Academy Blog
Research and News
Announcing New Thera-Band® Hand Xtrainer
Jan 27th
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Akron, Ohio - Performance Health is pleased to announce the availability of the new Thera-Band® Hand Xtrainer (pronounced Cross-Trainer).
The Hand Xtrainer’s patented latex-free formula supports both hot and cold therapy, so it feels more comfortable in patients’ hands, including those with latex sensitivities. It’s truly a cross-functional device as it supports virtually all hand, finger, wrist and forearm exercises—flexion, extension, isolation, stretching and eccentric. The Xtrainer’s ability to return to its existing shape allows the user to perform repeated extension and pinch exercises without having to stop to remold the material. The four levels of progression enable customization by the clinician while providing motivation for the patient with visual validation of their progress.
Available in four progressive resistance levels, the Hand Xtrainer supports a broad range of finger, hand, wrist and forearm exercises, making it an ideal replacement to putty and an economical alternative to hand extensors. Its intuitive design with built-in recovery allows for optimal form with applications ranging from rehab to stretching and strength training.
To view videos comparing the Hand Xtrainer to putty, and for additional information about this new product line, More >
Top 10 Posts from 2011 on the Thera-Band Academy Blog
Jan 23rd
- Evidence to support Thera-Band for shoulder impingement grows
- Elastic resistance hip strengthening exercise program improves low back pain
- A successful treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis
- Neck pain in office workers relieved with 2 minutes of Thera-Band exercise!
- Long term benefits from Thera-Band exercises for shoulder pain
- Thera-Band exercise reduces falls and improves quality of life in women with osteoporosis
- Osteoporosis exercise program with elastic resistance can reduce fall risk factors
- Home exercise benefits knee osteoarthritis patients
- Thera-Band Exercises Effective for Piriformis Syndrome
- Prehabilitation exercise for total knee replacement helps patients with severe end-stage arthritis
Thera-Band Hip Exercise Reduces Anterior Knee Pain
Jan 15th
Anterior knee pain is often associated with hip muscle weakness of the abductors, extensors and external rotators. Dr. Vladimir Janda noted these muscles were particularly susceptible to inhibition and weakness. Hip weakness is particularly prevalent in females with anterior knee pain.
This hip weakness is thought to result in abnormal forces occurring at the knee during stance, allowing the femur to adduct more than normal, possibly leading to excessive force and/or abnormal tracking of the patellofemoral joint.
Traditionally, anterior knee pain was thought to result from quadriceps weakness, particularly from the vastus medialis muscle. Recent biomechanical and epidemiological data suggest however, that hip weakness may play a more important role in the etiology of patellofemoral pain.
Several studies have evaluated the use of elastic resistance in reducing patellofemoral pain. In a systematic review of elastic resistance in patellofemoral pain, Page concluded “Exercise interventions including elastic resistance in patients with PFPS are effective at reducing pain and improving function and strength.” Many protocols in the review, however, included both hip and knee strengthening…leaving the question of the effectiveness of hip exercises.
In the January 2012 issue of the Journal of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy, Dr. Khalil Khayambashi and colleagues performed a randomized controlled trial of More >
EMG Analysis of Achilles Exercises
Jan 12th
In a recent blog post, I wrote about Tim Tyler’s research presentation on EMG of the gastroc-soleus during Achilles tendon rehab exercises. The study was published in the November issue of Sports Health. Just to re-cap, here’s what the researchers found:
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Seated toe raise : 11%
- Single-leg balance on Wobble Board : 25%
- Prone ankle pumps : 38%
- Plantar flexion with red Thera-Band exercise band : 45%
- Walking : 47%
- Lateral Step-up : 60%
- Single leg heel raise : 112%
- Single leg jump : 112%
Be sure and check out Tim’s podcast of the study if you haven’t already:
Standard Podcast
Academy donates to Sports Physical Therapy Research Fund
Jan 11th
Performance Health, the makers of Thera-Band® and Biofreeze® products, have been proud supporters of the APTA’s Sports Physical Therapy Section annual Team Concept Conference for several years. Drs. Phil Page and Bart Bishop presented 2 workshops at the December 2011 conference on Functional Exercise Progression and Lower Extremity Proprioceptive Rehabilitation using Thera-Band products. You can read more about the 2011 conference here.
As in past years, Performance Health donated the $600 in proceeds from demonstration product sales to the Section’s Legacy Fund that supports sports physical therapy research.
