empowereddoctor.com - physicaltherapy

Anti-Arthritis Benefits of Ancient China's Qigong

2008-09-24

An old Chinese healing-energy practice has potential for helping patients with knee arthritis, recent research suggests. The Chinese technique, known as qigong (pronounced chee-gong), utilizes the supposed flows of chi (qi), or energy, in practitioner and patient to bring healing to a variety of disorders. It's widespread in China. Qigong theorizes that disease results from blockages in the free flow of chi in the human organism. A therapist trained in controlling his own chi can use it to normalize the flow of chi in a patient.

Glimmer of Hope for Spine-Injury Victims

2008-09-16

It's just in rats for now, but scientists have induced spinal cord regrowth by taking tiny nerves from the rib cage, bathing them in a growth-inducing protein, and then grafting them into the area of the cut spinal cord. "By using tiny nerves from the rib cage as cables connecting the severed spinal cord, we were able to get some improvement in leg function," said Dr. Vernon Lin, a professor of physical medicine at the University of California at Irvine and director of the Spinal Cord Injury Group at the Long Beach Veterans Administration Medical Center.

Worried Sick? There Might Be Some Truth There

2007-11-19

A recent report by health provider BUPA has found that people's worries are damaging their health by causing sleepless nights, loss of sex drive, and erratic eating habits. The 2007 Worry Report demonstrates that almost one in five people constantly worry about numerous things, and more than half feel they worry more now than five years ago. Half of the people surveyed this year, which is 6% more than in 2006, claimed they were more worried about their health and their family's health than about other concerning issues such as climate change or terrorist attacks. The survey finds that almost three quarters of people worry, but around 19% admit to worrying all the time or about a number of things.

Reducing Stress Lowers Risk of Cardiovascular Problems

2007-09-21

A Review in The Lancet reveals the importance of healthy lifestyle choices to reduce stressors related to cardiovascular risk factors. Researchers from John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore examined records between 1990 to 2006. They observed how stress affects the sympathetic nervous system, impacts physiology, and the effect it has on the cardiovascular system. Lead author, Daniel Brotman, claims "Acute physical stressors such as sugery, trauma, and intense physical exertion are well known triggers of cardiovascular events. Emotional stressors are increasingly recognized as precipitants of such events."

Power Plate Technology Can Aid Physical Therapy

2007-08-15

For physical therapists who treat patients suffering from back pain and weakened core muscles, the Power Plate is a beneficial piece of technology. The machine vibrates to stimulate reflexive muscle contractions 25-50 times per second. The Power Plate increases blood circulation to core spinal and abdominal muscles that have weakened over time due to sedentary lifestyle habits. For people who are lacking in their level of fitness, the Power Plate is designed to ease the difficult transition from an inactive to an healthy lifestyle. While it remains unclear whether this vibration technology can replace other forms of exercise, some physicians believe it can greatly complement any exercise or physical therapy regimen.

For Arthritis, Prevention is Better than the Cure

2007-07-13

A new study, published in the Journal Arthritis Research and Therapy, has shown exercise beneficial in reducing or preventing the pain of osteoarthritis. This study followed two groups of women, both of whom were previously free of joint pain, one aged 48-55 years, one aged 72-79 years. Questioners determined the amount of physical activity and timing of the onset of symptoms which suggested osteoarthritis, like stiff or painful joints. The physical activity was categorized as none, low (1h hour and 15 minutes of activity), moderate (21/2 hours weekly), and high, (over 21/2 hours weekly).

Spine Force Machine for Herniated Discs

2007-05-14

The Spine Force machine is the only device capable of stimulating the deep muscles of the spine. A groundbreaking device called the Spine Force has the potential to transform how we care for the muscles and structures in the lower back. LPG Systems is a France based company that has developed this machine to stimulate the deep connective tissue within the spine that can break down with sedentary lifestyle habits. With the advent of the Spine Force, health practitioners who specialize in treating spinal diseases and disorders may now have a resource to ensure that patients don't have recurring spinal problems.

ACL Injuries with NFL Players | Orthopedics

2006-12-06

If you're at all a sports fan, or an athlete yourself, you've probably heard of the anterior cruciate ligament. It's commonly injured. Now a new study shows what happens to NFL players who are sidelined by their acl's, and it's not good news for players or fans and the owners. Now, a ligament is a strong piece of connective tissue that connects bone to bone across a joint. The anterior cruciate ligament crosses with the posterior cruciate ligament in the center of the knee. They control the backward and forward motion of the knee. The ACL in particular restrains excessive forward motion of the knee as well as the inward twisting or rotation of the knee. In fact, the ACL is frequently injured in severe twisting injuries of the knee or with a sudden stop. This new research in the American Journal of Sports Medicine looking specifically at ACL injuries in NFL players found those who suffer one of these injuries will likely never be the same player again. Essentially, total yards and touchdowns were markedly diminished when they returned after surgery.

Slipped Disc

2006-09-01

One of the most common injuries to the spine is slipped or a herniated disk. This condition may be extremely painful and may damage surrounding muscle and nerve systems.

Sports Injuries and Children

2006-06-15

Summer is now here, and it�s an opportunity for kids who are involved in one, two, maybe three sports to get a bit of rest. But a lot of kids go year round in their athletics now; it�s one reason for the rise in sports injuries in kids. More than three and a half million kids under the age of 14 receive medical care for sports injuries each year. But overuse injuries are responsible for nearly half of all sports injuries in middle and high school students. And experts are saying the problem is getting out of hand. Jessica Godfrey of the eagles soccer team was forcibly grounded because of an injury earlier this season. �I was trying to get the ball and this really big girl hit my foot and it hurt really bad,� says Jessica.