01 Dec 2010 BY Katrina Tarrant POSTED IN Physiotherapy Interested in Real Time Ultrasound to check your Deep pelvic contractions? As some of you are aware, an invaluable tool in muscle and "brain" (motor control) retraining now available to physiotherapists is the RTUS. Our colleagues at Castlereagh Physiotherapy Clinic have one on site and most of you would find a session with it most helpful. From the beginnings of your rehabilitation to checking your progress, the RTUS has great benefit. It provides us with capability similar to ultrasound machines used for diagnosis and viewing foetal pictures during pregnancy. The Castlereagh physios have been trained on using this machine to show you in real time (i.e. during the actual exercise) which muscles you are contracting. By watching the muscles move relative to each other, you can fine control your contraction to involve those deep abdominals, pelvic floor and buttock muscles and know you are doing it correctly. Once you’re certain you've got it right,your confidence that you are doing it right in fix classes will grow.Research has shown that the core muscles (deep abdominals and pelvic floor muscles), loose their postural tone after lower back pain and this contributes to recurrent exacerbations. Returning these muscles to their original strength and control greatly enhances your full recovery.Patients with poor core stability may also suffer hip, knee, ankle or neck pain and so your physio may suggest some RTUS for your treatment program.Sessions with the Castlereagh Clinic for RTUS cost $90 and can be claimed as an "Initial assessment" with your private health cover. Call them on 9264 7974 for an appointment.
As some of you are aware, an invaluable tool in muscle and "brain" (motor control) retraining now available to physiotherapists is the RTUS. Our colleagues at Castlereagh Physiotherapy Clinic have one on site and most of you would find a session with it most helpful. From the beginnings of your rehabilitation to checking your progress, the RTUS has great benefit. It provides us with capability similar to ultrasound machines used for diagnosis and viewing foetal pictures during pregnancy. The Castlereagh physios have been trained on using this machine to show you in real time (i.e. during the actual exercise) which muscles you are contracting. By watching the muscles move relative to each other, you can fine control your contraction to involve those deep abdominals, pelvic floor and buttock muscles and know you are doing it correctly. Once you’re certain you've got it right,your confidence that you are doing it right in fix classes will grow.Research has shown that the core muscles (deep abdominals and pelvic floor muscles), loose their postural tone after lower back pain and this contributes to recurrent exacerbations. Returning these muscles to their original strength and control greatly enhances your full recovery.Patients with poor core stability may also suffer hip, knee, ankle or neck pain and so your physio may suggest some RTUS for your treatment program.Sessions with the Castlereagh Clinic for RTUS cost $90 and can be claimed as an "Initial assessment" with your private health cover. Call them on 9264 7974 for an appointment.
08 Mar 2010 BY Katrina Tarrant POSTED IN Back Pain, Physiotherapy Yes, Sitting is Really Bad for You Some of you may have seen this last week in the Sydney Morning Herald. This newspaper article highlights the effect on our bodies of sitting- scary stuff that effects not only our physical wellbeing, but also our physiological and overall mortality. I have found personally from working with injured workers, that there is a trend in newer offices to incorporate a communal standing work station or two for all to share and utilise throughout the day. This is a great idea and at least a step in the right direction to minimise the detrimental effects of our increasingly sedentary lifestyles. Perhaps you will now think twice about those hours sat in front of the TV at the end of your work days. http://www.smh.com.au/executive-style/management/beware-of-the-chair-20100303-pj4g.html Thanks to Lou H for the link.
Some of you may have seen this last week in the Sydney Morning Herald. This newspaper article highlights the effect on our bodies of sitting- scary stuff that effects not only our physical wellbeing, but also our physiological and overall mortality. I have found personally from working with injured workers, that there is a trend in newer offices to incorporate a communal standing work station or two for all to share and utilise throughout the day. This is a great idea and at least a step in the right direction to minimise the detrimental effects of our increasingly sedentary lifestyles. Perhaps you will now think twice about those hours sat in front of the TV at the end of your work days. http://www.smh.com.au/executive-style/management/beware-of-the-chair-20100303-pj4g.html Thanks to Lou H for the link.
17 Feb 2010 BY Katrina Tarrant POSTED IN Back Pain, Physiotherapy Laptops and the Concerns about Good Workplace Ergonomics Laptops were never designed for long term use however by 2011 they are expected to represent 66 per cent of corporate purchases and 71 per cent of the consumer market. Falling prices, technological improvements and the increase in "hotspots" are the main factors driving these sales. In the 1970's personal computing desktop devices integrated the screen and keyboard into a single unit. When the first ergonomics design guidelines were written they unanimously called for separation of the monitor and keyboard. This was because a fixed design violates a major ergonomic principle of being able to arrange the different components specifically for the user. With the keyboard and monitor connected when the keyboard is in the correct position for the user the monitor is not, if the monitor is optimal the keyboard isn't. Laptops also incorporate an input device which can create further issues. For occasional use and when working for short periods these ergonomic shortcomings may only be experienced as discomfort however full time laptop users need to ensure they are not hunched over in an awkward position and this requires external equipment. * Position your laptop screen on the desk in front of you at a height that allows you to see the screen without bending your neck. This can be achieved by using either a laptop stand or a Docking Station.* Connect an external mouse and keyboard to your laptop and place them on the work surface so that your hands/wrists are straight with your elbows by your side* You will now be able to position Monitor, Keyboard and Mouse as you would a normal desktop in order to achieve the best working posture.Speak to your Fix Program Physio to assist you in finding you the correct equipment for your improved laptop working environment. A small cost now to invest in the future of an improved posture and a happy pain free neck and back. The following links can give you an idea of the solutions out there if you regularly use a laptop computer. http://www.standit.com/ http://www.auzspec.com.au/s174558392_Laptop+Solutions.html
Laptops were never designed for long term use however by 2011 they are expected to represent 66 per cent of corporate purchases and 71 per cent of the consumer market. Falling prices, technological improvements and the increase in "hotspots" are the main factors driving these sales. In the 1970's personal computing desktop devices integrated the screen and keyboard into a single unit. When the first ergonomics design guidelines were written they unanimously called for separation of the monitor and keyboard. This was because a fixed design violates a major ergonomic principle of being able to arrange the different components specifically for the user. With the keyboard and monitor connected when the keyboard is in the correct position for the user the monitor is not, if the monitor is optimal the keyboard isn't. Laptops also incorporate an input device which can create further issues. For occasional use and when working for short periods these ergonomic shortcomings may only be experienced as discomfort however full time laptop users need to ensure they are not hunched over in an awkward position and this requires external equipment. * Position your laptop screen on the desk in front of you at a height that allows you to see the screen without bending your neck. This can be achieved by using either a laptop stand or a Docking Station.* Connect an external mouse and keyboard to your laptop and place them on the work surface so that your hands/wrists are straight with your elbows by your side* You will now be able to position Monitor, Keyboard and Mouse as you would a normal desktop in order to achieve the best working posture.Speak to your Fix Program Physio to assist you in finding you the correct equipment for your improved laptop working environment. A small cost now to invest in the future of an improved posture and a happy pain free neck and back. The following links can give you an idea of the solutions out there if you regularly use a laptop computer. http://www.standit.com/ http://www.auzspec.com.au/s174558392_Laptop+Solutions.html