Physio and Acupuncture Talk

Name:
Location: Brampton, Ontario, Canada

We have worked in healthcare for over 15 years and have learned a great deal about the business of healthcare during this time. We enjoy dealing with all types of people and our passion is to help out in the improvement of their lives. Our interests include Physical Therapy, Acupuncture, Herbs, Mila - the world's healthiest wholefood, marketing, networking, internet, writing, coaching, food, sports and travel.

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Acupuncture for Tennis Elbow

Tennis Elbow is a common complaint among people aged 25 years to 50 years. It often occurs after repetitive use of the forearm or extension and flexion of the elbow joint, or among those who have a history of exposure to cold and wind. This last group who have had the exposure to cold and wind often develop tennis elbow without any particular activity, leading to symptoms.

Patients' main complaints are pain of the lateral side (outsie part) of the elbow, which is sometimes more painful during extension or rotation of the elbow. Sometimes patients complain of a burning sensation on the outside part of the elbow which is also very tender to the touch. In most cases there is an insidious onset and it gradually worsens over time, sometimes to the point where the pain is unbearable.

Acupuncture is an extremely effective treatment option for this kind of pain. The main Acupuncture points to treat Tennis Elbow are Li11(Quchi), Li10(Shousanli), Li4(Hegu), TW5(Wiaguan), GB34(Yanglinquan) and local Aishi points (tender points). All points are connected to a electroacupunctoscope with a dense disperse setting and the needles are left in for approximately twenty minutes. Usually patients experience significant relief after the first treatment which is an excellent start to the recovery process.

Saturday, May 13, 2006

About Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is an emerging illness characterized by debilitating fatigue (exhaustion and extremely poor stamina), neurological problems, and a variety of flu-like symptoms. The illness is also known as chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome (CFIDS). In the past, the syndrome has beeen called chronic Epstein-Barr virus (CEBV).

The core symptoms of CFS include excessive fatigue, general pain, mental fogginess, and often - gastro-intestinal problems. Many other symptoms will also be present, however they typically vary among different patients. These include: fatigue following stressful activities; headaches; sore throat; sleep disorder; abnormal temperature; and others.

The degree of severity can differ widely among patients, and will also vary over time for the same patient. Severity can vary between getting unusually fatigued following stressful events, to being totally bedridden and completely disabled. The symptoms will tend to wax and wane over time. This variation, in addition to the fact that the cause of the disease is not yet known, makes this illness difficult to diagnose.

Colleagues from the Radboud University in the Netherlands say different factors can predispose people to CFS, trigger the onset of CFS, and perpetuate the syndrome. Some of the factors mentioned, which predispose people to CFS include neuroticism, introversion and inactivity in childhood; however, more research needs to be done in this area. Study authors also say genetics may play a part in the development of CFS, as women are more likely to have CFS than men.

There are a number of things that may trigger CFS, including sudden or severe physical or psychological distress as well as an infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. Psychological factors appear to be involved in perpetuating complaints among patients with CFS.

Authors say cognitive behavior therapy, which teaches patients to gain control of their symptoms, and exercise therapy are the only two treatments that show success in treating CFS. There are likely many other ways to deal with CFS and it is recommended that a patient with CFS contacts their local association and/or support group.

Patients often find an equilibrium point at which they can function. As in combating any chronic illness, a positive hopeful attitude is essential.

CFS patients must prepared for a possible lack of acceptance from some from whom support is expected. This may be a shock, but as a CFS patient, when you cannot regularly "go bowling" with the gang, or you increasingly depend on being accommodated at home or on the job, and when you have a condition that your doctor may not certify or that other people have already heard of as "that yuppie disease", then your emotional world will become quite different.

If you have CFS, follow these recommendations:

- Find new sources of support. It will be important to create a new family-and-friends support structure. This can be done through CFS support groups, electronic networking, pen pals, and other means.

- You will need to take the time to create a new self image for yourself, to know that your new physical limitations do not limit you as a person, as a soul, no matter what other people are thinking. And take some advice from those who have traveled this difficult road before you -- consider reading from books like those below:

"The Alchemy of Illness" by Kat Duff, 1993, Pantheon Book, New York. $19
"Recovering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Guide to Self-Empowerment" by William Collinge, 1993, The Body Press/Perigee, New York. $13.95

"Living With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome" by Timothy Kenny, 1994, Thunder's Mouth Press, New York. $12.95

Sunday, May 07, 2006

What should your body fat percent be?

Body fat percent varies considerably for men and women, and age. However, there are some standards. The minimum percent bodyfat considered safe and acceptable for good health is 5% for males and 12% for females. The average adult bodyfat is closer to 15%-18% for men and 22%-25% for women.

Athletes, typically, find themselves at the low end of this scale. Optimal levels of body fat are much lower for those striving for high level performance. Ranges for professional athletes are quite a bit lower than for the average, healthy individual. Much of this difference can be attributed to the increased lean weight (muscle mass) of top athletes. The impact of body size on performance is one consideration that may correlate with body fat.

While levels of bodyfat seem to be related to performance, body composition alone has never been a great predictor of sports performance. Several studies have suggested that percent bodyfat is inversely related to maximal aerobic capacity and to distance running performance. Lean muscle mass seems to be positively related to performance in sports where the ability to generate maximal force is required (this may help to explain why a lot of those defensive linemen appear to have a high body fat levels). The bodyfat percents for elite athletes vary largely by sport. Clearly, the association between low body fat and improved performance is not precise, and there is little evidence of performance benefits when male athletes drop under 8% and women drop under 14% bodyfat.