Archive | January, 2012

To Ice or Not To Ice During Athletic Activity

There is an ongoing debate in the athletic medicine community over the merits and pitfalls of using ice on sore muscles. When should an athlete apply cold treatments to their muscles versus hot, and in what sequence? Should they apply temperature treatments, either hot or cold, immediately before a workout, or immediately after? Should they apply treatments evening before, or the evening after?

A research study published recently in an Australian sports medicine journal took up the issue of mid-activity cryotherapy and reported some interesting results. Chris Bleakley’s “Should Athletes Return to Sport After Applying Ice?” asks whether or not it is beneficial to apply ice or other cold treatments like Biofreeze or eyes to muscles during the course of physical activity, i.e. during half-time at a soccer game, etc.

Bleakley’s study is a literature review of existing research available on the topic. He cites a total of 25 studies that test what athletes experience immediately after applying ice treatments to their muscles and then returning to physical activity. Over three quarters of the studies Bleakley examine described a decrease in muscle activity resulting from the application of ice to muscles mid-way through a work out. Some athletes even reported a loss of dexterity as the result of icing during physical activity.

At the study’s conclusion, it suggests that athletes should avoid interrupting periods of sustained physical activity with lengthy muscle cooling sessions during the course of the work out if possible. If absolutely necessary, the cooling sessions should be restricted to the shortest intervals of time possible.

What does Bleakley consider a ‘long’ interval of muscle cooling versus a ‘short’ one? His research restricts itself to experiments consisting of twenty-minute icing sessions or longer. For this reason, he admits that while his research suggests with some certainty that “long” sessions (more than twenty minutes) reduce performance, the study cannot comfortably suggest any conclusions regarding “short” (less than twenty minute) sessions.

An important factor that Bleakley does not address in his study is an account for athletes’ motivations for icing their muscles down in the first place. Generally, ice is used to reduce the amount of pain that an injured, or arthritic area of the body causes during physical performance.

Many of the ameliorating effects of icing treatment, however, can be circumvented by certain analgesic solutions such as Biofreeze. Through the use of menthol and other related treatments, these products potentially achieve the objective of icing, which is to reduce pain, without any of the other negative aspects (reduction of performance) that ice necessarily produces on muscle tissue.

Enhancing your Life with Chiropractic Care

While chiropractic is a relatively new field, in its short lifespan, it has taken the world by storm.  Many people have become fed up with traditional medicine and are seeking new healthy ways to treat their ailments, without taking harmful drugs.  Holistic healing methods such as acupuncture, massage therapy, and chiropractic care have all been greatly successful in assisting the population in their endeavor to live healthier and safer lifestyles.

If you have never been to a chiropractor, or if you have not been in a long time, you may not be familiar with modern chiropractic practices.  These days, you do not have to worry about having your back or neck popped into place by hand.  While most chiropractors are still familiar with this method of practice, the majority of chiropractors these days have moved onto the activator method.

The activator method involved using a small metal tool called an activator, which quickly and painlessly moves your bones back into alignment.  The activator is spring loaded and has a soft rubber tip, so that it will not hurt you in any way.  Most patients prefer this technique because there is minimal risk and no pain.  The activator allows for much more accurate bone placement, which less chance of human error.

If you have never been to a chiropractic office, you can expect to lay face down on a padded table, with headrest paper where your face lies between two crevices.  This allows the chiropractor to work on your spine in a straightforward manner.  The chiropractor will then perform a series of leg tests where he will apply pressure on certain parts of your back and neck, and then check your feet to see if they remain balanced.  If one of your feet becomes slightly shorter or longer, the chiropractor is able to tell which vertebra needs to be realigned.

If you suffer from chronic pain, sleeplessness, migraine headaches, or any number of symptoms, it may greatly benefit you to reduce the amount of medication you are forced to take, and solve the problem at its root.  These days, many people just make the pain go away with medications, but this does not fix the actual problem.  Over time, these symptoms will continue to worsen and you could end up with a dependency on pain medication.  Rather than travelling down that slippery slope, try enhancing your life with chiropractic care.  It may be the best decision you ever make!

Different Techniques Same Goal

Do you ever notice that when you’re on a computer, there’s about five different ways to do the same thing? Whether you’re cutting and pasting on Microsoft Word or trying to type in a website on Google, it’s kind of mind-boggling to realize that the way you’re doing it isn’t the way your neighbor is doing it. But somehow, you both end up with the same results. And why are there are so many different techniques when the goal is one and the same? Well, some people might say that a certain way is less time-consuming, while a different group may say that their way involves less keystroke on the keyboard. Ultimately, it depends on the person at the computer, whatever he/she is comfortable doing. That of course doesn’t mean that it doesn’t get complicated somewhere down the road.

Working on a computer isn’t the only thing that joins a number of methods to achieve one goal. This type of thing happens in every field, in every career across the globe, up to and including everyday life. Even the simple act of driving your kids to school can take on a complex ritual. One mom may take a different route because she thinks it’s shorter while another may take an alternative route because it’s easier to make a right-hand turn into the school’s driveway. It basically comes down to preference. What a person likes, what they don’t like—that is the deciding factor.

And no other career field knows that better than the field of chiropractic medicine. This type of medicine has been around for a long time and yet you won’t ever find two chiropractors who practice in the same way. On one hand, you’ll have a doctor who leans more towards the spiritual, holistic approach of allowing the body to heal itself naturally. Then on the other hand, you’ll have a doctor who relies a bit more heavily on scientific devices like the activator instrument, to help move the body along in the healing process. As I mentioned before, a lot depends on the patient’s preference and of course, on what type of chiropractor they see. But no matter what way you slice it, each chiropractor is working towards a common goal—to help alleviate your body’s pain and discomfort.

The Cutting Edge of Physical Therapy

It used to be extremely difficult to find the supplies your business to run smoothly.  People used to have to seek out specialty stores and custom order the products that were necessary for their specific field.  These days, there are online retailers that make buying specialized items simple and convenient.  Whether you need an exercise ball, a new table, or any kind of physical therapy supplies, you can be sure that whatever you need is available at a fair price.  You can even have your requested item delivered as quickly as you need, even the very next day.

Many people are not aware of how secure internet shopping really is.  As long as you make sure that you are doing business with a reputable online retailer, there is nothing to worry about.  Your information is safe and secure.

The beauty of online shopping is that you are able to compare prices from the comfort of your own home.  If you are not sure about the legitimacy of one dealer, simply move on to the next.  If you are a prudent shopper, it is possible to find wonderful bargains.  This means that your business can be far more profitable and you can feel good knowing that you made the best purchasing decision available to you.

As a physical therapist, your equipment is just as important as your skill.  The human hand is not able to perform all of the functions that are necessary to help your client fully recover.  Utilizing the many tools that are on the market is an essential part of your job and by buying them online you are able to greatly enhance your practice without over spending.

Physical therapy is a field that is constantly evolving and it is important to keep up with the latest technologies.  By following current trends and taking advantage of the newest items that are available to you, you can provide your clients with the best possible experience.  Because physical therapy is a referral based business, it is important to make sure every single one of your patients leaves with a smile.

Don’t get left behind in this modern world.  Instead, simply stay on the cutting edge of physical therapy whenever possible.  It is up to you to make a difference in other people’s lives and if you are passionate about healing, they will be as well.

Consider the Important Details as an Esthetician

As an esthetician, it is very important that you always remember how important even the tiniest details are.  There are many small factors that go into the job of an esthetician and it is imperative that every single one of them is monitored and catered to meticulously.  If you are adamant about the minutest of details, you will never have to worry about a spoiled reputation, legal recourse, complaints, or any of the other many problems that can arise from a careless mistake.   Your clients demand perfection from you and as long as you are passionate and cautious, you will deliver top notch service.

One of the most important aspects of your business is cleanliness and hygiene.  In the beauty industry, there is no room for poor sanitation procedures.  Every last one of your esthetics supplies needs to be regularly sanitized after each and every use.  It only takes one absent minded use of a dirty tool to completely ruin your reputation.  Many people find that it helps to have a checklist of necessary tasks to perform throughout the day.  Being able to visualize what has and has not been done already makes cleaning and sanitizing duties more efficient and quick.  A general rule of thumb is that you can never be too careful.  Always keep a watchful eye and make sure nothing slips under your radar.  Expired products must be disposed of, your work environment must be spotless, and your personal hygiene needs to be impeccable.  Remember that you are selling beauty, and if you cannot take care of your own personal hygiene, how can you be expected to be trusted with other people’s skin?

Another important aspect of your job to is your demeanor.  Because you are interacting with your clients on a fairly personal level, it is vital that they feel comfortable and at ease around you.  Even if you are tired or having a hard day, cast aside those grumpy feelings and try to provide a positive experience for your clients.  Sometimes a customer may be demanding or rude, but it is always best to simply smile and try to bring joy into their lives.  It is difficult to be rude to someone who is friendly and disarming, and by taking the high road you set an example on how you deserve to be treated.  Remember to consider the important details as an esthetician each day.

The Many Benefits of Using a Condom Catheter

Urinary incontinence is a way of life for a lot of men across the country. This type of condition can be humiliating and can deal a real blow to the individual’s self-esteem. There are many different ways that men who suffer from urinary incontinence decide to deal with their embarrassing problem. One way that is beginning to increase in popularity is the use of a condom catheter. There are tons of benefits to using this type of a catheter, which is why more and more men who suffer from incontinence are beginning to request this type of equipment to use at home, in the hospital, and other locations.

One of the main benefits of using a condom catheter is that they are easy to use. This type of catheter is an external type, meaning that there is no tube that needs to be inserted through the male urethra into the bladder. The device slips over the male penis and is secured in place. The tip of the device is attached to a hose that runs to a urine bag that can be attached to the male’s leg so that it can be hidden from sight, concealing the individual’s incontinence issues. Read more…

Lancets and Other Low-Price Medical Supplies

Lancets are used by diabetics to prick their fingers so that they can get an accurate reading of their blood sugar. They’re also used for a variety of other purposes. Sometimes, they’re used for purposes as mundane as dealing with boils and pimples. Whether the use for life-saving medical procedures that diabetics rely upon or simple cosmetic procedures, there’s no reason that you should pay a lot of money for medical supplies such as lancets. Understanding a bit about the pricing of medical supplies will help you to understand why.

 

Complexity

 

The prices of many medical supplies are so high because of the complexity of the devices involved. For example, if you buy a glucose meter, you’re buying a very expensive piece of equipment. You’re also buying a piece of equipment that has to be manufactured to extremely tight tolerances. Where those types of devices are concerned, there is absolutely no room for error or slop. Lancets, on the other hand, are about as simple as medical devices get. They’re not even as complicated as a hypodermic needle, which means that you shouldn’t pay a lot of money for them. Read more…

Taking Care of Urinary Incontinence

If you are one of the many who is suffering from urinary incontinence, you should know and take heart from the fact that you are not alone. Millions of people will go through this type of problem at some point in life, and while it can be quite embarrassing, you can find ways to help alleviate this embarrassment. One of the first, and most important, things that you need to do is schedule an appointment with your primary care physician if you haven’t already. He or she may be able to treat you, or you may have to go to a specialist.

 

Your doctor will be able to examine you and provide you with treatment options that you might not have known about. Together, you will be able to decide what your best options are going to be for treatment. He or she can also tell you about some of the products that are on the market and that are perfect for helping those who are suffering from urinary incontinence. Read more…

Adult Diapers for Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence is a common problem affecting 25 million adults in the U.S. Symptoms vary with some individuals experiencing mild lack of bladder control and others experiencing complete loss of bladder control. No matter what degree of urinary incontinence you experience, there are a number of products that will help you manage the condition. Adult diapers are one option that provides protection and ensures that embarrassing accidents do not occur.

There are four types of urinary incontinence including overflow, stress, urge, and mixed. Read more…