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"Fibromyalgia is bad, but with (Marnie's) help it can be maintained to an extent- tolerable. What's not to like about someone who can help you?" Sharon. Fibromyalgia-Chronic Pain

"I would love for other women to know that this kind of care is available for their pain. Each visit worked towards reducing the pain until I was no longer having it. What a joy to know this didn't require surgery.  Anita. Pelvic Pain

"After a few weeks of therapy and training my pain levels began to greatly improve! ...Understanding the frustration and needs of her patients makes Marnie a number one PT in her field of expertise. I am forever thankful for her." Angela Pelvic Pain-IC

"It helped to talk to someone who really understood that the pain and soreness I had was real and there was a reason for it. For the first time I really understood what was causing it and there was something I could do about it." Karen. Pelvic Pain-IC

"When you think that the therapy is too simple or easy is when it is working the most. Shannon. Neck-Dizziness

"Go before you get really bad and then relief happens sooner." Tim.  Back Pain

"Until I began therapy with Marnie, I did not fully understand my condition(s) and what to do to improve it. She not only provided me with a caring environment for treatment, but provided me knowledge and information to be able to try to work on issues at home."  Dawn.  Pelvic Pain

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Entries in research (2)

Thursday
Feb112010

* Early PT Reduces Breast Surgery Complications

A recent study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) found that women who participated in early physical therapy could prevent and/or reduce the risk of developing lymphedema following breast surgery. Following axillary (under arm) lymph node dissection, lymphedema is the most significant complication. Up to 71% of women are affected by lymphedema within 12 months of surgery, resulting in swelling of the arm, cosmetic disfigurement, anxiety, and emotional distress.

Physical therapy consisted of massage, scar tissue mobility, specific exercise, and education. The researchers found that of 116 women who completed the study, only 18 (16%) developed secondary lymphedema after one year. The results of the study indicated that “early physical therapy could be an effective intervention in the prevention of secondary lymphedema in women for at least 1 year after surgery for breast cancer involving dissection of axillary lymph nodes.”

At Clemens Physical Therapy, we provide free screening before and after breast cancer surgery. This consists of measuring and comparing the size of the arms to determine if there are any changes. This is an indication of developing lymphedema. Steps can then be taken to prevent complications.

Jennifer Key MPT

Torres LM, Yuste Sanchez MJ, Zapico GA, Prieto MD, Mayoral dM, Cerezo TE, Minayo ME. Effectiveness of early physiotherapy to prevent lymphoedema after surgery for breast cancer: randomised, single blinded, clinical trial. BMJ 2010; 340:b5396.

AuthorClemens Physical Therapy, PLLC | Comments Off |
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DateThursday, February 11, 2010 at 4:31PM
Tuesday
Jul142009

*Interesting (and funny) pain research

Here’s an interesting article that will make you smile. A study at Keele University in Staffordshire, UK found that swearing increases pain tolerance compared to not swearing. They compared cold pain tolerance between people who repeated a swear word versus those who repeated a neutral word. Yes, you read that correctly. There has been a study done to show the effects of cussing on pain tolerance. They hypothesize that cursing increases heart rate which induces a fight-or-flight response which “nullifies the link between fear of pain and pain perception”.

Actually, as funny as this seems, there is some benefit to anything that blocks the brain’s perception of pain and cussing is one of the few things that is still free. I’m just not sure I can advise patients to do this and keep a straight face. (But I won’t tell anyone if you put it to use yourself! :)

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19590391?ordinalpos=7&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum

AuthorClemens Physical Therapy, PLLC | Comments Off |
tagged , in ,
DateTuesday, July 14, 2009 at 8:50PM