Physical Therapy Management of Suboccipital Trigger Points and Upper Trapezius Tightness with Associated Migraines and Neck Pain.

Introduction. Affecting roughly 1 out of every 6 Americans, migraines are the eighth-highest specific cause of disability worldwide. The purpose of this case study is to discuss and review the role of physical therapy treatment on migraine symptoms. In evaluating the case of a female with suboccipital trigger points and upper trapezius tightness with associated migraines, neck, and shoulder pain, it will be detennined if physical therapy intervention can improve migraine symptoms along with improvement of cervical musculoskeletal impairment, and if so, what treatment methods are most effective. Case Description. Patient is a 62 year old female who presents to physical therapy evaluation with a long standing history of migraines and a current flare up of left upper trapezius pain. Upon examination and evaluation, the patient is given the physical therapy diagnosis of suboccipital trigger points and upper trap tightness with associated migraines, neck, and shoulder pain. Intervention. The patient was seen two days per week for four weeks. Sessions predominated in manual therapies with supplementary utilization of mechanical traction, cranio-cervical stretching, and postural strengthening. Outcomes. Over the course of treatment, the patient noted improved migraine duration, cervical lateral flexion and rotation (bilaterally by 6-10 and 7-13 degrees, respectively), neck pain, and trigger point quantity and severity. Discussion. In evaluating the case of a female with suboccipital trigger points and upper trapezius tightness with associated migraines, neck, and shoulder pain, it was determined that physical therapy intervention can moderately improve migraine symptoms along with the improvement of cervical musculoskeletal impairment, and that manual therapies, stretching, and postural training proved to be effective. Case findings congruent with current migraine related literature included reduction in migraine duration with physical therapy interventions and efficacy of manual therapy interventions. Further quality evidence is broadly needed within the topic of physical therapy prognosis, outcome assessment, and treatment of migraine diagnoses

Using Biomarkers to Optimize the Rehabilitation of Wild Raptors

The purpose of this study is to explore the use of stress physiology biomarkers in wildlife rehabilitation. We examined collection, extraction and enzyme immunoassay protocols in order to identify the optimal methods for testing corticosterone levels in injured raptors at a wildlife rehabilitation center. Corticosterone levels were measured periodically during the raptors\u27 rehabilitation using noninvasive techniques. This study focuses on three species: Red-Tailed Hawks (Buteo jamaicensis), Red-Shouldered Hawks (Buteo lineatus), and Barred Owls (Strix varia). Fecal samples were collected from patients from all three species from May 2017 to March 2018. This information will contribute to our understanding of the stress profile of raptors in rehabilitation, and will allow for future studies to employ the methods validated by this project

A Nesting Anomaly of Vespula maculifrons (Buysson) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)

Observations of a nesting anomaly were made in V. maculifrons. An aerial nest was found in the basement of an unoccupied house

Source attribution of ozone in Southeast Texas before and after the Deepwater Horizon accident using satellite, sonde, surface monitor, and air mass trajectory data

Since the summer of 2004, over 300 ozonesondes have been launched from Rice University (29.7 N, 95.4 W) or the University of Houston (29.7 N, 95.3 W), each \u3c 5 km from downtown Houston. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality maintains a large database of hourly surface ozone observations in Southeast Texas. In this study, we identify the contributions to surface ozone pollution levels from natural and anthropogenic sources, both local and remote in nature. This source identification is performed two ways: 1) through an analysis of sonde data, including ozone concentrations, wind speed and direction, and relative humidity data, and 2) through an analysis that combines trajectory calculations with surface monitor data. We also examine regional changes in Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) measurements of formaldehyde and ozone from 2004 – 2010. In particular, we compare the 2010 sonde, surface monitor, and satellite data after the Deepwater Horizon accident with data from previous years to determine the impact, if any, of the large source of hydrocarbons in the Gulf of Mexico on air quality in Southeast Texas

Notes on Snail Feeding Behavior of Anaxjunius (Drury): (Odonata)

A naiad of Anax junius (Drury), in final instar, preyed upon 47 mature snails, Helisoma trivolvis (Say), during a period of 63 clays. The feeding behavior has potential significance: (1) with respect to biological control of trematode vectoring gastropods; (2) as a mechanism for vectoring trematodes between snails and birds; and (3) in interpreting structural adaptations and perception in immature oclonates

To Dye or Not to Dye

In the beginning there was water and rock, but as plant life evolved, the globe became more colorful. Cool greens gradually enveloped the earth as successive waves of mosses, ferns, conifers and angiosperms conquered the land. In addition new pigments evolved providing artistic man with new mood-creating dyes with which to color his existence. Primitive man utilized dyes to color his skin to frighten his enemies and increase his prestige. Greek ladies, dissatisfied with the color of their hair, used buckthorn, Rhamnus, to stain their hair yellow and add to their charms. European aristocrats of the Middle Ages, traveling incognito, camouflaged their faces with walnut stains. As a result of searching for new plants or cultivating them in fields, man learned their properties and habits and became proficient in extracting those pigments he desired to stimulate his senses

ISTJ, Religion and Politics: An Editor\u27s View

During the past year, the Iowa Science Teachers Journal has been criticized (and in one instance politically threatened) for not publishing sectarian interpretations of natural phenomena which conflict with widely accepted scientific theory. It is a policy of the journal not to publish sectarian or political views concerning natural phenomena. The purpose of this editorial is to provide clarification of the journal\u27s role in reporting advances in science and science teaching to the public and parochial schools of the state

Snowflakes You Can Keep!

Are all snowflakes the same shape? To answer this question have students try the following procedure, used for the preservation of snowflakes, outlined in a recent Kalamazoo Nature Center Newsletter

Corn to Alcohol

The combination of critical fuel shortages and zooming oil prices have led to the possibility of converting corn to an alcohol fuel, a process that has been known for some time. The benefits offered by an alcohol-fuel industry are substantial, among a few are: the fuel source is renewable each year; domestic alcohol fuel reduces dependence on oil imports; and fuel alcohol burns clean reducing pollution. The economic impact to the state economy is obvious

Review - Microbiology for Elementary School Children

This is a well-written unit, developed for use in the fourth, fifth and sixth grades of the Pennsylvania Public Schools