By Prodyut Das

Top Physical Therapy News October 2011

by Prodyut Das
(New Delhi, India)




Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Residency Program

The Department of Physical Therapy offers a one-year Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Residency Program accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association. We’ve designed the program in the spirit of APTA’s Vision 2020, which calls for post-professional development of expert clinicians who can function as members of an autonomous profession.

Reference- http://www.utsouthwestern.edu/education/school-of-health-professions/programs/residency-programs/orthopedic-physical-therapy/index.html

Yoga moves that build bones

Although the disease is most often diagnosed after menopause, women can start losing bone density as early as their 30s, says Lori Rubenstein, founder of Mosaic Physical Therapy in Los Angeles. Fortunately, yoga poses that strengthen the areas most likely to suffer -- the hips, spine, and wrists -- can help maintain bone density, she says. Poses that focus on the spine can also help improve posture, preventing the hunched back that is typical in older osteoporosis sufferers.

Reference-http://www.wfmz.com/Yoga-moves-that-build-bones/-/121798/3901886/-/isew7b/-/

October is National Physical Therapy Month

The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) has declared October as “National Physical Therapy Month.” “Mobility is the key ingredient to aging successfully and remaining active and independent throughout our lives,” said R Scott Ward, PT, PhD, President of the APTA. “I think most will agree that is a universal goal as we grow older,” he said.

Reference-http://www.helpingyoucare.com/16067/october-is-national-physical-therapy-month

Independent Study Places EDUCATA at the Top of Online Education Providers for Physical Therapists

CALABASAS, CA, Oct 18, 2011 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- A new survey of thousands of physical therapists conducted by leading trade publication Physical Therapy Products reveals that PTs think of EDUCATA as the top online education provider outside the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).

Reference-http://www.marketwatch.com/story/independent-study-places-educata-at-the-top-of-online-education-providers-for-physical-therapists-2011-10-18

Vendor Notebook: WebPT launches new physical therapy software

WebPT announced the release of the WebPT Home Exercise Program (HEP). The newest feature of the EMR system includes a library of videos, photos, line drawings and text descriptions to help patients comply with home exercise therapy programs. Managed and administered directly in the WebPT EMR system, HEP gives therapists the ability to customize and securely email exercise regimens to each patient at the touch of a button. Patients can then access their customized programs from home or on the go.

Reference-http://healthcareitnews.com/news/vendor-notebook-webpt-launches-new-physical-therapy-software

'Biggest Loser's' Sam Poueu heads to physical therapy center

The season 9 "Biggest Loser" contestant, who was critically injured when he fell from the roof of a four-story apartment building in San Francisco on Sept. 3, has transferred to a rehabilitation facility, his family tells PEOPLE.

Reference-http://edition.cnn.com/2011/10/19/showbiz/celebrity-news-gossip/poueu-physical-therapy-ppl/

Computer Games Help People with Parkinson's Disease

Playing computer-based physical therapy games can help people with Parkinson’s disease improve their gait and balance, according to a new pilot study led by the UCSF School of Nursing and Red Hill Studios, a California serious games developer. More than half the subjects in the three-month research project showed small improvements in walking speed, balance and stride length.

Reference-http://www.ucsf.edu/news/2011/10/10802/computer-games-help-people-parkinsons-disease

Dogs with arthritis: Can physical therapy help?

Yes. Arthritis is usually managed using a multimodal approach consisting of daily low-impact exercise, such as walking or swimming; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory pain medications; and maintaining an ideal body weight. Canine physical rehabilitation, like human physical therapy, uses techniques such as stretching, therapeutic exercises, aquatic therapy, low-level lasers, therapeutic ultrasound and electrical stimulation.

Reference-http://blog.northjersey.com/jerseydog/519/will-physical-therapy-help-a-dog-with-arthritis/

Breast Implants: Physical Therapy for Capsular Contracture

American women are getting breast implant surgery more than ever before. In 2010 alone, 296,203 American women had breast augmentation. And all of these women should be aware of a side effect that can significantly dampen a woman’s pride in her new breasts: capsular contracture.

Reference-http://www.doctoroz.com/blog/luke-bongiorno-pt/breast-implants-physical-therapy-capsular-contracture

Many find riding horses therapeutic

WINDHAM -- Missy said the exercises are difficult, but she did them, stretching back and forth while sitting on a saddle atop Duke, a tall, easygoing quarterhorse. As Duke moved around the arena, eventually breaking into a trot, Missy maintained her balance -- no small effort for someone with a seizure disorder and mild cerebral palsy.

Reference-http://www.kjonline.com/news/many-find-riding-horses-therapeutic_2011-10-23.html

A treadmill transformation: Alter-G can help patients recover faster

The Alter-G Anti-Gravity Treadmill, which arrived in Kearney last week, uses NASA-based anti-gravity technology to offer a new way of working out. The new machine uses Differential Air Pressure technology to apply a lifting force to the body that reduces weight on the lower extremities. Fiddelke said the treadmill allows patients to work out without bearing their full weight on an injury. “It feels like walking on the moon,” he said.

Reference-http://www.kearneyhub.com/news/local/article_cbfca1be-fc7a-11e0-bff2-001cc4c002e0.html

Physical therapy for fall prevention among the elderly

Falling is a common and serious problem for the elderly. Falls are associated with injury, decreased independent function, premature admission to nursing homes, and even early death. The incidence and severity of complications related to falling increases steadily after age 60.

Reference-http://pottsmerc.com/articles/2011/10/24/life/srv0000014735165.txt

Sound diet, exercise are powerful weapons against Type 2 diabetes

Your physical therapist will help you safely and effectively perform strengthening exercises, which may be essential in treating Type 2 diabetes because it increases your muscles' absorption of sugar (thus lowering insulin, the hormone that helps take sugar out of your blood). But choosing the right strengthening exercises and doing them safely is really important.

Sacramento State adds physical therapy doctorate

California State University Sacramento is accepting applications for a new doctorate program in physical therapy slated to start next fall.

Reference-http://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2011/10/24/sacramento-state-physical-therapy-doctor.html

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