Research and News
Posts tagged active care
Systematic review supports use of elastic resistance exercise for shoulder impingement
Mar 9th
Shoulder impingement is a common cause of chronic shoulder pain that can be treated with exercise. Impingement can be caused by a structural narrowing of the space between the humeral bone and acromion of the scapula, or by a muscle imbalance of the rotator cuff and/or scapular stabilizer muscles. These types of impingement are referred to as structural and functional, respectively.
Thera-Band® resistance band exercises are commonly used in rehabilitation of shoulder impingement. In fact, nearly 75% (9 out of 13) of the studies in a systematic review of physiotherapy exercises for impingement included elastic resistance exercise for the rotator cuff and scapula. In their review, Kromer and colleagues found that passive treatments (such as modalities only) are not effective and cannot be justified when treating shoulder impingement.
The authors found that physiotherapist-led exercises were as effective as surgery for shoulder impingement. In addition, home-based exercises were as effective as physiotherapy interventions, although manual therapy in the clinic may provide additional short-term relief. Based on these conclusions, Thera-Band resistance band exercises in the clinic or home can be an effective and safer alternative to surgery.
Kromer TO, et al. Effects of physiotherapy in patients with shoulder impingement syndrome: a systematic review of the literature. J Rehabil Med. 2009;41(11):870-80.
Turn Evidence into Practice for Home Exercise Programs
May 18th
by Phil Page PT & Dana Mackison DC
Recently, the term ‘active care’ has been used to describe rehabilitation that makes the patient an active participant in the process. In contrast to ‘passive care’ that includes modalities and manual techniques, Active Care emphasizes self-management techniques such as exercise and behavioral change. While both active and passive techniques have their place in rehabilitation, the ultimate goal is to empower the patient to take responsibility for their own care, rather than relying on the clinician.
How to Empower your Patients
Patient empowerment is accomplished by avoiding passive modalities, minimizing unnecessary visits, providing patient education, and helping the patient develop self-management strategies for preventing exacerbations. A patient-centered approach promotes a “team” approach where patients are active participants and partners in the therapeutic process, responsible for making their own choices (Law et al. 1995).
The first step in empowering patients to take control of their care is to understand behavioral change, which is the key to adopting a healthy behavior or to stopping an unhealthy behavior. Home exercise programs and self-management strategies are most effective when behavioral factors are considered within the patient education. Research has shown that chronic low back pain patients who combine therapeutic exercise with a motivation program have More >
