Walt Fritz, PT
The Pain Relief Center
Rochester, NY |
www.RochesterPainRelief.com
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The Pain Relief Center Newsletter
Summer 2010
The Pain Relief Center
Walt Fritz, PT
2050 South Clinton Ave
Rochester, NY 14618
585-244-6180
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Pelvic Pain
Pelvic pain, and all of its variants including back pain, make up a large part of my practice. Pelvic pain is often treated with medication and surgery, but with limited or poor results. Here is an article on efforts to conquer some of these issue:
Myofascial Release can be a highly effective means of reducing or eliminating even longstanding pelvic pain. Special attention is paid to the evaluation and treatment of scar tissue as well as its effects. Scar tissue is an often ignored problem that may produce profound limitations in motion, even years after the surgery. I have posted numerous articel on the Research Page of my website that deal with this topic. For more information, contact me. |
A New Trend in Running?
If you are a runner, or surf the internet, you may have come across reference to an article on the differences between running in "normal" running shoes and running with no or minimal footwear. Research article such as this can start a trend, one that does not always result in success. Modern running shoes, which most, if not all runners are fully accustomed to, change the way in which the foot strikes the ground. The findings of this study place blame on this change for many of the injurioes that runners suffer. They compare the gait of a runner with modern running shoes with the gait of a runner with minila or no footwear, and report that it is the manner in which the foot strikes the ground that can influence the development of foot and leg problems.
Many may view this information and begin running barefoot, or with one of the newer minimal support running shoes that are available. But there are precautions before attempting this. Here is a link to a summary of the research from Harvard University, including tips on how to begin the transition.
Biomechanics of Foot Strikes & Applications to running barefoot or in Minimal Footwear. |
Refer a Friend
If you find the information that I present in these Newsletters valuable, please share this email with friends or associates who may benefit from the information. Simply click on the link above to forward this email. My best referrals come from you; those who have benefited from Myofascial Release at the Pain Relief Center.
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Balance and Aging
A new study has been published by the journal Footwear Science, which reports that going barefoot, or with only socks or slippers, in the home contributes to falls in the elderly. Their recommendation was for the elderly to wear shoes at all times to reduce the risk of falling. Sounds pretty wise, doesn't it?
In the past, I posted another research article to my website:
Improving Physical Function and Blood Pressure in Older AdultsThrough Cobblestone Mat Walking: A Randomized Trial (#28).
Here is an article written about the above research paper.
This article looks at the influence that providing a test population with walking and exercising on an uneven, or cobblestone surface, improves both balance and cardiovascular fitness in the test subjects. They based their hypothesis that walking and exercising on cobblestones would simulate a group of people in Asia, where cobblestones make up the bulk of their walkways and streets. They found that these people had remarkable balance and fitness, even those into their 80's and 90's. The researchers then set up a trail to simulate this setting.
I spent many years as a home care physical therapist, and geriatrics were the bulk of my case load. Diminished balance was a common trait among my clients and it was often my duty to try to improve their situation. Intuitively, I often had them move outdoors onto the grass or other uneven surfaces and begin to walk, even if they needed to use a walker for assistance. As people age, our culture tends to move people into more supportive footwear and caution them from leaving very level surfaces, for fear of falling. What becomes of this is a loss of the physical and neurological stimuli that can maintain and even build balance and strength.
The results and recommendations of these two studies seem in absolute contrast. If a community sees crime on the rise, many will buy (or sell) stronger locks, while others will try to find the change the source of the larger problem. I believe that the first study is the "safety" model of medicine, the one that encourages "stronger locks". It ignores the potential for change in all of us. I think that we are capable of more. There are many ways to build and maintain strength and balance as we age.
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Foundations
in Myofascial Release I has been scheduled for September 17-19, 2010.
It is being sponsored by and held at Ithaca College Department of
Physical Therapy's Rochester Campus.
I have recently updated
and expanded this class to 20 contact hours over two and one-half days
and it is packed with techniques, theory, and practical application.
NCBTMB CE hours and New York State continuing education credits for
physical therapists are available. For full details, please check out
the Seminars Page on my website.
If you have any therapist ffriends or acquaintances (physical, massage, occupational, speech therapists, etc.), please forward this email along to them.
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A friend directed me to this poem which I wanted to share. It was mentioned as a way that some can look at their pain.
The Guest House
This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice.
meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.
Be grateful for whatever comes.
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
-- Jelaluddin Rumi,
translation by Coleman Barks
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The Myofascial Resource Store
I've made a few changes to my website. All of the self treatment tools, books, and music are now in one convenient place. Partnered with Amazon.com, the Myofascial Resource Store allows you to view all of these products in one place. You can even search through other related products while in the safety of Amazon.com's website. Check it out at:
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