Archives for “Theory & Practice”

The University of Santo Tomas, College of Rehabilitation Sciences would like to invite everyone to a Post–Graduate Course entitled Maximizing our Clients’ Rehabilitation Potential: CURRENT TRENDS IN NEUROLOGICAL REHABILITATION. When & Where December 6-7, 2008 Medicine Cinematorium University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines Course Objectives This post-graduate course aims to: 1. Provide a multi-disciplinary perspective [...]


Specialist Certification

For physical therapists (currently licensed to practice in the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands) who would like to apply for specialist certification, please be reminded that the application deadline will be on July 31, 2008. Interested applicants should start by downloading the “Application and Info” booklets appropriate to [...]


The following is an article submitted to us by another Filipino physical therapist colleague of ours. His contribution deserves custom picture framing and should be rightfully recognized. Integrated Neuromuscular Taping Therapy by Valentin C. Dones III, MSPT, PTRP, COMT, DMS, MP, AT Functional movements are usually limited secondary to pain experienced by the patient. The [...]


Here is an article by Jennifer Anderson, which brings us good news about world known car makers such as Nissan who have made the move to consider the needs of older drivers in the manufacturing of their products. Aside from automobiles, they should also look into modifications of bikes like used Harleys. The Baby Boom [...]


Before you purchase that glass sink, make sure to check out the AARP Home Fit Guide first which provides information and tips to keep one’s home in top form for comfort, safety, and livability.  The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) has featured this in their website. Nearly 9 out of 10 Americans age 50 and older [...]


Workshop Video Summaries on Youtube

The internet is a treasure trove of information. There are several video clips on YouTube which feature different topics related to Occupational and Physcial Therapy. Head over to your audio racks and turn up the volume as I have recently discovered this series of workshop summaries presented by Kid Sense, which provide private pediatric services [...]


People are not only enjoying the games on their Nintendo Wii Console at home. Now it has also gained more popularity than the PS3 in retirement homes and clinics. There is a cool video clip on USA Today, which features the use of the Nintendo Wii in the Occupational Therapy Section of the Walter Reed [...]


TIP: Visit furniture stores which sell a wide range of furnitures with ergonomic designs. They may cost a little bit more but you are sure that you’ll get comfort and be injury-free. A recent review has concluded that lumbar or lower back supports are not very useful for preventing low back pain. Lead author Ingrid [...]


Research demonstrates time and again that Applied Behavior Analysis is an extremely effective method of significantly improving the lives of children on the autism spectrum. ABA consistently has been proven to be a successful method of teaching communicative, social, academic and daily living skills while decreasing inappropriate, harmful and problematic behaviors. But how much benefit [...]


Ever wondered what Basic Body Awareness Therapy is all about? Daloni Carlisle talks about it in an article for the CSP’s Frontline. What is Basic Body Awareness Therapy? BBAT is an evidence-based physiotherapy method aiming to mobilise a person’s resources for health. It does this by guiding them to be present in the here-and-now, while [...]


TIP: Make sure your wireless router is turned on when you listen or view these references. I found this wonderful resource from the Physio Info-blog. Rehab therapists from the Sunny Hill Health Centre of the British Columbia Children’s Hospital are sharing content from the sessions they have conducted in 2007. Some topics include Best Practices [...]


For occupational therapists planning to migrate and work in Canada, the latest document released by Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) titled “Profile of Occupational Therapy Practice in Canada: 2007” is a must read.  CAOT provides a brief description of this document. In the fall of 2005, the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) launched [...]


There is direct proportional relationship between the prevalence of falls and the population’s age. As the US’ population ages, the rate of falls rises as well. However, the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) suggests that physical therapist intervention may help reduce the incidence of falls. Here’s how: Physical therapists Marilyn Moffat, PT, PhD, professor of physical [...]


Robots and Physiotherapy

It looks like we are now entering the very high-tech age of managing stroke patients. Researchers are now trying to employ robots in rehabilitation. Using robots in a therapeutic role in neurorehabilitation, particularly for stroke, is based on the premise that repeating limb movements can help to recover motor control. However, stroke is the most [...]


The Physical Therapy Prescription

The article quoted below was published in American Family Physican, a peer reviewed journal of the American Academy of Family Physician, last December 1st. The Physical Therapy Prescription SCOTT E. RAND, MD, Conroe Medical Education Foundation,Conroe, Texas CHRIS GOERLICH, MSc, PT, Texas Sports Medicine Center, Tomball, Texas KRISTINA MARCHAND, MD, and NATHANIEL JABLECKI, MD, Conroe [...]


There is a new garment called TheraTogs that some therapists are finding helpful in other disorders, aside from cerebral palsy for which it was originally intended to be used for. It seems that the garment can also provide a soothing effect, much like when one is being swaddled. AngTherapist.com provides an excerpt of the article. [...]


There is a computer-based system being developed right now by American medical scientists which is designed to help stroke patients in their physical rehabilitation. It is a two-year reserch effort which involves the Rice University robotics engineers and physicians from Houston’s Memorial Hospital and The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research. O’Malley and Memorial Hermann-TIRR doctors [...]


Mindfulness

Are you familiar with the relatively new pain management technique known as Mindfulness? It is a clinical intervention that is based on Buddhist principles, which uses meditation and is more suitable for chronic pain conditions. It first took off as a healing technique in the US in the 1970s but has recently gained popularity in [...]


It’s the most wonderful time of the year once again and parents are starting to ponder on what gifts to buy for their tiny tots (or for their not-so-tiny youngsters).   Toys top the list since they don’t fail to make children giddy after opening their presents.  Two occupational therapy professors of the University of the [...]


The What To Do With Your Differently-Abled Child Conference was recently held last November 19 to 24 in Quezon City, Philippines. Our physical therapist colleague, Rev Cruz, gives us an interesting account on his blog, Perelandran Chronicles, of his first-hand experience when he attended the Water Shiatsu Course 1 Training, which was part of the [...]


Response to Intervention (RTI)

There is a new process called Response to Intervention that is being introduced in schools in the United States. Its purpose is to “provide a safety net for at-risk readers, some of whom have learning disabilities. The idea is to catch students when they begin to struggle, so they can succeed without being ‘labeled.’” Here [...]


Kinesio Taping

Ever wondered what Kinesio Taping was all about? It was developed by Dr. Kenzo Kase in Japan some 25 years ago. According to KinesioTaping.com, it involves: … taping over and around muscles in order to assist and give support or to prevent over-contraction. The first technique gives the practitioner the opportunity to actually give support while [...]


Occupational Therapists and Driving

It is not unusual for persons aged 75 years old and above to drive their car in the US (or anywhere else for that matter.) Although driving is a complex skill, it may represent freedom, control, and competence.  It may be important economically and socially. However, the ability to drive safely may be affected by [...]


You may want to consider a career in Ergonomics. A typical professional fee for an ergonomic evaluation can range from $75 to $250 per hour, depending on the geographical location of the work site (Opp). Not bad for a day’s work if you’ve got say 3-4 evaluations to do. So what is Ergonomics? According to [...]


Sara Baker, a licensed physical therapist, discusses how regular resistance exercises, combined with a healthy diet, can help prevent the onset of osteoporosis in both men and women. These exercises, by the way, were not designed for people already diagnosed with osteopenia or osteoporosis. Here is a rundown of some of the exercises she highlighted [...]