Cyriax Friction Massage-Suggestions for Improvements

Background and objectives: Cyriax friction massage is a widely known and used technique in the field of chronic pain management. Despite its frequent use in daily clinical practice, the technique lacks evidence to support its therapeutic value. While this might be due to various factors, the authors of this paper suggest that the technique might need to be improved and/or modernized according to the recent literature. The purpose of this letter is to further analyze our point of view. Materials and Methods: Using the most relevant methods to the subject literature, the authors intended to point out a few technical details that might need reconsideration and/or modernization. Results: An appropriate terminology is suggested in the text. Further, suggestions are made regarding the technique's interval time, a possible addition of self-treatment, a discussion of the combination with Mill's manipulation, tendon positioning and other parameters. Conclusions: As a therapeutic value has not yet been clearly documented, and since the modernization and/or improvement of the technique might be needed, we suggest that this technique should not be used as a first-line treatment for the management of chronic pain.

Is Lateral Elbow Tendinopathy an Appropriate Clinical Diagnostic Term When the Condition Is Persistent?

Lateral elbow tendinopathy (LET) seems to be the most appropriate term to use in clinical practice because previous terms such as lateral epicondylitis, tennis elbow, lateral epicondylalgia, epicondylosis, enthesopathy, Father of the Bride's Elbow, lateral elbow or extensor tendonitis, lateral elbow or extensor tendinosis, and extensor tendinopathy make reference to inappropriate aetiological, anatomical, and pathophysiological terms [...].

The Beliefs and Attitudes of Cypriot Physical Therapists Regarding the Use of Deep Friction Massage

Background: Deep friction massage (DFM) is a widely used technique by physical therapists worldwide for chronic pain management. According to Dr. James Cyriax, compliance with the proposed guidelines is vital to obtain the desired therapeutic results. Objectives: This study explored the beliefs and attitudes of Cypriot physical therapists to DFM and their compliance with the suggested guidelines to identify any empirical-based application patterns and compare them to the suggestions of Cyriax. In addition, the prevalence of DFM use in clinical practice in Cyprus was investigated. Methods: Questionnaires, consisting of 18 multiple choice questions and a table of six sub-questions, were distributed to 90 local physical therapists. Results: A total of 70% of respondents declared that they perform DFM in their daily practice. The respondents answered 11 out of the 19 technical questions in compliance with the guidelines. Conclusion: The study revealed the DFM application pattern of Cypriot physical therapists. The compliance percentage of this pattern to Cyriax guidelines was 58% in general and 62.5% for patients with chronic conditions.