending of the membrane's multiple layers with the subcutaneous fat. However, all specimens consistently showed a uniform appearance of ILM at the point of origin. Iliolumbar membrane could be demonstrated objectively by ultrasound examination with a frequency of 7.5 MHz and also with a Stryker endoscope. A hypothesis is put forth, conjecturing that this new structure may have relevance in creating a natural barrier between the musculature of the back and the muscles of the gluteal region, similar to Scarpa's fascia of the anterior abdominal wall.
Aged↗
Short-term adaptations in co-ordination during the initial phase of learning manual wheelchair propulsion.
The purpose of this study was to analyse adaptations in kinematics and muscle activity/co-contraction in novice able-bodied subjects during the initial phase of learning hand rim wheelchair propulsion. Nine able-bodied subjects performed three 4-min practice blocks on a wheelchair ergometer. The external power output and velocity were constant for all blocks, respectively 0.25 W x kg(-1) and 1.11 m x s(-1). Electromyography of 16 arm, shoulder, back and chest muscles and kinematics were measured. Some small changes in the segmental movement pattern were seen during the practice period. Moreover, an increase in muscle activity and co-contraction of several muscles was found over time. The hypothesis that subjects instinctively search for an optimum frequency, in which the recovery phase is related to the eigenfrequency of the arms and, therefore, the least muscle activity, could not be supported. Since co-contraction of antagonist pairs remained the same or even increased, the hypothesis that there would be a decrease in muscle co-contraction as a result of practice, was not confirmed. This study was probably too short for the novice subjects to explore this new task of wheelchair propulsion completely and reach an optimum in terms of cycle frequency and muscle activity/co-contraction.
Adult↗