Research and News
In the News
USA Today features Thera-Band Neck and Shoulder Pain Exercise Research Study
Jun 30th
The USA Today featured a story on research from Dr. Lars Andersen in Denmark using Thera-Band® tubing to reduce neck and shoulder pain in office workers. For more information the study including links to download, visit the Academy’s webpage on Neck Pain Exercise here. You can also view the video of the exercise below:
New Thera-Band Innovations Web Site – Resource for Product Ideas
Jun 28th
(Akron, Ohio.) Performance Health, maker of market-leading Thera-Band and Biofreeze® products, has launched the Thera-Band Innovation website. This unique site enables healthcare professionals to propose new product ideas that could innovate their industry and reward them financially.
“Our success as a company is based on the success of the rehab professionals we serve. They have always been a source of great ideas to improve outcomes. The original idea behind the Thera-Band resistance band was actually brought to us by two physical therapists back in 1975. They were using our bulk dental dam product to enhance the effectiveness of their patients’ rehabilitation programs and wanted us to develop additional resistance levels,” stated Ethan Pochman, Director of Clinical Marketing. “We hope this new user-friendly site uncovers some great new products for both the rehab profession and the general consumer.”
The submission process is three simple steps. 1. Read and accept the terms of the Submission Agreement 2. Complete the submission form 3. Upload supporting files if applicable
Performance Health will evaluate all submissions. If interested in the idea, the Company will contact the submitting individual for further discussion.
Researchers show Thera-Band Tubing exercise decreases pain in workers
Jun 17th
Previously, Danish researchers reported that 2 minutes of daily Thera-Band® tubing shoulder lateral raise exercise significantly reduced neck and shoulder pain over 10 weeks. As part of their randomized controlled trial, Dr. Lars L. Anderson and his colleagues at the National Research Center for the Working Environment in Copenhagen wanted to know the effects of the exercise on workers with headaches. Click here to see a video of the exercise. 198 office workers with chronic neck/shoulder pain were randomly assigned to either a 2 or 12-minute per day, 5 day a week exercise program, or a control group. After 10 weeks, both exercise groups had significantly fewer headaches than the control group – with a frequency reduction of 43%-56%. Intensity and duration of headaches remained unchanged. As with their previous study, 2 minutes was as effective as 12 minutes of exercise per day.
Dr Andersen stated, “The elastic resistance exercise helps strengthen the muscles around the neck and shoulder that may improve their work capacity, thus making the muscles more efficient and less painful.” Dr. Andersen and his colleagues published their results in a free download in the Scandinavian Journal of Work and Environmental Health.
Thera-Band® FlexBar® Awarded APTA Endorsement
Jun 3rd
Akron, OH (PRWEB) June 01, 2011. The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) has endorsed the Thera-Band® FlexBar®, a lightweight, easy to grip, portable resistance exerciser for rehabilitating and strengthening hands, wrists, forearms, shoulders and elbows. APTA’s endorsement is a designation that indicates to both physical therapy professionals and the world at large that the FlexBar qualities make the product a valuable tool for practitioners.
“The FlexBar is an amazing tool for the practitioner’s exercise toolbox. In addition to strengthening the hand and forearm, it’s used for oscillation exercises and soft tissue mobilization,” stated Phil Page, PT, PhD, ATC, FACSM, CSCS, Director of Clinical Education and Research for Performance Health.
“A study published in the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery using the FlexBar showed an 81% improvement in elbow pain and a 72% improvement in strength for tennis elbow patients,” continued Page. “This study has been seen world-wide and has helped countless people suffering from chronic tennis elbow.”
