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TENS therapy is not effective against chronic low-back pain

A new guideline issued by the American Academy of Neurology finds that transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS), a widely used pain therapy involving a portable device, is not recommended to treat chronic low-back pain that has persisted for three months or longer because research shows it is not effective.

31 Dec 2009

NCD's monthly bulletin for December, 2009

National Council on Disability's monthly bulletin for December 2009.

30 Dec 2009

Service dogs for people with disabilities

When disability or illness makes it difficult to open a door, pick up keys or call for help, a service dog might ease these frustrations of daily living.

30 Dec 2009

Overview of grief

A death of a loved one, a job loss, the end of a marriage, an illness or disability. Everyone faces losses and grief, but the toll that grief can take on the mind and body can catch many people by surprise.

30 Dec 2009

ACC files complaint against HHS Secretary in U.S. District Court

The American College of Cardiology (ACC) today announced that it filed a complaint against the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius in United States District Court.

30 Dec 2009

Employers pay close attention to health care legislation developments, according to MetLife

Health care legislation continues to be a very hot topic among Americans today. According to new research from MetLife, 75% of individuals and 83% of employers report paying close attention to health care legislation developments.

29 Dec 2009

Disability lawyers upgrade Social Security Disability Law website

As disability law firms throughout the country prepare for 2010 Social Security Disability application cases, the disability lawyers at Berry & Associates have gotten a head start with an upgrade to their website, nationaldisabilitylawyer.com.

28 Dec 2009

APHA supports passing of healthcare reform legislation

"Thanks to today's Senate vote, we are one step closer to bringing much needed reform to our nation's health system," said Georges C. Benjamin, MD, FACP, FACEP (E), executive director of the American Public Health Association.

28 Dec 2009

Learning disabilities: Understanding the problem and managing the challenges

"Trying to address learning disabilities with innovative teaching methods and creative school financing is not the answer," said Etta Brown, a licensed educational psychologist, veteran social worker and author of "Learning Disabilities, Understanding the Problem and Managing the Challenges" from Langdon Street Press (www.understandingld.com).

24 Dec 2009

National MS Society calls for grant applications to examine the impact of CCSVI hypothesis

2009 saw exciting research progress, unprecedented opportunities on the horizon, and more scientists than ever working on resolving important questions. Despite the year's economic and financial challenges, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society continues to propel research forward to end MS. In 2009 the Society provided over $33.5 million to support 345 new and ongoing projects in its research portfolio, plus $1.5 million for Fast Forward, the Society's drug development subsidiary which continues to attract new funding streams.

23 Dec 2009

Implications of physician-assisted suicide for people with disabilities

Although public opinion in the United States on physician-assisted suicide is evenly divided, about half of states have either defeated bills to legalize assisted suicide or have passed laws explicitly banning it and only two states (Oregon and Washington) have legalized it. In this environment, A Disability Perspective on the Issue of Physician-Assisted Suicide, a special issue of Disability and Health Journal: The Official Journal of the American Association on Health and Disability, published by Elsevier, examines the issues related to assisted suicide and disability, the legal considerations and the Oregon and Washington experiences.

23 Dec 2009

MedAire expands training and equipment solutions

MedAire (medaire.com) has expanded its training and equipment solutions to help air carriers achieve compliance with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (U.S. DOT) Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) 14 CFR Part 382 regulation. The ACAA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in air travel.

23 Dec 2009

Researchers mix active drug and placebo to maximize drug benefits for efficient treatment

Researchers used the placebo effect to successfully treat psoriasis patients with one quarter to one half of their usual dose of a widely used steroid medication, according to an early study published online today in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine.

23 Dec 2009

Disability-related problems continue to rise among older adults

Disability rates among non-institutionalized older Americans increased between 2000 and 2005, a trend that could seriously impact the quality of life of seniors in the coming decades if it continues, according to a study led by researchers at the University of Toronto and the University of California, Berkeley.

22 Dec 2009

Dogs for the Disabled honours its puppy socialising volunteers

Dogs for the Disabled paid tribute to its puppy socialising volunteers this week, telling the dedicated helpers that they have made such an outstanding contribution to the charity’s work that they could do with another fifty volunteers just like them.

22 Dec 2009

Emisphere's oral salmon calcitonin product addresses persistent musculoskeletal pain

Emisphere Technologies, Inc. today announced a meta-analysis published in the December 2009 edition of Rheumatology Reports examining independent evidence of the analgesic action of the hormone calcitonin. This publication restates the potential of calcitonin in filling a significant unmet need for alternative treatments for persistent musculoskeletal pain.

22 Dec 2009

NMA urges parents to protect their children from meningococcal disease

This winter, while many parents are focused on influenza prevention, the National Meningitis Association (NMA) is urging parents to also protect their families from meningococcal disease, a deadly but potentially vaccine preventable bacterial infection.

22 Dec 2009

New West Physicians to provide health care services for Humana members

New West Physicians, a primary care group practice in the metro Denver area serving more than 250,000 patients, will now provide health care services to individuals and families enrolled in a commercial health plan with Humana Inc., under terms of a long-term agreement announced today.

21 Dec 2009

Subitizing vision therapy for improving math skills

"The incidence of individuals with a mathematics learning disability is between 6-7% of the population." Since there are more than 300 million individuals in the United States, up to 21 million men, women, and children may be affected by this disorder. Sidney Groffman OD, MA, FCOVD, Professor Emeritus at SUNY College of Optometry, author of the article published in the December 2009 issue of Optometry & Vision Development, also says, "This is unfortunate because math skills are of prime importance in everyday life enabling us to understand number concepts and do calculations. Math ability is essential for many occupations and professions."

19 Dec 2009

GSA publication focuses on health disparities minority elders face

The premiere issue of an aging-focused newsletter deals with two pressing societal concerns - the economic downturn and health care reform - from the perspective of older minority adults.

19 Dec 2009