RehabCare

Chatapalooza 2.0--It's Here!

You've seen our Chatapalooza events, but we are taking them to the next level-Chatapalooza 2.0! What does that mean? We're kicking up our online chat events to include a full webinar with a guest speaker! Over the next six months we will be hosting a series of webinars geared toward students like you! Our first topic-Clinical Affiliations! The RehabCare Campus Relations Crew will be discussing Clinical Affiliations--what to expect, how to prepare, etc. With a question and answer session at the end of the webinar you can get all of your questions answered! Whether you are currently completing your Clinical Affilation, or just starting to set up your clinical rotation, this is the chat for you! Also, stay tuned at the end to learn how to enter to win an Ipod nano with video! We're really excited about this event, but you'll need to register. Click on the link to the right that says Chatapalooza 2.0 to be directed to the registration. Space is limited so hurry, it's this Thursday at 7pm! See the flyer below for more information.

RehabCare Technology Video

Check out RehabCare's latest video exploring all the ways we are using technology to make sure our therapists stay on the cutting edge of their profession!

The Wii Isn't Just Your Normal Video Game System

Needless to say, the Nintendo Wii System has been the craze amongst not only children but adults for the last couple years.This system simulates the activity therefore requiring the player to perform coordinated dynamic movements. Not only is this a great way to enjoy interactive games with friends, or do a work out but it may also improve your balance! A recent Case Report in the Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy suggests just that. The Wii Bowling game was used as the sole treatment for a 89 year old female patient with an unspecified balance disorder and a history of multiple falls. The patient participated in 6 bowling sessions for 60 minutes each over a 2 week period. The outcomes proved to be positive. The patient's clinical measures included the Berg Balance Scale, Dynamic Gait Index, Timed Up and Go Test and Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale; improvements were noted in all measurements.  Although this was a case report involving only one patient and a single examining physical therapist, it is great start in determining the effects of using the Wii in physical therapy treatments. Next time you are looking for an new and fun treatment approach to improve balance, take a look at the Wii!

Proving the Physcial Therapy Profession

As a physical therapist I am often asked by my patients, "Why are you doing this exercise?", "How is this going to help my injury?" Based upon my schooling, experience, and current research I am able to confidently respond to my patient's inquiries. But is there enough evidence out there to be 100% sure your treatment approach is the best for each individual patient and will show successful outcomes? Within the past decade, the physical therapy profession has put more emphasis on evidence-based practice, not to discredit the theories we all once learned and still use in our everyday practice. The community and physician practices seem to be in agreement with this movement.  Recently in a New York Times article titled Treat Me, but No Tricks Please , the author discusses PT treatment for a sport's-related injury and states:

When I asked Dr. Irrgang for studies showing what worked, I was a bit surprised. To put it kindly, they left much to be desired.

Researchers would mix treatments — stretching and massage and orthotic shoe inserts, for example. If patients said they felt better, it was impossible to know why. Some of the studies involved as few as four participants. And the researchers did not always assign subjects randomly to one treatment or another to see which one worked better.

While we hope that our clinical reasoning leads to proper treatment choices and execution resulting positive outcomes, let's take it a step further and follow the steps to prove our choices through concrete evidence. The Allied Health Research Instutute is a great organization that  is dedicated to assist the profession in just that. One of the  principle objectives is to  "create a central data repository to collect and analyze clinical outcomes for the purpose of establishing industry and academic-supported, evidence-based practice patterns." As therapists, let's dedicate ourselves to showing through theory, experience and EVIDENCE the importance of Physical Therapy.

Haitian Earthquake has Ties Close to Home

It's not often that people give any mind to the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, but in recent days all eyes have been on the island nation of Haiti. Struck by a massive 7.0 magnitude earthquake the nations capitol, Port-Au-Prince, and surrounding areas now sit in ruin. Our friend and fellow therapist Dr. Chuck Gulas, Dean of the School of Health Professions at Maryville University is currently in Haiti on sabbatical doing a service project with Haitian physical therapy tech students. While Dr. Gulas is okay he indicates that, as we've all heard and seen on the news, the situation is indeed very grave. The hospsital at which he is working, Hopital Albert Schweitzer (HAS) in Deschappelles, Haiti is overwhelmed with paitients pouring in from PauP, but each patient is being treated and more are constantly arriving.

While each of us sits in front of our TVs, blackberries, or iphones and watches the news headlines wreaking of devastation you are probably asking how you can help in the midst of such widespread devastation? There are so many opportunities to give to the relief effort through organizations like the American Red Cross, UNICEF, or World Vision. Please understand that each of these are very noble causes and will do MUCH good for the people of Haiti, but we also ask that you consider giving to the Haitian Relief Fund at HAS where Dr. Gulas is currently treating. Their need for supplies and medicine is great and funds are short. If you'd like to donate please click here to visit the Friends of HAS website and give your secure donation. Please know that 100% of your donation will go to aid those individuals that are being treated by the Hopital Albert Schweitzer in response to the disaster in PauP.

3 Tips You May Not Know About Injury Prevention

Please welcome our guest blogger RehabCare Alumni Ambassador, Physical Therapist and professional triathlete, Aaron Scheidies.

Injury prevention is key in order to keep consistent with an exercise or training program.  Some strategies to injury prevention such as stretching, proper warm up, hydrating and correct mechanics are well known to be important to avoid injury.  The 3 injury prevention tips below are not mind blowing new concepts but they are not always considered when in an exercise program.  I hope these can help you and your clients/patients to prevent their next injury before it occurs.

 

1.        The Optimal Window for Recovery:

It is well known that whenever we exercise we are breaking down our muscles with the belief they will build themselves back stronger.   This process can be expedited by utilizing the “optimal window for recovery”.  This window is a 30-45 minute gap after exercise in which our bodies absorb and utilize nutrients more effectively.  Protein is absorbed to jumpstart the process of patching up the micro-damaged muscles.  Carbohydrates are used to replenish the glycogen stores that were depleted.  If this optimal window is not taken advantage of post exercise we leave ourselves at risk for breaking down our muscles without full recovery at the next session.  Thus starting a steady decline in strength and vulnerable for injury.  Foods that have a high ratio of protein and carbohydrates such as turkey/cheese sandwich, yogurt, oatmeal with nuts, PB&J sandwich, recovery shakes, bars etc are best

2.        Varying Up Your Workouts:

The majority of injuries especially in endurance athletes are considered overuse injuries because they result from repetitive movement in the same pattern of r motion and forces directed in the same direction to the body.  These injuries can partially be avoided by varying up workouts.  This can mean many things.  Here are 3 ways to vary up your workouts.

a.        Avoid consecutive days of stressing the Same Muscle Groups: Strength train lower body one day and lower body another day.  If you run one day than strength train the upper body or swim the following session.

b.      Couple High Intensity Workouts with Lower Intensity Sessions:  High intensity training breaks down the body very rapidly.  By doing two days in a row of high intensity training our body doesn’t have enough time to recover and it continues to be broken down.  Instead, couple interval or heavy weight days with highly aerobic light intensity days.  In the endurance world we call these workouts “recovery workouts”.

c.       Change the Terrain:  Different terrains provide differing impact forces through the joints.  Running on dirt trails, ash fault vs. cement and on treadmills decrease the forces put through our joints.  Water activities such as swimming are very low impact and are great options when your body is feeling run down but you still want to exercise. 

 

Here is an example of a training week of a good variety of workout types and intensities to help prevent build up of stresses on single joints and promote full body conditioning.

Training Table for Injury Prevention (Insert Here)

 

 

3.        Strength Training to Reduce Stress on Bones:

Our muscles are the primary stabilizers of our joints and also take a great deal of the stress off the bones when they are strong.  When we exercise we also break down our bones and this is needed to a point but without adequate muscle strength to reduce the loads going through our bones we put ourselves at risk for stress fractures and joint deterioration.  This is why it is important to incorporate strength training into all exercise programs.  In endurance athletes, strength training in the off season to build a foundation of strength is essential.  For those of you that are trying to lose weight and believe strength training slow this down, think again.  Strength training increases our basal metabolic rate so we burn more calories at rest and builds lean muscle which takes up much less space as fat. 

 

			SAMPLE TRAINING WEEK FOR INJURY PREVENTION   Sun Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri  Sat AEROBIC   40min Jog Low Intensity Paved surface 1hr Swim Vary kicking, pulling and stroke 45min Run: Speed Intervals on Treadmill/Track 45min Stationary Bike Mod intensity;steady pace   45min Run on soft Trails STRENGTH    30min Upper Body Strength Ex   20min Core Strength ex 15min Core Strength Ex 45min Lower Body Strength Ex

Wishing You a Very Happy New Year

Chatapalooza Returns!

[18:07] Barb: Hi Guest? What's on your mind?
[18:12] Barb: We're setting up interviews for May grads. Are there any May grads on line, tonight?
[18:15] Shanda: I just graduated on Friday, I am an OTA and I'm looking for a position around Springfield Illinois
[18:16] Barb: I know that we don't have any positions open right now in Spingfield. Would you consider another location until something opens up in Springfield?
[18:16] Shanda: Well, I'm married and my husband has a job in Springfield. I would be willing to drive a little ways.
[18:17] Barb: I can check to see the closest location available right now, but I think it may be Quincy, IL. I know that's really far.
[18:18] Shanda: Ya, that's a little too far.
[18:18] Barb: Or possibly Chicago....?
[18:19] Shanda: I can talk to my husband about Chicago. I wouldn't mind being up there for a little while.
[18:20] Shanda: Where do I get info on your Chicago opportunities?
[18:21] Barb: Log on to the screen to the right and fill out the form to Schedule Your Phone Interview. That will help us arrange a time for you to connect to the recruiter. Thanks for chatting with us tonight.
[18:21] Barb: Whoops.....I meant the screen to the LEFT. (YIKES)
[18:23] LBrown: Hi guest! Welcome to Chatapalooza! Are there any questions we can answer for you tonight?
[18:26] LBrown: Welcome guest3939 how can we help you?
[18:27] Barb: We're also scheduling some site tours over the Holiday break. Is anyone interested in visiting and shadowing with a therapist for the day?
[18:29] nancyot99: stopped by to see what is going on
[18:29] nancyot99: I am in Cali working for rehabcare
[18:29] Julie: It's a party!
[18:30] LBrown: What facility do you work at Nancy?
[18:30] Barb: Awesome. How long have you worked for RehabCare?
[18:30] nancyot99: one year and i work at several different ones since i am PRN
[18:30] nancyot99: work is slow right now
[18:31] nancyot99: how is the weather in Illinois
[18:31] Julie: What part of California are you in?
[18:31] nancyot99: I am from there
[18:31] nancyot99: northern cali
[18:31] LBrown: It's very cold in Illinois tonight!
[18:32] nancyot99: just saw this on FB and thought i would stop by and say hello
[18:32] LBrown: Guest81502 thanks for stopping by. What brings you to Chatapalooza tonight?
[18:32] nancyot99: good night everyone have a great night..
[18:33] LBrown: Thanks for coming Nancy! Enjoy your evening!
[18:35] Barb: Welcome guests....what's the good word?
[18:45] Barb: Welcome Guests! What's on your mind tonight?
[18:46] Julie: Anyone getting ready to graduate soon?
[18:47] Guest: I graduated this Aug
[18:47] Lianne: congrats!
[18:47] Guest: Thanks
[18:47] Barb: Have you started working yet?
[18:51] cari: Hello
[18:51] Barb: You should think about physical therapy. Lots of great opportunities....all over the country.
[18:52] LBrown: Hi Cari how are you this evening?
[18:54] Barb: We're chatting about jobs for new grad PTs, OTs and SLP....oh and assistants, too!
[18:55] Lianne: Yes, great jobs with RehabCare!
[18:55] LBrown: Hi guest 81320 and guest 58353. How are you tonight?
[18:55] Jill: We offer great resources for students in therapy school too!
[18:56] Barb: Where are your TOP jobs, Jill?
[18:57] Julie: Anyone want to work in New York?
[18:58] Jill: We have a great opportunity for OT in Chicago and a PT here in St. Louis along with a PT just a little further south in Perryville!
[19:00] Sarah: Hello!
[19:00] Barb: Welcome to Chatapalooza, Sarah. What's on your mind?
[19:01] Julie: Hi, Sarah! How are you this evening?
[19:01] Sarah: I'm good...A little cold...but I'm an OT student and I will actually be graduating in May
[19:01] Julie: What school will you be graduating from?
[19:02] Sarah: University of North Dakota
[19:02] Barb: Hey that's where one of our Alumni Ambassadors is from. Ryan.
[19:02] Jill: congrats! Did you attend the job fair there a couple months ago?
[19:03] Sarah: No I was actually doing my fieldwork, but I did attend last year!
[19:03] Julie: Are you wanting to stay in ND or move elsewhere?
[19:03] Sarah: I was thinking in ND or MN
[19:03] Sarah: I'm married and my husband and I would like to stay around the area
[19:04] Lianne: What type of setting are you interested in?
[19:05] Barb: We should talk about MN openings. Would you be interested in scheduling a site tour?
[19:05] Sarah: I am interested phys dys, I really enjoy outpatient but am willing to work in a variety of areas. I really have fell in love with rural settings.
[19:06] Sarah: Barb, I would definitely be interested in a site tour!
[19:06] Jill: Ryan, an alumni, works at a facility nearby. I am sure that he would love to give you a tour and tell you about his experience with RehabCare thus far!
[19:07] Sarah: Oh great! Where is that at?
[19:07] Barb: Fill out a form on the section to the right. Schedule Your Phone Interview. We can then get in touch with you to schedule something. Are you availalbe over the Holiday break?
[19:08] Sarah: Barb, yes I am available some days over the Holiday break.
[19:08] Barb: The form is to the LEFT......(omg).....under the Iphone. Its a secure setting.
[19:09] Jill: It is in Detroit Lakes, MN, is that close to you?
[19:10] Sarah: That's alright Barb! I'll check it out! Jill, Detroit Lakes is about 2 1/2 hrs from me.
[19:10] Jill: What about Park Rapids?
[19:13] Sarah: Park Rapids is about 3 1/2 hrs. away
[19:15] Jill: We do have a few hospitals in ND that may be a little closer. If you fill out the form Barb mentioned I will definitely give you a call and set something up[19:16] Sarah: I already did! Just got it in!!!
[19:16] Julie: Glad you stopped by, Sarah!
[19:16] Jill: Great! I am looking forward to speaking with you soon!
[19:17] Sarah: Thanks everyone! I look forward to hearing from you too! Have a wonderful night!
[19:17] Jill: you too! Thanks Sarah!

Virtual Therapy at UAB

The Department of mechanical engineering at University of Alabama-Birmingham is working on a 3D virtual lab that will simulate everything from skiing to surgery and physical therapy.  The program is still in the design stages but the engineers hope that the program will soon be able to depict a patients height and weight and give the ability to "touch" and "treat" the patients.  Physical Therapy is a strong focus for the program.  A student will be able to step into the simulation and practice patient interaction, as well as, the patient will be able to receive virtual therapy.  While health care is the primary focus right now, engineers hope to expand it by creating programs for education and engineers.  Click here to read more about it!

Missouri's New OTA Programs

The Missouri Health Professions Consortium (MHPC) has admitted their first OTA class and will be off the ground and running in January. I had the pleasure of visiting each campus and was welcomed by an overwhelming excitement for this new program. The admission office and career centers eagerly listened as I descibed our Tuition Assistance Program and discussed the opportunities we have for their students while in school and after graduation. University of Missouri - Columbia has done a great job at administering and coordinating theis OTA program with State Fair Community College,  East Central Community College and Moberly Area Community College; RehabCare is proud to be a part of this new adventure. Are you interested in helping others? Looking for a new career? Check out http://healthprofessions.missouri.edu/