Group items tagged

Neurological Disorders Many illnesses target the nervous system, affecting mobility, speech and skill, just as in stroke. Rehabilitation plays a key role in providing treatment and improving symptoms. Scientists at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) conduct research across the country to study neurological disorders.

Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders in the Workplace Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) affect the muscles, nerves and tendons. Work related MSDs (including those of the neck, upper extremities and low back) are one of the leading causes of lost workday injury and illness.

This is a really great website that talks about ergonomics in the workplace. It specifically talks about how to prevent musculoskeletal disorders. One thing unique about this website is that it also address what the employers responsibilities are and what rights the worker has in regards to prevention, and a safe workplace. It gives multiple links to OSHA standards for a workplace, and also a list of some of the top careers that result in musculoskeletal disorders.

We've learned a lot about the importance for children with sensory processing disorders to receive OT in our pediatrics class this semester, but often when those disorders go untreated they persist into adulthood. This webpage discusses the ties that SPD in adults have to higher likelihood of anxiety and depression and overall poorer quality of life. The page discusses the importance of OT intervention in desensitization training, education, and reduction of any negative coping strategies developed by those adults. Very interesting read.

A cumulative trauma disorder, also known as CTD, is defined as the excessive wear and tear on tendons, muscles and sensitive nerve tissue caused by continuous use over an extended period of time. CTDs can develop from improper work positioning, repetition or force. Millions of Americans work in front of computers every day.

This article list ergonomic risk factors of cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs). As occupational therapy practitioners we should focus on the following areas: highly repetitive tasks, static exertion, forceful exertions, localized mechanical stress, awkward postures, temperature exposure, and vibration (article has description of all of these). Prevention and early management are key to avoiding CTDs.

This article explains what musculoskeletal disorders are, the different types, how it's diagnosed, how to treat, and most importantly how to prevent. The prevention precautions in this article are very simple things we can keep in mind every day.

I know we have already went over this topic, but I thought this page was really informative on dysphagia. Usually most pages just list the definition and the symptoms, but it goes on and on about various aspects that are associated with dysphagia. It even explains what you should ask that doctor when you first visit him/her. I just wanted to share this site encase you know someone that suffers from it and this would be helpful!!

Musculoskeletal disorders are developed over a period of time and doesn't result from instantaneous trauma such as falls. It is the leading cause of the most time away from work reported in workplaces.This article provides tips to prevent or slow down the disorders.

Back and neck pains from improper body mechanics and improper posture can be decreased and prevented from proper sitting and standing posture,sleeping bed mobility, lifting, pushing, pulling, carrying. Ergonomics to adapt the work place to the person to decrease risk of getting repetitive trauma disorder and prevent back pain and neck pain.

Hand therapy and Splinting Jana Koch Hand Therapy Evaluation Treatment Ultrasound is a deep heating agent that is used to treat a variety of soft tissue disorders with goals of "enhanced" tissue healing and reduction in pain. High frequency sound waves create thermal energy which is absorbed in soft tissues to a depth of 2 to 5 cm.

I feel this is a great resource for individuals and their loved ones upon initial injury or diagnosis of an illness. It has short explanations about many different common conditions from spinal cord injury and questions one might have to psychological disorders. I feel it could be a great way for people to find out more if they wish to do it in a more private setting. It talks about sports, travel, school, work etc. It is based in Europe. Their ambassador's have disabilities so they have more insight than others might!

A quote says "The ability to conduct posture assessments in the workplace can assist with the prevention and control of musculoskeletal disorders." This short blurb contains a link to download the recently released report on workplace ergonomics

EnableMart is your #1 source of Assistive Technology products. We are a world leader in assistive technology for those with blindness, low vision, hearing loss, learning disorders and other disabilities. EnableMart has been supporting the special needs community for more than a decade by providing all the most demanded learning curriculums, augmentative devices, large key and large print keyboards, Braille displays, alternative input devices, switches and amplified phones.

I thought this was a neat website. Kinda like a "Wal-Mart" for assistive technology. I think it's really important to know what is out there and how expensive things are so we can recommend to our future clients things that could help them.

iPads and other technology "touch devices" are a wonderful new tool and may benefit children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) greatly. This is a really cool resource for trying to get an iPad funded for your child or student!

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disorder for which there is no known cure. Fortunately in the last few years, a shift in strategy toward the earlier institution of disease modifying drugs and the availability of new classes of medications have greatly improved the outcomes that can be expected by most patients.

The primary determinant of health for the average person is thought. Not genetics, not exercise or nutrition, but the mind. This has been shown over and over again by the scientific fields of psychoneuroimmunology, psychoneurocardiology, psychoneuroendocrinology, not to mention cancer research and all the various psychosomatic disorders that have been studied.

An anecdotal example of how "stress is the main killer". Interesting perspective.

Treatments for disorders of the UE. There are pictures of the devices, the indicated diagnosis, purpose, and benefits. A great resource if you work in a clinic that does splinting/orthotics. These are custom fabricated and there are benefits associated with making your client's splints-removable, adjustable, reform-able, can get wet, and can be cleaned.

This article is a good read on splinting! It discusses different kinds of splints and ways they can be used for therapy.

This page details a number of custom hand orthotic devices and what conditions they treat and their purposes.

Arthritis refers to over 100 disorders of the joints. This chart gives information on common types of arthritis.

This is a very detailed PowerPoint regarding Lateral Epicondylitis. The presentation includes the definition, symptoms, assessments, treatments (ranging from activity modification to orthotic interventions) and outcomes. There are great visuals as well -- MRI's and drawings.