Jacky's debate group

It would appear that we have hit intellectual bedrock with the shovel of a stupid comment

I would stress caution when reading this post. As consumers of evidence, we have a responsibility to analyze and evaluate the quality of studies before using them to influence our practice. When reviewing the psychometric properties of this study we can see several areas of concern that should make us question the weight we put in this conviction. To name a few, this study is from 1986 and included only 20 patients. Further more, we risk misinterpreting data when saying a treatment 'doesn't work' when it is being compared to another treatment control. i.e. if both groups are getting other treatment then non significant change allow us to say there is no difference, not that one is necessarily ineffective. Hopefully that makes sense to people.

My light-hearted illustration of exercising caution and analysis of results would be if i present to you a research study that suggests healthy people cost more than overweight people over their lifespan (actual research) yet as consumers (excuse the pun!) of this evidence we would clearly read between the lines and evaluate the quality and applicability of said outcomes before encouraging each other to be overweight.

I feel that more weight has to be placed on clinical experience. It may not been back by scientists, but I don't see scientists healing my patients either. When I apply U/S in cases where it is indicated, (IN ADDITION TO MANUAL THERAPY) I see clinically significant result. Whether a lab scientist agrees doesn't change the fact my patient gets better and leaves with a positive impression of PT.

It is inaccurate to suggest that there is no evidence. Evidence is a spectrum, varying in applicability and quality. There may not be lab controlled high quality evidence but there is in fact sufficient and new evidence to support the use of ultrasound in certain cases.

The key is whether a therapist can clinical rationalize and reason its use, i.e. apply it where it will actually make a difference.

I prefer using manual therapy and not electrotherapy as I prefer to get hands on

When financial restraints are becoming more and more prominent in the application of health care, we cannot support funding practice that is ineffective. Plus we need to support the integrity of our profession and work at taking the practice forward not backwards.