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Army Physical Therapist relies on Thera-Band
May 9th
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(NOTE: The following article was written by the APTA’s Sports Physical Therapy Section and is reprinted with their permission. SPTS member and Army Physical Therapist CPT Jesse C. Ellwein proudly displays his Thera-Band “at Work” in Afghanistan.)
Sports physical therapists work in some of the most unusual – and dangerous – places…Sports physical therapists are commonly seen on the sidelines, the field and the court, as well as in the sports clinic. Many SPTS members spend their days working in hospital or clinic settings, seeing athletes of all ages along with traditional orthopedic patients.
Just got to a base. I’ve got my folding exam table, Theraband, laptop and some patient handouts. Now I’m ready to see patients.And some of our colleagues risk their very lives to provide much-needed physical therapy care.
CPT Jesse C. Ellwein is the Brigade Physical Therapist for the 170th Infantry Brigade based out of Baumholder, Germany, and is currently stationed in northern Afghanistan. He holds a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), as well as a certified personal trainer through the National Council More >
Thera-Band® First Step to Foot Relief™ Awarded APMA Seal of Acceptance
Apr 29th
Akron, OH (PRWEB) April 21, 2011. The American Podiatric Medical Association has awarded the APMA Seal of Acceptance to the Thera-Band® First Step to Foot Relief™, a first-line treatment plan for heel pain. The seal is awarded to a product after the Committee on Podiatric Seals, a standing committee of the American Podiatric Medical Association, scientifically evaluates and determines whether the product allows normal foot function and promotes quality foot health.
The First Step to Foot Relief provides the podiatrist with an at-home treatment plan that enhances their in-clinic service with professional tools and an easy-to-follow program. The product was developed under the direction of practicing podiatrists, physical therapists and chiropractors to address heel pain.
“Over two million Americans suffer from heel pain, the most common ailment seen in podiatry today,” stated Elizabeth DeFranco, Podiatry Marketing Manager at Performance Health. “Our new First Step to Foot Relief provides a podiatrist with guided options to improve their patient’s well-being and to enhance their level of service for patients with heel pain. We are very pleased that the First Step to Foot Relief received the APMA’s Seal of Acceptance, which further validates the product’s value and impact.”
The APMA Seal of Acceptance recognizes products that have More >
Thera-Band® Starter Dispenser Packs Now Available
Apr 15th
The new Thera-Band® Starter Dispenser Pack is available. The Starter Pack is a 15-count display-ready box of pre-cut and individually wrapped Thera-Band Professional Resistance Bands. With a minimal investment, clinicians can provide patients a professional resistance band that supports their prescribed at-home treatment. Each band is accompanied by a Basic Exercise Guide that outlines 17 commonly-used exercises for the neck, shoulder, back, hip, foot and ankle. The Starter Packs are available in five levels of progressive resistance—Yellow, Red, Green, Blue and Black—which represent a range from light level of resistance, perfect for early rehab, all the way to a heavy level, which is suited for fitness training.
“No Excuses” Workout using Thera-Band® elastic bands
Apr 5th
The importance of regular exercise is well-established for good health. According to the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), adults should include strengthening exercises into their regular exercise program at least two to three days per week. Dr. Mary Sanders, a certified Exercise Physiologist and Fellow of the ACSM, recently published an article on incorporating stretching and strengthening exercise with Thera-Band® elastic bands. Dr. Sanders noted a recent survey of personal trainer members from the IDEA organization that reported resistance bands as the second most frequently used piece of equipment by 97% of respondents.
In her article, Dr. Sanders provided a “no excuses” approach to exercise. Workouts at home or in the office can provide flexibility and strength training, eliminating the need for a gym or expensive equipment. Download and read her article here.
REFERENCE : Sanders, M. Muscle up and stretch out! ACSM’s Health and Fitness Journal. 15(2):33-39.
Visit the Thera-Band Elastic Resistance Learning Portal Here
Physical Therapist-led Home Exercise Programs with Thera-Band® Bands Benefits Stroke Survivors
Mar 17th
A stroke, or cerebrovascular accident (CVA) occurs when the brain is deprived of blood flow from a brain blood vessel blockage or rupture. With the increased awareness of strokes and advances in treatment, the number of stroke survivors is expected to continue to increase.
Stroke survivors are often left with residual disability, usually in walking and locomotion. As part of a collaborative “LEAPS” project between rehabilitation researchers at Duke University and the University of Southern California, 5 community-based rehabilitation hospitals in Florida and California participated in a large NIH-funded stroke survivor study. According to the NIH’s National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, this was the largest stroke rehabilitation study ever conducted in the United States.
Researchers wanted to investigate the effectiveness of high-tech robot-assisted treadmill training compared to home-based physical therapy exercises or “usual care” on the ability to walk independently. More than 400 patients were randomly assigned to one of 3 groups: locomotor treadmill walking, home exercise program led by a physical therapist including Thera-Band® resistance band exercises, or a “usual control” group. The patients all had severe or moderate gait impairments. The protocol for the study was published in BMC Neurology in 2007, and specifically included a Thera-Band color-based progression. The More >
