The purpose of this section of the Journal of Massage Science to inform the practitioners about valuable articles that frequently go unnoticed, as well as to point to those authors and publications who exhibit low educational standards. We do not play politics and we are not associated with any publishing company or professional association. We are a completely independent voice and we promise you direct unbiased reviews based strictly on the science.
If the author of the reviewed article does not agree with our opinion, we will be more than happy to publish his or her response and have a productive discussion over the article’s subject.
At the end of the year we will recognize and reward the author of the most important publication(s) and point to the authors of the most unscientific publication(s). We hope this will help to raise the bar of published materials in massage journals for the benefit of the entire profession.
MASSAGE TODAY
Have A Migraine. Massage Today, July: 13;15, 2016
By J. Haun, PhD, EdS, LMT, Brennan M.K., RN, LMBT, Lorick N, LMT, HHP
This article reviews a study which examined the effect of manual therapy on patients with Headache. The article is very basic but the most surprising part is the absence of actual references to the study conducted in Norway. How can readers benefit from the info when the main part of it is absent?
Understanding Structural Collapse, Massage Today, July: 14; 17, 2016
By D. McCann, MA, LMT, LMHC, SETT
If one carefully reads Mr. McCann’s articles it seems they are a duplication of each other. The pattern is always the same – first scare the readers. In this article it is presented as fact that
“…like all normal babies she (client discussed in the article by JMS) was born with core distortion…”
There is no reference to justify such a jaw dropping nonsene that all normal babies are doomed from birth. Apparently, only Mr. McCann’s method saves humanity from inborn distortion which is known only to him.
The next part is how his client was suffering from pain and discomfort. The final part is a miracle cure without any practical details.
What is the value of such promotional pieces? We think authors have a moral obligation to their readers to help them in their practices. Unfortunately, Mr. McCann’s articles are helping only to fill up his seminars.
Therapeutic Taping. Massage Today, July: 16, 2016
By S. Konb, LMT, NCBTMB
The author shares with readers his experience with taping. The article is very helpful to those who would like to add this modality to their practice.
Basis for TDR Massage. Massage Today, July 17:18, 2016
By Linda LePelly
This article is dedicated to increased soft tissue density. The author correctly identifies basic events which lead to increased tension in the soft tissues.
The only problem we have with this and similar articles is that the author presents basic findings of tissue density as her own development. We think that it illustrates the fact that the massage industry in the US exists in some kind of bubble since long established clinical facts are now “re-invented” by the authors and presented as their own break throughs.
The clinical aspects which the author discusses have been known and studied since 1930. It started with the work of E. Dickle in Germany. We think that it is useless to invent the bicycle again.
Pediatric Sports Massage. Massage Today, August: 10, 2016
By Tina Allen, LMT, CPMMT
This article is dedicated to an important subject but doesn’t have enough professional teeth. It covers such basic information that there is little readers may learn and use in their practices.
Biceps Injuries. Massage Today, August: 12, 2016
By Ben Benjamin, PhD
The article is dedicated to biceps injury and it correctly addresses its anatomy, action and evaluation. What we have a problem with is the treatment part, which according to the author consists of three parts – massage therapy, friction therapy and exercise therapy.
Yes, friction therapy is an important tool but it is presented in the article as a main treatment option. This is a completely incorrect and one-sided approach. Friction therapy MUST be combined with lymphatic drainage from the muscle belly and from the injured tendon. The belly of the biceps muscle must be addressed with kneading in the inhibitory regime with a following application of the second part of LDM. Only at this point the friction must be introduced and after that the muscle spindle receptors in the biceps must be re-set with Muscle Energy Techniques.
In this type of injury any exercise is contraindicated until initial clinical success is achieved (no pain during active contractions).
Massage For Ectropion. Massage Today, August: 16, 2016
By Linda LePelly
A great case study which emphasizes the clinical possibilities of Massage Therapy, even in ophthalmology.
Exploring Charcot Marie Tooth Disease. Massage Today, September: 16; 25, 2016
By Whitney Lowe, LMT
A very informative article on a relatively rare hereditary neuropathy which therapists may encounter in their practices. The author is correct in saying that any type of bodywork plays a supportive role, but the article raises awareness among therapists
MASSAGE & BODYWORK MAGAZINE
The Spondy Quandry. Back Pain and Massage Therapy. Massage&Bodywork Magazine, Sept/Oct: 38-41, 2016
By Ruth Werner
This article briefly describes major causes of lower back pain. However, when it gets to the treatment, reading sentences which we cited below means one thing: the author talks about stress reduction massage as a treatment tool for lower back pain and isn’t even aware of clinical outcomes of correctly formulated treatment protocols:
“Massage is similar: a welcomed massage seems to offer at least temporary relief from back pain. It has not been shown to prevent future back pain, but it doesn’t mean it isn’t useful.”
We don’t know what sources the author used for such a bizarre statement. Without going into a long discussion we would like to clearly state that Medical Massage (where btw wasn’t even mentioned as a treatment option) is the first line of defense for lower back pain and if the condition is still within the therapist’s reach provides stable clinical results. Only when MT has failed other more sophisticated therapies should be used.
Joint Mechanoreceptors. Massage&Bodywork Magazine, Sep/Oct: 43-44, 2016
By Christy Cael
A very informative article about mechanoreceptors located in the soft tissues
Finding Fascia. Massage&Bodywork Magazine, Sep/Oct: 50-53, 2016
By Karrie Osborn
The Living Fascia. Massage&Bodywork Magazine, Sep/Oct: 54-63, 2016
By Jean-Claude Guimberteau, MD
Understanding Fascia. Massage&Bodywork Magazine, Sep/Oct: 64-71, 2016
By Thomas Myers
Addressing Fascia With Myofascial Release. A Conversation with John Barnes. Massage&Bodywork Magazine, Sep/Oct: 74-79, 2016
Fascia and its role in the human body is the main topic of September/October issues of Massage&Bodywork Magazine. The quality of all articles exceeded all expectations. Our Editorial Board would like to express gratitude to all the authors and to the members of Massage&Bodywork Magazine’s Editorial Board and personally to Leslie A. Young, Editor in Chief, for critically important information which is presented in this issue of the magazine. Thank you!
The Obstinate Pec Minor. Massage&Bodywork Magazine, Sep/Oct: 80-87, 2016
By Peggy Lamb
An excellent article on the pectoralis minor muscle, its role in the functioning of the body, its treatment and maintenance options.
Unraveling the Complexity of Piriformis Muscle. Massage&Bodywork Magazine, Sep/Oct: 98-101, 2016
By Whitney Lowe
An excellent article on the piriformis muscle – its anatomy and physiology relations to major neurological structures. This article also provides some info on basic assessment.
Working With the Hip Joint. Massage&Bodywork Magazine, Sep/Oct: 106-109, 2016
By Til Luchau
A good article which covers some basic info about hip joint and single technique to address the iliofemoral ligament.
MASSAGE THERAPY JOURNAL
Go With The Flow. MTJ, Fall:14-21, 2016
By Michelle Vallet
A very good introductory article on the effect of Manual Lymph Drainage Massage on cases of Edema and Lymphedema.
(for article content)
(for sports massage content)
Sports Massage: The Science of Athletics. MTJ: 49-74, 2016
By Steve Furch and Marcella Durant
This is excellent article which gives an overview of the basic rules and modalities of sports medicine. From this perspective, the article is a highly suggested read. It covers a variety of important subjects relative to sports medicine and therapists who work with athletes must be familiar with this data. Readers will find info on: sport physiology, blood work, biomechanics, nutrition, medical procedures, electrotherapy, rules of training etc. The authors based their work on 69 articles cited in the article. This is a very impressive piece.
However, the title of the article is ‘Sports Massage’ and it is published in a professional journal so readers should be presented with information about sports massage. This is the only reference we found:
“The concept of recovery is particularly important for massage therapists to familiarize themselves with, as massage may be used as a part of successful recovery strategy. While meta-analysis indicated that more studies are needed to explore how massage may be best used toward recovery, one useful in helping athletes recover psychologically.”
It is amazing but that was the only mention of sports massage therapy on 25 pages of the article published in the American Massage Therapy Association main publication dedicated to massage therapy for athletes!
We think that it is a completely bizarre situation when sports massage science exists by itself without the AMTA and its authors are not even aware of it.
For the authors of this article and our readers we suggest you read these articles on sports massage published by JMS:
- United We Will Stand! (Highly recommended piece)
by O. Bouimer, LMT https://www.scienceofmassage.com/2009/09/united-we-will-stand/
- Response To New York Times Interview With Prof. M. Tschakovsky
by Ross Turchaninov, MD, B. Prilutsky, LMT https://www.scienceofmassage.com/2010/09/response-to-new-york-times-interview-with-prof-m-tschakovsky/
- Sports Massage For World Class Athletes. Field Report
by Kara Mirarchi, MMT https://www.scienceofmassage.com/2014/08/sports-massage-for-world-class-athletes/
- Sports Massage For Fitness Enthusiasts
by Oleg Bouimer, LMT, MA https://www.scienceofmassage.com/2014/01/sports-massage-for-fitness-enthusiasts/
- The Scientific Roots Of Sports Massage
by O. Bouimer, LMT https://www.scienceofmassage.com/2014/10/the-scientific-roots-of-sports-massage/
MASSAGE MAGAZINE
Bodywork For Lymphatic System. A Comparison of Popular Techniques. Massage Magazine, 243:32-35, 2016
By Cynthia J. Shechter, OTR/L, CIMT, CLT-UE
A very basic article on MLD and technically speaking there is no “comparison of popular techniques” as proclaimed in the title.
Manual Therapy for the Lymphatic System. Massage Magazine, 243:38-42, 2016
By Bruno Chikly, MD, DO, LMT and Alaya Chikly, LMT
Same issue, same topic but this article is completely different compared to the piece reviewed above. Dr. B. Chikly as usual, does a great job in educating therapists about the clinical application of MLD.
Kinesiology Taping and Massage. Massage Magazine, 243:48-52, 2016
By Benny Vaughn, LMT, BCTMB, ATC, LAT, CSCS
A very good introductory article on kinesiotaping. It definitely will help the therapist who would like to eventually incorporate this modality into his or her treatment routine.
Advanced Myofascial techniques for the Scalenes. Massage Magazine, 244:42-48, 2016
By Til Luchau
A very good article on scalene muscles, their role, functions and treatment option. Very informative illustrations.
Orthopedic Assessment. Massage Magazine, 244:50-53, 2016
By Cynthia Ribeiro, BCTMB and Kirsten Staley, BCTMB
This article give basic information on orthopedic testing, correctly identifying its five steps: history, observation, palpation, range of motion testing and application of special tests.
Category: Good Apples, Bad Apples
Tags: Issue #4 2016