|
Starfish Updates
Blogs: Check out our most recent blog posts
Giving Back: Starfish Therapies participated in the telethon by Children's Hospital Oakland and will donate a portion of their proceeds monthly for this next year. In addition we donated to Able Closet a local non profit looking to support families in need of equipment so that their children can maximize their potential.
Your Vote Counts: Pepsi is using their advertising money from the Super Bowl to fund grants for various causes. The winners are chosen by the highest votes. IRSF the International Rett Syndrome Foundation is up for a $250,000 grant to support research for a cure. They narrowly missed it in June but were able to be carried over into July. They need to finish in the top 2 to receive the grant. You are able to vote every day in the month of July. Please do your part and vote to make a difference for 1000's of girls.
Congratulations: We wanted to offer Stacy Menz congratulations on passing her pediatric clinical specialist exam!
|
|
Just For Fun
U-Me
U-Me is located on the peninsula and is the only family destination where developing the whole child is
practiced and the social needs of the family are met. Presenting the
largest and most creative indoor PlaySpace in the Peninsula, we strive
to offer a broad curriculum: from music, cooking, martial arts, yoga,
dance, ballet, and gymnastics, to languages, math and science classes.
We provide
parents with an exercise facility and workspace. After hours, we
present parents with adult education and community building
opportunities. Our organic café offers parents a place to socialize and
network while keeping an eye on their children. U-Me will be free of
time limitations so families can enjoy the facilities without any
restrictions. U-Me will bring "fresh fun for the whole family". Most
importantly, U-Me will be that much-lacking "3rd place" for the whole
family. |
|
Out and About
Check out the free museum days in San Francisco this month! For those of you with kids this blog is also a great resource for things to do in the Bay Area and beyond.
|
|
|
|
Greetings!
Welcome back! We hope you enjoy reading this month!
|
|
|
Understanding Terminology: Ankle and Knee
 Often in physical therapy, we use certain terminology to describe the position or alignment of the legs at rest or during activity. You have probably seen these terms in your child's evaluations or progress reports and they probably didn't make much sense. Even if your therapist explained the meaning to you, it still might not have made much sense. Hopefully this article can help clear up the meaning of these strange words and what they indicate.
FOOT/ANKLE:
 Pronation - This is a term used to describe the sum of three different motions that together cause the heel to slant inward, the arch to collapse toward the floor, and the foot to turn outward during standing and walking. A certain amount of pronation is normal during the walking cycle. However, if there is an excessive amount present it can lead to stress on ligaments and muscles and can cause other alignment issues throughout the rest of the leg over time. Excessive pronation is most common in individuals with low muscle tone but can also occur individuals with high muscle tone.
 Supination - This term is used to describe the sum of three different motions that together cause the foot to point downward and turn inward. This foot position is common in individuals with increased muscle tone and in certain diagnoses such as Cerebral Palsy.
Pronation and supination can be present during standing or during isolated times of the walking cycle.
KNEE:
Genu Valgum (knock knees)- This term describes knees that are touching or close to touching while the lower leg is bent outwards and the ankles are separated more than normal (see picture below). This alignment is a normal part of development around 2-3 years of age and in most cases will naturally straighten out by 5-6 years of age. However, it may persist when other impairments are involved. It is often seen in combination with ankle/foot pronation described above. Very severe cases may require surgical intervention.
Genu Varum (bow legs) - This term describes the opposite of genu valgum. The knees are separated while the ankles come closer to the midline of the body (see picture below). This alignment is normal in infants and during the first year but should decrease as weight is introduced through the legs with standing and walking.
From infancy to childhood, a typically developing child should progress from genu varum during the first year of life to a relatively straight position with the onset of walking and then into genu valgum around 2-3 years. The legs should then again realign themselves into a relatively straight position by around 5-6 years. Females will tend to have slightly more genu valgum than males due to the greater width of the pelvis.
From left to right, the pictures represent genu valgum (knock knees), normal alignment, and genu varum (bow legs). |
|
|
The Masgutova Method
 At starfish Therapies, we believe in a multidiscipline approach to intervention and determining the treatment approach that works best for each child. Many of the children we serve receive a variety of alternative therapies in addition to the physical and occupational therapy they receive at Starfish Therapies. We thrive on learning about the additional interventions the children we serve are receiving and providing resources for parents to learn about and access other forms of therapy that may be beneficial to their child. In August, several of our therapists will receive training in The Masgutova Method of Neuro-sensory-motor Reflex Integration (MNRI )™. MNRI was developed by Dr. Svetlana Masgutova and "is based on unique training directed toward the restoration of neurodevelopment and the integration of primary movements, reflexes, coordination systems, and skills for the optimal functioning, development, and learning." The Masgutova Method stimulates sensory motor development by accessing existing, natural motor resources and muscle memory through the stimulation of reflexes. Children with motor development deficits, ADD or ADHD, cerebral palsy, emotional instability, learning disabilities, speech and language deficits, and intellectual delays may benefit from MNRI. The Svetlana Masgutova Educational Institute offers professional training classes as well as family conferences to improve access to the Masgutova Method within the community. A complete list of education opportunities, in addition to more information on the MNRI, is available on their website. For several families, funding is one of the largest barriers to access to all types of intervention. One Small Step: A Concert to Benefit Children with Neurologic and Muscle Injury is a fundraiser put together by the Svetlana Masgutova Educational Institute. It will be taking place in San Carlos later this month in hopes of improving these children's access to intervention. Concert details and more information on One Small Step can be found here. |
|
|
Thank you for reading this month. Don't forget to get on the Pepsi website and vote for the grant that will support research for Rett Syndrome!! The link can be found in the left hand column. Have a great month! |
|
Sincerely,
Your Friends at
Starfish Therapies |
|
|
