• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.307-313
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• 1994

Cutaneous stimulation has had a long history as a method of pain control. While there is general agreement that modern techniques such as electrical stimulation and massage often provide relief from acute pain and may in some cases significantly affect chronic pain, the mechanism by which these techniques affect pain remain unclear. Significant attention has been focused on the effects of stimulation on the autonomic nervous system(ANS) along with the increasing evidence of important ANS modulation of nociceptive activity throughout the pain pathway. However, inconsistent results on the presence and direction of ANS changes from cutaneous stimulation characterize the recent literature. The present study investigated a non-electrical cutaneous stimulation device, the Dermapoints massage roller, as well as an active placebo massage. The results indicate that the Dermapoints massage roller has both general effects associated with simple skin stimulation (such as increased skin temperature), as well as specific effects from increased stimulation by the tooth design of the roller. These specific effects include decreased muscle tension (at least for some muscle sites) and increased sympathetic activation. The results are consistent with a model of activation of Pacinian receptors as a possible mechanism for the antinociceptive properties of cutaneous stimulation.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.138-145
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• 2021

Background: Forward head posture (FHP) causes various posture imbalances associated with the head and neck. Myofascial release is an effective treatment method used for relaxing muscles and reducing muscle hyperactivity, but no studies have been conducted on suboccipital and neck muscles related to FHP. Objects: The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effect of roller massages on the cranio-cervical flexion (CCF) range of motion (ROM) and CCF strength applied to suboccipital and neck muscles in subject with forward head posture. Methods: Twenty-four FHP subjects (male: 13, female: 11) were recruited for this study. All subjects were recruited with a craniovertebral angle (CVA) of 53 degrees or less and a head tilt angle (HTA) of 20.66 degrees or higher. CCF strength was measured using Pressure biofeedback unit (PBU) in the supine posture and CCF ROM was measured using smartphone-based inclinometer. Roller massage (RM) was applied to suboccipital and neck muscles for 2 minutes and CCF ROM and strength were remeasured. Results: These results of this study showed that CCF ROM was a significant difference in CCF ROM before and after RM (p < 0.05). CCF strength also showed a significant difference before and after RM (p < 0.05). Conclusion: RM method might be recommended to increase the immediate ROM and strength of CCF in subjects with forward head posture.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.223-230
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• 2020

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of tools (i., extracorporeal shock wave therapy, massage gun, and foam roller) on range of motion, muscle tone and pain threshold among patients with hamstring stiffness. Methods : Fourteen participants with hamstrings stiffness were recruited. Interventions were performed 6 times, and each session was for 30 seconds using the three tools. The range of motion, muscle tone, and pain threshold were measured. The order of the use of the three tools was randomly determined. The foam roller was made to move from the bottom of the hip crease to the upper part of the back of the hamstring. Additionally, velocity 5 vibration stimulation was performed on the hamstring using a massage gun. Moreover, vibration stimulation was performed on the hamstring with extracorporeal shock wave therapy 5 minutes, 5 Hz, and 1,500 strokes. The flexibility of the posterior thigh muscle was based on maintaining the knee and hip joints in a 90 ° bend in the supine position. The joint angle of the knee was measured, when the knee was actively extended, at the maximum point where the posterior thigh muscle was stretched. The elasticity of the posterior thigh muscle was measured while the subject was prone and in a relaxed state without any force. Measurements were made at the muscle abdominal area of the semitendinosus muscle of the posterior femur, and the area to be measured was marked with a pen. The measurement of the tenderness threshold of the posterior femur was measured using a tenderness meter(Commander Algometer, J-Tech, USA). The force value at the point at which the pressure sensation change to pain was measured after applying vertical pressure to the posterior femur muscle, which was the halfway point between the ischial tuberosity and the popliteal surface of the subject lying on their stomach. Results : The extracorporeal shock wave therapy increased stiffness and, muscle tone, and caused changes in the pain threshold, whereas the other two tools had no effect on these indices. Conclusion : Extracorporeal shock wave therapy has important effects on range of motion and muscle stiffness and can be used in warmup protocols.