Academy Blog
Research and News
Long term benefits from Thera-Band exercises for shoulder pain
Feb 9th
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Last year, I reported on a study from Norway comparing elastic resistance exercises with shockwave therapy in patients with shoulder pain. In that 2009 study, the researchers reported on the outcomes of 194 patients randomly assigned to 12 weeks of exercise using elastic resistance or 4 to 6 treatments of radial extracorporeal shockwave treatment (RESWT). Their paper reported on the 18-week outcomes, finding nearly twice as many subjects in the exercise group significantly improved their pain and disability levels compared to the shockwave group (64% vs. 36%). In addition, there were no significant differences between the groups in function or range of motion. Download the exercise protocol here.
Recently, Engebretsen and colleagues provided their 1-year follow-up in the journal Physical Therapy. One year after the intervention, there was no significant difference between the groups: both the exercise and RESWT groups significantly improved in pain levels, disability, function, and range of motion. In other words, while the shockwave therapy was less effective than exercise in the short term, there were no long-term differences between the treatments.
The authors noted a greater tendency of patients in More >
Neck pain in office workers relieved with 2 minutes of Thera-Band exercise!
Feb 7th
Neck pain combined with shoulder pain is a common problem among desk workers, particularly those using a desktop computer. One study noted a 50% incidence of neck/shoulder pain over a 1-year period. Lars Andersen PhD and his colleagues in Copenhagen, Denmark, completed a randomized controlled trial of 198 office workers with neck/shoulder pain and tenderness to palpation. The researchers wanted to develop an “exercise program as simple and feasible as possible.”
They chose Thera-Band® elastic tubing with handles for an exercise routine using only 1 exercise for either 2 or 12 minutes. The subjects were randomly assigned to either a non-exercising control group, a 2-minute exercise group, or a 12-minute exercise group. The exercise groups performed a lateral raise exercise in the scapular plane to 90 degrees of abduction with elastic tubing. The exercises were performed 5 days per week (10 minutes and 60 minutes per week in the 2- and 12-minute groups, respectively) for 10 weeks. Female subjects started with Red Thera-Band resistance tubing, while the male subjects started with Green tubing. Both groups gradually increased their repetitions and resistance to Blue Thera-Band resistance tubing. The 2-minute group performed the exercise for one set to failure, while the 12-minute group performed 5 to 6 More >
28 New Thera-Band Academy Instructors Certified in Latin America
Feb 4th
At the 1st Train the Trainer meeting for Latin America held last week, 28 therapists and physicians from 6 countries became certified trainers for Thera-Band Academy. The meeting, held January 26-28, was hosted by the Thera-Band dealer, Equipos Interferenciales in Cuernavaca, Mexico. The intensive, 3-day training included the scientific and clinical application of elastic resistance, exercise balls, and progressive balance training. The attendees also learned how to use the Thera-Band Rehab and Wellness Station. Each instructor had to pass a written examination and complete an oral presentation of an exercise using Thera-Band products. Argentina, Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia, Peru, and Venezuela were represented. You can see photos of the training and some of their exercise presentations on our Facebook page.
The Thera-Band Academy supports 220 instructors from 45 countries around the world. Each presents professional workshops in their country using Thera-Band products. The instructors work with their local dealers to provide evidence-based hands-on workshops for healthcare and fitness professionals. Click here to search for workshops offered by Academy instructors.
Thera-Band exercises featured in new book from China
Feb 2nd
Alvin Wong is a physical therapist and strength and conditioning specialist in Beijing, China. He has been an instructor for Thera-Band Academy for many years as one of the first trained in China. In 2009, he opened a studio called REFORM Exercise Therapy Studio in Beijing that mainly provides therapeutic exercises to correct posture and biomechanics to relieve musculoskeletal problems. Alvin has just published a full-color book, “Functional Training and Conditioning with Elastic Band” in Chinese featuring Thera-Band® products. Alvin is currently a Director of REFORM Exercise Therapy Studio. Even though the book is in Chinese, the language of elastic exercise seems universal…The full color photos explain the exercises well-enough to replicate in any country. I’ve known Alvin for several years and was pleased to see many great exercises he’s incorporated. I asked him a few questions about his book for our Academy Blog.
What motivated you to write the book?
Firstly, elastic band training is increasing popularity in the Chinese fitness industry; however, we don’t have any training books or manuals specific to the usage of elastic band exercises in Chinese language. Secondly, I wanted to share my training experience to the usage of elastic resistance to the personal trainer and conditioning More >
The Academy Supports Certified Exercise Experts for Aging Adults Program
Jan 31st
The Section on Geriatrics APTA is offering a 3 course series leading to becoming a “Certified Exercise Expert for Aging Adults“. The Academy has supported the geriatric physical therapy training program for several years with Thera-Band products including resistance bands, Stability Trainers and FlexBars. Physical therapists who complete the program will demonstrate expert clinical decision-making skills in (1) examination of aging adults, (2) designing and applying an effective exercise prescription, and (3) measuring the effectiveness and reflecting on the current evidence of exercise for all aging adults. The process to attain the credential of “Certified Exercise Expert for Aging Adults” is to complete formal didactic education and to participate in supervised and mentored skills development, home-based reflection, practical testing, and critical thinking. Three courses of two days each address evidence-based examination and different and increasingly complex aspects of exercise design and delivery. The three courses are designed to build on each other; however, Courses 1 and 2 can be taken out of sequence. Course 1 is Introduction and Examinati on (Tests and Measures); Course 2 is Exercise Prescription and Consensus Guidelines; and Course 3 is Special Populations, Complementary Exercises, Motivation, Drug and Nutritional Considerations, and Marketing. For information contact Karen Oshman at <Karen.Oshman@geriatricspt.org>. Further More >
