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Welcome to the September edition of the STT newsletter. Hope all are well in STT land!

Research:

The evidence for Dry Needling continues to grow. This abstract compares treatments for chronic neck pain in the elderly with very promising results for Dry Needling (Acupuncture to Trigger Points)

http://www.softtissuetherapy.com.au/article.aspx?article_id=492

This study suggests that a multi faceted treatment approach is more affective than exclusive Dry Needling. What needs to be established, with all treatment modalities (not just Dry Needling) is when and where they are indicated. Studies like this give us some guidance but a lot more needs to be done to provide consistent treatment concepts.

http://www.softtissuetherapy.com.au/article.aspx?article_id=491

The medical field is a big user of Dry Needling. This is often performed with a much greater gauge needle than acupuncture needles. This study shows promising results for Patella tendinosis with the combination of Dry Needling and autologous blood injections.

http://www.softtissuetherapy.com.au/article.aspx?article_id=486

Dry Needling not only can be used for symptom alleviation but for research purposes. This abstract goes beyond the notion that Dry Needling can alleviate Trigger Points and is used for a means to quantify satellite trigger point existence and processes.

http://www.softtissuetherapy.com.au/article.aspx?article_id=478

This review of current literature shows the incredible lack of evidence we currently have for very common complaints treated with Soft Tissue Therapy. With reviews like this that are read by many, we certainly are behind the eight ball with regard to proving our worth. Yes, yes we all know we make a difference but if we wish to become a mainstream referral option from General Medical Practice, we need to start producing clinical trials for what we complacently believe is true. This is a ‘full text article’ link.

http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pubmed&pubmedid=17549233

Workshops/Conferences:

The ACT branch of SMA has announced their regional conference to be held at the south east coast of Australia, February 16^th and 17^th, 2008. Keynote speaker Dave Martin will be the draw card. Working at the Australian Institute of Sport for the past 11 years, Dave is a top class international presenter in the area of sports physiology. Check the SMA website for details.

http://www.smartplay.com.au/act/News/Pub/NewsDetail.asp?lngNewsID=12

The Soft Tissue Injury forum is on again! October the 21^st 2007. Once again, this forum has attracted some of the best speakers our industry has to offer plus lecturers from other discipline areas. Follow the link for more details.

http://www.softtissuetherapy.com.au/events.aspx?e=31

Rob Granters workshops are on again in Melbourne Victoria. All details will be available on the STT calendar of events shortly.

The Fascia Conference in Boston has been fully booked for some time. This conference is a research based conference with researcher’s world wide presenting their material. A pre conference and post conference Structural Integration workshop is to be held for the practical side of this area. Follow the links on the congress website for details.

The National Sports Medicine Australia conference is upon us. There are currently 700 delegates with more every day signing up. It is to be held in Adelaide, Australia. For those still interested follow the link. http://www.sma.org.au/ACSMS/2007/program/

News:

Australia announces the confirmation of their recovery centre in Beijing. This is to be ‘extra’ to the village medical centre and is for Australian Athletes only. There is to be a further two Soft Tissue Therapists in this centre providing recovery services.

Want to do a quick survey with regard to this site? The purpose is to get feedback that will allow us to improve the service we are attempting to provide. It's quick and easy and NO catches. Website Feedback Survey.

Poll:

The poll this month produced a controversial result with a 50% result for voters believing we could supply orthotics with adequate training. 50% adamantly suggesting we should not. Considering the roll of Podiatrists and their extensive training this certainly was a surprise result.

This month we are looking at where people are practicing from. Have your say. http://www.softtissuetherapy.com.au/poll.aspx

Word Play:

Sports Massage. What does this term actually mean? Is there a specific set of techniques that are only used for athletes? Other than pre and post event massage, surely we use the same techniques with a different focus? So what exactly does sports massage mean? This is the theme for the current STT eMag. Should be controversial and thought provoking!

Hope all is well in the soft tissue world.