Physio Blog .com

An article on the Arthritis Care website posted on the 8th October 2009 looks at the progress and potential of a new drug for Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Launched in the UK by its manufacturers on 8 October 2009. Tocilizumab, (brand name RoActemra) is intended for people with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for whom existing treatments do not work. Read more… »

Cod liver oil and especially Omega 3 fatty acids are said to be an important factor in the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Read more… »

The Forestry Commission is encouraging people in Cumbria to have fun and get fit in the New Year by heading to their local forest for some fresh air and exercise. Read more… »

The Mid Western Regional Hospital, Doradoyle, Co. Limerick in Ireland carried out a study to see if hearing of rugby players was impaired due to wearing scrum caps or ear taping.

In order to avoid head injuries, many rugby players wear scrum caps during matches.  Taping around the ears with elastic adhesive bandage or electrical tape helps to avoid serious tears and injury.

There has been a hypothesis that this practice decreased the players’ ability to hear and therefore was detriment to his or her performance.

Audiometry tests were carried out on eight young men aged between 22 and 34.

None of the men demonstrated impairment of hearing whilst wearing a scrum cap or ear tape. Therefore the conclusion is that fears about these methods of head and ear protection affecting player ability are unfounded.

Read article abstract as featured in The British Journal of Sports Medicine

Network to facilitate and promote members’ learning on public health issues

This network has been launched to facilitate and promote members’ learning on public health issues, with a focus on physical activity and to further support members in the exciting evolution of physiotherapy practice.

• How is physiotherapy connected to physical activity?
• How can physiotherapists support people to tackle obesity?
• How can physiotherapists encourage older people to maintain/regain an active lifestyle?

These are all highly topical questions that can be discussed on the new Move for Health interactive CSP network.

Maintaining the health of the nation is a huge concern for UK governments and has/have become a hot topic in national press and media. Issues such as childhood obesity, exercise and lifestyle have brought into question what physiotherapists are doing to maintain the health of society and to prevent the health adverse consequences of certain lifestyle choices.

This new network will give you an opportunity to share ideas, discuss concerns, post documents and be updated with news related to physiotherapy and physical activity.