Dr. Oz reports on Vaginal Panic Attacks

Dr. Oz recently spoke about “vaginal panic attacks” on his television show. You can see a video of this segment at this link: http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/vaginal-panic-attacks

The medical term for vaginal panic attacks is Vaginismus, which is an involuntary contraction of the pelvic floor muscles resulting in tightness of the vagina during attempted intercourse. This tightness may lead to burning, stinging, pain, or the inability to tolerate penetration during intercourse. Common symptoms of vaginismus (http://www.vaginismus.com/):

• Burning or stinging with tightness during sex


• Difficult or impossible penetration, entry pain, uncomfortable insertion of penis


• Unconsummated marriage


• Ongoing sexual discomfort or pain following childbirth, yeast/urinary infections, STDs, IC, hysterectomy, cancer and surgeries, rape, menopause, or other issues.


• Ongoing sexual pain of unknown origin, with no apparent cause


• Difficulty inserting tampons or undergoing a pelvic/gynecological exam


• Spasms in other body muscle groups (legs, lower back, etc.) and/or halted breathing during attempts at intercourse


• Avoidance of sex due to pain and/or failure

Vaginismus is a highly treatable condition with high success rates. One of the techniques used is retraining the pelvic floor muscles to relax in order to decrease tightness and pain. Physical therapists trained in pelvic floor physical therapy are health care providers who can help you with pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation, control and relaxation.

At Fauquier Health Outpatient Rehabilitation, Kristen L. Pierce, PT, DPT, recently achieved her CAPP (Certificate of Achievement in Pelvic Physical Therapy) certification from the Women’s Health Section of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). She is trained to treat all types of pelvic floor dysfunctions.

Our outpatient center also has the same biofeedback unit that Dr. Oz demonstrates on his show, and our pelvic physical therapists are trained in its use. The biofeedback unit can be used as an adjunct in the patient’s rehabilitation program to teach muscle control and relaxation. It can also be used to help with strengthening. The use of the biofeedback unit in pelvic physical therapy is based on the individualized needs and goals of the patient. Our therapists utilize a variety of techniques as well as education to assure each patient’s needs are addressed. All pelvic floor treatments are conducted one-on –one in a private setting.If you feel you may benefit from physical therapy for vaginismus or other pelvic floor dysfunctions, please call us at 540-316-2680. Or click on the button below to ask a question to one of our therapists.

Benefits Accrued From Engaging in Resistance Training in Bodybuilding

The first step to building a fantastic macho looking body is getting into the gym and training hard, and it is the food of all bodybuilders. Yet this is always misinterpreted by bodybuilders to mean ignorant, disorganized hard work in the work out room. The best way which always brings positive and fast results is to organize training consciously with precise objectives. One of such best objective training strategies is resistance training.

Ideal resistance training should involve workout activities that primarily employ body weight, dead weights and training machines to exhaust and stimulate muscle groups completely. That is why resistance training is variously referred to as strength or weight training in body building circles. Recent research into body building exercises has irrefutably proved that resistance training is among the most essential ingredients of a body building program. It is actually commonly used by all kinds of athletes who require strong muscles in their particular endeavors like football, weight lifting, basket ball among others.

The trainee must however remember that resistance training does not essentially increase body size because the core factor is building on the muscle strength. That is why resistance training is ideal for almost every individual with a training program for body building or physical fitness. Resistance training builds up power and tones precisely the muscle groups that result to a compact, attractively solid body that makes the girls go gaga.

Resistance training is simple to implement because it basically involves the use of ordinary exercise equipments and body building machines such as bench press, barbells or even dumbbell. These weight equipments help challenge the muscles against the weights, over and over again always hitting the most extreme limit the muscles can go. Muscle cells must therefore adapt to the challenge offered daily by moderated extra weight added on course of the program by bulking up more fibers and tissues or strengthening the existing ones. More precisely what happens is called hypertrophy meaning the enlargement and growth of nerve cells within the muscle sites which essentially help the muscles during contraction.

Before initiating a resistance training program however, the athlete should go for a thorough check up especially if there is a preexisting medical condition or if he or she is overweight. Besides learning of the best weights to use, the athlete must stimulate and condition the body gradually before thrusting it to intense weight exercises. Actually, resistance training can be started without weights by adopting exercises like push ups.

Contemporary literature into bodybuilding exercises and fitness therapies recommend resistance training because it has numerous advantages. Among the most dynamic benefits that a person can reap from an effective resistance training program include increasing bone-mineral density which is almost impossible to maintain otherwise especially after the post-menopausal body can not produce hormones. Resistance training greatly increases muscle strength and bone firmness, essential for physical fitness. It thus helps the trainee be more active and productive in his normal life as a result of the boost in strength. More importantly, resistance training maximally burns calories and helps the body loose excess fats. Fat combustion and improved fitness and body strength will therefore lead to more healthy lifestyles without risks of cardiac and overweight conditions especially in elderly people. Indeed the heart rate and blood pressure is adequately lowered to the extent of preventing major heart diseases.

Dane Fletcher is the world's most prolific bodybuilding and fitness expert and is currently the executive editor for BodybuildingToday.com. If you are looking for more bodybuilding tips or information on weight training, or supplementation, please visit http://www.BodybuildingToday.com, the bodybuilding and fitness authority site with hundreds of articles available FREE to help you meet your goals. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dane_C._Fletcher

The Modalities of Physical Therapy

Rehab Room

Physical therapy is the treatment of neurological, musculoskeletal, circulatory, and skin disorders using various physical therapy modalities. The goal of physical therapy intervention is for patients to regain maximum potential and to have a productive life with or without the presence of disability.

Physical therapists may use a number of different modalities for your problem(s) or condition for a variety of reasons, including:

• Reduction of pain
• Increasing range of motion
• Decreasing swelling
• Increasing the rate of healing
• Stabilizing areas needing support

“Four basic modalities are employed in physical therapy, each applied where and when it will do the most good. Not all of the modalities are used in every case.

 

Cold therapy

Cold therapy or cryotherapy is an effective means of reducing inflammation following an accident or injury. Cold therapy is applied in the form of ice packs, sometimes combined with massage, cold water bath of the injured area, and other methods. The reduced temperature will quell the firing of the nerve-muscle units and reduce muscle spasms, and that along with the anesthetic effect of the cold temperature will ease pain. Also, the cold reduces blood flow into the injury and reduces any bleeding that may be present and reduces oxygen demands of the injured tissue, thus preserving the muscle cells. An ice pack often is applied with a compression wrap to reduce swelling, and with elevation of the injured extremity above heart level for maximal reduction in swelling.

 

Heat therapy

Heat or thermotherapy may be employed only after the active swelling of the injury has abated, 24-48 hours following the injury. Heat is conveyed into the injured area by the use of moist heat packs, hot paraffin, hot air or hot water as in a whirlpool bath, by infrared lamp, and by conversion. Conversion is the development of heat brought about by the passage of sound waves or electric current through tissue. Diathermy is an example of electrical waves directed into tissue and converted into heat. Ultrasound, very high-frequency sound waves, bring about the vibration of the tissues, which increases the temperature within them. A form of application of sound waves called phonophoresis consists of application of a medication to the injured area followed by ultrasound to drive the medication deep into the tissues.

Heat increases blood flow to an area, so should not be used when internal bleeding accompanies an injury. However, like cryotherapy, heat reduces muscle spasms by increasing the blood flow to an area, which helps to wash out metabolic waste products and increase the amount of oxygen reaching the tissues.

 

Electrical stimulation

Application of electrical stimulation can restore muscle tone by stimulating muscles to contract rhythmically. This method is used often when an injured person has been confined to bed for a long period of time. Over time, muscles will atrophy and the patient will require long, arduous periods of exercise once he is mobile. The use of electrical stimulation can prevent muscle atrophy and reduce the necessary physical therapy regimen required later. Electricity is also used to drive molecules of medication through the skin into the tissues. This is called iontophoresis. A special machine called a TENS machine (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) beams electric current through the skin (transcutaneously) into the injured area specifically to stop pain. Why TENS has this ability to assuage pain remains open to question, but it is thought that it prevents pain perception by the sensory nerves in the injured area. That is, the nerves that normally would detect pain and carry the impulse to the spinal cord do not sense pain. The electrical signal from the TENS machine can be adjusted for frequency and strength to achieve its effect without patient discomfort. All electrical stimulation is delivered by placing pads on or around the injured area to conduct the electrical current.

 

Mechanical manipulation

The use of massage, manipulation of the injured limb, traction, and weight lifting are part of the mechanical form of physical therapy. Massage is the rubbing, tapping, or kneading of an injured area to increase blood circulation and relieve pain. Manipulation consists of putting an injured joint through its movements from one extreme to the other. This is designed to restore full range of motion to the joint and eliminate pain from movement. Traction is the application of weight to stretch muscles or to help increase the space between vertebrae and relieve nerve compression. Manipulation may be carried out by a trained technician or by using a machine especially constructed to exercise the injured joint. Resistance can be altered in the machine to make joint extension or flexing more difficult, thus helping to build the muscles that control the joint movement.

Many forms of physical therapy can be carried out at home, but the exercises must first be carefully explained by a trained therapist. Incorrect application of a physical therapy modality can be as harmful as any traumatic injury. Most modalities are applied two or three times daily over a period of time to help restore movement, flexibility, or strength to an injured area.

Through the use of tests, evaluations, exercises, treatments with modalities, screening programs, as well as educational information, physical therapists:

• increase, restore or maintain range of motion, physical strength, flexibility, coordination, balance and endurance
• recommend adaptations to make the home accessible and safe
• teach positioning, transfers, and walking skills to promote maximum function and independence within an individual's capability
• increase overall fitness through exercise programs
• prevent further decline in functional abilities through education, energy conservation techniques, joint protection, and use of assistive devices to promote independence
• improve sensation, joint proprioception and reduce pain

 

Common Conditions

A vast number of conditions are treated effectively with physical therapy intervention. Examples of specific diseases and conditions that may be improved with physical therapy include:

• arthritis
• sports/orthopedic injuries
• joint replacements
• cerebral vascular accident (stroke)
• coordination and balance disorders
• Alzheimer disease”

See: science.jrank.org

To ensure the best treatment outcome for the patient, the physiatrist and the physical therapist must ensure that the correct physical therapy modalities are prescribed.

Many researches supported that treatment outcome differ from patient to patient depending upon the severity and extent of the disability, methods used, and also the level of cooperation of the patient to rehabilitation.

See: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

       acupunturabrasil.org

Image Credit: prorehabchiropractic.com

The Power of Physiotherapy Exercises - Why Are They So Beneficial?

Health care providers referred to as physical therapists or physiotherapists are qualified in giving assessments and treatments on different conditions. They are more focused in providing relief and wellness through a more physical approach such as manual therapy, acupuncture and physiotherapy exercises.

Physiotherapists or "PT's" are highly trained professionals who can identify weaknesses or imbalances in the body. Physical therapists can help in targeting specific areas in the body where weakness or pain is felt and then prescribe the suitable treatment plan. Physiotherapy exercises are methods that can truly help relieve and soothe stress, as well as help the body function without pain and limitation.

How Exercise Helps the Body

When you incur an injury, the pain felt should serve as a guide to where the sensitive areas are located. Physiotherapists stress that there are two major types of pain: first is the pain due to stiffness and the second is pain due to damage. Pain due to stiffness may be quite bearable when you are doing exercise, and may be relieved gradually once you finish an exercise. The pain basically means that your muscles are a bit out of sync, and need to be eased back into working condition. Pain due to damage can be unbearable, which is an obvious indicator that your muscles are damaged, and are not ready for any exercise yet.

Once your physiotherapist determines the extent and cause of your pain, he or she will ask you to perform an array of physiotherapy exercises. There are practically hundreds of PT exercises for different injuries, from injuries to the neck, lower back, shoulders, spinal cord, legs, and feet. Your Physiotherapy clinician may also specify additional personalized stretching exercises for you. Stretching, as you should know, is important for maintaining proper range of motion of the joins, and also promotes flexibility of muscles.

For example, if you have tight muscles or stiff joints, performing normal activities like climbing the stairs or reaching for items above the cupboard may be tough to do. With proper stretching exercises, the normal body functions can either be preserved or enhanced. Scar tissue is formed and soft tissue becomes contracted as a result of an injury or a surgery. It's important that you regularly perform physical therapist-assisted stretching exercises, to ensure that the scar formation does not impair your movements.

How Prescription Exercises Help to Improve Muscle Strength

Prescription physiotherapy exercises are generally employed to specifically target muscle deficiencies, and also to help rehabilitate patients after an injury or after undergoing surgery. Therapeutic or prescription exercises are often used to improve the patient's strength, function and mobility, as well as to significantly lessen pain and swelling in the affected part of the body. Family doctors and PT practitioners often prescribe simple and easy home-based physiotherapy exercises, and also provide their patients with handouts and easy-to-understand instructional manuals or guides. Many agree that supervised physiotherapy exercises are more effective than home-based exercises, especially in patients who have osteoarthritis of the knee, low back injury and intermittent claudification. Still, physiotherapy exercises performed at home have their own advantages as well, more so for the post-operative recovery of anterior cruciate ligament.

Exercise is truly vital for the treatment and management of a wide array of chronic health conditions and injuries. Supervised physical therapy exercise programs consist of individualized prescription exercises that are specifically designed by trained physiotherapists, and are done in conjunction with the patient's condition and fitness level. Physical therapists are specialists in movement impairments, and are effective in developing or designing therapeutic exercise programs and modalities which suit a patient's specific needs.

One past study by a group of physicians from The Netherlands concluded that supervised physiotherapy exercises also result in less pain and improved function for tested patients, both in short term and long term durations.

Resources on Physiotherapy Exercises and other Information

A number of helpful physiotherapy resources are available online, to give you more helpful information on new and improved modalities for easing pain and improving strength and mobility. The American Family Physician's website offers relevant information related to physiotherapy exercises. Another authority site when it comes to information and resources about any specific therapy program, such as physiotherapy exercises, is the Canadian Physiotherapy Association.

Discover the benefits of physiotherapy exercises - for a healthy lifestyle, safe weight loss and effective injury rehab - you are sure to be on the path to wellness. Learn more about Exercise Prescription with the help of the PT Health Team. Get in touch with one of the competent health professionals today.  Book your free consultation with PT Health now! Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cris_Pritchett  Image Credit: sciencephoto.com

Nursing vs PT

Part of the constant battle between nurses and therapists.

Benefits of Home Physical Therapy

There are many settings that physical therapists practice their craft.  Schools, hospitals, private outpatient clinics, nursing homes, and private homes are some of these settings.  The most common setting for a patient that is unable to commute to an outpatient clinic or for patients that are homebound is home care physical therapy.  New trend in physical therapy such as the clinic is brought to the patient is now a common practice. Some models are being used. One model is that some physical therapists have a mobile clinic in the form of an RV.  Equipments such as treatment tables, exercise equipments and the typical modalities you would find in a PT outpatient clinic can be found in the RV. A second model which is cheaper would be a physical therapist coming to the patient’s home with a portable treatment table and other hand-held physical therapy modalities such as ultrasound machine, ES, TENS, walking aids and more.

What are the benefits of treating patients in their homes?

• Patients will not miss any treatment sessions thereby improving compliance.
• Evaluation of patients by physical therapist in their REAL natural environment.
• More time efficient since patients don’t have to travel to the clinic
• Patient’s privacy with their family
• Elimination of disruptions such as other clients/patients being treated, etc.
• Physical therapist can have a quality time with the patient as it is a one on one treatment session.
• Allows effective treatment sessions and reduces the risk of injury
• Your whole family is present to support you throughout the treatment session
• Can eliminate complications of driving or riding a car or a public vehicle and the hassle of going to an outpatient physical therapy clinic after a surgery.

Why is home physical therapy right for you?

You must consider some few questions if the home physical therapy is right for you. 

Are you comfortable with a stranger in your home? 

The first few minutes in a therapy session is the adjustment period.  After the physical therapist has introduced him and the treatment approach, you may now be comfortable with him since you are divulging personal information regarding your medical history.

Can you concentrate without any distractions in your home?

Just enough space for the therapy session is required by the physical therapist.  They just need to set up the treatment table and may require an outlet for modalities.  Therapists are trained to be creative in such a way to take advantage of a small area to achieve the required room for exercise.  In addition, most equipments and modalities required for therapy is light and portable.  Thus requires just a little space.

In my experience, patients prefer home therapy because it is more comfortable, more convenient, and promote patient compliance.  They can also take advantage of not going to travel anymore.  It is typical for the patients who undergo home physical therapy to have their therapy sessions scheduled in the morning before going to work or late in the evening after office or working hours.

What about insurance coverage?

Your insurance coverage is dependent on your physical therapist.  Some therapists are connected with Medicare and other commercial plans while others are out of network. It is important to communicate with the therapist prior to the first visit to find out how your treatment sessions will be covered.

Not all patients are candidates for home therapy program.  Physiatrists and physical therapists may advice outpatient care.  However, if you are enjoying your home therapy program you can ask your physiatrist and physical therapist so that they can provide adjustments in your treatment program.

Physical Therapy can Help with Common Upper Extremity Problems following Breast Cancer Surgery

© Cleo Dreamstime.com

Upper extremity pain and stiffness is common following surgery for breast cancer. According to McCredie et al, 7 out of 8 who have surgery for breast cancer experience some type of ongoing problem with shoulder/arm function, with most women presenting with more than one symptom. The prevalance of stiffness 6 months following surgery is greater than 40%; 60% have pain in the axilla or chest wall, and 25 to 50% experience weakness. (Kilbreath et al) These problems may not be resolved up to 2 years after surgery.

As a result of these postoperative problems, women may experience a reduced quality of life. Women may experience long term difficulties with everyday activities including: driving, dressing, washing their hair, and sleeping on the involved side. (Maunsell et al, Collins et al) For many women, the 'cure' produces other problems.

Physical therapists with specialized training in breast cancer rehabilitation are the ideal health care providers to address these musculoskeletal problems and help you achieve a pain free and fully functional lifestyle. Physical therapy intervention may address musculoskeletal problems regardless of how long ago your surgery may have been.

Physical therapy interventions aiming to decrease pain and improve function for those who have had breast cancer surgery may include:

• Exercises including an individualized stretching and strengthening program


• Manual therapy to improve the extensibility of tissue affected from surgery


• Scar mobilization to decrease pain, improve mobility and range of motion


• Aerobic exercise program to combat fatique and improve endurance


• Patient education


• Home program
  

At Fauquier Health Outpatient Rehabilitation Services, our cancer rehabilitation team, currently consisting of two physical therapists with specialized training, can provide these physical therapy interventions to patients with breast cancer.

If you have any questions for our cancer rehabilitation team, please call us at 540-316-2680 or click on the button below to submit an email inquiry.

References:

Collins LG, Nash R, Round T, Newman B. Perceptions of upper-body problems during recovery from breast cancer treatment. Support Care Cancer: 2004: 12: 106-13.

Kilbreath S, Refshauge K, Beith J, MiJoung L. Resistance and stretching shoulder exercises early following axillary surgery for breast cancer. Rehabilitation Oncology: 2006: 24:9-13.

Maunsell E, Birsson J, Deschenes L. Arm problems and psychological distress after surgery for breast cancer. Can J Surg. 1993:36:315-320.

McCredie MRE, Dite GS, Porter L, et al. Prevalence of self-reported arm morbidity following treatment for breast cancer in the Australian Breast Cancer Family Study. Breast. 2001:50:292-311.