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Biofreeze® Pain Reliever Helps Clinic
Apr 27th
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Timothy Tyler, PT, ATC, MS wanted to know if applying Biofreeze® Pain Reliever during a patient’s initial evaluation would decrease the rate of self-discharge from his private practice in New York. Advance for Physical Therapy and Rehab Medicine recently featured Tyler’s story.
From his experience as a member of the Thera-Band Reserach Advisory Committee (TRAC), he was aware of a study that showed that the application of Biofreeze on neck pain patients had signficantly greater pain reduction compared to ice. All new patients received Biofreeze Spray on their area of chief complaint at the end of their first visit. The patients also performed therapeutic exercises, received appropriate manual therapy and appropriate modalities, and they received a bottle of Biofreeze Spray with the instructions to use the Biofreeze product three times a day at home. The rate of self-discharges during the Biofreeze-application program period dropped to 1.6 percent (from 6.5 percent)-a 75-percent reduction. He presented his findings as part of a larger study involving other clinics at the TRAC 2010 research meeting.
Osteoporosis exercise program with elastic resistance can reduce fall risk factors
Apr 25th
Osteoporosis affects 10 million Americans and is characterized by low bone density. Persons with low bone density are at higher risk of fractures after a fall. The National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends balance training as part of an exercise program for persons with osteoporosis.
Researchers in Brazil evaluated the effectiveness of an eight week exercise program on balance and strength in women with osteoporosis. 33 subjects were randomly assigned to either the exercise or control group. All subjects were tested before and after the program for isokinetic leg strength and postural stability using a Neurocom Balance Master.
The exercise group performed a 10-minute warm-up followed by 20 minutes of balance training and 30 minutes of lower extremity strengthening exercises using ankle cuff weights and elastic bands.
After the 8-week program, the exercising group significantly improved their balance and leg strength compared to the control group. Adherence was excellent at 82%. While these results are promising, a longer term follow-up would be valuable in evaluating the program’s effectiveness at preventing falls and fractures.
An exercise program utilizing Thera-Band® resistance bands and ankle and wrist weights can be effective at improving risk factors associated with falls in osteoporotic women.
REFERENCE: Burke TN, et al. Postural control in elderly persons with osteoporosis: Efficacy More >
Mike Reinold on the Clamshell Exercise…
Apr 20th
Mike Reinold, PT ATC, published an article on his excellent blog about the two essential exercises that should be included in every program, which included the shoulder W exercise and the hip external rotation clamshell exercise. In a recent Academy blog post, I linked to his shoulder W exercise using Thera-Band® tubing. He recently posted a video of his hip external rotation clamshell exercise on his blog with Thera-Band band loops. Be sure and check out his blog and subscribe to his regular updates!
Elastic resistance training can be effective for treating anterior knee pain
Apr 19th
Elastic resistance is often prescribed as part of a rehabilitation program for anterior knee pain (patellofemoral pain syndrome), but its overall efficacy remains unclear. I recently published a systematic review of the topic in the journal, Sports Health. Eight studies using elastic resistance training met the criteria for the review. The exercises typically involved strengthening the hip muscles with 4-direction Thera-Band® kicks, but each study used a different exercise program with elastic resistance. Download an anterior knee pain exercise program with Thera-Band® elastic resistance here.
While each study found significant improvements in pain, due to the study designs (lack of true control), it’s difficult to determine if the elastic resistance was the primary factor for the reduction in pain. However, we can conclude that exercise programs utilizing Thera-Band elastic resistance products can help reduce pain and increase function and strength in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome.
REFERENCE: Page P. Effectiveness of elastic resistance in rehabilitation of patients with patellofemoral syndrome: What is the evidence? Sports Health. 2011. 3(2):190-94.
Visit the Thera-Band Academy Anterior Knee Pain Resource Center Here
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.
