Physical Therapy News and Research

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Chaperone protein study could lead to effective therapies for Alzheimer's, neurological disorders

Dynamic regulation of the chaperone protein Hsp27 was required to get rid of abnormally accumulating tau in the brains of mice genetically modified to develop the memory-choking tau tangles associated with Alzheimer's disease, a University of South Florida-led study found.

4 Dec 2010

Active recreational athletes at risk for shoulder injuries this holiday season, say doctors

Around the holidays, even the friendliest game of flag football can lead to injury. According to sports medicine doctors at Hospital for Special Surgery, older and newly active recreational athletes are particularly at risk for shoulder injuries.

4 Dec 2010

CDC: Hip replacement surgical procedures are more prevalent in the U.S.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hip replacements are among the most common surgical procedures in the United States; and with osteoarthritis and obesity on the rise, demand for the procedure is expected to grow.

3 Dec 2010

Odors in womb sensitize fetus to smells, alters brain development

A major new study shows that a pregnant mother's diet not only sensitizes the fetus to those smells and flavors, but physically changes the brain directly impacting what the infant eats and drinks in the future.

1 Dec 2010

ABI therapy effective for treating microtears in hamstring injury: Study

Researchers in London say they have found an effective two-part treatment for microtears in the hamstring: injections of the patient's own blood and a steroid along with "dry-needling," in which repeated needle punctures cause controlled internal bleeding in the injured area. Results of the study were presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

30 Nov 2010

New genomic approach to evaluate suspicious thyroid nodules

Doctors at the University of Colorado School of Medicine were concerned recently when they found a nodule in the thyroid of a 64-year-old Colorado man. They extracted cells from the nodule, hoping to determine whether the man had cancer. But the biopsy results were inconclusive.

24 Nov 2010

Humana to acquire Concentra for $790 million

Humana Inc. today announced it has signed a definitive agreement to purchase Concentra Inc., a privately held health care company based in Addison, Texas, for approximately $790 million in cash. Through its affiliated clinicians, Concentra delivers occupational medicine, urgent care, physical therapy and wellness services to workers and the general public from more than 300 medical centers in 42 states.

22 Nov 2010

BizVotes.com identifies Dr. Ryan Groelz as Best Chiropractor in Broomfield, Colorado

Dr. Ryan Groelz of Rock Creek Spine and Rehabilitation Center has been voted the 'Best Chiropractor in Broomfield, Colorado' by BizVotes.com. A popular consumer website, BizVotes.com helps communities identify the best local businesses through an online voting system. Rock Creek Spine and Rehabilitation Center is currently listed in the top choice for chiropractic care in Broomfield.

20 Nov 2010

Artificial retinas, thought-controlled devices and brain stimulation therapy show promise

Two experimental brain-machine technologies - deep brain stimulation coupled with physical therapy and a thought-controlled computer system-may offer new therapies for people with stroke and brain injuries, new human research shows. In addition, an animal study shows a new artificial retina may restore vision better than existing prosthetics. The findings were announced today at Neuroscience 2010, the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience and the world's largest source of emerging news on brain science and health.

17 Nov 2010

Pilot registry to identify AEDs in the community

Monday, Food and Drug Administration officials announced that the University of Colorado School of Medicine will work with the FDA to develop a pilot registry in Denver to identify AEDs in the community. This registry will link AEDs to emergency medical dispatch. It also could increase the ability of bystanders to save a life and help ensure that AEDs are located where they might be needed. Seattle and San Diego are the only other cities that will launch this effort.

17 Nov 2010

BTE Technologies acquires patented recumbent strength-training system, Eccentron

BTE Technologies, a leading global innovator in objective evaluation and rehabilitation equipment for physical therapy, occupational therapy, and sports medicine, announces its acquisition of Eccentron™ - a patented recumbent strength-training system that works the muscles eccentrically for rapid strength gains, explosive muscle power, and unparalleled benefits for joint stability and fall prevention - all with minimal strain on the cardiovascular system.

16 Nov 2010

New investigational drug is well tolerated in children with nmCF

PTC Therapeutics, Inc. today announced the publication of data from a Phase 2a clinical trial of ataluren in children with nonsense mutation cystic fibrosis (nmCF) in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

15 Nov 2010

BCBS of Michigan alleged to have crushed pilot physical therapy program it saw as competition

USA Today: "As health care costs soared nationally, a small Michigan firm gave Ford Motor Co. a proposal to cut its physical therapy costs. The automaker signed up for an in-state pilot program, which was so successful Ford expanded it last year to cover about 390,000 employees, retirees and their families nationwide." But court "records allege Blue Cross used its position as the state's dominant insurer to try to crush TheraMatrix as it worked to also sign up Chrysler and General Motors.

11 Nov 2010

tDCS electric stimulation can improve motor function in stroke patients

A noninvasive electric stimulation technique administered to both sides of the brain can help stroke patients who have lost motor skills in their hands and arms, according to a new study led by researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC).

10 Nov 2010

Study shows dogs attack children's face, eyes

As dog bites become an increasingly major public health concern, a new study shows that unsupervised children are most at risk for bites, that the culprits are usually family pets and if they bite once, they will bite again with the second attack often more brutal than the first.

10 Nov 2010

First Edition: November 10, 2010

Today's headlines include new survey results regarding employers' and the insurance coverage they provide to employees, as well as more details on health insurance open season.

10 Nov 2010

Thirteen myths about arthritis and rheumatic disease

A diagnosis of arthritis or another rheumatic disease can cause someone to feel anxious and even a little overwhelmed. Being a knowledgeable and empowered patient can help alleviate some of those feelings, and being able to navigate through the many misconceptions about arthritis and rheumatic diseases is vitally important.

8 Nov 2010

DJOFL third quarter net sales decrease to $233.6 million

DJO Incorporated, a global provider of medical device solutions for musculoskeletal health, vascular health and pain management, today announced financial results for its operating subsidiary, DJO Finance LLC ("DJOFL"), for the third quarter of 2010, ended October 2, 2010.

4 Nov 2010

One-third of breast cancer survivors rate breast-conserving treatments as fair

A third of breast cancer survivors who received the breast-conserving treatments lumpectomy and radiation rate the appearance of their post-treatment breast as only "fair" or "poor" in comparison to their untreated breast, according to a new University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine study that will be presented today at the 52nd Annual Meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) in San Diego.

3 Nov 2010