Do You Have Knee Pain? Genu Valgum May Be the Culprit

A friend of minewent on a bicycle with me, and after about an hour started to experience severe knee pain. After reviewing their lower extremity I found she had "knock knees". The clinical term for knock knee is genu Valgum. The opposite would be "bowlegged" or Genu Varum. Genu Varum Since it is generally not with pain or problems, we concentrate on my friend with Genu Valgum. However, both conditions are the result of the Q-angle.

The Q-angle in the frontal plane by a line from the anterior superior spine of Ilium until the mid-patella, and a second line from the center of the patella to the tibial tuberosity. A normal Q-angle for quadriceps femoris function is usually 10 -14 degrees in men and from 15 to 17 degrees for women.

Anyway, back to my friend ...

In the assessment of lower extremity, you must "get out of the box" kind of talk, says Ruben Salinas, PT, OCS. Ruben is the clinical director of the Fortansce and Associates Physical Therapy Clinic in Arcadia, California. "They concentrate not only where the pain is look at the whole picture. Remember that the lower extremity is a closed chain, especially in cycling."

usually Genu Valgum find pronation or flat feet, tight gastrocnemius and in some cases, trochanteric bursitis.

Let us at a time:
at the ankle, the body will try to compensate for the valgus knee stress (tensile forces on the medial side of the knee; compressive forces on the lateral side) of offset. In the hallway you have to dorsiflex an ankle in order to swing the other leg.

If your customers gastroc fixed, they will not be able dorsiflex, which cause the foot to cave in. This will also impact on the knees and hips. To extend the gastroc, have your customers track. Be careful not to their feet in the cave during pregnancy. If necessary, within the foot with a wooden block so that her foot does not pronate.

For the tibialis posterior (which is an inverter and crosses the ankle) are your customers with "wipers". By strengthening the inverter (see Figure) can cause the foot to the supinate is the opposite of pronation.

Here's how:
Lie a light weight on a towel. With their feet flat on the ground have the person push the weighted towel inwards towards its other foot. There are also other ways of supporting the foot, but that's an entirely different article.

My friend was not complaining about their feet but the pain was on the lateral or outside of her knee.

Let us, therefore the knee:
Due to the excessive Q-angle is more pressure forces on the lateral side, and train more or distraction forces on the medial side of the knee. How do you do?

"This is a great theme gray area in the physical therapy," says Ruben Salinas. He is an expert on the knee. VMO weakness or inability, fire has been suggested as the culprit for patella - femoral dysfunction. The experts still can not agree. It is definitely worth a try. To increase VMO activity, try quad is in all directions, or your customers a small ball or rolled up towel between her legs when the conduct of leg extensions. Do they squeeze or adduct closely at the top of the extension.

Another method is Ruben proposes bio-feedback. Have the clients, their hands on the vastus lateralis and vastus medialis, then they have their contract leg. With the fingers, they should be able to feel the side contracts first. Try it and to "fire" inside (vastus medialis) from. It would be nice if you had some of surface EMG, but hey, we are only a trainer!

on the waist, you are often weak external rotators. It's almost as if the head of the femur has rolled forward and inward. If this happens, the greater trochanter begins smash against a Bursa, which eventually could lead to bursitis.

The external rotators of the hips are the key here. Concentrate on the Gluteus maxims, and not the Gluteus medius. Remember that the medius is an internal rotator. Do not forget the deep external rotators either. By external rotation with a cable or hose attached to the ankle, then the piriformis, superior and inferior gemellus, obturator externus and internus and the quadratus femoris. This will help to stabilize the hip, so that the bone against bone smashing not occur.

Be aware some customers have an aversion. This is the angle of the femoral neck in the frontal plane. (see diagram). Anteversion the feet turn inward, increasing the mechanical advantage Gluteus maxims as an external rotator, the Q-angle and cause more pronation at the foot. Anteversion is structural, so you can not repair that without a scalpel and a chainsaw.

Finally, I hope you can see that in the case of the lower extremity, you must have a holistic approach. Make a lot of questions. How did it this way? Is the condition acute or chronic? Is it innate? Is it muscular or structural? Their gait.

If pain, these exercises when they refer them out and get a medical release.

I hope this will help you and your customers, and I sincerely hope that your attitude, before you invite anyone with a weight.

By the way, after a bit of rice, (rest, ice, compression, elevation) my friend was able to walk again. Now they only need one of you to train them.

Autor: John Platero John Platero
Level: Basic PLUS
John Platero is the founder and owner of Future Fit, Inc. a successful multi-faceted fitness company that manages Personal Trainers, provides fitness products, services and ... ...

John Platero is the founder and owner of Future Fit, Inc. a successful multi-faceted fitness company that manages personal trainers, provides fitness products, services and educational services for the consumer. He is also the Director of the N.C.C.P.T. (The National Council of Certified Personal Trainers) which has certified thousands of personal trainers at its intensive, two-day workshops held throughout the country. For more information please visit http://www.nccpt.com

Added: July 3, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Somatic Education As a Way to End Pain, Speed Recovery, and Reduce Injuries

Each of the first reaction to the insult and injury is the same: We are worse. Some of us, but let it react quickly, while others of us believe - and suffer the consequences of wrong as the "older" or "injury". This "streamlining" reaction is the secret of the origin of the loss of mobility and the extension of the time that accompany aging, and that many athletes' sports career to a premature close.

What have these effects together are habituated muscular tension, restricted movement and chronic muscle fatigue.

What does this mysterious effect is that people generally think that if "nothing was broken, the damage is not" difficult ", they ignore the pain and changes in motion. Thus the people do not connect their injuries (and the neuromuscular protective reflexes triggered by injury and stress) to a gradual and cumulative changes in functional performance. These functional changes, because the brain system does not decrease with age, as a form of learning, the brain Air Conditioning (residual "muscle memory" of injury) tends to collect, how we "in our way" in reflexive muscular tension patterns. "injuries" does not heal because they are not injuries, they are accustomed reflex camera designs, which often survive treatment or surgery.

When the muscles go into reflexive reduction of injuries, they produce metabolic waste products (lactic acid and others) on a continuous basis, will be slowed. Reflexive muscular contractions are often used. habituated muscular contraction blocked traffic, slows tissue regeneration. habituated muscle muscle contractions prolong recovery times.

So, in order from sports injuries and effort, two things are needed: to delete the air conditioning, which our brain and muscle and back control over our own bodies. To do what is possible for almost anyone again shown how they are.

As part of a general, pre-conditioning warmup regime, somatic exercises functional exercises to improve movement and recovery time. Patterned update physical maneuvers-awareness and to improve muscular coordination and response. Athletes their performance and can reduce the likelihood of future violations.

Brain conditioning is a big part of aging. This is a big part of the reason is pain and stiffness and will be even worse, what part genetics may play. With somatic education, older athletes may be their mobility, balance and recovery times to younger standards. Improvements in accordance with the resolutions to age ten to twenty years.

Somatic education helps prevent sports and overuse injuries, reduced pain after the surgery and accelerated. To delete several old injuries, customers will need four to eight sessions of clinical somatic education for a final result. After that new violations can be remedied quickly and self-maintenance (somatic exercises) may increase the likelihood future injuries.

The approach was successfully used in hospitals and medical practices.

Autor: Lawrence Gold

Read about recovery from back injuries using this method. Learn how it ends the pain of tight psoas muscles.

Lawrence Gold is a long-time practitioner of clinical (Hanna method) somatic education who has presented at the New Mexico Council on Aging conference (2003) and at Esalen Institute (as part of the training team for The Novato Institute for Somatic Research and Training). His articles have appeared in the American Journal of Pain Management (January, 1996, Vol. 6, no. 1, pg. 30) and The Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients (November, 1994, #136, pg. 1186).

Added: June 27, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Hip Replacement Exercises

rehabilitation after a hip replacement is usually easy, but it is important to be aware of the priorities in each phase of the operation and recuperation for the best result. Since an osteoarthritic hip is painful, it has a number of implications. A painful joint, the muscles that control that joint can no longer work correctly, so that tends to lose some of its strength and support for the joint. The joint may also be too narrow, because the natural movements are not performed, and the person may be an abnormal passage leading to a deep habit.

Pre-operative education and rehabilitation is important so that the person knows what they want to achieve with their exercises and course of practice. Range of motion and strengthening exercises can be used in conjunction with a course-correction. If the motion is not easily corrected by the statement, should be examined with a walking aid. Either a stick or a crutch can be used, depending on the level of support required in the opposite side of the arthritic joint. If the patient is a good model, this is sufficient, but if they are still on foot badly they need two sticks or crutches to achieve a reasonable speed pattern.

The first post-operative day the physical therapist evaluates and treats patients both in bed and to mobilize. Buttocks and quadriceps muscle contractions, the hourly legs to muscle control to move. Repeated gentle hip flexion by using the heel up and down in bed, the patient control over the leg and functional restoration of this activity, they need to bed mobility. Vascular improvement is also due to the pumping movements of the ankle routinely, but the size of this effect is not very large.

Hourly contractions and gentle movements of the hip is the joint motion and restore some confidence to the patient that they independently move their legs around, which initially feels very heavy. The physiotherapist and an assistant will mobilize the patients as their condition allowed, with crutches or a frame. At the beginning of the meeting, in a chair is supported with a seat high enough to prevent too much hip flexion. Since the side of the thigh, can the amount of knee bend so that patients are encouraged to regularly push their feet back to himself in the seats.

give the patient confidence independently a safe and relatively normal motion patterns is the first goal of the mobilization. This progress in the classroom are just a few minutes walk technique that nearly as much as possible to normal walking. Is this also learned, the patient should walk with a pattern in the vicinity of a natural corridor, with an observer only understanding they have a restriction by the presence of crutches. The natural consequence of muscle activation is an involuntary and repetitive function such as walking and reduces the energy cost of walking and facilitated the return of muscle power.

The physiotherapist may be an exercise for the patient if he or she will be a special weakness of the hip musculature. The upright position with the patient on a stationary object is holding the first position and has promoted stability and confidence. Three movements can be used to start with: the thigh to horizontally in front of the body, the lateral motion of the legs to the outside, while they just keep pushing the leg behind the body while the body upright and keep the leg straight . The hip and pelvis, the hip muscles to control the stability of these movements.

hydrotherapy or more resisted exercises may be necessary in some cases. Replacement treatment is very effective in a pool on the resistance and the support of the water. Floats at the feet of the forces required to muscle activity in the water and walk across the sample can be practiced by one against the water resistance and the pool. Hip surgeons are not very keen on the essential tasks for the total hip replacement, unless course, because of possible implant loosening and reduction of the survival of the implant.

Autor: Jonathan Blood-Smyth

Jonathan Blood Smyth is the Superintendent of Physiotherapists at an NHS hospital in the South-West of the UK. He writes articles about back pain, neck pain, and injury management. If you are looking for physiotherapists in Sheffield visit his website.

Added: June 26, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Rotator Cuff Injury Exercise - Learn How to Speed Up Shoulder Recovery

The rotator cuff is what is commonly referred to as a group of four muscles around the shoulder and arm joint leadership of the On. They are under the deltoid, the large shoulder cap, the force that the arm, and for the largest area of a joint motion by the arm at the shoulder and prevent it away because of the very shallow nature of it necessary for the wide range of movement. This complex organization of the rotator cuff unfortunately makes a recipe for disaster if something goes wrong.

What goes wrong in general with a high wear movements or trauma, such as in a case. As I know from personal experience, the recovery of a frozen shoulder can take many months or even a year or more, as in my case. During the inflammation affects someone has time to over a long period of misery, the night pain and the inability to use the mundane tasks such as controlling the car wheel, shampooing your air, and until something in general.

In my case it was so bad that I had pain, just from running, an activity that I have since I do not workout in the gym more, of course. The speed with which my shoulder become inflamed and frozen surprised me because I did not suffer any trauma and has been training with weights for years. The reason was that I decided to raise my wife while playing on the beach without having warmed up, without a problem or pain and without a lot from him. Little did I know what awaits me in the next few days: What looks like a little tingling grew rapidly in pain and limited range of movements that do not let me go for a long time.

Considering the surgery, I was at this point because they do not work, not inflammatories, not cold packs or ultrasound. Then suddenly the inflammation slowly eased off and I started weight training with very light resistance recovery of strength and almost complete range of motion execution overhead presses. What I have is that I tried to fight the problem of conventional weapons, wasting precious time and more miserable than it was necessary. In fact, I later discovered that it is possible, much faster than I do, often within a few weeks with a rotator cuff injury appropriate exercise program. Of course, there is a time and place for medicine and surgery, as in severe injuries, but most of the time it can be avoided. With the right technology and professional advice, it is possible to quickly and not even the doctor.

Autor: Andy Finn

Don't put up with pain and misery as I did for longer than is needed, or resort to surgery when is not needed at all. With a proper rotator cuff injury exercise program you can recover not just your shoulder in a short time, but also your quality of life. Find out how to implement a professional rotator cuff injury exercise program.

Added: June 23, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

How You Can Rehab From Rotator Cuff Surgery

Have you just started physical therapy for rotator cuff surgery? If so, it is good to know that you are not alone in your situation. Across the nation there are thousands of people who start physical rehabilitation today.

Rotator cuff surgery is a pretty common operation these days and it is very easy to rehab from. But still, that does not mean that it is not painful. And it does not mean that there will be a quick process either. Most people who have rotator cuff surgery are looking for at least 3 months of rehabilitation.

After surgery, your doctor will probably be "immobilized" for several weeks. This means that you probably wear what looks like an arm rest from a simple chair or sofa. This can sometimes be pretty annoying, but they are essential. Your doctor in the right place for it, if you were to be sewn to your muscles and tendons time to heal.

Do not worry, you will not be there for the entire rehabilitation period, only the first few weeks. It is really important that you do not try to lift the arm, since the break this thread for the repair of your muscles. The rotator cuff muscles are the most important muscles to lift your arm away from the body. Any tension on the recently repaired tissues ruin the operation. If that happens, you will probably be under the knife, and it starts all over again.

If you have your physical therapy, you should have a supreme thing in mind: "Physical therapy is not to hurt." It may be inconvenient, but it should not be painful, regardless of how much a man you are!

Your physical therapist will begin with passive movement in the arm. This means that you can to move it and not help them. This will be difficult to do because most people do not like other people's body parts around. But it is necessary to allow your shoulders to relax. This reduces the discomfort.

After a few weeks after the outward motion, your therapist will leave you with your own shoulder with your other hand. This is known as active support of the motion range. Remember, this is not about "strong" It's about learning how to work with as little pain and discomfort as possible.

After a few weeks of this, you will be free, actively moving arm and shoulder to his own. No, you will not be lifting weights or a Frisbee throw, but we will take it on its own. When you get to this point is when the real restoration begins with the try, as much bandwidth as possible, and gradually your upper body muscles.

But try to remember, rehabbing from surgery is a marathon, not a sprint. Take it slow and you can measure your speed. They are good.

Autor: Bryan E. Williams

Bryan Williams has been a practicing physical therapist for over 15 years. His preferred area of research and study is on the topic of Efficiency in Human Movement. He shares some of his thoughts from time to time at http://physicaltherapypage.com And, those who have low back pain may find this helpful

Added: June 21, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Which Pilates is Right For You? Defining the Rehab-Physical Therapy Pilates Approach

In the article "Which Pilates is right for you?" I have three groups of Pilates: Rehabilitation /Physical Therapy, Sports Fitness and Wellness. It is important to understand the similarities and differences, before the decision for the Pilates is right for you. If you are looking to ease neck pain from a car accident, a sports-fitness approach can not deliver what you need for the neck pain. A rehabilitation /physical therapy approach may provide clues or exercises, based on the correction of the neck problems. Many times students discouraged from Pilates, but it is the search for the right fit for your personality. Pilates is for everyone, no matter your age, gender or physical fitness level. This article focuses on the rehabilitation /physical therapy approach.

As mentioned in the previous article, the rehab /physical therapy approach is through a medicalized lens and focuses on the rehabilitative aspects of Pilates. Although some teachers with this perspective may be techniques from the sport-fitness-and /or wellness approach, the concept has its roots in the physical therapy lens. In the article "Back to health: integrating Pilates into a rehab program is often the missing piece of the puzzle," Brent Anderson estimates that 15 to 20% of physical therapists, some aspects of Pilates in their work. It is not unusual to see physical therapists use Pilates exercises in the rehabilitation process.

On the one hand, this approach can be very beneficial for several reasons.

- Introduction Pilates for those who have not tried it differently
- Introduction of the concept of body-mind-soul-Technology
- Slight pain of injuries
- improving the movement pattern
- by health insurance when they move from one licensed therapists
- customers can continue to improve the movement by using a Pilates class once therapy is
- emphasizes basic skills to the stabilization and core strength
- Provides research to validate Pilates

On the other hand, disadvantages of this approach is.

- exercises are changed or modified to the medicalized view
- Equipment is more suited to physical therapists
- Sometimes the focus on a single body part as the whole body
- Creates the presumption that pilates is mainly due to rehab an injury or pain facilitate

The main educational program for the rehabilitation /physical therapy Polestar Pilates training, but other programs have some roots in this area. Balanced Body offers articles on rehabbing during Stott consult with physical therapists in designing their contemporary approach. It is important to know what your Pilates instructor training background is in order to determine whether it is the right fit for you. The key to your success Pilates is located in the search for a teacher, with your personality.

Autor: Nicki Noftz Nicki Noftz
Level: Platinum
I am the owner of Mindful Movement as well as a Pilates instructor. Movement and athletics had been an important part of my life. It ... ...

Nicki Noftz is the owner of Mindful Movement, LLC in Big Bend, WI. Mindful Movement is a wellness community offering Pilates, Yoga, and massage. Nicki teaches Pilates to empower the body, mind & spirit of her clients. Visit http://www.youtube.com/mindfulmovementllc for a videos on yoga and Pilates or follow Nicki on Twitter at http://twitter.com/MindfulMovement

Added: June 20, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Occupational Therapists Encourage Play With Preschool Toys

Ergotherapy is a way of dealing with people, the every day activities. It is necessary for persons who are otherwise often to exclusion and occupational therapists to facilitate commitment to combat these activities. Occupational therapists practice three areas with their patients: physical health, mental health, and community. Preschool toys are common in these areas as well, and that is the reason why occupational therapists encourage play with preschool toys for their patients. They promote activities, problem solving, improving motor skills, communication, concentration, community, and the sequence. The methods and goals of occupational therapists are parallel to the impact on learning in the preschool age that toys for children.

Most preschool toys are based on memory, matching, Community, motor skills and creativity. Let's take a look at a very simple toy, you are probably in your home and have at other places, such as libraries, doctor offices, hospitals, offices, and dentist. A very simple but fun and educational toys that occupational therapists are using modules. Playing with blocks, a child can be creative and to build what your heart desires, from high skyscrapers to cars or houses. As the blocks are around for children to play, it's usually a crowd. Playing with building blocks and creating a community space where children together. Building blocks are colorful, so children can learn colors, while they play, and building with them to improve their motor skills as they practice, if the stacks of blocks to build.

Play with preschool toys may be minimal to some people, but for Ergotherapy it is of crucial importance. The game with a puzzle to come together and it can be difficult for someone with memory loss, but also make this activity helps them to improve their daily lives. Preschool toys can occupational therapists to do their work by their clients every day and strength to develop. For occupational therapists, preschool toys are not just for children three to four age groups. They use the toys to customers of all ages. The activities they facilitate an outcome in which their patients will be able to life their lives to the fullest through daily activities, overcoming an obstacle or obstruction to prevent injuries and lead an independent life. The use of preschool toys play a major role in the positive outcome of occupational therapy.

Autor: Jim K Ford

Jim Ford is the President of KinderMark, a family owned and managed business which sells waiting room toys and waiting room furniture used in doctors(TM) offices, hospitals, auto dealers, dentists offices and libraries. Preschool toys such as an activity table, and learning toys are favorites for pediatric offices. For more information, visit http://www.kindermark.com.

Added: June 19, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/