Rebecca Said:

Looking for site describing physical therapy exercises for Kyphosis due to Osteoporosis?

We Answered:

First, for an EXAMPLE of some exercises, you can click on this link and click on the link to the "slide show" for exercises.
Just be warned that not all these exercises will be for everyone. Be sure to ask your PT which exercises are particularly beneficial for you.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/osteopo…

As far as HOW the exercises work, there are two main ways we can look at these exercises. The first are the ones that are "stretching" exercises. These exercises work to lengthen soft tissues that have become tight around the spine due to the kyphosis. These primarily target muscles, tendons, but fascia as well. As one applies a stretching force, the collagen fibers start to orient parallell to each other...as the stretch is sustain, fluids and "proteoglycans" are "squished" away from the tissues, allowing them to reach the point where some of the shorter ones will lengthen. This process will reverse itself somewhat once the load is removed, therefore stretching needs to be done several times a day...not just once or twice or you will never make progress.

Next, we can examine "strengthening" exercises including those that use weights or are "weight-bearing exercises" such as walking, low impact aerobics, etc. These exercises put a force across the bone. Bone has the ability to lay down more bone in areas where stresses are applied...therefore, it actually seeks to "strengthen" the bone.

As far as myofascia is concerned, remember that it is being stretched with exercise...not that I think it makes any difference. I do not believe that the fascia has much to do with osteoporosis. It is a metabolic disorder of bone loss. The musculoskeletal effects are secondary, and it is the muscles and tendons that are actually shortened (there is an actual loss of the "sarcomere", or cellular unit of the muscle that can be demonstrated on histological studies). The evidence for myofascial techniques or that the fascia even contributes to the problem is scant. Personally, I think myofasical release is a buch of hooey without any reliable scientific proof. I wouldn't waste your time with it...although to be quite honest...it "feels" good...it just doesnt' really do anything.

Be sure to go over any exercises with your therapist before trying them on your own. They probably already have a program in their mind of what you should be doing.

Good luck.

ADDENDUM: sorry, I don't think I could find one like that...it gets highly technical and generally not very "patient friendly"...but if you are inclined to do so, I would google "Wolff's law" (which explains how stress increases bone mass) and "creep and hysteresis in collagen fibers " (which explain how lengthening of tissues occur)

Nellie Said:

What are some good high school classes to take if you are looking towards physical therapy as a career?

We Answered:

You do not have to choose any specific courses in high school if you wish to become a PT. The only high school courses that will matter are ones that will directly affect your admission to college as an undergraduate. High school transcripts are not considered for admission into a PT program (unless you go to one of the few "direct acess programs").

The process works as such...in college, you will be required to take a string of "prerequisite courses" prior to graduate admission into a PT program. You will also complete your general education requirements. Depending on the structure of the graduate program to which you will apply, you could apply for application after your junior year or after completing your BS. The grades for your prerequisite courses are highly scrutinized...the courses vary from school to school, but usually require at least a year and a half of bio, a year of chem and physics, a year and a half of psych, statistics, trig/calc and anatomy and physiology.

You can start preparing today by examining the structure and program requirements for the PT school you hope to apply. You can view a list of accredited PT schools at the APTA website at:

www.apta.org and click on the education link. It will provide you with a list of programs with a link to that school's website.

Good luck.

Antonio Said:

Can someone show me where I have to apply to apply for stony brook's physical therapy program?

We Answered:

Here is the link to the application. They use the national PT application

http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Sect…

Jon Said:

need help differentiating between physical therapist and doctor of physical therapy!?

We Answered:

PT is the job. PTs degrees can either an MPT, or DPT. Older PT may also be BSPT. The majority of new grad PT are DPT. There are only a handful of MPT programs that exist. So all licencesd PT have PT after their name. Then they may also list their degree ie Joe Smith, PT, DPT or Susie Smith PT, MS. I hope this helps.

Ask anything is incorrect. It depends on the state who can have direct access. PT can all do the same thing. Some PT who graduated before the DPT or the MPT program may not be able to enroll in a DPT program. Experince trumps degree any day. So Ask anything will have a rude awakening when his clinical instructor has a BS in PT. I had a BSPT and went back for my DPT.

Carol Said:

Where do I find ratings for the therapy given in a nursing home?

We Answered:

I'm a homecare PT (after years in a SNF/rehab setting) and this is a legitimate question, because I see a great deal of patients who come home from SNF/rehab settings. A lot of the therapy departments are contract companies who provide therapy services to each facility. So although they are in the same facility, they are not managed by the same company. Not all of them, but some. They're still some in-house therapy depts, however because of the nature of this setting, there is a high turnover rate and is generally less expensive if they hire a contract company to outsource their therapy dept. And this can change everytime their contract expires and they find a company who contracts for a cheaper rate. So some SNFs have different therapists on a continual basis as the facility changes contract companies. I know this doesn't really answer your question, but depending on her functional level at this time, is she appropriate for homecare? Although rehab settings help some patients, their not for very patient,, especially if it truly short-term. I realize they do provide daily therapy (5-7x week) with multiple disciplines, but homecare is definitely worth the research, especially if you have some preoccupations about skilled nursing facilities. Another issue is that many facilities provide "group" therapy if they are Medicare Part A patients, mainly because Medicare allows. So in essence any one-on-one therapy goes out the window and they get less than desireable quality of time/therapy. I know a great deal of my patients have had less than desireable experiences at several nursing homes in the Charlotte, NC area. Hope this helps some.