29 Dec

GUIDELINES CALL FOR ‘SELECTIVE APPROACH’ TO LOW BACK PAIN

New guidelines issued this week by the American College of Physicians (ACP) recommend diagnostic imaging for patients with low back pain only if they have severe progressive neurologic deficits or signs or symptoms that suggest a serious or specific underlying condition. For all other patients evidence indicates that routine imaging is not associated with clinically…

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29 Dec

WOMEN’S HEALTH & PHYSICAL THERAPY

Womens health is a largely talked about topic. The September 17, 2008 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association reports that nearly 24 percent of U.S. women are affected with one or more pelvic floor disorders. It describes the percentage of women affected by pelvic organ prolapse, urinary and fecal incontinence as well as…

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29 Dec

EARLY PT CAN HELP KNEE SURGERY PATIENTS

Knee surgery patients have a long road to recovery ahead of them. Whether you are getting a total knee replacement or fixing your torn meniscus, the healing process takes time. Your knee is one of the most important joints in your body. The inability to bend or use your knees can make simple tasks such…

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29 Dec

WATER-BASED EXERCISE WORKS

In this study, 65 patients with CLBP were assigned to receive aquatic exercise or land-based exercise. The aquatic exercise program consisted of 20 sessions with a physical therapist 5 times per week for 4 weeks in a swimming pool at 33 degrees C. The land-based home exercise programs were demonstrated by a physical therapist on…

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29 Dec

KINESIO TAPE USEFUL FOR VARIETY OF CONDITIONS

Sue Ivy of Raleigh, N.C., was seeing a physical therapist for a torn meniscus in her left knee when she suddenly developed pain and stiffness in the tops of her feet. Her therapist recommended stiffer soles for better foot support, along with a relatively new therapeutic approach known as kinesio taping, which involves the application…

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29 Dec

EXERCISES IMPROVE FUNCTION

Researchers at the Queen’s University, Kingsland, Ontario, Canada, and Columbia University, New York, conducted a randomized clinical trial involving 136 sedentary older adults who were abdominally obese, meaning they had a waist circumference of at least 40″ for men or 35″ for women. For 6 months, participants were randomly assigned to one of 4 groups:…

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29 Dec

SENSE OF BALANCE PREDICTS HIP FRACTURE RISK

As you age, the risk of hip fracture grows more prevalent. Swedish researchers have found a simple way to estimate the risk of hip fracture in older adults; ask them if they have impaired balance. “It maybe can be regarded as a self-evident result,” Dr. Karl Michaelsson of University Hospital in Uppsala, one of the…

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29 Dec

Exercise for Recurrent Low Back Pain Better Than Walking Alone

Recurrent low back pain (LBP) can be downright debilitating. If you have LBP and your disability is keeping you from returning to work, physical therapy can help. A graded exercise intervention, emphasizing stabilizing exercises, for patients with recurrent low back pain still at work seems more effective in improving disability and health parameters than daily…

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29 Dec

ARE YOU DIZZY? MAYBE WE CAN HELP!

Vertigo As we get older we can add one more health issue to our list. Vertigo is a sudden sensation that you are unsteady or that your surroundings are moving. Health & Fitness: Vertigo is mysterious case for seniors ——————————————————————————– By DIANA ROSSETTI GateHouse News Service Posted Sep 30, 2008 @ 12:00 AM Printed in…

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29 Dec

TIPS FOR BABY BOOMERS TO DEAL WITH ACHES AND PAINS

As baby boomers age, more of them are facing the aches and pains that often come with arthritis or chronic joint pain. It is estimated 66 million, or nearly one in three adults, live with chronic joint pain. Baby boomers are at prime risk for the disease. Sandeep Varma, MD, rheumatologist in Norwich, CT, said…

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