Academy Blog
Research and News
Thera-Band Academy–China is launched with 20 new trainers
Dec 12th
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20 physical therapists and physicians from mainland China recently completed a Thera-Band “Train the Trainer” workshop in Nanchang, China. Check out photos on our Thera-Band Academy Facebook page. Thera-Band Scientific Advisory Board member, Yuling “Leo” Wang PT will lead the Academy’s efforts in China. Dr. Phil Page led the training in Nanchang, China.
“We hope to promote research and education for Thera-Band in mainland China through continuing education to professionals and to PT students in undergraduate curriculum,” said Wang. See the full interview with Mr. Wang on the Academy’s YouTube channel. He will be working with Thera-Band distributor, Bicom, who will be sponsoring training programs throughout mainland China. Learn more about our instructors in China at the Academy’s Faculty page.
Bicom’s owner, Mr. Carpenter Yu said, “With Thera-Band Academy, we can educate our customers and they can learn to use our products correctly to help their patients.” See the full interview with Mr. Yu on the Academy’s YouTube channel. In addition, Bicom has launched a “QQ” page (China’s equivalent to Facebook) specifically for Thera-Band Academy. The QQ number is 181184498.
Listen to podcasts of the video interviews by More >
Thera-Band featured in Asian workshops and Olympic Teams
Dec 5th
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 well.
The Asian tour concluded with Dr. Page’s keynote lecture to 300 attendees of the First National Congress of Physical Therapy 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 >
Foundation for Physical Therapy Partner in Research
Nov 25th
Thera-Band and Biofreeze products are proud to support the Foundation for Physical Therapy as “Partners in Research” for 2012. The Foundation’s vision and mission support physical therapy research. Learn more at www.foundation4pt.org.
MissionThe mission of the Foundation for Physical Therapy is to fund physical therapy research supporting evidence-based practice that enhances the quality of patient and client services, and to develop the next generation of researchers.
VisionThe Foundation for Physical Therapy is a primary source of funding for physical therapy researchers investigating innovative approaches to health delivery services. The Foundation will expand the culture of giving throughout the physical therapy community and develop partnerships with outside organizations and individuals committed to promoting a healthy society.
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.
