JOURNALJOURNALhttp://www.clemenspt.com/journal/2011-04-13T16:01:04ZSquarespacePain Blog Recent Posts: Marchhttp://www.clemenspt.com/journal/2011/4/13/pain-blog-recent-posts-march.htmlClemens Physical Therapy, PLLC2011-04-13T16:01:04Z2011-04-13T16:01:04Z 

 

Check out some of the March posts on our PAIN BLOG.

Click on the link here to get to the main page of our PAIN BLOG located at www.painandsimplesteps.com or click on the individual posts above to get to that specific article.

The blog is a continuation of the journal on this site, but will have expanded topics and useful information.  You will also have the ability to post comments and join the "conversation".



]]>Pain Blog: Recent Posts Feb 1-Mar 6http://www.clemenspt.com/journal/2011/3/7/pain-blog-recent-posts-feb-1-mar-6.htmlClemens Physical Therapy, PLLC2011-03-07T17:00:20Z2011-03-07T17:00:20ZRECENT POSTS on www.painandsimplesteps.com
 

Click on the link here to get to our PAIN BLOG located at www.painandsimplesteps.com or click on the individual posts above to get to that specific article.

The blog is a continuation of the journal on this site, but will have expanded topics and useful information.  You will also have the ability to post comments and join the "conversation".



]]>Pain Blog: Recent Posts Jan-Febhttp://www.clemenspt.com/journal/2011/3/2/pain-blog-recent-posts-jan-feb.htmlClemens Physical Therapy, PLLC2011-03-02T17:00:03Z2011-03-02T17:00:03ZThe initial posts in January and February were introduction posts on all the topics that are likely to be covered in the new blog at www.painandsimplesteps.com.  They cover the following conditions:

  • Fibromyalgia
  • Pelvic pain- Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
    • Vestibulodynia
    • Vulvodynia
    • Dyspareunia
    • Vaginismus
    • Pudendal Neuralgia
    • Levator Ani Muscle Spasm
    • Pelvic Floor Myalgia
    • Coccygodynia- Tailbone Pain
    • Interstitial Cystitis and Overactive Bladder (OAB)
  • Incontinence
  • Pelvic organ prolapse
  • Pregnancy Related Pain
  • Constipation and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
  • Back Pain
  • Neck Pain
  • Thoracic Pain – Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
  • Headache
  • TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) – Jaw Pain
  • Foot Pain – Plantar Fasciitis
  • Shoulder-Hip-Knee Pain
  • Osteoporosis
  • Breast Cancer and Cancer Rehabilitation

Click on the link here to get to our PAIN BLOG located at www.painandsimplesteps.com. 

The blog is a continuation of the journal on this site, but will have expanded topics and useful information.  You will also have the ability to post comments and join the "conversation". 

 



]]>NEW BLOG: Pain and Simple Stepshttp://www.clemenspt.com/journal/2011/2/23/new-blog-pain-and-simple-steps.htmlClemens Physical Therapy, PLLC2011-02-23T17:11:54Z2011-02-23T17:11:54ZBLOG:   PAIN AND SIMPLE STEPS

 

Click on the link here to get to our PAIN BLOG located at www.painandsimplesteps.com. 

The blog is a continuation of the journal on this site, but will have expanded topics and useful information.  You will also have the ability to post comments and join the "conversation". 

For now, we will also post links to the blog in the JOURNAL section of this site so you can find information and posts from either site. 

We hope you enjoy this enhanced version.  If you have any suggestions, please CONTACT US at the link above.



]]>* Celebrate Hot Tea Month with IC Friendly Teashttp://www.clemenspt.com/journal/2011/1/27/celebrate-hot-tea-month-with-ic-friendly-teas.htmlClemens Physical Therapy, PLLC2011-01-27T17:00:25Z2011-01-27T17:00:25ZThere is nothing like the cold temperatures to get your mind thinking “hot drink”.  Most people who have interstitial cystitis (IC) cannot tolerate the go-to beverages for winter warmth like regular coffee and tea. These drinks cause pain and overactive urination in those with IC. So what’s a person to do to celebrate National Hot Tea Month? 

While regular coffee and tea are off limits, most IC sufferers can tolerate some herbal teas.  Some of the following might work just fine:

  • Chamomile
  • Peppermint
  • Rooibos (from an African bush)
  • Blueberry
  • Warm pear juice
  • Cinnamon (heat up cinnamon sticks in water)

All people with IC do not respond well to the above drinks, but these have been noted to be the least likely to cause a flare.  Just make sure they are all herbal with no regular tea leaf in the mix (this includes green tea). 

So with temperatures dropping this winter, grab your favorite mug and enjoy.  These IC friendly drinks might just be your “cup-o-tea”.



]]>*IN THE NEWS: PT for Pelvic Painhttp://www.clemenspt.com/journal/2011/1/26/in-the-news-pt-for-pelvic-pain.htmlClemens Physical Therapy, PLLC2011-01-27T00:39:26Z2011-01-27T00:39:26ZToday’s Miami Herald had an article on Physical Therapy for Pelvic Pain.  In it they interviewed PT’s working with pelvic pain related to spasms of the muscle of the pelvic floor.  Check out the article here. 



]]>*Possible Risk Factors for Fibromyalgiahttp://www.clemenspt.com/journal/2011/1/25/possible-risk-factors-for-fibromyalgia.htmlClemens Physical Therapy, PLLC2011-01-25T20:38:49Z2011-01-25T20:38:49ZDid you ever wonder why fibromyalgia or chronic pain might occur?  A recent study in the Journal of Pain has shown possible links between regional neck and back pain and the later development of fibromyalgia and chronic widespread pain (CWP). 

 The study looked at 550 subjects with back or neck pain.  The researchers compared questionnaires filled out in 2001/ 2002 and then again in 2007 to see how many people had developed chronic widespread pain.  They found that nearly a quarter of these people had developed chronic widespread pain in the 5-6 year period.  The diagnosis of CWP was made if the person indicated pain in three out of four body quadrants (left and right, arm and leg).

 They found seven factors that increased the likelihood of developing CWP from regional neck or back pain.  They are:

  • Moderate or severe pain intensity
  • Female gender
  • History of family abuse
  • Family history of chronic widespread pain
  • Interference with general activity
  • Having one or more other conditions (irritable bowel syndrome, irritable bladder syndrome, restless legs syndrome, and/or migraines)
  • Using more pain management strategies.

 Interestingly, they did NOT find a link with the following (although obesity and depressive symptoms were found to be almost significant):

  • Number of depressive symptoms
  • Pain duration
  • Age
  • BMI (body mass index- an indicator of obesity)
  • Number of medications used
  • Receipt of disability benefits

Out of all of the traits linked to development of CWP, they found the strongest predictor to be increased initial pain severity.   They stated that current research supports the theory of painful input (neck or back injury) causing changes in the nervous system leading to the development of more widespread pain. 

It is important to understand this study did not look at all people in general, but started with people who already had neck or back pain. It also does not mean that neck or back pain is the only cause of development of CWP.  The researchers also pointed out possible limitations to their findings in the use of questionnaires and the low subject response rate (24.4%) due to subjects moving in the 5-6 yr time span of the study. 

Fibromyalgia and chronic pain are not easy conditions to understand.  While this research does not give us immediate answers, it does present some useful information.  It gives clinicians or future research a place to start looking for ways to prevent the transition into fibromyalgia and more long term pain. 

 

 

]]>*Easy Weight Loss with Waterhttp://www.clemenspt.com/journal/2010/12/6/easy-weight-loss-with-water.htmlClemens Physical Therapy, PLLC2010-12-06T21:23:43Z2010-12-06T21:23:43Z 

I had you at “easy” and “weight loss” didn’t I?  It has always been assumed that drinking water was a solution to slimness.  Some researchers found that this is actually true.  Overweight adults drank about 16 ounces of water thirty minutes before eating.  They were compared to another group that were given water with no instructions as to when to drink it.  After 12 weeks, the water-drinkers lost more weight compared to the non-drinkers.  They lost on average 5 pounds more despite being allowed to eat as much as they wanted. 

You know you need to drink more water anyway.  It helps so many things including bowel, bladder, muscle and joint function.  Just do it before you eat for an easy way to aid weight loss.



]]>* Cancer Screening in Local Areahttp://www.clemenspt.com/journal/2010/12/1/cancer-screening-in-local-area.htmlClemens Physical Therapy, PLLC2010-12-01T21:27:27Z2010-12-01T21:27:27ZBonnie's Bus, a state-of-the art mobile mammography unit, will be providing breast and cervical cancer screening at the Clarksburg Mission on Wednesday, December 8, 2010. The Mission is located at 312 N. 4th Street in Clarksburg.   An order from a health care provider is required for screening. They accept Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurances.  Some women may qualify for free pap tests, pelvic exams, breast exams, and mammograms.  Call Health Access at 304-622-2708 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

You can also check out the calendar at the website for Bonnie's Bus to see if bus will be coming to your local area.

]]>*November is Jaw Joints-TMJ Awareness Monthhttp://www.clemenspt.com/journal/2010/11/15/november-is-jaw-joints-tmj-awareness-month.htmlClemens Physical Therapy, PLLC2010-11-15T15:23:03Z2010-11-15T15:23:03ZTMJ or Temporomandibular Joint pain affects many people.  These are the joints where the jaw meets the skull just below the ears.  Often, people develop face and jaw pain with chewing or even at rest.  There may also be joint sounds such as clicking with mouth opening and closing.  Headaches and neck pain are commonly associated with TMJ problems as well.  It may be caused by a trauma such as a car accident or fall.  It is also caused by clenching and grinding of the teeth over a period of time.  Simple things such as avoiding chewing steaks and large sandwiches can help.  Cut food into small bites and avoid clenching teeth together.  Physical Therapists who work with this area can help by working with the joint and muscles to allow more normal movement for less "wear and tear".  Posture is also very important to get the best pain relieving joint position. 

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