Combined use of cervical headache snag and cervical snag half rotation techniques in the treatment of cervicogenic headache.

[Purpose] Cervicogenic headache is a major problem in patients with upper cervical dysfunction. However, its physical therapy management is a topic of debate. This study aims to determine the effect of C1-C2 Mulligan sustained natural apophyseal glide mobilizations on cervicogenic headache and associated dizziness. [Participants and Methods] This study included 48 patients with cervicogenic headache, who were randomly assigned to three equal groups: Group A (Headache SNAG), group B (C1-C2 SNAG rotation), and group C (combined). Neck Disability Index was used to examine neck pain intensity and cervicogenic headache symptoms. The 6-item Headache Impact Test scale was used to examine headache severity and its adverse effects on social life and functions. Flexion-Rotation Test was used to assess rotation range of motion at the level of C1-C2 and confirmed by a cervical range of motion device. Dizziness Handicap Inventory scale was used to evaluate dizziness. The evaluation was done pre- and post-treatment and compared between the groups. [Results] Group C showed significant improvement in all variables compared with groups A and B. [Conclusion] Sustained natural apophyseal glide mobilizations used in the study were effective in reducing cervicogenic headache and dizziness in all groups with a greater improvement in the combined group. The use of cervical SNAG mobilizations is encouraged as a noninvasive intervention depending on the therapist's assessment, findings, and clinical reasoning.

High-intensity laser therapy versus pulsed electromagnetic field in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea.

[Purpose] To determine the efficacy of high intensity laser therapy (HILT) versus pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea. [Subjects and Methods] This was a randomized clinical trial that included 52 girls diagnosed with primary dysmenorrhea and who were assigned randomly into two groups of equal numbers. The treatment was three sessions every cycle for three consecutive cycles where group (A) included those participants treated with HILT 15 min/session and group (B) those who were treated with PEMF 30 min/session. All patients were evaluated before starting the treatment as well as after the end of treatment by present pain intensity scale and the prostaglandin level in blood and pain relief scale at the end of treatment for both groups. [Results] The results showed a significant decrease in the severity of pain, statistically significant decrease in prostaglandin level in blood, and a statistically significant pain alleviation in both groups. With comparison between both groups there was a statistically significant decrease in the severity of pain, significant decrease in the blood levels of PGF2α, in group (A) than group (B). [Conclusion] Both HILT and PEMF are effective in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea with HILT being superior to PEMF.

The correlation between radiographic and surface topography assessments in three plane pelvic parameters.

BACKGROUND: Noninvasive rasterstereography has been reported as a helpful tool for assessing pelvic parameters. However, the validation and reproducibility of this tool are still questionable. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between video rasterstereography device (VRD) and X-ray photography in terms of validity and reproducibility (inter- and intra-examiner reliability) in pelvic parameters. METHODS: Thirty male and female healthy subjects with a mean age (26.9 ± 4.9 years) participated in this study. Subjects were examined by VRD for three pelvic parameters (pelvic torsion, pelvic tilt, and pelvic inclination). Measurements were conducted by three different examiners. Subjects were examined by X-ray radiography for the same pelvic parameters as well. Pearson correlation coefficient (r) was used to examine the validity and Intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to check intra- and inter-examiner reliability. RESULTS: For pelvic torsion, tilt, and inclination the validity levels of VRD were 0.867, 0.996, and 0.930 (P < 0.05), respectively; while the intra- and inter-examiner reliability coefficients were 0.999, 0.999, and 0.998 and 0.990, 0.997, and 0.989, respectively. CONCLUSION: The results of this study revealed that the VRD has both high validity and reliability in assessing the selected three pelvic parameters that reflect the three fundamental planes of movement in healthy subjects. Further studies using VRD are recommended to assess low back pain-associated pelvic parameters.