Rehabilitation Category
Top NEWS Post 12-16-2008
Here is our Top News Post for today, brought to you by MedReader:
- Adolescent Scoliosis: Early Detection Is Important And Treatment Options Exist By Cindy Marti, PT, Spinal Dynamics Of Wisconsin
Baby boomers may recall the days of being screened for scoliosis in elementary or middle school. While this practice was common in states across the US for a number of years, it has stopped in many communities. Some may also remember when kids diagnosed with scoliosis wore heavy-looking metal braces. This full-torso brace extended from the pelvis to the base of the skull.
Cindy Marti is a physical therapist and president of Spinal Dynamics of Wisconsin. She has traveled to Europe to study the Schroth method, a non-surgical approach to scoliosis treatment used widely across Europe for decades. She and two of her clinic’s colleagues are among fewer than 20 US-based physical therapists now certified in Schroth.
Top NEWS Post 11-14-2008
Here is our Top News Post for today, brought to you by MedReader:
- Discovery of Stem Cells With Potential To Regenerate Injured Liver Tissue
A novel protein marker has been found that identifies rare adult liver stem cells, whose ability to regenerate injured liver tissue has the potential for cell-replacement therapy. This work has significant implications for cell-replacement therapies of chronic liver disease in the future.
Top NEWS Post 11-7-2008
Here is our Top News Post for today, brought to you by MedReader:
- Review Of Research Into How Cells And Proteins Repair Fractured Bones
A review of research into how cells and proteins repair fractured bones published in the November 2008 issue of The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons demonstrates that understanding the biology behind this healing process may lead to improved and less invasive treatments for fractures.
Posture is Important
Do you have good posture? If you answer “no,” you’re not alone. Look around, and you’ll see that I’m right. Most people have a sort of hunched over posture. The head hangs forward and the shoulders are curved to the front. This is the result of years and years of slouching. Chronic slouching allows the pectoral muscles to tighten and the muscles of the upper back to weaken. These changes make it incredible difficult, if not impossible, to stand up straight.
Association of Long-Term Use of Proton Pump Inhibitors and Osteoporosis-Related Fractures
Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as omeprazole have been used for years to reduce gastric acid reflux. Recent studies have shown, however, that long-term use of proton-inhibitors may increase a patient’s risk for hip fracture.
Hip fracture is the main manifestation of senile osteoporosis, which results from secondary hyperparathyroidism associated with low calcium intake, calcium malabsorption and other factors. The mortality rate during the first year after a hip fracture is 20% and among those who survive this period, 1 in 5 require nursing home care.
Innovative State Diabetes Program Labeled a Success by Blue Cross
The McLean County in the State of Illinois has about 9,500 people or 7% of its population with diabetes. Of those, about 120 die each year from the disease. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois collaborated with McLean County employers and health care providers to develop and implement a diabetes intervention program called Diabetes Checks and Balances.
The first program of its kind in Illinois, Diabetes Checks and Balances encouraged people with diabetes to contact their physician to obtain four tests – a HbA1c, a LDL, and eye exam and screening for kidney disease. More than 600 area participants met the criteria for the exam and 29% completed all four of the tests, twice as many people as in 2006 when it first started.
Pine Bark Naturally Reduces Osteoarthritis, Lowers Joint Pain and Improves Physical Function
The pine bark referred to in this study comes from a maritime pine that grows along the coast of southwest France and is found to contain a unique combination of procyanidins
Bioflavonoids and other organic acids which offer extensive natural health benefits according to some studies. One of the chemical extracts of the maritime pine tree is Pycnogenol, an extract from the bark of the tree. This extract has been widely studied for the past 35 years and has more than 220 published studies and review articles ensuring its safety and efficacy as an ingredient in dietary supplements, multi-vitamins and health products around the world.
The “Age” of Healthcare has an uncertain future.
The old adage of “things will get worse before they get better” seems more and more to be the mantra of healthcare today. The troubles effecting today’s healthcare system are numerous and highly complex to the point that they must be hampering strategic planning. Several large issues are on the horizon for healthcare that if not addressed in the foreseeable future could spell out devastating problems.
Prescribing the Nintendo Wii
A friend of mine, who is a Physical Therapist, sent me an article about creative practices in Healthcare. He wanted to demonstrate how Providers are introducing new ways of engaging patients which subsequently improves outcomes and increases the quality of care provided. His point was that Healthcare Organizations and Practitioners are embracing creative strategies in order to provide a better level of service for their patients.
