Physiotherapy News and Research

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Physiotherapy not "alternative" medicine or "voodoo", says CPA

The Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA) was surprised and dismayed to read articles in two of North America's most prestigious newspapers which question the use of certain commonly used physiotherapy treatments for musculoskeletal injuries. The articles, titled "Some physical therapy may be a stretch" and "Treat me, but no tricks please" suggest that ice, heat, ultrasound and other modalities are "voodoo" treatments.

9 Jan 2010

Ultrasound-guided cortisone injections, an effective treatment method for gluteus medius tendinopathy

Ultrasound-guided cortisone injections may be an effective treatment method for gluteus medius tendinopathy, a common, painful condition caused by an injury to the tendons in the buttocks that typically affects middle-aged to elderly women and young active individuals, according to a study published in the January issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology.

23 Dec 2009

Researchers discover how protein can be controlled and under what circumstances it can go awry

A team of researchers studying the protein that, when defective or absent, causes cystic fibrosis (CF) has made an important discovery about how that protein is normally controlled and under what circumstances it might go awry.

18 Dec 2009

CPA introduces 10 resolutions and rules to help people live healthy life

With rates of obesity and inactivity at alarming levels in Canada there has never been a more urgent time for our country's citizens to take control of their health. Members of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA) are calling on Canadians and their families to make 2010 the year they make meaningful and long lasting changes to their physical care and fitness habits.

16 Dec 2009

CRPS patients fare better with aggressive physiotherapy treatment, says new study

The saying "more pain, more gain" may be true for those already in terrible pain due to a chronic and debilitating condition, contrary to received wisdom. For those with Type I Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), working through the pain of an aggressive physiotherapy program often leads to far better results than a more cautious pain-free approach.

13 Nov 2009

Patient self-referral to physiotherapy proven to be safe, and results in better health outcomes

Today in Washington, DC, physiotherapists from around the world heard that direct patient access and self-referral to physiotherapy improves public health. Patient self-referral and direct access is proven to be safe, and results in better health outcomes, more timely care, higher patient satisfaction, and lower costs.

28 Oct 2009

First child with a surgically implanted artificial humerus doing well after a year

When little Mark Blinder was diagnosed with a rare bone cancer, doctors at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital gave his parents three agonizing options: amputate the affected arm at the shoulder, irradiate the tumor and risk a second malignancy, or try a limb-preserving surgery that had never been attempted in a toddler.

27 Oct 2009

Studies show that physiotherapy can help relieve symptoms of prostatitis

Prostatitis is no picnic. It is a urological condition which causes infection or inflammation of the prostate gland. It is a fairly common health concern, especially for men under 50 and can seriously affect quality of life including sexuality and intimate relationships. However, new research regarding the benefits of physiotherapy in treating prostititis is promising.

14 Oct 2009

Researchers to investigate an existing drug for speedy recovery of stroke patients

New research will determine whether an inexpensive drug called L-dopa, widely used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease, could also help thousands of stroke patients regain mobility and independence.

14 Oct 2009

Centric Health Corporation, PrevCan enter into an agreement to form a strategic alliance

Centric Health Corporation (TSX: CHH), a diversified healthcare company, today announced that it has entered into an agreement to form a strategic alliance with PrevCan, Inc. ("INTERxVENT Canada").

8 Oct 2009

Dutch provide lessons on health reform, while Europe's highest court rules for drug maker

In a series about the health care systems in five countries, the NewsHour examines the Netherlands and its massive health care overhaul. "When the Netherlands redesigned its national health care system in 2006, there were three main goals: continue universal coverage, unleash competition between private insurers, and keep down costs for the long run.

8 Oct 2009

Free educational brochure on physical therapy

Physiotherapy Associates, the nation's foremost provider of outpatient rehabilitation services, today announced that a free educational brochure on the benefits of physical therapy is available to celebrate October as "National Physical Therapy Month," as designated by the American Physical Therapy Association.

7 Oct 2009

Acute therapy and follow-up care of burn disease discussed

Almost three quarters of patients with extensive burns die of the consequences of a severe infection. In the current edition of Deutsches Ärzteblatt International, Timo A. Spanholtz of the Cologne-Merheim Burn Center and his coauthors discuss the acute therapy and follow-up care of burn disease.

1 Oct 2009

CIHR and CMAJ honour eight Canadian Health Researchers

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) today honoured eight outstanding Canadian individuals and teams with the first ever CIHR-CMAJ Top Canadian Achievements in Health Research Awards, which recognize and celebrate Canadian health research and innovation excellence.

29 Sep 2009

Exercise is effective for treating chronic shoulder pain

Supervised exercises are more effective than shockwave treatment to relieve chronic shoulder pain, finds a study published on bmj.com today.

16 Sep 2009

Lack of physical activity is linked to childhood obesity

It's the start of another school year and Canadian physiotherapists are taking this opportunity to talk tough about the epidemic of overweight and inactive children in this country. According to Statistics Canada about 25 percent of Canadian children are overweight. The Active Healthy Kids Canada 2009 Report Card found that only 13 percent of children and youth are getting the 90 minutes of physical activity recommended by Canada's Physical Activity Guide.

9 Sep 2009

Brainwave opens a new facility in Birchwood

National charity Brainwave, which provides home based therapy programmes for children with cerebral palsy and other conditions such as development delay, is opening a third Centre in Birchwood, Warrington to cope with the increasing demand for its services.

8 Sep 2009