Certain conditions are becoming more evident in the patient population. Diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity are very common comorbidities that we see often as therapists among the intermittent conditions in each patient’s medical history.

Fibromyalagia is a syndrome (collection of symptoms) which is frequented in many patients medical history. It seems to be a regular diagnosis especially on patients with significant medical problems.

It is hard to say whether this unique rise has been due to increased awareness or increased occurrence. Although its commonality is well documented, its awareness among clinicians varies. Read the full story

I am sure that everyone of us has heard of working our core. The question is why are core exercises so important? Are the guys in the gym with rippling six packs an example what we mean by core stability?

Surprisingly, most of Americans (including the ones with ripped abs)  are at risk of low back injuries in the future. These core muscles include small intricate connections of muscle within the spine along with the larger strap like muscles that surround the spine and anterior portion of the abdomen. Read the full story

A recent article by Chris Hayhurst in the February edition of PT in motion describes a growing gap between new graduates and employers. Employers are worried that although new graduates are some of the most highly trained and technologically advanced PT’s in recent years, they have a common problem which is adding up to an epidemic.

What these new graduates have in skill they lack in professionalism. Employers are hiring these new graduates and are getting good results except for a few key areas. Read the full story

The National Institute of Neurological  Disorders and Stroke have given new light to the fact that patients who participate in intense physical therapy at home show the same amount of improvement compared to using expensive high tech body weight supported treadmill devices.

These researchers also demonstrate that these patients continue to improve walking ability up to a year following the initial stroke. This is yet another pat on the back for those of us in PT who work so hard with patients during the recovery. Neuroplasticity is a very slow and sometimes agonizing process for the therapist and patient. Read the full story

Here is a list recently released by AOL of the most secure jobs in 2011.  It is no surprise that health care jobs are near the top as they have been in recent years past.

So I’m sure you’re wondering where physical therapist is on this list.  Well, our profession ended up number two just behind nurses.  With unemployment rates currently over ten percent, it is nice to know that our jobs are continuing to stay secure.

To read this article in its entirety, click here.

During my most recent clinical rotation at an out-patient ortho clinic I noticed Ryan (another student) using this brass knuckle sort of contraption on a patient. So me being like a small child who needs to know everything I handed my patient the ultrasound head and told her to take over for me and I wandered over to see what was going on. After pretending to listen (I have a short attention span…) to Ryan explain what the Fibroblaster is and what it does he finally let me play with it!

Amazing is all I can say! I have used it on several patients as well as had it used on myself to work out a trigger point in my rhomboid region. Our PT program didn’t really go into depth on instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) tools and I haven’t really looked into the science of it all, but I think they work great!

Fibroblaster

“Make it easier on your hands to work on muscle, tendons, ligaments and fascia. By utilizing the various shapes morphed into the Fibroblaster a therapist will be able to work on soft tissue all over the body.”

Fibroblaster Misc Info

This soft tissue mobilization tool has an approximate size of four by four inches.  It will fit into your pant pocket, a nice way to keep it warm if you will be using it with a patient or client.

Full time students of a health care profession, if you are thinking of purchasing a Fibroblaster, let me sweeten the deal.  Use the contact page or email fibroblaster@gmail.com with your name, major, expected date of graduation and your department’s contact information so I can verify you are a student.  Once verified, I’ll give you a student rebate for up to 2 Fibroblasters per student name. Your end price will be $75 per tool.  You will receive a check for the difference within 4-8 weeks of purchasing.  In the future, I hope to be able to offer a direct discount at the time of purchasing.

Orders of 3 or more Fibroblasters will qualify for free ground shipping.

Laser engraving is available for an additional $17.50 per tool (shipping times will vary with this option).

If you have any questions please use the contact page or fibroblaster@gmail.com.  Thanks!

I (Donald) give the Fibroblaster 5/5 Donalds! I think its THAT good!

You can read more about and order the Fibroblaster here.

According to U.S. News and World Report, a career as a physical therapist is listed in the top 50 for 2010.  The field of physical therapy is predicted to grow by 56,000 jobs from 2008 to 2018 which is much faster growth than that of most other careers at a whopping 30%.

Also included in this list are others in the health care field such as occupational therapists and physical therapy assistants.  Demand is expected to continue to grow for those in the health care field as the baby boomers continue to age.  To see the list and read more about growing careers in the health care field, you can view it in its entirety at the link below.

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I’m sure many of you have seen the latest craze of “toning” shoes that have hit the market.  I would like to discuss and get some opinions on the Reebok EasyTone.  Their site states research has shown these shoes increase gluteus maximus activation 28%, hamstring activation 11%, and calf activation 11%.  When I read this I was curious about the research done regarding these shoes.  What I found was quite interesting.  According to the New York Times, the study was done on 5 women on treadmills and the data was never published in a peer-reviewed journal of any kind.  Also, the study was funded by Reebok themselves.  If you want to read this article, just click here.  The first issue I have is the sample size.  With no more participants than five women, adequate results would be difficult to be obtained.  Also, it is hard to trust the results of a study when it is being funded by the party that will be benefiting from it (assuming the results are positive).  Reebok has said they have gathered thousands of hours of data regarding the difference women are feeling when using these shoes aside from the “research” that was done.  These shoes may do what Reebok says they do and they might not.  To truly determine the benefit of these shoes a randomized controlled study should be conducted that is not funded by Reebok.

I bring this topic up not only to discuss the Reebok EasyTone, but to also use this as an example of why good research is important.  Do you want to treat a patient with something that was marketed very well and looks like it would do the job or do what is backed by randomized, controlled, unbiased studies?  This is why we as physical therapists and physical therapy students need to look at the research in our field, how it was conducted, and how it applies to our patients.  We should only do for the patient what is proven to be beneficial as we assist them in the rehabilitation process.