Balancing "hands-on" with "hands-off" physical therapy interventions for the treatment of central sensitization pain in osteoarthritis. Issue 2 (April 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lluch Girbés, E.; Meeus, M.; Baert, I.; Nijs, J.
• Is Part Of: Manual therapy. Volume 20:Issue 2(2015:Apr.)
• Page Start: 349
• Page End: 352
• Publication Date: 2015-04
• Subjects: Osteoarthritis -- Pain -- Musculoskeletal manipulations -- Central nervous system sensitization; Manipulation (Therapeutics) -- Periodicals; Physical therapy -- Periodicals; Neuromuscular diseases -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Manipulation, Orthopedic; Musculoskeletal Diseases -- therapy; Neuromuscular Diseases -- therapy; Physical Therapy; Manipulation (Thérapeutique) -- Périodiques; Physiothérapie -- Périodiques; Maladies neuromusculaires -- Traitement -- Périodiques; Manipulation (Therapeutics); Neuromuscular diseases -- Treatment; Physical therapy; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 615.82
• DOI: 10.1016/j.math.2014.07.017
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1356-689X

Abstract

Abstract: Traditional understanding of osteoarthritis-related pain has recently been challenged in light of evidence supporting a key role of central sensitization in a subgroup of this population. This fact may erroneously lead musculoskeletal therapists to conclude that hands-on interventions have no place in OA management, and that hands-off interventions must be applied exclusively. The aim of this paper is to encourage clinicians in finding an equilibrium between hands-on and hands-off interventions in patients with osteoarthritis-related pain dominated by central sensitization. The theoretical rationale for simultaneous application of manual therapy and pain neuroscience education is presented. Practical problems when combining these interventions are also addressed. Future studies should explore the combined effects of these treatment strategies to examine whether they increase therapeutic outcomes against current approaches for chronic osteoarthritis-related pain.