Category: Therapy

Jan 22

How Physical Therapy for Osteoporosis Helps



Osteoporosis affects millions of people and is the second biggest health problem worldwide. Osteoporosis is the condition wherein the bones lose mass and the bone tissues deteriorate. Osteoporosis makes bones thin, fragile, and highly susceptible to fractures.

How does osteoporosis occur? The body continuously eliminates and creates bone cells. As a person grows old, usually starting in the 30′s, the body’s process of creating bone cells becomes slower than the process of removing them resulting in a great deficit in bone mass. In addition to aging, other factors that make a person at risk of osteoporosis are smoking, sedentary lifestyle, early menopause, and family history.

Known as a silent disease, osteoporosis manifests itself only when the condition is already serious. Most people who suffer from osteoporosis had no idea they had the disease until they experience a fracture or severe pain in the back. What most people are not aware of is you can prevent this disease early in life through exercise and daily calcium intake.

For those at risk of developing osteoporosis or already diagnosed with it, physical therapy for osteoporosis is one of the best ways to fight this disease. Many qualified physical therapists specialize in the treatment of osteoporosis. Physical therapy for osteoporosis begins with a thorough physical evaluation where the therapist identifies restrictions, imbalances and, specifically, what activities and movements the patient is capable of or is limited to doing. The evaluation serves as the basis for the creation of a customized physical therapy program

Physical therapy for osteoporosis patients without a fracture includes strengthening exercises and resistance exercises intended to increase bone mass and make bone-supporting muscles stronger to help prevent fractures. To ease the stress on your bones, your physical therapist will also teach you about body balance, body mechanics and posture. Your therapist will also work with you to find out if there are any risks to you at home and at work such as specific activities that can lead to bone fracture.

Physical therapy for osteoporosis patients suffering a fracture involves specific exercises and other treatment methods designed for pain relief and bone strengthening as well as prevention of fractures in the future.

In addition to exercises, physical therapy for osteoporosis may also include massage, manual therapy, exercises such as Pilates, tai chi and yoga and heat and cold therapies for pain management.

Physical therapy for osteoporosis seeks to strengthen bones, increase flexibility and manage pain. It also increases the patient’s awareness of the body and develops responsibility for their own health.

0
comments

Posted in Therapy

Jan 14

The Health Benefits of Massage Therapy to the Elderly



Massage therapy provides the aged people enormous benefits the will help improve their health conditions and well-being. As days go by, we must consider ways of helping the elderly since they are the ones who are greatly affected by their age.

Studies show that massage therapy can directly impact and control the adverse effects of getting old. The soothing sensations of massage can relieve the pain that the aged people are suffering from. It may also bring a feeling of comfort for people who are suffering from arthritis and other muscle pains.

As a person gets old, he becomes less and less active. Hence, the quality of his life is at risk. This condition affects the health due to lack of physical activities that should be regularly done by the body. It has been promoted by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) to use massage therapy as a way of curing physical ailments. Recent study shows that this practice has been commonly used but only few know the benefits of doing such.

Massage therapy can provide lots of benefits to the senior citizens. The Touch Research Facility has proven that therapeutic massage can help cure Alzheimer’s disease by relaxation and communication brought about by the massage.

For those who are suffering from arthritis, this therapy will help reduce the pain and may also help the patient move in a wider range as it will trigger natural lubrication of the joints. Arthritis directly affects the joints which makes it hard for older people to move.

Aside from the relaxation and comfort that massage therapy can provide, it also helps enhance the strength and the coordination of the muscles. Another benefit of the therapy is that it improves the body posture as it reduces muscle tension. As a result, massage therapy may improve the quality of rest for the elderly.

Massage therapy will also energize the body together with mental enhancement since it provides relaxation of the mind. Studies have proven that the therapy truly plays a significant role in the health of the community.

As studies continue to instill in peoples minds that physical therapy can bring numerous benefits, the number of people who understands the significance of such therapy continues to increase as well. Nowadays, a lot of people are into pharmaceutical approach when it comes to the adverse effects of aging, but none of these treatments can be as effective and natural as massage therapy.

0
comments

Posted in Therapy

Jan 03

The Health Information Technology Field is Growing



The health technician field is not only one that is expected to see above average growth in the next several years, but is also one that will continue to see changes in job responsibilities.

Working in this field usually means the business environment will be a pleasant and comfortable office setting. This is one of the few medical fields that does not include direct, hand-on contact with patients. The typical work week is 40 hours, though there may be some overtime. In facilities that are open 24 hours a day, technicians may work day, evening or night shifts.

Medical information and record technicians usually have at least an associate’s degree. Course work in the field will include medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, data requirements and standards, data analysis, clinical classification and codifying systems, data base security and management, insurance reimbursement and quality improvement methods. Taking math, biology, chemistry, health and computer science courses in high school can improves an applicant’s standing when applying to a post-secondary school.

Many employers will prefer to hire credentialed technicians. Credentialing programs often will require re-credentialing and continuing education. Obtaining a bachelor’s or master’s degree, or an advanced specialty certification, can help with career advancement for someone experienced in the health information technology field. Those with a bachelor’s or master’s degree can often become an information manager.

The U.S. Department of Labor projects employment for medical records and information technicians to increase by 20 percent through 2018, which is much faster than the average for all occupations through that time. As the population continues to age, more medical tests, treatment and procedures will be required. Those technicians that can demonstrate a strong understanding of technology and computer software likely will be particularly in demand.

As the use of electronic medical records continues to increase, more technicians will also be needed. In fact, the U.S. Health and Human Services Department recently announced it would be awarding $267 million to several non-profit organizations to establish Health Information Technology Regional Extension Centers, which will help grow this emerging field. These centers will provide support to medical practitioners as they transition to electronic records.

In 2008, the most recent numbers available, the median wage was $30,618. The middle 50 percent of workers in the field earned between $25,000 and $40,000. The upper 10 percent earned $50,000.

The health information technology field is one that will continue to have very good job prospects due to constant changes in computer and medical technology combined with an aging population.

0
comments

Posted in Therapy

« Older Entries