Stimulated by Qin et al 2020,[1] and Pei et al 2020.[2] Image modified from Figure 1 of Qin et al 2020.[1] The first paper I am highlighting this week is an adverse event report attributed to acupuncture. It is quite unusual for two reasons. First, as the title states, the case presented with a shoulder … Continue reading Atraumatic glenohumeral dislocation, IBS and other stories
Stimulated by Jeong et al,[1] and Huang et al.[2] Screengrab from Day 19 of ‘What’s the point’. I am highlighting 2 papers. The first listed above, and most recent, raises some interesting points, but the second paper, from last year is more interesting. I reviewed the latter for Pain Medicine, and then when it was … Continue reading Sciatica 2020
Stimulated by Zhou et al 2020.[1] Image by Cristian Newman on Unsplash. I was drawn to look at this paper because the title suggested a possible link between calf muscles and plantar fasciitis (PF). I have resisted this idea for many years, and perhaps this paper would shed some light on my gut feeling about … Continue reading Plantar fasciitis 2020
Stimulated by Constantini et al 2020.[1] Image by Emiliano Vittoriosi on Unsplash. This is another paper from the Italian stable of Maria Adele Giamberardino. So perhaps you have guessed that the V-V stands for viscerovisceral. This is another novel relatively long-term experimental study embedded within actual clinical practice. The rather older but similar clinical experimental … Continue reading V-V hyperalgesia again
Stimulated by Affaitati et al 2019.[1] Photo by Aiony Haust on Unsplash. This paper popped up on a very recent search, but not because it mentions acupuncture, in fact it doesn’t. I also search every day for the latest research in myofascial pain. I had a look at this one because of the last author … Continue reading Co-occurrence of pain syndromes
Stimulated by Prinsze et al 2019.[1] Photo by Cassi Josh on Unsplash. New acronyms are guaranteed to get me guessing, but these two were a challenge. They roll off the tongue pretty well as acronyms, but I had to check both! NREs are needle-related events, so that is relevant to the blog, and TTIs are transfusion-transmissible infections ie … Continue reading NREs and TTIs in the Netherlands
In regret triggered by the title of Probst et al 2019.[1] This diagram illustrates the anatomical location of piriformis relative to the pelvis, and the characteristic pain referral patterns that form part of the myofascial syndrome. The blue dots on the leg represent tingling that might occur if there is nerve entrapment in piriformis syndrome. … Continue reading Piriformis revisited
Inspired by Ronel et al Mil Med 2018.[1] My first blog of 2019 and I have been struggling to find inspiration. That is what comes from setting yourself an arbitrary target rather than just waiting for something divine. The former is driven by the modern requirements of a social media presence, and the latter is … Continue reading 20000 needles…
The following story was reported to me by a colleague from general practice. The details are altered somewhat to preserve anonymity, including the name of the teller, but regular readers will recognise some characteristic use of language and style. Safe angulation for needling quadratus lumborum near lower lateral attachment to the iliac crest. Dear Mike … Continue reading A Tale of two Fridays
Inspired by Sánchez-Mila Acupunct Med 2018 [1] I have been curious about the potential effect of acupuncture needling in muscles with high tone since witnessing the rapid relief of lumbar muscle spasm following insertion of acupuncture needles whilst serving as a medical officer in the British military. Subsequently I have tried the technique (combined with … Continue reading Needling and spasticity
