Healthcare News
This discovery could let bones benefit from exercise without moving
Source: Science Daily
Researchers have discovered a biological switch that explains why movement keeps bones strong. The protein senses physical activity and pushes bone marrow stem cells to build bone instead of storing fat, slowing age-related bone loss. By targeting this “exercise sensor,” scientists believe they could create drugs that mimic exercise at the molecular level. The approach could protect fragile bones in people who are unable to stay active.
Outcome Measurment Tools in Physical Therapy
Source: Verywell Health
Outcome measurement tools are specific tests and measures that your physical therapist may use to quantify your overall function. These tools are important, as they provide your therapist with a simple and effective way to measure your mobility.
Arthritis Impacting The U.S. Workforce, Researchers Say
Source: Drugs.com
Arthritis might be thought of as a problem for seniors and retirees, but a new study says the condition also dramatically impacts the American work force. Medication, at-home exercise programs and physical therapy can help people better manage their arthritis both at home and work
Changing therapy practice to add higher-intensity walking improves early stroke recovery
Source: Science Daily
By integrating 30 minutes a day of progressive walking exercise into standard stroke rehabilitation (30 to 60 minutes of physical therapy five days a week) stroke patients had a measurable improved quality of life and mobility at hospital discharge compared to a control group.
Special strength training with lighter weights effectively strengthens muscle health and metabolism in type 2 diabetes
Source: Medical Xpress
This training method, which is already used in rehabilitation and competitive sports, physiotherapy, and a few gyms, involves placing inflatable cuffs on the thighs. This completely blocks venous blood flow and reduces arterial blood flow by up to 80%. Training is carried out with weights of only around 30% of the individual’s maximum strength. BFRT tackles the root causes of type 2 diabetes and reduces visceral fat tissue
Weight gain steadily increases risk for low back pain, study finds
Source: Verywell Health
In a new study from Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, researchers have found individuals who are overweight or obese have a significantly higher risk of developing LBP compared to those with a normal BMI. The work is published in the journal Pain Medicine.
How the 6 Minute Walk Test Works in Physical Therapy
Source: Verywell Health
The six-minute walk test assess endurance and fitness by measuring how far you can walk in six minutes. Improving your score on the 6MWT can be achieved through endurance exercises like biking, stair climbing, and treadmill walking.
Fall prevention programs in emergency departments may help older adults after discharge
Source: Medical Xpress
Falls are one of the most common reasons older adults are treated in the emergency department, and many patients are discharged home the same day. That transition can be a vulnerable moment, especially if the factors that led to the fall aren’t fully addressed. A new study suggests that emergency departments may be able to take meaningful steps during visits to help older adults stay safer once they return home.
The do’s and don’ts of cold weather sports: A physical therapist offers advice
Source: Medical Xpress
Winter sports are extreme by nature: Freezing temperatures, slick surfaces, whiteout conditions, and sharp blades can all make injury more likely. So what’s the best way to avoid injury, or treat it if it happens? Robin Galley, a visiting clinical associate professor with the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at Tufts University School of Medicine, says there are a few concrete do’s and don’ts when prepping for the ski slopes or sledding downhill.
Relearning basic movements may ease chronic lower back pain, study finds
Source: Medical Xpress
Millions of people struggle with lower back pain worldwide. Now, surprising new research from the University of South Australia shows that relearning ‘baby’ movements such as crawling, rolling and squatting could help reduce discomfort and rebuild confidence in how people move.
How to Treat Stiffness After Knee Replacement
Source: Verywell Health
Even when knee replacement surgery is successful, stiffness in the knee joint can remain. People with a stiff knee after surgery may be unable to fully straighten the leg, to bend the knee, or both. Fortunately, treatments like physical therapy, pain management, and in some cases, surgery can help.
Physical Therapy for Runner’s Knee
Source: Verywell Health
Physical therapy is the top treatment for runner’s knee (patellofemoral pain syndrome). You may have runner’s knee if you feel pain in the front of and around your knee, especially when running, squatting, and climbing stairs.
New therapies for advanced shoulder issues
Source: Medical Xpress
Wear and tear, injury, certain medical conditions, and age can take a toll on shoulder function. Oftentimes, surgery can be avoided, with many people responding well to nonoperative treatments, such as physical therapy or injections, to decrease their pain and improve the use of their shoulder. Sometimes, surgery to repair the torn tendons may be necessary.
Physical Therapy for Meniscus Tears
Source: Verywell health
Physical therapy (PT) for a meniscus tear involves a specific set of exercises to restore optimal function in your knee. Working with a physical therapist can help you strengthen your knee and regain full range of motion so you can resume your normal activities.
Active and passive physical therapy in patients with chronic low-back pain: a level I Bayesian network meta-analysis
Source: PubMed Central
Chronic low back pain (cLBP) is common. Physiotherapy is frequently indicated as a non-pharmacological management of these patients. This Bayesian network meta-analysis compared active versus passive physiotherapy versus their combination in terms of pain and disability in patients with mechanical and/or aspecific cLBP.
Hip Weakness May Contribute to Knee Pain
Source: Verywell health
The movement and stability of your hips and knees work together and share several muscles. The hip is a ball and socket joint and is a major weight-bearing joint in the body. There are many ligamentous attachments that add to the stability of your hip.
What to know about exercises for spinal stenosis
Source: Medical News Today
Certain exercises can help individuals with spinal stenosis improve their strength and maintain mobility. Examples include knee hugs, pelvic tilts, hip bridges, calf stretches, and more.
Physical Therapy After Rotator Cuff Surgery: What to Expect
Source: Verywell Health
Physical therapy after rotator cuff surgery has four stages of recovery.
Physical Rehabilitation: An Overview
Source: Verywell Health
Although physical rehabilitation is similar to physical therapy, and the two terms are often used interchangeably, there are also some significant differences. Physical rehabilitation is a more inclusive term of various professions, while physical therapy falls under the scope of physical rehabilitation.
How Often to Stretch for Better Mobility, Less Pain, and Healthier Aging
Source: health
Unless you regularly practice yoga or make it a point to include lunges or butterflies as part of your usual routine, you might not be stretching much on a day-to-day basis. For many people, stretching is reserved for specific moments, like before a workout or when muscles feel especially tight. But is it wise to stretch so infrequently, especially as aging naturally reduces mobility and flexibility? And which stretches are actually worth doing?
Digital education, exercise therapy increase satisfaction for patients with osteoarthritis
Source: Healio
A digital education and exercise therapy program yielded a significant increase in satisfaction for patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis, according to data published in Arthritis Care & Research.
What to know about knee stiffness
Source: Medical News Today
A stiff knee is a common complaint, especially among older adults and those who are very physically active. Knee stiffness can occur due to low flexibility or muscular imbalances in the legs, injury, or arthritis. The most suitable treatment for knee stiffness depends on the underlying cause.
8 Exercises for Cervical Radiculopathy
Source: Verywell Health
Cervical radiculopathy occurs when a spinal nerve in your neck becomes irritated or compressed. Exercises for cervical radiculopathy can help manage pain, improve the range of motion in your neck, and strengthen your muscles.
Feeling It in Your Bones? 6 Underlying Causes of Skeletal Aches and Pains
Source: health
Bone pain is pain or discomfort that starts in one or more of your body’s bones. There are many causes of bone pain, ranging from minor to serious. Identifying the underlying cause of bone pain is essential for effective management and treatment.
Occupational Therapy Versus Physical Therapy
Source: WebMD
Occupational therapists (OTs) and physical therapists (PTs) work to improve people’s lives. The fields are related and have many similarities, but they are different in focus and scope.
Does Insurance Cover Physical Therapy?
Source: Verywell Health
Physical therapy costs vary, even if your insurance plan offers coverage or you have Medicare or workers’ compensation coverage. Factors that affect the cost include whether physical therapy is deemed medically necessary, how many sessions are needed, your co-pay amount, and how your deductible or cost sharing is affected.
Why do hamstring injuries happen so often and how can they be prevented?
Source: Medical Xpress
A new study is drawing public and clinical attention, showing that adults with disabling low-back pain who completed just eight sessions of a novel therapy saw sustained improvements in their pain and activity levels – even after three years. The treatment, called cognitive functional therapy (CFT), blends physical therapy with a psychology-based approach.Hamstring strains are the most common non-contact muscle injury in running sports such as rugby league. One in three players will suffer the same injury again. So why do they happen and what can be done to stop them?
Back Pain Relief From This Therapy Can Last for Years
Source: WebMD
A new study is drawing public and clinical attention, showing that adults with disabling low-back pain who completed just eight sessions of a novel therapy saw sustained improvements in their pain and activity levels – even after three years. The treatment, called cognitive functional therapy (CFT), blends physical therapy with a psychology-based approach.
Rehabilitation approach combines spinal and hip stimulation to improve walking speed in patients with stroke
Source: Medical Xpress
Physical rehabilitation is essential for post-stroke gait recovery. Conventional therapies such as therapist-assisted walking, treadmill training, and strength exercises offer benefits but often fail to fully restore efficient and functional gait in patients with chronic stroke. As a result, there is a growing interest in noninvasive neuromodulation techniques to enhance neuroplasticity and support motor recovery.
Q&A: 8 common myths about back pain
Source: Medical Xpress
Back pain is more common than homeownership in the U.S. While about 65% of adults own a home, nearly 80% of adults will have back pain at some point. Despite how common this type of pain is, myths about it persist.
Simple therapies outperform high-tech options for knee arthritis pain and mobility
Source: Medical Xpress
Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common and often debilitating condition that affects millions of older adults, causing pain and stiffening of the knee joint. In the new study, researchers examined the current evidence on non-drug therapies for treating KOA. They looked at data from 139 clinical trials involving nearly 10,000 people to compare 12 different non-drug treatments. These included laser therapy, electrical stimulation, braces, insoles, kinesiology tape, water-based therapy, exercise, and ultrasound.
Daily exercise may be key to better sleep, new study finds
Source: Medical Xpress
New research from The University of Texas at Austin suggests that exercising more frequently—ideally every day—could improve sleep quality, particularly the kind of deep, restorative sleep that supports better mood and mental health.
Tech Neck Is a Real Pain—Here’s How to Fix It
Source: Real Simple
Many of us spend a lot of time staring at screens. Although estimates vary, the average American spends over 12 hours of screen time across all devices daily, according to a survey of 1,000 people conducted by Reviews.org, a website that reviews internet and mobile providers. All that scrolling and typing can take a toll on your neck and shoulders, leading to what is informally called “tech neck,”
Physical Therapy Exercises for Recovery From a Clavicle Fracture
Source: Verywell Health
A fractured clavicle, or fractured collarbone, generally occurs from a fall onto the shoulder or after enough pressure is placed on the bone that it breaks. The fracture may be partial or complete and often requires surgical repair or immobilization while it heals. Every fracture is different. So it’s important to work closely with your healthcare provider and physical therapist to design a clavicle fracture rehabilitation program that is specific to your injury, fitness level, and lifestyle.
My weak glutes were causing my lower back pain and recurring knee issues—but these four exercises fixed that
Source: Fit & Well
When my recurring knee and lower back pain led me to a physical therapist, I was surprised that they prescribed a set of glute-strengthening exercises.
Early, sustained physical therapy stems intraarticular injection in knee osteoarthritis
Source: Healio
Promptly starting physical therapy after a diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis, and attending 13 or more sessions, decreases the likelihood of subsequent intraarticular therapies, according to data published in Arthritis & Rheumatology.
Seven exercises for shoulder arthritis
Source: Medical News Today
Arthritis can affect any joint in the body, including the shoulder joints. Performing strengthening and stretching exercises regularly can help relieve the symptoms of shoulder arthritis.
Emotional well-being. Fall prevention. Chair yoga has a lot to offer people of all ages
Source: Medical Xpress
As older adults have become more active, chair yoga has grown in popularity. Sitting down to exercise, or standing while holding onto a chair to perform some poses, may not sound like a workout, but Rivman, Luria, Leister and practitioners everywhere see a world of benefits.
What’s the difference between abs and core? One term focuses on aesthetics—and the other on function
Source: Medical Xpress
When people talk about “abs,” they’re often referring to the abdominal muscles you can see. Conversely, the term “core” is used to describe a broader group of muscles in the context of function, rather than aesthetics.
Can you treat headaches with physiotherapy? Here’s what the research says
Source: Medical Xpress
You might’ve noticed some physiotherapists advertise they offer treatments for headaches and wondered: would that work? In fact, there’s a solid body of research showing that physiotherapy treatments can be really helpful for certain types of headache.
What to know about work-related musculoskeletal disorders
Source: Medical News Today
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are conditions that affect muscles, bones, and joints and occur in the workplace. Implementing workplace controls can help reduce the risk of WMSDs.
11 Balance Exercises for Older Adults
Source: Healthline
Physical changes, such as a decrease in muscle mass and strength, are associated with getting older. Balance and strength exercises, cardio, strength training, and stretching can help slow it.
The 10 Hip Flexor Exercises Every Runner Should Be Doing
Source: GQ
Despite being a core group of muscles used when running, the hip flexors—a cluster of muscles in the front part of the hip—are a part of the body many people neglect to stretch. When they get tight, the stiffness can prevent you from running your best and can contribute to lower back pain.
How Many Physical Therapy Sessions Does Medicare Cover?
Source: Healthline
Medicare provides coverage for all medically necessary physical therapy services. It doesn’t limit the number of sessions you can attend. To receive Medicare coverage for physical therapy, you need a referral from a healthcare professional and a certified treatment regimen.
Q&A: To understand low back pain, researchers look closely at how male and female bodies move
Source: Medical Xpress
Researchers at UC Berkeley and UC San Francisco are addressing the condition with comeBACK, a study that aims to make advances in personalized treatment for those who suffer from it. The team’s first step? Exploring the connections between chronic pain and movement, and in particular, how these experiences vary between men and women.
Physical Therapy as Treatment for Lower Back Pain
Source: Verywell Health
Low back pain is the most common diagnosis seen in many physical therapy clinics, and it affects the majority of Americans at one time or another. It is the second leading cause of doctor visits after the common cold and flu.
Walking exercises improve stroke rehab
Source: Medical Xpress
Stroke patients leave the hospital with better prospects if they’re forced to hoof it more during recovery, a new study suggests. The new research was presented at the American Stroke Association’s annual meeting in Los Angeles.
Benefits of Physical Therapy for Ankylosing Spondylitis
Source: healthline
Physical therapy for ankylosing spondylitis can help reduce pain and stiffness and improve posture and mobility. A physical therapist can help select and guide you in exercises for your specific symptoms.
Combined with traditional physiotherapy, virtual reality can help stroke patients
Source: Medical Xpress
Virtual reality technology has shown promising results for helping stroke patients regain arm movements, according to a new study led by the University of Reading and Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust.
How Physical Therapists Can Prevent Future Health Problems
Source: Voice of America
Many of us might only seek out physical therapists if we are recovering from accidental injuries or surgery. However, medical experts say these specialists can also help prevent many health problems if they are seen on a regular basis.
What Will My Doctor Do for My Plantar Fasciitis?
Source: WebMD
If your first steps in the morning cause a stabbing pain in your heel, you may have plantar fasciitis. Plantar fascia affects the tissue that connects your heel to your toes. Like other tendon overuse injuries, it has been shown to be degenerative rather than inflammatory in nature and is very common, especially for runners.
Physical therapy is the best-kept secret in health care
Source: AP News
If you think physical therapy is only about rehabilitation after surgery or recovering from an accident, think again. For the vast majority, seeing a physical therapist should be about prevention, routine assessment and staying well.
How Do Physicians Perceive Physical Therapy? We Asked Them
Source: APTA
Primary care physicians say they have a very positive overall view of physical therapy and a high level of trust for the care PTs provide.
