RehabCare

Man's Best Friend

I love my dogs.  They keep me active, they give me love, and they make me laugh!  But, never did I think that they could help with my rehabilitation if I ever needed it.  That was, however, until I read Therapeutic Animals, an article on ADVANCE.com. 

As is told in the article, physical therapist, Jennifer Trecaso, has helped to develop a therapy program for her patients with dogs, specifically her dog Rudy!   Rudy comes with Jennifer to work one day a week and interacts with her patients.  Patients pet Rudy, play ball with Rudy, walk Rudy, groom Rudy, and even chat with Rudy.  All of this being fun, as well as, "working on their endurance, strength, range of motion, and flexibility which pretty much encompasses all of therapy".  Therapy in the rehab gym is very functional and beneficial but this program adds another element. 

"Studies show interaction between humans and animals can provide a variety of benefits to adults during the rehabilitation process, Stillion said. The physiological benefits include relaxation in the presence of a dog or other animal. Tests have shown the decrease in heart rate and blood pressure... Animals also help to boost the mood of a resident, prompting them to work harder to accomplish their goals."

Dogs have long been known as man's greatest companion and this is just another example of why they have that title.   Take a moment to read the full article, it is a great showcase for creative therapy treatment.

Grad Student Uses Karaoke In Therapy Session

This is truly something unique and exciting to watch.  Teresa Bularz, who is a University of Wisconsin-Whitewater speech pathology graduate student, has posted a video on YouTube of a therapy session she conducted using karaoke for a patient who suffered a traumatic brain injury several years ago.  I find it so interesting to see all the new and innovative ways that therapists are coming up with to get patients more involved in therapy.  Plus it's fun! (See article on Wii-habiliation here.)

Teresa's video is posted below.  If you have a creative, new approach to conducting a therapy session with your patients, we would love to hear about it!

From Ohio To Mexico

Every once in a while I like to highlight some of the great things going on in our nation's collegiate therapy programs.  Previously we have spotlighted the University of Florida and the University of Kentucky for their student-run free healthcare clinics.  Today's spotlight is shinning on the Ohio State University PT program.  Last December they embarked on a volunteering trip to Merida, Mexico as the "first-of-its-kind elective course for PT students". While in Merida, students volunteered their time in clinics, schools and nursing homes.  Through their trip they "worked with children and elderly people with disabilities, led group exercise sessions, repaired wheelchairs--and remembered what had drawn them to the profession in the first place." 

Students Get Firsthand Experience With NDT Session

Campus Relations recently visited with the graduating PT class of 2008 at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC.  With the help of instructor Nancy Cornette and PT student Amber Henry, we assisted each student with a mock interview session.  We set it up just like a real interview and asked questions that a potential employer might throw their way.  Everyone we interviewed was very impressive and all were well prepared.  This class is a great group of future therapists and will make a great addition to the clinical world.

In addition, we held a clinical session with them after wards on NDT (neuro-development treatment).  To learn more on NDT, you can check out the website of the NDT Association.

Sushi Playing A Part In SNF Rehab

Therapists are always trying to come up with new and exciting ways to engage patients in therapy.  Here is a great example of one therapist, Jacqueline Thrash OTR, bringing her patients "purposeful, client-centered and culturally appropriate occupation-based treatment".

While working in a SNF rehab setting Jacqueline began treating Japanese and Japanese-American patients.   In order to bring their cultural background into their rehabilitation she came up with the idea of integrating SUSHI into their therapy sessions.

"We all had a turn to make our own sushi rolls, and I helped Kay-san(the patient) learn to manage what are normally two-handed tasks with one hand. She was able to open the soy sauce bottle, manipulate the prepared sushi with chop sticks, and instruct Mila (the SLP) how to make her sushi. Mila worked on chewing and swallowing with Kay-san, as well as memory skills to remember the process of sushi making and communication in being able to give instructions."

Click here and read the full article posted on ADVANCE for Occupational Therapy Practitioners. Do you have a creative way of engaging patients in their process of rehab? Leave a comment.

Introducing the First RehabCare Podcast - Wiihabilitation

No matter where you are-- on the bus, riding the subway, walking to class, or working out at the gym you can't help but be bombarded by twenty-somethings with those little white headphones blaring in their ears.

It's the age of the ipod. You can't deny it...you can't ignore it...they're everywhere.  Knowing that students are eternally mobile RehabCare has gotten on the technical bandwagon and published it's first podcast!

Our first venture into the world of podcasting is somewhat entertaining.  Why?  Because not only does it deal with physical therapy, as one might expect, but it's an outline of clinical practice guidelines for using the Nintendo Wii. Coupling the ipod and the Wii what more could any college student want? It's every wired students dream!

Listen here, and stay tuned for more podcasting!

Wiihabilitation Podcast.mp3

Benefits To Having A Little Rascal Around

There is  nothing like the unconditional love of an animal.  With just a lick to your face or a plop on your lap, they fill your heart with warmth and love.  So, it is not hard for me to believe that animal assisted therapy (AAT) and animal assisted activities (AAA) are very beneficial to patients in the therapy world. 

Calling All Therapy Students - Get Inspired

With never ending projects, papers, exams and fieldwork studies sometimes you get so stressed you start to second guess your decision to become a therapist. There are times when you think "Why am I putting myself through this".  Well, the next time you start to second guess your decision remember this story, the Kenneth Ryno story. In 1979, at the age of 18, Ken suffered a spinal cord injury after a motorcycle accident and was told he would never again have use of his legs.

"My neck was broken. I hit so hard that I snapped my spinal cord. My left shoulder was fractured, left lung collapsed, and I had a burn right down to the right calf.” The accident resulted in an incomplete C-6–7 level spinal cord injury" (Action Online: Journal of the United Spinal Association).

Since the day of his accident Ken has never given up hope of walking.  When told by doctor's that that he would never regain enough function to live his life out independently he didn't get depressed or give up - he kept hope alive.

"Ken learned to deal with life in a wheelchair. He worked, married, and even had a child, which he also had been told would be impossible. He equipped his car with homemade handicap devices. And he exercised every day, willing his muscles to move" (Rehabcare Helps Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania Man Walk Again After 24 years).

Years after the accident, in 2002, Ken began Physical Therapy at a RehabCare facility in Pennsylvania. Through his therapy and the help of his Physical Therapist, Tony Rehrig, he has been able to put weight on his paralyzed legs and walk!  He went from being told he would never be able to live independently to walking! So, the next time you start to wonder if all the hard work and schooling is worth becoming a therapist think of Ken, and remember how many lives you can have a positive impact on by being a therapist. Check out the links about to read more about Ken’s amazing story.

No Splashing

While swimming is commonly known as a recreational activity to many, it can also be quite a work out to some. Just this morning I attended my first water aerobics class with my dad. While his goal is to shed some pounds, I am simply there to be his motivator, or so I thought. As I sit here this afternoon, I realize I also received quite the workout. I definitely feel the results of all those underwater squats and lunges I did.  After today, I definitely see what this article is talking about. Water Wellness Workout seems to agree in the article below.
Water Exercise Helps you Get in Shape

Why are so many people amazed by the water aerobics programs and deciding to take part for themselves? There are many different reasons why people choose water aerobics. One reason is simply that it is so much fun to do that it doesn’t feel like a real workout. It is also helpful with many conditions such as arthritis, back spasm and backache, multiple sclerosis, soft-tissue injuries, cardiac patients and even obesity. You can increase your muscle tone and learn greater flexibility when you use water aerobics.

So next time you are looking for a new workout, try the water. Be aware, you may be sore that day.

Hula Hoop for Health

I've noticed that many Physical and Occupational Therapists are looking at other ways to motivate their patients to gain the maximum recovery.  While searching for information on alternative treatment tools I came across this physical therapist that recommends Hula Hooping for Fitness.  Could this be used as a treatment method as well?

Hula Hoop for Fun and Fitness

"Hula hooping is a great form of exercise for the waist, hips, back, buttocks and legs. What better way to tone those bulgy mid-drifts?  They are certainly cost efficient (they now sell for $6.98, only $5 more than they did 45 years ago), don’t require going to a gym or getting in your car to practice on a field, and require no heavy equipment. Hooping can be done indoors, so weather is not an issue. The hula hoop may be the best abdominizer ever invented."

NYU Grad makes the big time teaching Hula Hooping. College Student Hoop Guru

I will have to defer to my PT and OT friends to validate this treatment method.  Possibly a research project for a DPT Student?