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Injury / Injury Prevention

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Research/News

Carpal Tunnel Counsel

I have worked with many patients who have had carpal tunnel syndrome in my 20 years as an occupational therapist and certified hand therapist. Although I agree with many of the comments regarding the role of posture, wrist braces, body mechanics and muscular imbalances in this condition [as presented in Tricks of the Trade, January 2011], I have to write a response.

Jump Training Reduces Injury Potential in Females

It’s well known that female athletes appear predisposed to catastrophic knee injuries. A recent study suggests that a 4-week jump-training program may ward off such injuries. The study, published in the Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research (2010; 24 [12], 3427–32), included 15 women basketball players whose knee valgus angle was analyzed during two landing tasks: drop jump landing and a crossover hop during a jump shot. The players then completed a 4-week jump-training program in which they received guidance on landing technique.

Web Extra! Reforming the Knee

Single-Leg Knee Stretch and Double-Leg Knee Stretch
Single-leg knee stretch is useful for working on knee flexion and extension in a standing position and on correcting alignment and improving the balance of the standing leg. To increase the balance challenge, take the hands off the bar and stand upright using a gondola pole for balance. Once you master that, take the pole away and then add an unstable surface such as a balance pad under the standing foot.

Fix Your Feet With Pilates, Part Two

In part two of “Fix Your Feet With Pilates,” Kathryn Ross-Nash, author and Pilates teacher, affirms that Pilates is excellent for helping to correct and prevent foot problems: “I believe we need to remind our clients regularly about the importance of taking care of their feet. We need to train the feet just as we do the rest of the body.

Healing Wounded Warriors

“Veterans are the light at the tip of the candle, illuminating the way for the whole nation. If veterans can achieve awareness, transformation, understanding and peace, they can share with the rest of society the realities of war. And they can teach us how to make peace with ourselves and each other, so we never have to use violence to resolve conflicts again.” —Thich Nhat Hanh, Vietnamese monk and author (b. 1926)

Fix Your Feet With Pilates, Part One

Healthy feet are critical to good health. Although they are the foundation of the human body, many of us give little attention to their proper care. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons reports that 43.1 million people in the United States (1 in 6) have problems with their feet. Thirty-six percent regard these foot problems as serious enough to warrant medical attention (AAOS 2006).

daily ginger consumption eases muscle pain

Ginger root has been used for centuries as a folk remedy for ailments ranging from colds to upset stomachs. To add to the root’s healing resumé, this month The Journal of Pain will unveil a study by researchers at the University of Georgia showing that daily ginger consumption also reduces muscle pain caused by exercise.

dietary protein may reduce hip fractures in the elderly

A hip fracture can devastate the life of older adults and their families. Seniors lose their independence, suffer terrible pain and in many cases never regain their quality of life postinjury. However, some encouraging research has emerged that has the potential to lower the incidence of hip fractures in the elderly.

Strength Training–Related Injuries on the Rise

As more people head to gyms to reap the benefits of strength training, the prevalence of related
injuries increases, according to a study conducted by the Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Scientists at the institute’s Center for Injury Research and Policy discovered that U.S. hospital emergency departments treated more than 970,000 injuries related to weight training between 1990 and 2007. The injury rate increased by almost 50% during that 18-year period.

Electric Shock

Physical therapists sometimes use electrical-stimulation devices to rehabilitate damaged or weakened muscles. There are professionals and companies outside the therapy world who claim that electrical stimulation can also help individuals…

Bone Up on Bone Health

Maintaining bone health and avoiding fractures are important concerns for older adults. For those who have experienced fractures, research has found that the potential for a second fracture can increase fourfold. Help your older-adult clients remain strong and healthy with Own the Bone™, a Web-based registry that features tools for reducing future fractures.

Lower-Back Pain in Kids and Teens

The main cardiovascular factors that influIt is estimated that 60%–80% of the population will suffer from lower-back pain (LBP) at some time during their lifespan (Hamill et al. 1995). The causes are poorly defined because of the multiple risk factors, which include degenerative changes; repeated incorrect lifting technique; excessive static sitting and standing postures; bending; twisting; and falling.

The Painful Lumbar Spine

Myths and controversies regarding spine function and injury mechanisms are widespread. Consider the “cause” of back troubles, specifically the common perception that injuries occur during an “event.” Generally, statistics are compiled from epidemiological approaches, which ignore the large role of cumulative trauma. Despite a reporting system that tends to associate injuries with specific events, very few back injuries actually occur this way.

Creating a Safe Space for Obese Pilates Clients

The work of Joseph Pilates was developed more than 80 years ago during a time when the population was made up of far fewer obese individuals. Today we have a chance to reach out to this population and apply Pilates techniques and principles to a demographic that desperately needs to be introduced to the powerhouse.

Conditioning for Golf

Want to cut a few strokes off your golf game? Or thinking about trying golf for the first time? Whether you’re new or experienced on the greens, a sport-specific conditioning program can give you an edge. Even if a training program doesn’t help your score, it could keep you on the course rather than on the sidelines with a nagging injury, says Dawn Norman, MA, ACT, athletic trainer and golfer.
…

Tips to Avoid Golf-Related Wrist Injuries

As
the summer temperature rises, so does the number of people hitting the links
for a bit of friendly (or not) competition. But poor form and inappropriate
training methods can keep eager golfers from participating in their outdoor
activity of choice. According to IDEA author Catherine Logan, MSPT, simple
adjustments to swing and a proactive attitude will allow for …

Yoga Poses Prevent Falls

Iyengar yoga can help improve stability and balance in women over age 65, which could help to prevent falls, finds a preliminary study out of Temple University’s Gait Study Center.Researchers at the School of Podiatric Medicine and the College of Health Professions examined the gait and postural stability of 24 elderly females who were enrolled in an Iyengar yoga program specifically designed for those over 65. They found that at the end of the 9-week program, participants had a faster stride, increased flexibility in the lower extremities, improved single-leg stance and increased confidence in walking and balance.

3 Popular Corrective Exercises

The practice of corrective exercise is booming. Even clients are starting to understand that achieving their end goal might require some customized corrective exercises—which could mean taking a step backward before they move forward.
What are some basic, effective corrective exercises? Here are three popular ones, with explanations as to how they might have developed and how they are …