A recent story in The New York Times revealed the “newly discovered” importance of C-reactive protein (CRP). Apparently, a drug company-sponsored study showed that people who had high CRP levels had fewer heart attacks and strokes when taking statins (cholesterol-lowering drugs). However statins increase risk of heart disease by robbing you of the heart critical nutrient CoQ10.
CRP level is important. CRP measures inflammation in your body. Inflammation is the real cause of heart disease. Tests that can measure CRP to detect heart disease & this test is recommended annually. Healthy people have less than one unit. Four units or above can indicate heart disease. Inflammation comes from stress or damage to your blood vessels when they don’t get the nutrients they need. They can get cracked and weak, and the body responds by sending plaque to repair the damage. Continuous lack of nutrients can cause this plaque to build up – leading to heart attack or stroke.
One may not really need statin drugs to protect from high CRP levels. To lower the CRP levels in your blood – lower the inflammation in your body. One of the best ways to lower CRP is to exercise. Studies clearly show that people who went from couch slouching to exercising lowered their CRP as much as 30%.1 To get the most benefit in the least amount of time, exercise efficiently.
Traditional cardio exercises aren’t the most effective to lower CRP. To lower your CRP level in the shortest amount of time, try PACE of DR. ALSEARs (PACE Program walks you through, step-by-step, a revolutionary way to better heart health in 10 minutes a day). If you don’t have my PACE program, here’s a simple exercise you can do (of course check with your doctor/ cardiac physiotherapist/ exercise physiologist if you haven’t been exercising for a while):
1. Instead of a slow, steady pace on a bicycle or treadmill, try going 80% of your maximum for 2 minutes.
2. Rest for 1 minute
3. Go at 90% for another two minutes
4. Rest for 1 minute
5. Go at 100% for 1 minute
6. Recover
That’s it! This exertion/rest cycle is much more effective than traditional cardio and will burn fat and build your heart and lung strength (and lower your inflammation) much faster.
Reference:
1 Church T, Barlow CE, Earnest CP, et.al. Association between cardiorespiratory fitness and C-reactive protein in men. Arteriosclerosis and Thrombosis: Journal of Vascular Biology.2002 Nov 1;22(11):1869-1879
Friday, January 30, 2009
The relation between CRP, inflammation & heart disease & importance of EXERCISE:
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Sportsmedicine: The pain game
sports medicine evolution:
Sportsmedicine as an apparent subclass of medicine has developed apace over the past 30 years. Its recent trajectory has been evidenced by the emergence of specialist international research journals, standard texts, annual conferences, academic appointments, and postgraduate courses. A major advance in this emerging field is the ability to appropriately diagnose and treat sports-related injuries and to develop ongoing research related to better diagnosis and more effective treatment of pain and tissue healing. This approach will ultimately impact return-to-play performance.
It is noteworthy that sportsmedicine physicians recognize the athlete and the entire rehabilitation team as being a special breed that is determined and progressive in their thinking. It is not sufficient to deprive them of the very thing that motivates their lives by simply saying "Stop what you are doing and the pain will go away." Instead, our challenge is to diagnose and find the most appropriate treatment which will not only reduce pain but also induce a rapid tissue healing process. Pagliano, correctly points out that appropriate treatment resulting in return to the playing field is the major goal of the sportsmedicine physician. He states, "Not only will the athlete be delighted, but it will give the practitioner immense satisfaction to see the athletes happy and running." While there have been many anti-pain treatment modalities widely utilized in the field, including sports massage, prescription drugs, phonophoresis, cryotherapy, sonotherapy, pulsed electrical stimulation, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), high-volt pulsed current, iontophoresis, dry needle and electro acupuncture, magnetic field therapy, and biofeedback, scientists have pointed out the pitfalls of research related to these treatment modalities. A universal problem in the assessment of efficacy related to all these modalities involves the clinical usefulness of the placebo method. Brooling et al found that a total of 94% of physicians and 98% of scientists, but only 44% of athletes, indicated a good understanding of the placebo effect. A majority of scientists (63%) and physicians (59%) administered placebo at least once a year. Most scientists (95%) and a majority of physicians (71%) either mildly or strongly encouraged use of the placebo in their clinical practice to assess the medical status of their patients, especially as it relates long lasting to pain. About 60% of athletes indicated they would not care if they were unknowingly administered a placebo; however, 30% of them would not appreciate being misled. This kind of data is at least 1 stumbling block in separating real benefits of the many modalities utilized in the treatment of pain in sportsmedicine.
The author of this article K.blum et al recognized that a number of modalities including electrotherapeutic devices may have some benefit, the need for a nonpharmacologic analgesic alternative having tissue healing properties requires significant attention.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Poor Cycling Technique and Myofascial Low Back Pain
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Rotational Field Quantum Magnetic Resonance (RFQMR)- the New treatment of OA
It is claimed that:
1. It is highly successful, (RFQMR is a patented technology)
2. It is totally non-invasive but it is highly desirable alternative to knee replacement surgery.
5. It is claimed that it enables natural growth of cartilage, as against placement of a foreign substance in the body, which is done during a knee replacement surgery.
About the Innovative RFQMR treatment
On a normal healthy human body, like other tissues, bone and cartilage are constantly being built up and broken down by a variety of metabolic and physical influences. In other words, when one takes a step, putting weight on the joint, it compresses the cartilage and thereby displaces the fluid. As long as there is sufficient amount of cartilage, it provides a cushion between the bones. It is the wear out of this cartilage that causes pain in the knees and is called osteoarthritis.
1. RFQMR utilizes an innovative technology to deliver highly complex quantum EM (non-thermal) beam to alter the cell membrane potential in a highly controlled fashion for regeneration of chondrocytes thus reversing the negative cycle of degeneration of cartilage. These beams alter the proton spin inside and outside the cells generating streaming voltage potentials resulting in stimulation of cartilage growth.
2. High intensity quantum Magnetic Resonance beams are precisely controlled by a new computer controlled device (called Cytotron) delivered from specially designed guns and focused onto target tissues. This technology is similar to the diagnostic Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) device. However, the Radio Frequency used in RFQMR is lower compared to the frequency used in MRI. These frequency ranges come in the non ionizing-non-thermal category.
3. The International Commission for Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) has defined emission levels that are considered safe for human use. Both electric and magnetic field emissions from RFQMR exposure are well below the levels specified by ICNIRP.
Benefits of this treatmentThe benefits of this treatment would make anyone think twice before they opt for a knee surgery –
1. RFQMR is a pioneering, unique, effective and non surgical procedure for treatment of Osteoarthritis
2. RFQMR treatment for osteoarthritis significantly decreases pain
3. RFQMR has no side effects
4. RFQMR cure is long lasting
5. RFQMR enables natural growth of cartilage and increases its thickness as against placement of foreign substance
6. RFQMR is a cheaper alternative to knee replacement
7. Both knees can be treated simultaneously in RFQMR
8. RFQMR increases mobility in patients
9. RFQMR improves stability and power of the knee joint
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Correctly Identifying Causes of Leg Pain
Sciatica Indicates Sevirity of LBA
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Straight Leg Raise ROM Explained in Mechanical Terms
The following article is taken from Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, June 1998;30(6), pp928-32, 1998 (Vol. 01, Issue 06)
SLR:
Musculoskeletal flexibility is typically characterized by maximum range of motion (ROM) in a joint or series of joints.
Resistance to passive stretch in the mid-range of motion is a function of passive mechanical restraints. However, an active contractile response may contribute to resistance at terminal ROM.
This study investigated whether maximum straight leg raise (SLR) ROM is limited by passive mechanical forces, or stretch-induced contractile responses to stretch. An instrumented hip flexion stretch was applied to the right leg of 16 subjects, ending at the point of discomfort. Torque was measured with a load cell attached to the ankle. An electrogoniometer was placed on the hip, and the knee was braced in extension. Surface electrodes were placed over the rectus and biceps femoris muscles. Straight-leg ROM was positively related to total energy absorbed and negatively related to both the increase in torque and the energy absorbed from 20-50 degrees.
Joint torque measured during passive stretch seemed to be a function of the passive mechanical restraints to joint motion, rather than a contractile response to the stretch. These findings suggest that flexibility can be explained in mechanical terms rather than by a reflex response which facilitates active contractile resistance to a slow passive stretch.
The authors:
McHugh MP, Kremenic IJ, et al. (1998)
For patients who are following this blog.
There are three main types of exercises to include in a basic exercise program:
Range-of-motion exercises - These lessen stiffness and help with improving flexibility. "Range of motion" refers to the area within which the joints move naturally or on a daily basis. Although these range-of-motion exercises can be performed every day, it is recommended that they be done at least every other day.
Strengthening exercises – There are two types of strengthening exercises; isometric or tightening the muscles without moving the joints, and isotonic, moving of the joints for strengthening muscle movements. It is recommended to do these sets of exercises every other day, unless you are suffering from more than mild joint pain or swelling.
Endurance exercises – The objective of these is to increase stamina. They also help with improving your inner personal / mental strength and with improving weight control and sleep. Some of the most popular endurance exercises are stationary bike riding, walking and water exercising. And unless you are suffering from more than mild joint pain or swelling, a 20- to 30-minute workout or two to three short 10-minute bouts during the day is what is recommended, an average of three times each week. Be kind to your body, and it will be kind to you.
Let’s sum up exercise with a few tips for all:
1. Establish your own unique, exercise program so that it meets you personal health needs, budget and environment. Make sure it is safe by checking with your own professional healthcare advisor and workout trainer. And take it slow and steady like Aesop’s turtle in the race.
2. Be kind to yourself. Stop if something hurts. And experiment with applying heat before exercising and warming up. Then cool off afterwards with cold packs.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Regular Exercise Promotes Wound Healing in Elderly Patients
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Know why many people complain lower extremity symptoms when CPA to cervical spine is administered
The cervical spine is stabilized posteriorly by the ligamentum nuchae and other ligaments. While previous research has described the ligamentum nuchae in general terms. A study (byMitchell BS, Humphreys BK, O'Sullivan E) attempted to describe more detailed attachments to the cervical posterior spinal dura and to posterolateral parts of the occipital bone.
In the midline between the first and second cervical vertebrae, researchers found a fibroelastic ligamentous attachment to the cervical posterior spinal dura derived from the ligamentum nuchae. As the ligamentum passed cranially, part of it passed bilaterally to the posterior aspect of the base of the occipital bone, as far superiorly as the inferior nuchal line and as far laterally as the sutures with the temporal bones.This study reveals a more complex morphology of the ligamentum nuchae than has previously been described. The bilateral attachments of the nuchae to the occipital bone reaffirm its role in stabilizing the head during rotation of the cervical spine.
Monday, January 12, 2009
The Causes of Posterior Knee Pain
This following article is useful for both seasoned and new physios.....
Because pain in the posterior knee is relatively uncommon, its cause is often difficult to surmise. Among several of the known causes of posterior knee pain, and attempts to provide practitioners with a list of potential disorders and tips to consider when conducting a physical exam. The importance of obtaining a good history to elicit information leading to appropriate diagnosis can not be overemphasized. Of particular note is the determination of the precise location of the patient's discomfort within the posterior knee.
Clinicians should try to isolate the location of pain as being in the posteriolateral aspect, medial aspect or center of the posterior knee. Also critical is the knowledge of whether the pain truly arises from the posterior knee, or whether it is being referred from a more distant source.
*injuries to support structures and tumors, such as Baker's cyst, soft-tissue tumors, bone tumors, and meniscal tears;
*tendon strains/injuries, such as those to the hamstring or popliteus tendon, or calcification of the gastrocnemius tendon;
*ligament injuries, such as injuries to the posterolateral corner;
*vascular and nerve injuries, such as popliteal artery entrapment syndrome, common peroneal nerve entrapment and tibial nerve entrapment;
*iatrogenic injuries, such as postsurgical arthrofibrosis and placement of bioabsorbable tacks;
*other conditions, including degenerative joint disease.
For diagnosing specific pain generators details of anatomy and biomechanics are essential. One such tool is the use of a popliteus muscle test that places a load on the politeus to determine if it is causing pain.
conclusion:
"examiners should have a comprehensive understanding of potential pain generators about the posterior knee. While many different sources can cause posterior knee pain, review of potential causes should give providers a firm understanding of disorders to consider in their diagnostic workup."There is a nice table of disorders commonly involved in posterior knee pain, and their characteristic signs and symptoms.
cervical pillow
Foam pillows feature a support lobe for targeted cervical support, which is best if you sleep on your back. For additional support, choose a foam pillow with a core in the lobe. If you tend to sleep on your side, fiber pillows offer better support. Fiber pillows also look and feel more like traditional pillows.
Friday, January 2, 2009
IR Saunas
STORY OF THE AGE-OLD SAUNA
WHAT IS FAR INFRARED?
WOODEN SAUNAS AND PORTABLE SAUNAS
FIR- far infrared radiation
What the Researchers say about FIR
Far Infrared energy is not only safe, but highly beneficial for our bodies. Far Infrared lamps are actively used for medical treatments by doctors, chiropractors, acupuncturists, physical therapists, and massage therapists for arthritis, joints pain, stiff muscles, injuries to tendons and ligaments to promote a faster self body healing effect.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
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