Biomedical subjects

G G Nicholson

Publications and source records attributed to G G Nicholson.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

Cervical headache.

Headache presents a diagnostic challenge for the physical therapist due to similarities of signs and symptoms among the many types of headache. Effective treatment depends upon accurate diagnosis and identifying the factors that may precipitate or perpetuate the symptoms. This commentary overviews some common forms of headache and specifically addresses cervical headache as a possible beneficiary of physical therapy intervention. Details of the history and physical examination, which is designed to diagnose cervical headache and rule out potential serious pathologies, are presented. Guidelines for treatment of articular and myofascial dysfunction are presented. A case report illustrating principles of examination, inherent ambiguities in diagnosis, and successful treatment is also presented.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

Lumbar curvature in standing and sitting in two types of chairs: relationship of hamstring and hip flexor muscle length.

A purpose of this study was to determine the difference in the lumbar curves of subjects while they stood compared with while they sat in two chairs with different seat angles--the Balans Multi-Chair (BMC) and a standard conventional chair (SCC). An additional purpose was to determine the relationship between lumbar curvature and 1) anthropometric factors and hamstring and hip flexor muscle length during standing and during sitting in the two chairs and 2) amount of time spent sitting. Sixty-one men between 20 and 30 years of age served as subjects. Lumbar curve measurements were taken with a flexible ruler with the subjects first standing and then sitting in the two chairs. Hamstring and hip flexor muscle lengths were indicated by range-of-motion measurements taken with a gravity goniometer. Age, number of hours spent sitting per day, upper body length, and right leg length also were recorded. Subjects had significantly more lumbar extension when they sat in the BMC than when they sat in the SCC. Hip flexor length was the only factor that appeared to relate significantly to the difference between the standing lumbar curve and the lumbar curves in the BMC and the SCC.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

Rehabilitation of common shoulder injuries.

Rehabilitation of shoulder injuries begins with a thorough physical examination. Treatment is directed toward correction of the abnormal examination findings with consideration of the pathology. Many of the manual procedures, exercises, and other physical agents may be used with modifications for treatment in many of the diagnostic categories. Continual reassessment of the signs and symptoms is essential for optional progression. Ultimately, treatment should seek to normalize mobility and balance the muscular force couples acting on the shoulder complex.

Humans↗

PubMed1988

Comparison of cyclic and sustained passive stretching using a mechanical device to increase resting length of hamstring muscles.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of cyclic versus sustained passive stretching with a mechanical device on resting hamstring muscles' length. Group 1 subjects (5 men, 17 women) underwent cyclic stretching of their right hamstring musculature, and Group 2 subjects (5 men, 16 women) underwent sustained stretching of their right hamstring musculature. The stretching procedures were performed for 15 minutes on 5 consecutive days. A follow-up examination of the subjects' relative knee flexion range of motion was made one week posttreatment. The Group 1 subjects had a mean ROM increase of 15.4 +/- 5.0 degrees after the five stretching treatments and maintained a mean ROM increase of 10.4 +/- 5.5 degrees on the follow-up examination (p less than .001). In Group 2, the five stretching treatments resulted in a mean ROM increase of 13.4 +/- 4.4 degrees, and a mean increase of 7.9 +/- 4.0 degrees was maintained on the follow-up examination (p less than .001). Linear regression analysis revealed that initial ROM, sex, and treatment method significantly contributed to increases in ROM from Day 1 of treatment to the follow-up examination (F = 6.04; df = 4,36; p less than .0008). The cyclic stretching method resulted in a greater gain in ROM when the other variables were considered. Predicted values of ROM increases were also examined and discussed.

Adult↗

PubMed1987

Effect of inherent muscle length on isometric plantar flexion torque in healthy women.

This study investigated the relationship between inherent muscle length and torque production in 59 healthy women. We recorded nondominant ankle range-of-motion values for each subject. These values were partitioned into quartiles for two knee positions. Women with "loose" plantar flexor muscles comprised the first quartile, and those with "tight" plantar flexor muscles the fourth quartile. Tight- and loose-muscle groups were established for the 0-degree (fully extended) and 90-degree (flexed) knee test positions for data analysis. Torque measurements were obtained using an isokinetic testing apparatus. We asked each subject to perform a maximal isometric (static) plantar flexion contraction at each of three ankle positions: 7 degrees of dorsiflexion (angle A), 0 degrees or neutral (angle B), and 30 degrees of plantar flexion (angle C). Data analysis was performed using an analysis of variance for repeated measures. Results indicated that torque produced by the tight-muscle groups was significantly greater than the torque produced by the loose-muscle groups at both knee positions (p less than .05). Additionally, the ankle ROM data obtained suggest normative data different from those currently prevalent in the literature. Findings of this study may prove valuable in the rehabilitation of ankle injuries and could be beneficial especially to physical therapists in understanding more about normal ankle function.

Adolescent↗