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Thera-Band featured in Asian workshops and Olympic Teams
Dec 5th
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Academy director Dr. Phil Page recently gave 3 workshops on the Janda Approach to Muscle Imbalance featuring Thera-Band® products in South Korea and China. See pictures from the workshop on our Thera-Band Academy Facebook page.
40 South Korean physical therapists attended a 2-day workshop at Korea University Physical Therapy School in November to learn how to evaluate and treat Janda’s muscle imbalance syndromes. Thera-Band products including elastic bands, stability trainers, and balance boards were demonstrated. The workshop was sponsored by the Korean Society for Sports Physical Therapy and Naum Care, distributors of Thera-Band products in South Korea. Check out more photos on the KSSPT website here.
Following the workshop, Dr. Page toured the Korea Sport University and Olympic Training Center, where the Korean Olympic team uses Thera-Band products. Lead physical therapist for the Korean Olympic Team, Dr. Jehoon Lee is also an instructor for Thera-Band Academy.
At the Beijing Sports University, 100 sports physical therapists and trainers attended a 1-day workshop on November 8 featuring Thera-Band products. Dr. Page then toured the Sport Science Research Center, which uses Thera-Band products for Chinese Olympic athletes as More >
Biofreeze reduces blood flow faster than ice
Nov 28th
Dr. Robert Topp
The Academy Blog has shared several articles about research on the mechanisms of Biofreeze from Dr. Robert Topp. Recently, he published an article in the Journal of Sports Rehabilitation comparing ice and Biofreeze® gel on blood flow and muscle strength. 17 healthy adults were assessed for blood flow in their radial artery and wrist extension strength after 3 different conditions: ice applied to the forearm, Biofreeze gel applied to the forearm, or a control condition.
The Biofreeze gel significantly reduced blood flow by 42% at 5 minutes after application, which returned to normal at 10 to 15 minutes after application. In contrast, the ice didn’t significantly decrease blood flow until 20 minutes of application at a 48% reduction.
Interestingly, ice caused a slowing of muscle recovery in wrist extension strength after application. This was in contrast to Biofreeze application, which actually increased wrist extension strength by 8%.
Dr. Topp and his colleagues suggest that the menthol in Biofreeze “may affect blood flow through neural mechanisms that respond faster…but are also quickly sensitized.”
In summary, Biofreeze topical analgesic creates a reduction in blood flow at a magnitude similar to ice (about 45%), but does so within the first 5 minutes. Ice takes 20 minutes More >
New article on topical analgesics in PT Products
Nov 21st
Dr. Phil Page recently published an article in PT Products on the use of topical analgesics in practice. Below is an excerpt from his article:
Typically, ice is applied to the skin to create a cold response in order to reduce pain because cold reduces the pain threshold. Menthol creates a chemical action on cold receptors rather than a physical action, resulting in a cold response. Patel and colleagues provide an excellent review of the mechanisms behind menthol. TRPM8 receptors stimulate small-diameter fibers, making the counterirritant mechanism less likely. Similar to ice, topical application of menthol in 3.5% gel reduces blood flow by 35% within 60 seconds of application, and remains ~20% reduced at 10 minutes after application. Recently, Topp and colleagues noted increased blood flow in both lower limbs after application to one limb, suggesting a possible systemic mechanism of typical menthol.
Exercises after Achilles tendon reconstruction: an EMG-based progression
Oct 13th
Post-operative rehabilitation depends on 3 people: the surgeon, the patient, and the therapist. Obviously, the surgeon must be technically proficient, the patient must be compliant, and the therapist must promote healing without damaging the surgical repair. Orthopedic surgeons often have therapists follow specific rehabilitation protocols, usually based on tissue-healing timeframes.
Tim Tyler PT ATC
Prescribing therapeutic exercise at the appropriate dosage is essential since some tissue stress is necessary to facilitate proper healing; however, too much stress can damage the repair. Little is known about the stresses to tissues during Achilles tendon exercises. Thera-Band® Academy Scientific Advisory Board member Tim Tyler, PT ATC presented EMG analysis data on common Achilles exercises at the 2011 TRAC Annual Meeting.
Ten healthy subjects performed several common exercises, including Thera-Band resisted plantar flexion. The EMG activation levels are reported as a percentage of a maximal contraction:
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Thera-Band Plantar Flexion
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%
While EMG levels are not a direct measure of tissue stress, they can help establish an appropriate progression of high to low intensity activities. For example, Thera-Band ankle More >
Cervicogenic Headache Treatment: What’s the Evidence?
Oct 11th
Janda's Upper Crossed Syndrome
How many of your patients with neck pain suffer from headaches as well, or vice-versa? Cervicogenic headaches are characterized by unilateral headache radiating from the posterior to anterior head, unilateral upper cervical pain and facet “locking,” which is often aggravated by sustained neck positions. Cervicogenic headaches are thought to result from a convergence of sensory input from the upper cervical spine into the trigeminal nucleus. Interestingly, these patients often exhibit Janda’s Upper Crossed Syndrome.
I recently published a review article on the assessment and management of cervicogenic headaches in the International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy. The article describes the assessment of posture, range of motion, muscle length, muscle strength, joint mobility, breathing patterns, and trigger points. A special test, the Cervical Flexion-Rotation test, can help confirm the diagnosis with ~90% accuracy.
Based on my review of the literature, I recommend a multi-modal layered approach to cervicogenic headaches (or any chronic musculoskeletal pain syndrome for that matter): modalities, manual therapy, and therapeutic exercise. For cervicogenic headache patients, modalities such as TENS, cryotherapy, or low-level laser therapy can be helpful. Spinal manipulative therapy has been shown effective for cervicogenic headache patients in several studies. Other manual therapies such as instrument-assisted soft More >
