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Welcome to Spinal Columns. This issue explores the physical body through the lens of modern imaging, from the morphological response of discs to a specific mobilization technique to the use of muscle composition as a prognostic tool. We then shift to the professional sphere, examining the development of new assessment methods for pain management education and the real-world factors affecting curriculum integration in physiotherapy programs. The edition concludes with a look at recovery, presenting an international consensus on physical activity for adolescents after scoliosis surgery.
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How does a spinal rotation change the shape of a spinal disc?
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The immediate physical changes in spinal discs from a rotation technique used to address discogenic pain are not well understood. Researchers used MRI to scan the lumbar spines of five asymptomatic participants before and after a two-minute sustained passive spinal rotation mobilization was applied.
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Putos, J., Atkinson, H. F., & Walton, D. M. (2026). Statistical shape modeling of MRI-based morphological response of lumbar intervertebral discs to a unilateral side lying spinal rotation mobilization. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage Open, 8(2), 100783. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocarto.2026.100783
David Walton
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Can images of muscle composition be used to measure frailty?
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Accurately assessing compositional changes to skeletal muscles is needed to inform treatment for conditions like sarcopenia and frailty. This article examines clinical investigations and reports on the use of imaging tools to assess these changes.
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Masnoon, N., Cornwall, J., Elliott, J. M., Glare, P., Hilmer, S. N., McKay, M., Walton, D. M., Weber, K., & Wesselink, E. (2026). Muscle Composition as a Novel Prognostic Tool for Pain, Frailty, and Sarcopenia. Clinics in Geriatric Medicine, 42(1), 61-73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cger.2025.08.012
David Walton
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How can we assess a physiotherapy student's pain management skills that written tests miss?
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Gaps in pain management education persist across health training programs for physiotherapy students. Researchers developed and gathered initial evidence for an assessment that used case-based multiple choice questions and simulations with physiotherapy students in their final semester.
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Augeard, N., Miller, J., Bostick, G., St-Onge, C., Tousignant-Laflamme, Y., Hudon, A., Walton, D., Singer, L., Cooper, L., Bussières, A., Thomas, A., Perreault, K., Tupper, S., Carlesso, L. C., Stilwell, P., Amari, F., Varette, K., Ashton-James, C., & Wideman, T. H. (2025). Development of a pain management competency assessment for physiotherapy students: Integrating simulation and written assessments. Canadian Journal of Pain, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/24740527.2025.2512728
David Walton
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What helps or hinders the teaching of new pain management standards in physiotherapy schools?
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The integration of pain management skills into Canadian physiotherapy education programs is inconsistent. To explore factors influencing this, a study was conducted using five focus groups with pain educators and program directors from 13 physiotherapy programs in Canada.
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Augeard, N., Longtin, C., Bussières, A., Bostick, G., Thomas, A., Miller, J., Tousignant-Laflamme, Y., Walton, D., Hudon, A., Cooper, L., Singer, L., Amari, F., & Wideman, T. H. (2025). Implementing pain competencies in Canadian physiotherapy education: Challenges, barriers, and opportunities. Canadian Journal of Pain, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/24740527.2025.2574969
David Walton
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How can adolescents safely return to sports after spinal fusion?
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Adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis lack evidence-based guidance on how to return to sports, exercise, and physical activity after spinal fusion surgery. Researchers conducted a three-round electronic study with international surgeons and physiotherapists, asking them to generate and rate statements about post-operative rehabilitation.
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Tucker, S., Heneghan, N. R., Rushton, A., Gardner, A., Russell, E., & Soundy, A. (2026). International consensus on sports, exercise, and physical activity participation during post-operative interventions for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: An e-Delphi study. PLOS One, 21(2), e0322346. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0322346
Alison Rushton
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CANSpine
Faculty of Health Science, School of Physical Therapy, Western University
Rm. EC1408 1201 Western Rd., London, ON N6G 1H1, Canada
canspinear@uwo.ca
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Some components of this newsletter were generated using AI.
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