Physical Therapy

Inversion Therapy - Pain Relief and Whole Body Wellness

2010-03-09T21:13:00.002+02:00

Improved posture, increased circulation and blood flow, and not to mention the significant reduction in pain associated with spinal disc compression and nerve pathway constriction - these are just a few of the physical benefits related to inversion therapy. Inversion therapy is a technique made popular in the 1960's by a treatment for pain associated with spinal compression and other bodily wear-and-tear, but the concept of inversion therapy is actually a quite ancient one. Hippocrates himself, the Greek physician, was the first to realize the beneficial properties gravity can have in treating pain and injuries.

Throughout the day, gravity is a continual downward force on the muscles, connective tissues, and especially the joints. Rarely does this downward pressure ever become reversed, and more than likely it is often intensified through various movement and activity. Especially on the spine and other more vulnerable areas of the body, the force of gravity can double and even triple during such mundane tasks such as sitting or lifting heavy objects.

Adult humans in general lose ¾ of an inch in height over the length of a given day due to spinal compression. So for instance, your actual height may be 68 inches, but if you measure your height before going to bed you might find your height to be nearly 67 inches. When you wake up the next morning you may be back to your normal 68 inches in height, but this demonstrates how much gravitation compression is placed on the spine, knees, and hips. Over a lifetime, adults can often lose as much as 2 inches in total height by the time they reach old age.

For most people, a slight variance in average height is not much cause for concern, but this change represents more than just a simple difference in perceived stature. In effect, this is a total physical demonstration of gravitational forces placed on the body over a given day's activity. Much of the chronic pain most people feel in their lower back, spine, neck, and joints is due to the compressive results of daily gravitational pressure. This is where inversion therapy can play an important part in a total treatment program.

Inversion therapy is a way to use gravity in the reverse of the direction as we normally stand and sit upright throughout the day. Inversion therapy is more than simply turning the body upside down, however. By simply doing handstands or downward yoga poses, the body would be in a reverse position, but compression would still be present on the vulnerable areas of the body such as the spine and vertebrae. With inversion therapy, especially those using inversion tables or boots, the body is suspended upside down by the feet or ankles, thereby allowing the joints and connective tissues to expand.

Inversion therapy is not a quick fix, however. It takes a lifetime to inflict the wear and tear that eventually leads to chronic back pain, neck pain, and general discomfort throughout the body, so equally for inversion therapy to have a lasting effect will also take some time. But given this fact, if you decide to try inversion therapy, it is fairly likely you will experience an immediate positive result. Compression creates pressure on the tiny nerve roots that travel through the spinal discs and other areas of the back, and inversion therapy can reverse this compression, relieving the pain it may cause.

About the Author

Joel Henderson is an avid writer an very enthusiastic about all things related to physical fitness. Read BackInversionTables.com for more helpful information about inversion therapy and back inversion tables. For some non-inversion therapy info, check out Blood Pressure Monitors Now.

Physiotherapy- A lucrative career option in the field of medicine

2010-03-09T21:11:00.000+02:00

Health is the most important asset for leading a hurdle- free life. As usually said, health is wealth; good health is the reason behind a great life. People without any health problems are very happy and usually in a pleasant mood. Mental and physical stress are very much interconnected, so a person who is physically fit, generally has a smooth and calm life overall. Doctors or other professions related to medicine are very famous among the students and most of the medical students aim to become a doctor due to the respect this profession gets.
With the masses getting aware of the side effects of alternative medicines, people are getting more cautious about the methods or the treatments, one undertake to cure a particular disease. Also, with the advancements in technology and the changing work and general lifestyles, discovery of new diseases is also becoming a regular phenomenon. Due to all this, people prefer taking precautions towards the use and practice of their daily habits, to have minimum encounter to the medicinal institutes.

Alternative medicine is a term which is working as a relief factor for the people to give away the side effects of alternative medicine. Keeping in mind the increasing popularity of the alternative medicines, many medical students are also opting for subjects like, naturopathy, acupressure, acupuncture, homeopathy, physiotherapy, etc. Physiotherapy is the medicinal profession which is purely free from any kind of medicines, it is the therapy used for curing disability, dysfunction of a human body part, by the use of physical exercises.

The students with the science background in class 12th can apply in physiotherapy colleges, providing degrees related to the same. A student aiming to pursue his career in physiotherapy can opt for any of the following specialized fields in the subject:

* Back Care * Orthopedics * Pediatrics * Occupational Health * Leisure Activities * Rehabilitation * Neurology

Physiotherapy has helped in curing various diseases related to bone fractures or dysfunction of a body part. Physiotherapy is generally prescribed after a patient has undergone some operation, or has some back or orthopedics related problem. These problems are cured with the help of some machines and exercises, which helps in correcting the body posture of the patient and helps him fighting back the use of his body parts. The students taking physiotherapy as their career are entitled for the following responsibilities:

 To keep a check and help patients achieve their normal routine and daily practices, after they have undergone any operation or surgery.

 To help patients fight with their postures or back ache problems, which mostly occurs due to the changing lifestyles.

 To asses or evaluate patients suffering from injury and check their level of problem.

 To ensure that patients, who have been operated achieve their full independence of the body parts affected.

 To educate and promote the importance of regular exercise among its patients, as a step of precaution from diseases like, survical, backache, muscular pains, or problems related to nerves.

Some of the top institutes or colleges providing physiotherapy courses in India are:

 Amar Jyoti Institute of Physiotherapy, Delhi  Faculty of Allied Health Sciences Jamia Hamdard University, New Delhi  All India Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mumbai  College of Allied Health Sciences, Manipal  Government College of Physiotherapy, Tamil Nadu  Government Institute Of Rehabilitation of Medicine  Institute of Health Sciences, Mangalore  Institute of Public Health and Hygiene  Maurya College of Physiotherapy, Bangalore  SDM College of Physiotherapy, Karnataka
Thus, the job of a physiotherapist is to restore, rehabilitate and restore the originality of the patient. Like all other medicinal occupations, it also needs to be done with the intention to cure the patient with doctor's full support and proper service other than the traditional use of medicine

About the Author

Gurleen Kaur writes on behalf of Shiksha.com.Shiksha is a portal that connects education seeker with education provider. Shiksha provides information about {a href= http://medicine.shiksha.com/}medical colleges and psychology courses

Achieving Wellness Through Physical Therapy

2010-03-09T21:06:00.000+02:00

In recent years, physical therapy has become a popular method of treatment for those suffering from a physical condition that limits their ability to function normally in their daily lives.

Because more people are living longer and the fact that there have been many advancements in the field of medicine that have helped people survive such conditions as head trauma, strokes, neuromuscular or musculoskeletal dysfunctions, heart attacks, and many other physical injuries, physical therapy has become a key part of achieving optimum health and wellness.

A physical therapist is a licensed and trained therapist who assists patients with recovering from traumatic physical conditions causing debilitating physical limitations. This form of therapy involves a variety of physical rehabilitation techniques and the use of therapeutic medical devices.

When a patient undergoes therapy, they will be involved in therapy techniques that will help strengthen and improve their range of motion, improve motor function, manage and reduce pain resulting from incapacitating conditions such as arthritis and osteoarthritis, improve muscle strength, use therapeutic devices to help with mobility or balance issues, and the development of in-clinic and at-home therapy programs.

Physical therapy devices in a clinic or at home can include using ultrasonic machines, EMS machines, weights, whirlpool baths, tread mills, TENS machine, and many other therapeutic exercise equipment. As well, physical therapists help patients correctly use such medical aids as braces, wheelchairs, artificial limbs, crutches, walking canes...etc.

The objective of therapy treatments is to help a patient live comfortably and independently. A treatment plan is designed around the needs of the individual patient and the progress of the patient's recovery is constantly monitored, recorded, and adjusted so that he or she is able to recover safely and much quicker than if they had not participated in the therapy.

One can find physical therapy programs in a variety of areas such as orthopedics, professional sports facilities, geriatrics, cardiology, pediatrics, neurology, military hospitals, fitness centers, the school system, hospices, heath and wellness centers, the work place, and much more.

People who suffer from a sports or exercise injuries will often use therapy as a means of recovery. As well, people who suffer from a slip and fall where they receive serious physical injury such as a broken bone, spinal cord injury, herniated discs, head injury, back injury, neck pain, torn ligaments, soft tissue injury, and muscle sprains, will often engage in physical therapy treatment.

A patient may also need muscle strengthening before or after a surgical procedure. As well, carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, osteoporosis, and spinal stenosis, are conditions that typically require physical therapy.

Because there has been an increase in the numbers of the aging population which is expected to continue, and more people are now becoming involved in gyms and fitness centers, as well as participating in extreme sports activities, physical therapy is now an indispensable part of the medical community.

More people are now taking advantage of the benefits therapy provides as well as the safe and effective techniques used to help them improve their health and well being.

If you are one of the millions of people suffering from a physical limitation, you may want to consider physical therapy as a method of achieving wellness.

About the Author

Using the appropriate types of massage therapy supplies is important for giving effective massages. Hydrocollators, thermalators, and other forms of physical therapy equipment are great for treating injuries caused by sports and exercising.

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Dancing Your Way to Stroke Recovery

2010-03-09T21:02:00.002+02:00

Stroke recovery does not have to be a dragging and burdensome task. You could actually have fun by literally dancing your way to recovery!

Dictionary.Com defines Dance as the movement of one's feet or body, or both, rhythmically in a pattern of steps, especially to the accompaniment of music. Dancing incorporates walking, bending, and stretching, which are forms of exercise meant to strengthen the body and keep it flexible.

Dancing also improves movement and muscle control. Through steady rhythmic beats and musical timing, dancing reverses the effects of neurological deficits after stroke. This makes dancing the perfect exercise regime for you regardless of the fact that you previously loved to dance or not.

After all, exercise training and music therapy are effective efforts used for stroke rehabilitation. Putting these methods together makes one fun-filled activity you can look forward to.

Freestyle dancing is beneficial for starters as you need to learn to keep your balance and to learn to move with the beat of the music. Once balance is mastered, you can move on to learning choreographed steps to develop your coordination and memory recall.

Dancing is so easy that you can enjoy it at home with your loved ones in any way you want or with video accompaniment. You can also hire a dance instructor or enroll in a dancing class like stroke survivor Dennis Reed.

Reed suffered an ischemic stroke that resulted to seizures, depression, memory loss, blurry vision, slurred speech, and partial paralysis of his left side of the body. He was only liberated from his debilitating condition after enrolling at a ballroom dancing class despite previous speech and physical therapy. He now proudly calls himself a dancer of intermediate level as he already joins dances recitals.

A more extensive way of dancing are aerobic dance classes as these normally focus on an area of the body. A good basis of its benefits is a study spearheaded by Richard F. Macko at the Baltimore Veterans Affair Medical Center .

The Baltimore study used focused, repetitive, task-oriented movements such as those applied in a regular aerobic dance class except that their aerobics exercise program for stroke patients included two focused movements only: lower-limb workouts and upper extremity exercises. The program proved that aerobic exercises helped stroke patients reclaim mobility and physical functioning.

With the surfacing of inspiring stories of recovery from methods medicine previously disregarded, gone are the days that stroke survivors are set aside from society in the belief that all hope is lost. So what are you waiting for? Write your own inspiring story now. It's time to dance your way to your own recovery...one step at a time!

About the Author

Find out how to recover from stroke here.

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Compression Stockings Help Relieve Swollen Legs

2010-03-09T20:57:00.002+02:00

Swollen legs are a common ailment resulting from a number of conditions. For spider or varicose veins, support socks can be crucial in maintaining comfort and mobility. In addition to the comfort afforded by wearers of compression stockings, the technology involved helps to support overall health and improved symptoms of the underlying condition. Many users of support socks on swollen legs report an increased level in comfort combined with decreased swelling and discoloration. The swelling caused by spider and varicose veins in the lower leg and foot can bring about problems with footwear and cause changes in the appearance of skin in the region. Combined with pain management, compression on the leg goes a long way in alleviating poor circulation and stiffness.

Varicose veins and spider veins are usual afflictions among men and women in adolescence through adulthood. Doctors do not have many effective treatments for either affliction outside of elevating the affected area and prescription medications. Elevating any area of the body for an extended period of time implies a certain level of restriction as far as movement and mobility. Prescription meds come with a wide range of potential side effects and complications that can intimidate some potential patients from undergoing a regimen of drug therapy. Surgery is an option for certain vein issues, although patients will need to go through the necessary protocols for insurance and physical clearance.

Compression stockings range in cost from inexpensive, sock-like models to higher-end pieces of hosiery that may need to be submitted through medical insurance for a reasonable co-payment. Compression stockings work by creating a high amount of pressure beginning at the ankle with lesser amounts moving up towards the knee. Keeping blood flow moving despite the damaged veins of the lower leg can greatly reduce the progression of varicose veins in addition to helping increase recovery for any patients who have undergone surgery to repair. Physicians who recommend hospital-grade support socks and hosiery occasionally see such an improvement in a patient's condition that further surgery is avoided.

Suffering individuals of varicose veins who choose therapy with compression can wear their support equipment for short periods of time or throughout the entirety of a day or activity. It may be more effective for some patients to allow their legs regular blood flow through portions of the day when they are moving with implementation of a compression stocking during idle periods when blood may tend to pool in the lower extremities. Physicians will generally give their patients an idea of the expectations for therapy with compression and support hose. If nothing else, the pieces grant the patient a relief from the heavy, throbbing aches generally associated with varicose veins and spider veins.

About the Author

Author writes about a variety of topics. If you would like to learn more about swollen legs, visit http://www.brightlifedirect.com/.

Making a Choice: Noninvasive Therapy or Surgery?

2010-03-09T20:53:00.000+02:00

As people grow old, they start to make a complaint more of pains in their muscles and joints. They look like to become rigid up with age, and such commonplace activities as bending over for the morning paper can make them flinch.

Such pain can grip so severely that they are confident it begins deep-seated in their bones. However the real cause of rigidity and soreness lies not in the joints or bones, according to research at the Johns Hopkins Medical School, but in the muscles and connective tissues that run the joints.

The difficulty of inflexible joints and muscles is comparable to the difficulty of opening and closing a gate because of a infrequently used and rusty hinge that has become balky.

Hence, if people do not often move their muscles and joints through their full ranges of movement, they lose some of their capability. That is why when these people will try to move a joint after a long period of inactivity, they experience pain, and that discourages further use

Let's say you have osteoarthritis - perhaps the most frequent disorder of locomotors system. It is often treated with a surgical operation to clean out debris in the joint, using a tiny scope inserted directly into the knee. But more and more researches point out fact that the surgery works, but no better than other treatments. Dr. Kalousek is a rheumatologist from Spa-resorts.cz points out - surgery doesn't stop the arthritic process.

For example American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) persuades patients to consider physical therapy as an effective non-surgical option for osteoarthritis treatment.

Doctor Kalousek confidences that beside healing therapy & rehabilitation everyone can protect own joints from osteoarthritis or slow its progression simply by following suggestions:

-Reduce weight. Remember that every pound lost reduces the load exerted on the knee for each step by four kilogram. So turn into a healthy eater!

Being a healthy eater needs you to grow to be both educated and smart about what healthy consumption truly is. Being food clever isn't about knowledge to calculate grams or extra fat, or is it about learning labels and counting calories.

Healthy eating is all about balanced and moderate consumption, consisting of healthy foods around 3 times daily. Healthy eaters eat a lot of different kinds of foods, not restraining themselves to one specific food type or food group.

-Get active. Exercise strengthens the muscles around joints, which can stop cartilage from wearing down.

-Stay straight. Good posture protects the neck, back, hip and knee joints.

-Don't sit still. Switching positions can decrease joint and muscle stiffness.

-Lift cautiously. Use your strongest & biggest joints and muscles when lifting or carrying to avoid straining smaller joints.

-Take a rest. Rest between periods of heavy activity to avoid repetitive stress on joints that can accelerate wear and tear.

In other words therapeutic treatment is a good alternative of surgical operation in many cases!

About the Author

Author Doc. Kalousek. Doctor Kalousek is Health Spa Therapy doctor from Czech expert operator SPA-resorts.cz - a leader provider of Health therapy and rehabs services in the Czech Republic.

Compression Stockings Reduce Swelling Of Legs

2010-03-09T20:48:00.000+02:00

Swollen legs are a common ailment resulting from various conditions. For spider or varicose veins, support socks can be extremely helpful in maintaining comfort and mobility. In addition to the comfort afforded by wearers of compression stockings, the technology involved helps to support overall health and improved symptoms of the underlying condition. Many people who use support socks on swollen legs report an increased level in comfort combined with decreased swelling and discoloration. The swelling caused by spider and varicose veins in the lower leg and foot can bring about problems with footwear and cause changes in the appearance of skin in the region. Combined with pain management, compression on the leg goes a long way in alleviating poor circulation and stiffness.

Varicose and spider veins are usual afflictions among men and women in adolescence through adulthood. Doctors don't have many effective treatments for either affliction outside of elevating the affected area and prescription medications. Elevating any area of the body for an extended period of time implies a certain level of restriction as far as movement and mobility. Prescription meds come with a wide range of potential side effects and complications that can intimidate some potential patients from undergoing a regimen of drug therapy. Surgery is an option for certain vein issues, although patients will need to go through the necessary protocols for insurance and physical clearance.

Compression stockings range in price from cheap, sock-like models to higher-end pieces of hosiery that may need to be submitted through medical insurance for a reasonable co-payment. Compression stockings work by creating a high amount of pressure beginning at the ankle with lesser amounts moving up towards the knee. Keeping blood flow moving despite the damaged veins of the lower leg can greatly reduce the progression of varicose veins in addition to helping increase recovery for any patients who have undergone surgery to repair. Physicians who recommend hospital-grade support socks and hosiery occasionally see such an improvement in a patient's condition that further surgery is avoided.

Suffering individuals of varicose veins who choose therapy with compression can wear their support equipment for short periods of time or throughout the entirety of a day or activity. It may be more effective for some patients to allow their legs regular blood flow through portions of the day when they are moving with implementation of a compression stocking during idle periods when blood may tend to pool in the lower extremities. Physicians will generally give their patients an idea of the expectations for therapy with compression and support hose. If nothing else, the pieces grant the patient a relief from the heavy, throbbing aches generally associated with varicose veins and spider veins.

About the Author

If you would like to learn more about swollen legs then please visit http://www.brightlifedirect.com/ where you can find additional information.

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Gait Training Physical Therapy

2010-03-09T20:30:00.002+02:00

Many people believe that since walking is something that they have been doing for most of their lives, no one needs to teach them how to walk again after an injury. Unfortunately, most injuries to the spine and lower extremities do alter walking mechanics and can lead to additional disability if not corrected with physical therapy and fitness training. With or without injury, gait (walking mechanics) frequently deteriorates with age....not necessarily because of age, but most often due to getting weaker.

What is gait? Gait is a manner of walking, stepping or running. More specifically, it is a series of rhythmical, alternating movements of the trunk and limbs which result in the forward progression of the center of gravity (body). Another way to think of gait is as a series of "controlled falls".

How is gait evaluated? We visually observe patients walking on a treadmill or up and down a long hallway. A treadmill allows us to precisely control speed and to observe close-in. If necessary, patients can also be recorded on video while walking/running. The video can then be slowed down, reversed, and repeated as needed during a physical therapy session to perform a more detailed assessment of gait.

Some of the things we look for during a gait evaluation are symmetry of the gait cycle, step and stride length, cadence, and walking base. Symmetry is one of the most important aspects of gait. The movement of one side of the body should mirror the other side of the body. Arm swing, foot placement, step length, foot impact should all be very similar right vs. left.

Injuries and or weakness often lead to heavier impact (usually, but not always) on the opposite side. Since the average human takes 10-15,000 steps each day, increasing the impact of one foot by a force of just 10 lbs (each step) can add up to a lot of extra stress being added to that leg (upwards of 75,000 lbs) every day. No wonder "bad" walking mechanics eventually lead to more injuries.

Another common gait deviation is foot placement. If a patient is having difficulty controlling where the foot is landing (for example: too close to the other leg, turned out/in), they may have significant hip muscle weakness or neurological issues.

The vast majority of gait deviations can be corrected or compensated for with proper physical therapy and fitness training. Most physical therapists are experts in gait evaluation and training. Left untreated, significant gait deviations can lead to injury. Taking that first step, and getting a gait evaluation, could be a step in the right direction for better health.

About the Author

Gerry Van Dyke PT, SCS, ATC Owner/Director, California Orthopedic and Sports Therapy Rehabilitation Services, Capitola, CA.
Gerry Van Dyke has over 20 years of experience in physical therapy, sports medicine, and fitness training including working with Olympic, professional, and college athletes.
California Orthopedic and Sports Therapy Rehabilitation Services

7 Questions to Ask the Physical Therapist After a Broken Hip

2010-02-17T00:34:00.000+02:00

After a hip fracture, it's a good idea to leave the physical therapist's office armed with essential information. Here's what you'll need to ask to help your parent get back on track.

What kind of exercises do you recommend?
Exercises vary depending on such factors as the severity of the hip fracture, whether your parent is experiencing pain, where the fracture is located, the type of treatment recommended for it, and whether your parent has osteoporosis.

How often should my parent do these exercises?
Your parent's physical therapist will make an assessment and recommendations; your parent may be able to do some exercises more often than others.

Can you show me what I need to look for to make sure my parent is doing movements appropriately?
Ask the physical therapist to show you how your parent should move, so you can coach her once you get home. For example, if your parent is getting up from a chair, she should know how to do so without straining the fractured hip. The physical therapist might demonstrate how to assist her or watch her technique -- for instance, making sure she uses her hands and lets the uninjured leg bear her weight.

Are there some movements my parent shouldn't do?
Generally after hip surgery you shouldn't bend forward more than 90 degrees, sit with crossed legs, or point your feet inward while lying on your back. The physical therapist can illustrate these and other movements your parent should avoid.

What's my parent's weight-bearing status?
After a hip fracture, the doctor might allow your parent to have full, partial, or no weight bearing on the injured hip.

Based on my parent's weight-bearing status, how can I make sure her cane, walker, or wheelchair fits appropriately?
You may need to adjust canes, walkers, and wheelchairs for the correct fit. The physical or occupational therapist can suggest appropriate adjustments.

Do you have any recommendations for the best positions for sitting and sleeping?
If, for example, your parent requires bed rest and she sleeps on her side, a physical therapist can tell you how to position pillows around her so she doesn't feel discomfort in the hip. Or if she's using a wheelchair, she may need a cushion so her bottom doesn't get sore. Typically, you may need to place cushions or pillows wherever bones protrude.

Broken hip therapy questions

About the Author

Caring.com features original content focused exclusively on eldercare matters.Our 20+ editors and writers research and fact-check every article meticulously,and our advisory board reviews the site regularly to assure the accuracy and relevance of the material we publish. We have hundreds of articles and checklists on health,housing, finance, legal and family issues, and other are giving concerns, and we're adding new articles and other resources every day.

Rotator Cuff Training - Rotator Cuff Therapy Exercises

2010-02-17T00:31:00.002+02:00

Are you familiar with rotator cuff? Ever heard of it? It is the group of muscles composed of 4 major muscles found in the shoulder joint. One may see it as something not important but it is. Once trauma and other injury affects the rotator cuff area, one can experience pain more than he had expected. It is a delicate network of muscles that when repetitive movements which is done excessively like in the case of painters and pitchers can cause injury. That is why sometimes rotator cuff therapy exercises is advised.

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There are times that no amount of medications as well as surgery can help heal an injury. Only rest and a therapy can help. Take the severe cases of rotator cuff injury. Rotator cuff therapy exercises plays a major role in the total recovery of the rotator cuff. Of course, one should consult their doctor in starting a program. The guidance of a physical therapists is also needed.

One can start with small exercises, low weights and a minimum repetition of these exercises. One can increase the repetitions as they improve along the way. One should make sure that their exercise program both have weight training as well as stretching. This is important to balance everything. Weight training makes the rotator cuff muscles stronger, stretching on the the other hand lessens the risk of having an injury and improves in one's mobility.

Put in mind though that no matter how good and effective your therapy program may be if you are not disciplined in following the program, all of it would be wasted. Be consistent in doing the exercise program in order for the muscles to be more accustomed to the practice. One does not need to be injured in order for one to do the exercises, even if you are well, you can still do the exercises.

Rotator cuff therapy exercises are very helpful in achieving total relief from the pain as well as immobility. Nothing can match the miracles that it can do. Medications, surgery, pain relieving measures may be help but total recovery is done by these exercises. So, try doing these exercise but of course seek the help of your doctor and a physical therapists for it. You might be doing yourself more harm than good if you do it your own way.

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About the Author

This author writes about Rotator Cuff Injury Physical Therapy and Rotator Cuff Training.

Rotator Cuff Training - Rotator Cuff Injury Physical Therapy

2010-02-17T00:30:00.000+02:00

Do you feel any pain in your shoulder which lasts for more than 2 days? Is it too painful for you to continue with your work as well as you cannot go on with your daily activities? Well, you might be suffering from Rotator Cuff Injury. Yes, it is the injury to a group of muscles which can be found in your shoulder joint. Many factors can cause rotator cuff injury. Some may be minor, some may be major factors that sometimes need more rigid treatment for rotator cuff injury.

Click Here For Rotator Cuff Training Instant Access Now!

It might be caused by a chronic tear which is common if you are a pitcher or a painter. Acute tear when you are below 35 and you have exerted much force in raising the arms. Also, tendinitis can be a cause due to the wearing out of the muscles and everyday trauma to the muscles. Now, that you know what are the causes, you should therefore know whether you are prone or not to to the injury.

One of the treatments that your doctor will give you if you have a chronic tear would be physical therapy as the treatment for rotator cuff injury. This is done together with the help of medications like NSAIDs, steroids and other analgesics to control the pain as well as control the inflammation. In the case of chronic tear though, one should perform Passive ROM Exercises to lead to total healing.

Codman Exercise is helpful. It should be done with the help of a licensed physical therapists. It is a kind of passive ROM exercise which helps in making the shoulder well and functional again. This is done by leaning on the affected side, then slowly doing circles, little by little as long as your arm can take the pain. One can also do stretching exercises which can help stretch the affected tissues. After the passive ROM exercises, one can go on doing active exercises.

Treatment for rotator cuff injry such as physical therapy helps a lot in slowly making your way to recovery. It may be hard at first and painful but one needs to do it in order heal your injury. If this is not done, then you would be forever dependent on medications. Therapy is a must in order to treat the injury. Painful as it seems but you have no choice but to do it. Consult your doctor and see what more can he do in order to help you.

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This author writes about Rotator Cuff Training and Rotator Cuff Therapy Exercises.

Rotator Cuff Training - Rotator Cuff Injury Physical Therapy Review

2010-02-17T00:28:00.000+02:00

Everyone of us have experienced all throughout our lifetime, pain. It may be emotional pain, psychological or physical pain. Whatever it is, there is always a solution and treatment to that pain. One of these pain may be caused by a Rotator cuff injury. But one need not to be worried, because there is always a solution to the problem. One of them is by undergoing a rotator cuff training.

Click Here For Rotator Cuff Training Instant Access Now!

Yes, a simple rotator cuff training is the real solution to your rotator cuff injury. Although it may be a minor injury but it can still give a hell of pain and restrict you from doing simple things. It makes you incompetent in doing your daily activities because of the shoulder pain you are experiencing.

Do not let this happen to you. Do not restrict your movements and do not suffer anymore. Put a stop to it and live a normal life again. If you do not want to seek the help of your doctor or go to a physical therapists then maybe this recovery kit can help you out. Here is the Ultimate Rotator Cuff Training Guide that will help you in solving your symptoms.

In this ebook you will find the successful self workout plan that will definitely change the way you treat your shoulder. How to handle the shoulder pain, improve your shoulder strength and mobility, avoid costly treatments like surgery and many others. This workout plan is for everyone. For athletic persons, athletes and for anybody who just wants to maintain their shoulder as normal and pain free as possible.

Do not suffer any longer, get rid of the pain and have your way to a more better functioning shoulders. This are very easy to use and follow, now you do not need an expensive workout program, you do not need a professional to help you. Say goodbye to expensive treatments. Experience this one of a kind rotator cuff training and be shoulder pain free.

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About the Author

This author writes about Rotator Cuff Therapy Exercises and Rotator Cuff Injury Physical Therapy.

Bulging Disc Treatment FAQ: How Effective Is Physical Therapy?

2010-02-17T00:25:00.000+02:00

Physical therapy is one of the most common bulging disc treatments recommended, and many wonder how effective it is and if it's worth the time and effort you have to put into it.

The short answer is yes, it is worth it and it is beneficial, but it is only a part of the puzzle when trying to heal a bulging disc.

Statistically speaking, physical therapy is effective about 50% of the time with this condition, but that is because most people are not told that they need to continue with their exercises even after they are released from PT.

Most doctors will prescribe one or two months of physical therapy to a patient who suffers with a bulging disc, but the fact of the matter is that it can take years for a disc injury to fully heal if it ever does. So, do you see the discrepancy?

Many will experience relief from PT, but the pain almost always returns because they don't understand that the exercises you learn are meant to be done for the long term if you want the best results. In addition to this, physical therapy focuses on the muscles that surround the injured disc (which definitely has benefit), but it doesn't direct the main issue which is the injured disc itself.

The purpose of PT with this condition is to strengthen the muscles that surround the injured disc, thus removing pressure on the disc so it can heal properly. One of the major purposes of the disc is to act as a ligament, holding the spine in proper alignment.

If the disc becomes injured, this function can not occur because the disc is too weak. So, the muscles have to take on this function in order to stabilize the spine. In addition to that, if the muscles that surround the spine are weak, the disc will have added pressure on it and it will become more damaged over time.

So, there is definitely good reason for a person going through a program of physical therapy when they have a bulging disc. The problem is that it takes at least 3 months before a muscle will show considerable improvement in strength, so if you stop after your prescribed treatment plan with your physical therapist, you arenâ€™t getting the full benefit of their care.

In addition to that, strengthening the muscles that surround the injured disc is only a part of the solution. You have to realize that this condition is very complicated, and if you don't do anything to encourage the disc itself to heal, the problem will never heal properly even with physical therapy.

There are actually a number of other treatments that need to be done at the same time you're receiving physical therapy treatments if you want the best results that last for a longer period of time. You can learn more about the most effective combination of treatments by visiting www.HealYourBulgingDisc.com
If you've found this article interesting, and you would like to get the answers to the 20 most frequently asked questions people have about bulging disc treatments, you can visit www.BulgingDiscFAQ.com

About the Author

Dr. Ron Daulton, Jr. is a chiropractor, author and national speaker. If you would like to get the answers to the top 20 questions that people have about healing a bulging disc or a herniated disc, please visit http://www.bulgingdiscfaq.com

Know the Healing Power of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

2010-02-17T00:20:00.000+02:00

Physical medicine and rehabilitation has proved beneficial in improving the physical disabilities of many patients. This new branch of medicine stresses on physical training, exercises to improve the physical functionality of a patient. Generally, a physiatrist uses several adaptive equipments while giving physical training to a patient. This new science is becoming popular as more and more patients are approaching physiatrists for pain management. Recently, a news clip says that, the department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is planning to expand the number of colleges to educate more people on physical medicine. It is expected that these colleges will also conduct several research projects on this particular field.

This new therapy uses the power within a person's body to cure a specific disease. This power is enhanced through several physical exercises. Advantages of this new branch of medicine are plenty since it involves no side effects.

1.People who have suffered injuries from accidents find this medical therapy very useful in restoring the flexibility and mobility of their muscles. In many cases patients fail to perform their daily exercises like walking. This medical system can do the task of curing this kind of severe medical problem also.

2.Sometimes people develop permanent physical disabilities because of strokes, injury in spinal cord, cerebral attack etc. Physical medicine first identifies the residual capability and strength within such patients. Then physiatrists work on this residual capability to make the life easier for such patients.

3.A patient who is taking physical training must maintain a strict regularity. The advantages of this medication can be gained completely if a person does the exercises on a regular basis.

4.There are several different therapies included in physical medicine and rehabilitation. As per the condition of patient, therapies like sports medicine, hydrotherapy, exercises, soft tissue manipulative therapy etc are offered.

It is very essential that you contact a professionally trained physiatrist when you want to go for physical medicine. Only trained people can examine your strength and can prescribe the type of therapy that your body can accept. A wrong exercise can be highly damaging to your health. Hence, search for health centers that have proper expertise to render this medical service. Texas Orthopedics, Sports and Rehabilitation Associates offers musculoskeletal practices. The physicians in this center are specialized to in areas of physical medicine and rehabilitation and orthopedic surgery. Visit their official website to know more about this health center.

About the Author

Austin Physical Medicine - Texas Orthopedics, Sports and Rehabilitation Associates provides physical medicine to athletes and active individuals of all ages. Our physical therapists perform an evaluation and develop a treatment plan specific to your needs using exercise, modalities, and manual techniques.

Is Acupressure More Useful Than Physical Therapy

2010-01-22T16:09:00.000+02:00

We all know Acupressure has been around for some 5,000 years now and those of us involved in Holistic and wellness remain convinced that the procedures encompassed within this sphere are more efficacious than physical therapy. Every living being has a life force, or energy, called qi or chi (pronounced "chee"). When this energy, which runs along meridians, is in balance and flowing freely, the body is in a state of health. Acupoints tap into the the major energy pathways of the body

When this energy is blocked or deficient, illness can result. These energy disruptions are often the result of stress or injury. It is believed that acupressure causes the brain to release endorphins. Endorphins play an important role in immune function, pain relief, stress reduction, and slowing the aging process.

Lower back pain has long been the bain of the modern world not only in lost man hours but also because of the numerous side effects, complications and nuances of lower back pain complaints. Further studies now confirm the benefits of acupressure over physical therapy. Albeit that the studies failed to take into account functional status and disability as recommended by most low back pain researchers the results are still very meaningful and relevant. In February 2006 a randomized controlled trial took place at The National Taiwan University in Taipei.

129 patients with chronic low back pain received acupressure or physical therapy for 1 month. Primary endpoints were self-administered Chinese versions of standard outcome measures for low back pain (Roland and Morris disability questionnaire) at baseline, after treatment, and at 6-month follow-up. After treatment, the mean total Roland and Morris disability questionnaire score was significantly lower in the acupressure group than in the physical therapy group regardless of the difference in absolute score or mean change from baseline.

Compared with physical therapy, acupressure was associated with an 89% reduction in significant disability and that improvement was maintained at 6-month follow-up. Study limitations include a confounding psychological effect of therapy; loss of 15.5% of patients to follow-up at 6 months and effectiveness of any manipulation therapy dependent on the therapist's technique and experience.

Participants were aged 18 to 81 years. Exclusion criteria were pregnancy and contraindication to acupressure. 64 patients were randomized to acupressure and 65 to physical therapy. Conclusive or inconclusive the results still point towards the undeniable and positive aspects of acupressure and holistic healing.

On a more lighter note Acupressure has also been cited as a new aid for sleepy students. 39 student volunteers found that those who were taught to self-administer acupressure to stimulation points on their legs, feet, hands and heads were less likely to drowse during class. The acupressure consisted of light tapping of fingers or using thumbs or forefingers to lightly massage the stimulation points. It was conceded that more study is needed in relation to acupressure and the effect on human alertness.

Looking further into the positives might this self administered acupressure also be a consideration for children with ADHD contra Ritalin!

About the Author

Go to the Swimming Techniques website for information on swimming tips. Visit the Symptoms Of Food Poisoning website for info on food poisoning signs. Want to learn everything on wasp sting treatments? Visit the Wasp Stings website.

Physical Therapy Exercises For Rotator Cuff Injuries - Rotator Cuff

2010-01-22T16:05:00.002+02:00

If you are suffering from shoulder pain and were diagnosed with a rotator cuff injury and possibly even a tear then most probably your doctor will recommend you to perform some physical therapy exercises for rotator cuff injuries. The said exercises will greatly help in healing your shoulders without the need to undergo surgery or other intrusive methods. Here are some shoulder injury exercises you may want to consider.

Click Here For Rotator Cuff Training Instant Access Now!

The rotator cuff is a series of small muscles and tendons and it receives very little amount of blood supply. In order to increase blood circulation and hasten the healing process executing some stretching and strengthening exercises is very essential as well as applying heat and massage.

Rotator cuff muscles will react the most agreeably to working with light weights with more repetitions, approximately about fifteen to twenty-five repetitions will be enough. The exercise must be done in a very calculated and controlled way in order to prevent disturbing your injury. Consistency plays a very important factor to this. Perform your exercise routine two to three times per week so as to give you adequate amount of rest in between your routines.

If in case your rotor cuff pain has got quite persistent, most likely it is about time to get on a high quality physiotherapy course you can do in your own home. Be careful in your choosing and do not just take a hit and miss group of exercises you read online. Rotor cuff pain exercises ought to be done in a very specific and progressive mode. You should only follow a strict method that has been drawn up by a physiotherapist that specializes in this type of shoulder injuries.

Only a highly qualified physical therapist who specializes in rotator cuff rehabilitation is the only one who can provide you with physical therapy exercises for rotator cuff injuries. With professional guidance healing your rotator cuff is very much achievable.

Click Here For Rotator Cuff Training Instant Access Now!

About the Author

This author writes about Exercises For Rotator Cuff Injuries at Exercises For Rotator Cuff Injuries

Rotator Cuff Rehabilitation - How To Find The Best Care And Professionals To Help You

2010-01-05T22:16:00.000+02:00

When I injured my rotator cuff I was very scared at first. The doctor said I may need surgery and at the very least I would need rehabilitation. I done some research and found out a lot about rotator cuff injuries. I put together this guide on rotator cuff rehabilitation and how to find the best can and professionals to help you if you are in a situation like I was,

A shoulder injury can severally limit your mobility and cause a lot of pain during normal every day activities. First it is important to see a doctor right away and prevent further injury to your shoulder. While this may not be life threatening it can do permanent damage and cause long term disability. Your doctor may send you to a surgeon and you should follow your doctor's orders regardless of anything else.

When you are looking for rehabilitation services you should find a therapist you feel you can trust and are comfortable with. You may want to visit several therapists or ask your friends and family for recommendations if they have had rehabilitation in the past.

You will also want to make sure your therapist is licensed and a recommendation from your doctor is always a good idea. Your doctor understands what types of therapy you need and knows who can give you that therapy. Also being a doctor gives him the unique advantage of seeing the persons work through all of the different stages and that can tell him exactly how good they are at their job.

If your rotator cuff is not actually torn then you may be able to fix the problem with only rehabilitation. If there is an actual tear then you may require surgery. Only your doctor can make that determination. There are tests that he will perform to decide if and when you will need to undergo surgery. If you try to fix this problem on your own you could make it much worse or cause a tear where there is not currently one.

Once you have been evaluated by your doctor and he determines what action should be taken he will make recommendations and tell you how best to go about rehabilitation. If you see a therapist they will most likely begin with heat and cold to help ease pain and reduce swelling. They will also exercise the muscles to help build strength back in the damaged area and surrounding areas as well.

There are many treatments available for an injured rotator cuff. They number one factor is to see your doctor fist and follow his orders. He may immobilize your arm until he can determine the extent of the injury. This is a painful and frightening injury and it should not be ignored.

The best way to choose the right care and professionals is to first take your doctors recommendations into consideration. You may also consider weather or not they will be covered by your insurance of if you will need to see a specific doctor through your insurance plan.

Physical therapy for rotator cuff tear is required if no improvement from strengthening exercises are made.
More help here: http://www.rotatorcuffrehabilitation.com/rotator-cuff-exercises-and-rehabilitation/

About the Author

For more information on
Peter Cronje is a licensed physical therapist with over 14 years of clinical experience. You may find out more about him and his site at http://www.rotatorcuffrehabilitation.com

Osteoarthritis

2010-01-05T22:02:00.000+02:00

Common Characteristics of Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease, is one of the most common ailments associated with getting older, and it is therefore most common in those parts of the world where people live the longest. More than 15 million Americans receive medical attention for osteoarthritis each year, and more than twice that many are affected by it to some degree. However, it rarely results in serious disability.

Osteoarthritis is essentially a "wear-and-tear" disorder. In typical cases, symptoms appear after the age of 50, and usually in the large joints that bear the most weight--the hips, knees, shoulders and spine.

Pain and stiffness are at their most uncomfortable upon arising in the morning and are likely to be intensified during damp, cold weather. (This does not mean, however, that symptoms are likely to disappear in a warm, dry climate.) Redness and swelling of the affected joints may also occur. Joints, particularly in the fingers, may become permanently gnarled by osteoarthritis, but this almost never interferes with their function. Painless bony bumps, known as Heberden's nodes, may also appear symmetrically on the fingers of both hands or on toe joints as well.

Causes of Osteoarthritis

When a person is young and spry, the joints between the bones swing freely like efficient, well-oiled hinges. Stresses and strains are absorbed by the cartilage pads that provide cushioning and lubrication at the ends of the bones where they constantly come together as the parts of the body make their coordinated movements.

Over the years, these protective layers become eroded, lubricating fluids diminish and the result is a sensation often described as "creaking" at the joints. In addition to a decrease in smoothness of function, small growths, or spurs, may develop on the bones in the area of the joints. These are 10 times more prevalent among women than among men and are likely to aggravate an already uncomfortable condition.

Signs and Symptoms of Osteoarthritis

Since the weight-bearing joints are the ones most commonly affected, stiffness and discomfort in the knees and hips are likeliest to occur first, especially in the overweight person or in someone whose life style involves long stretches of standing or walking. A visit to the doctor for diagnosis normally includes close inspection of painful areas as well as X-ray examination of the joints in question. (when X-ray pictures are taken for diagnosis of some other condition in younger patients, they usually reveal the beginnings of cartilage erosion in the weight-bearing joints at a stage that does not yet produce associated symptoms.) Other than X-rays and visual examination, there are no other diagnostic tests for osteoarthritis.

Treatment of Osteoarthritis

Where overweight exists as a contributing factor, efforts should be made to lose the extra pounds and keep them off. Application of warm, moist heat, slow and gentle massage of the affected joints and a reduction (not a total cessation) of normal activities are ways in which patients can help themselves when there is an intensification of discomfort. Where pressure on the weight-bearing joints can be diminished through postural adjustments, special exercises may be recommended.

Drug Therapy

Although inflammation is not one of the initial symptoms of osteoarthritis, as the joint degeneration progresses, swelling, redness and other signs of inflammation may occur. When this happens, anti-inflammatory drug therapy may be recommended.

Aspirin. Patients who can tolerate high doses of aspirin may be treated with this drug alone. However, patients on anti-inflammatory aspirin therapy, which may involve taking 16 or more tablets a day, should be aware of possible side effects, among which the most common are ringing in the ears, heartburn and other gastrointestinal upsets. To minimize gastrointestinal complications, the aspirin should be scheduled after meals. Acetaminophen, in smaller dosages, may be recommended as an alternative to aspirin.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents. These are relatively new drugs that relieve the pain and joint inflammation of osteoarthritis. It is the physician's role to match the patient with the particular drug that will be most suitable and effective without adverse effects. Sometimes drugs are used in combination, but whatever the procedure, supervision by the doctor is usually indicated if maximum benefit is to be achieved.

Steroids. In those few cases where other measures fail, steroid drugs (cortisone) may be injected into the damaged joint for temporary relief. However, long-term treatment with steroids is not recommended for osteoarthritis.

Surgery

When an older person suffers such severe osteoarthritis that most normal activity becomes impossible, surgical replacement of the affected joints may be considered. Hip replacement, in which the entire hip joint or head of the femur is replaced, is the most common operation of this type. The replacement joint is made of plastic and metal parts and is held in place by special plastic cements. The artificial joints allow the previously immobilized patient to be relieved of crippling pain, and most activities can be resumed following physical therapy and regaining of muscle function.

More recent joint replacements include the knee--a joint that is more complicated than the hip and, consequently, poses more engineering problems in replacing. However, the newer artificial knee joints are providing good results, both in terms of pain relief and restoration of function.

Traumatic Arthritis

Closely related to osteoarthritis, traumatic arthritis is usually the result of excessive joint use combined with injury. It is commonly seen in athletes. Rest will usually resolve the problem, although in some instances, drugs or surgery may be required, particularly in the case of athletes who need to quickly regain the use of the injured joints.

Summing Up

For millions of people, osteoarthritis is an inevitable condition of aging. Most cases can be handled by rest and common sense. Anti-inflammatory drugs--both non-prescription painkillers such as aspirin or acetaminophen, or prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents--may be used during flare-ups.

Osteoarthritis rarely turns into a crippling disease, but as newer and more effective drugs are available for reducing aches and pains to a minimum, there is little reason for allowing this particular cause of physical discomfort to be a dominating factor in determining one's life style in advancing years.

About the Author

I am the owner and author of Hoodia Gordonii Side Effects. You can find the original article here: Osteoarthritis. If you'd like to read more of my articles, please visit my site!

Questions about Erb's Palsy

2010-01-05T21:56:00.000+02:00

What Is Erb's Palsy? Erb's palsy is a disability disorder caused by an injury to the brachial plexus during a baby's birth. The brachial plexus is a "bundle" of nerves, originating from the spinal cord and located between the neck and shoulder. The result of damage to this nerve set can be as severe as paralysis in the arm, shoulder or hand.

Erb's palsy, also known as brachial plexus paralysis, is considered a serious birth injury, just as cerebral palsy is considered a birth-related condition.

What Causes Erb's Palsy? Erb's palsy is usually caused by a stretching of the brachial plexus nerve fibers as a baby's head and shoulder are moved in opposing directions during delivery. Medical malpractice has been shown to play a role in the development of Erb's palsy in some cases, including these types of situations:

* Failure of doctor to accurately estimate the baby's size before labor begins
* Failure to schedule a C-section for mothers who have risk factors, such as a previous infant with a brachial plexus injury or a small mother with a large infant
* Use of unnecessary or excessive force during delivery
* Failure to recognize a breech-positioned baby prior to labor and delivery
* Inappropriate use of forceps or vacuum extraction
* Allowing a troubled delivery to go on for too long or delaying the decision to perform a C-section for too long

What Are the Symptoms of Erb's Palsy? A child with Erb's palsy may exhibit some or all of the following signs:

* Inability to move the shoulder, arm, wrist or hand (paralysis)
* Numbness or no feeling at all in the hand, arm or shoulder
* Decreased or lack of muscle control in the shoulder, arm, wrist or hand
* Limpness in the hand, wrist or arm (baby appears "floppy" on one side)
* Paralysis on one side of face
* Inability to sit up or crawl without assistance (in an older infant)

What Are the Treatments Available for Erb's Palsy? Early diagnosis of Erb's palsy is essential to give a baby the best prognosis for injury recovery and reduced disability later in life. Treatment options can include physical therapy, nerve grafting, and surgery on the nerves, tendons and muscles in the injured area.

What Should I Do If I Suspect My Child's Erb's Palsy Was Caused by Medical Malpractice? Don't wait any longer to contact an experienced medical malpractice attorney to discuss your case. (There are statutes of limitations involved in medical malpractice cases.) You may also find the online resources available from Salt Lake City, Utah's Erb's palsy lawyers at G. Eric Nielson & Associates, LLC.

About the Author

For additional information and resources related to erb'sl palsy and a medical malpractice claim, please visit the website of Salt Lake City's G. Eric Nielson & Associates, LLC, home to highly skilled Utah erb's palsy medical malpractice attorneys.

6 month old graduates from Physical Therapy after 4 visits!

2010-01-05T21:51:00.000+02:00

We received a referral this past September from a local Pediatrician in Santa Monica. A 4 month old baby girl was showing signs of left head flattening and Mom wanted to know if she will need a helmet or not. Our evaluation revealed a left tilt favoring between 0 degrees (normal) to 5 degrees. Little Maggie* also did not demonstrate an ability to actively tilt her head to the right past midline. Her head flattening was moderate and to the left back side. The muscles on the left side of her neck were alot tighter than the right. All of this evidence pointed to what her Pediatrician concurred to be a diagnosis of moderate left plagiocephaly with left tilt favoring.

Maggie was seen for physical therapy every two weeks for the next 3 visits and then again after a month for her 4th and final visit. Maggie did get the helmet a week after her evaluation, which Mom states was the best decision she and Dad could have made for her. At her second PT visit, Maggie was already demonstrating signs of improvement: she kept her head midline (no tilt favoring noted) and she could actively tilt to the opposite side. Her primary limitations at this point were: still limited right cervical rotation and limited age-appropriate prone motor skills. During the third visit, Maggie's head shape was improving, she continued to keep her head midline, she finally had full normal cervical rotation both ways, and she demonstrated imiproved prone motor skills. In addition, she was learning to sit up independently and mom was thrilled. During her 4th and last visit, Mom reported that she only had a couple more weeks in the helmet before her head shape was normal. Mom was happy to share she no longer saw any differences or favoring. Maggie was sitting up by herself now, and her prone motor skills were right on track! At that point, we all agreed that Mom and Dad were able to continue with a home maintenance program and that Maggie no longer needed physical therapy.

Here is what Maggie's Mom wrote about us:

"Our daughter was diagnosed with an asymmetric flat head at her 4 month appointment and recommended to wear a helmet. We were fortunate to be referred to Dr. Flores' office for physical therapy. Our daughter ended up getting both the helmet and physical therapy, and at 6 months, her head looks great! We are very happy with the result. The helmet was never a problem for our daughter, but we feel that physical therapy helped with fixing the underlying problem. It also empowered us as parents to contribute to our daughter's improvement. I would definitely recommend Dr. Flores, who is obviously very experienced both in treating and relating to babies."

Although it is not common to see infants with complete resolution of head & neck asymmetries after just 4 physical therapy visits, it's always a blessing to experience and be a part of. My professional opinion of Maggie's cause for her head flattening is a mild case of one sided neck muscle tightness, which is formally described as congenital muscular torticollis.

Three things worked in Maggies favor and explains why she improved so quickly with a short amount of physical therapy treatments:

1. Maggie initiated PT within the first quarter of life (at 4 months old vs. 8 months). There is a strong correlation between early intervention with head & neck challenges and minimal therapy time. The sooner any favoring is detected and addressed, the sooner the resolution.

2. Maggie's parents were extremely consistent and successful with her daily home program of stretches, positioning and strengthening exercises.

3. Maggie's condition of neck muscle tightening was mild, and although her head flatness was moderate, she was still young enough to have more time for correction.

For more information on these conditions and treatments, visit our website at: www.torticollistherapy.com
(*To protect the identity of our patient, the name Maggie was used instead)

About the Author

Yvette Flores, CEO and owner of Physical Therapy Solutions, is a California-licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy. Flores has specialized in infant & toddler care for the past seven years and has been an active community lecturer and educator on various infant/ toddler topics.

Personal Trainer: Physical Therapy

2010-01-05T21:46:00.000+02:00

Your personal trainer who can come to your home for workout sessions is one who can help you with exercises taking into account any sports injuries or special conditions you may have, similar to the way a physical therapist helps a patient before or after surgery at the hospital.

What are the ideal qualities of a personal trainer? A personal trainer should be intelligent, cheerful, orderly, punctual, patient, full of faith in you, and willing to modify and vary your exercise routine according to your needs. It takes a special kind of person to be a personal trainer. A personal trainer is outgoing, sociable, likes to work with others, is caring about another's fitness needs, finds joy in making others happy, finds satisfaction in making a difference in other people's lives. A personal trainer is wise and is careful how he/she words sentences so as never to inadvertently discourage a client. If you are having trouble in a certain area of fitness, then your personal trainer will take the extra effort and time to motivate you in this topic. You may form a lasting friendship with your personal trainer for years. Your personal trainer is one who you can trust to give you sound physical fitness advice based on medical principles and research. And you can trust your personal trainer to compliment you when he/she sees progress when fitness work is well done. Your personal trainer is there to guide you and to lead you to a lifestyle that will bring good physical health to you.

When a personal trainer takes you on as a new student, he/she may give you a health questionnaire to fill out. It is important for you to fill out this health questionnaire completely and accurately. Your personal trainer will use this health questionnaire to help to analyze your physical condition and to create a plan to attain your targeted, individual fitness and health goals.

There are many different goals that your personal trainer can help you with; goals as varied as the following: lose excess body fat; learn new exercises; develop and use a training program designed specifically for you; get back into regular fitness after an injury; avoid future muscle injuries when doing sports; get amazingly fit and sexy abs; free yourself of lower back pain; do well in your favorite sport; look and feel younger; impress your friends at your new physically fit body; fit into that smaller-size dress (for you women out there); or fit into those smaller waist-size pants (for you men out there); boost your self-esteem by raising confidence in your fitness abilities, and so on. The possibilities are endless at how your personal trainer can help you achieve your goals, whatever you fitness goals may be.

Your personal trainer will design a fitness program that is just right for you. It will be neither too hard nor too easy. It will challenge you just enough to keep you going forward at a pace that is perfect for you, considering your unique body and unique strengths and weaknesses. The fitness program will be exciting and enjoyable with each new session delivering to you new and varied ways to exercise. The variety and clever research-based ways to exercise will not cease to amaze you.

A personal trainer will motivate you to continue with a set of exercises so that you don't give up; as is often the case if you try to work out alone. Your personal trainer will keep you going when the going gets tough. It is not easy to continue exercising, when so many pressing events occur in life that would distract you from taking good care of your own health. Remember, your body and your health is important: being physically fit is the single most important thing you can do for yourself in life. You must love yourself, before you can give that love to others.

About the Author

Dan Clay is the owner of Dangerously Fit Personal Training. If you would like to book a free consultation with a personal fitness trainer Sydney or a Maroubra personal fitness training visit Rushcutters Bay personal training

7 Surprising Misconceptions About Physiotherapy

2010-01-05T11:26:00.000+02:00

In Canada, there are roughly 15,000 physiotherapists. It's probable that there's at least one physiotherapy clinic in your town. Yet, even though the profession is of a large scale, it's surprising how few individuals truly understand the role of a physio. What about you? If an individual came up to you on the street and inquired, "can you tell me what a physiotherapist does?", would you know how to answer him or her?

The following article attempts to set the record straight about some of the more common "myths" or misconceptions about the profession.

Let's start with regulations. Physiotherapists are strictly regulated. Each physiotherapist must have completed at least one university degree from a recognized university physio program, have training in the treatment of particular injuries, and be licensed or registered by their professional board, often know as the "College".

Physiotherapists utilize several treatment processes and equipment made for physiotherapy for treating patients and restoring regular workability to an injured region.

Basically, physiotherapists employ procedures, techniques, modalities, and exercises to achieve complete recovery of an injury and pain.

Misconception - a visit to the physio hurts very much.
What Is True - Seeing a physiotherapist is quite commonly associated with pain. Yes, it is true you may feel temporary soreness after some exercise and manual treatments. This is absolutely safe and often considered a normal part of the process - but should only be temporary as your body begins heal and rebuild. Remember, whatever treatment program you have been given, the only goal of a physiotherapist is to get you better, not increase the extent of your injury.

Misconception - that you can't visit a physiotherapist without a doctor's approval.
What Is True - The majority of individuals believe it's necessary to get a note or script for treatment from a physician beforehand. A physician's referral is not required to schedule an appointment with a physiotherapist at most out patient clinics. Nevertheless, in the majority of provinces, a physician's referral IS required in order to get reimbursement from insurance for therapy.

Misconception - physiotherapists can prescribe medication.
What Is True - Some people believe that the role of a physiotherapist includes the prescription of medicine as well as therapy. This is not a correct assumption. Physiotherapists never prescribe oral medication for treating an injury. However, a physiotherapist is trained to work in tandem with patients on medications prescribed by their doctor.

Misconception: I can heal my injury all on my own.
What Is True - Yes, it is true that our body has the ability to heal some minor injuries on its own, but in many cases physiotherapy can help the injury improve at a faster rate, and reduce the likelihood scarring or future occurrence. For instance, injured knees might naturally heal yet it might take many weeks to get regular workability back, and the knee could be predisposed for repeat injuries. You can often restore function to a problem area more quickly by undergoing physiotherapy care.

Misconception - Physical therapists are personal trainers.
What Is True - Fitness advisor and physiotherapists are not the same profession. Physiotherapists are one of many options available to you when considering your overall fitness level. And although physiotherapists are highly trained in fitness and often very knowledgeable, they tend to focus on remedying a specific injury and pain.

Misconception - Physio is exclusively for athletes, sports professional, or extreme accident patients.
What Is True - This misconception is mainly due to the prominence of physiotherapists found on sport teams. Physiotherapists are not only an ideal solution for those who are in professional sports, but just as effective for sporting weekend warriors, workers, car accident victims, or for those people who simply suffer from "wear and tear" pain. It is inaccurate to say that athletes use the services of a physiotherapist exclusively.

Misconception: Physio and massage therapy are the same.
What Is True - Several kinds of therapy such as manual therapy, modalities, laser therapy, prescription exercise, massage, and acupuncture are incorporated into physiotherapy.

About the Author

Need an effective way to end frustrating pain? Consider PT Health Physiotherapy Clinics! With over 75 locations we deliver a non-surgical, natural, and safe way to end painful injuries. Every day across Canada, more than 3,000 people trust PT Health to provide pain relief solutions for them. Why not let us do the same for you too? Book a complimentary consultation today, and let's discuss how we can help you - feel great again!