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This website really helped me understand body mechanics more. Of course we all should know by now what the basic body mechanics are "lift with your knees, keep heavy loads close to your body etc." This website takes it one step further and actually describes in detail how to specifically perform each technique. It also mentions several techniques that I was not aware of. It is so important to take care of your body, and to stay safe. This is a great website to take a look at!

I know this does not have to do with anything we covered in Phys Dys. But I just wanted to make sure that everyone is aware of the advantages of joining AOTA. I think it is important for each of us to take part in this. I have had many tell me that our "fire" will die after a few years in the field, and being members of organizations will not be as important to us as it was as students. I want to challenge all of us, including myself, to break that stigma and make a difference. It has been an honor to be in class with all of you over the past three semesters, and you all have pushed me to become a better student and person. I feel we have a strong class, and all of you are very talented. Hopefully we will all stay in contact over the years, and who knows maybe even plan some reunions at the state/national conferences. I waited to post this until our assignment was almost over so I would not take up the feed. Take a second to make this commitment if you are a memeber, and if not think about joining. Thanks!

this was a good instructional video for taking a clients blood pressure. I found it interesting that the stethoscope actually has an off position that you need to be aware of, I did not realize that.

This is a really good video on how to take blood pressure. If you need to brush up on it, I would advice viewing this. It is a good one to reference back to if you don't take blood pressure often and need a review.

This blood pressure chart can help you figure out if your blood pressure is at a healthy level or if you'll need to take some steps to improve your numbers,,, to view vidoe clip on media tab and then click on "what is blood pressure?

Yet another benefit of taking fish oil. It tends to help with RA and has added health benefits from way back in the olden days. Even at my age I am taking my fish oil daily! Last semester we learned it helped ward off effects of dementia also.

At my last fieldwork placement I got to watch a couple of driving assessments. Driving brings a person much freedom. Taking away the privilege can be devastating to some. This article gives some good tips on to talk with a loved one about their ability or non-ability to drive. I think the tips would apply to those of us who find ourselves working in situations where we would have to talk with client's about this subject.

This is a tough issue. I used to worry about my grandmother so much. She started having little fender benders. It is good for us to be aware as COTA's how significant driving or not driving can be to our clients.

The conversation regarding when someone should no longer drive could be quite hard. I found this website that gives advise on how to have this conversation. It discusses how to plan for it, how to bring it up, how to handle objections and the environment in which it should take place. It also talks about how to help the individual with the transition (finding other means of transportation, etc).

What is burnout? Burnout is a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. It occurs when you feel overwhelmed and unable to meet constant demands. As the stress continues, you begin to lose the interest or motivation that led you to take on a certain role in the first place.

What is burnout? Burnout is a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. It occurs when you feel overwhelmed and unable to meet constant demands. As the stress continues, you begin to lose the interest or motivation that led you to take on a certain role in the first place.

CarFit is a community based program that sponsors events (as a collaborative effort between AOTA, AAA, and AARP) with the purpose of inspecting the older driver in their own vehicle. "trained technicians and/or health professionals work with each participant to ensure they "fit" their vehicle properly for maximum comfort and safety". It takes about 20 mins after which recommendations for adjustments and adaptations are provided. The website provides FAQs and videos with a lot of information pertaining to the older driver and driver safety. Those of you interested in driving rehab may be interested in participating in an event such as this as a COTA in the future.

This article was an eye opener for me regarding the hazards of sitting too long and not using proper sitting techniques. I now know now why I have mushy abs and limp glutes! I sit for hours at my computer without taking a break, resting or stretching. I also do not sit in an ergonomic position while at my desk. From this article I gained a great deal of information about how sitting too long can contribute to heart disease, over-productive pancreas, colon cancer, poor circulation in legs, foggy brain, bad back, strained neck, disk damage, mushy abs and limp glutes, just to name a few. It was really surprising to learn how just from sitting too long can create havoc on your organs, muscles and your whole body. Gives you something to think about!

I should put my laptop on the bar and use it standing up once in awhile!

This AOTA article defines "restraint", provides information on the role of OT in regards to providing restraint reduction or elimination, and lists common environments where this type of intervention takes place. By assessing what client-centered modifications, as well as environmental modifications, can be made, occupational therapy looks for ways "around" the use of restraints in order to enhance the client's engagement and participation in meaningful occupations.

This article is about how you to choose the correct monitor and what you should do to get the best reading. There are a couple of things that you need to check before you take your BP or it could affect the way your BP reads. The main thing that I think that we need to know is that there are certain cuff sizes and they could affect the reading if its to small or big. There are some other neat tips to make sure you get the right reading.

This article is full of helpful information for post stroke patients. it address several potential difficulties and ways to avoid them such as, taking breaks, knowing side effects of medications you are taking and what effects they may have on your sexual performance, experimenting to see what techniques or positions work best for you and more

This story is about a firefighter who lost his arm fighting a fire. His arm was amputated and the he was fitted with a prosthetic. He worked with an OT and prosthetic forever! He wanted to be able to return to his dream job of fighting a fire! He worked very hard and he had his share of his ups and downs. I am not going to tell you all the ending, so please read it. It is not long at all and will take you 10 minutes at the max.

A very interesting article about OT and treatment of burns. In her case OT started after the patient was stable and able to do therapy every day. She states that the healing process can take years for the patient. Scar care, compression therapy, skin lubrication, splinting, ROM, and strengthening were all discussed. It was noted that scar tissue and adhesions are very painful. A very important point was the planning for discharge and taking in all aspects of independence.

This is an excellent article detailing OT's involvement in the treatment of burns. Different settings and invention techniques are outlined. Great resource for anyone working with burns.

This article gives information about the cycle of treatment (entering acute rehab, compression therapy, skin lubrication, splinting, ROM, strengthening & conditioning, and planning for discharge) for burn patients in acute rehab.

This page has tips for taking care of your hands, includes information about joint protection, exercises and using heat and cold.

We are all aging, and we should try and stay as productive as we can without pain or damaging our hands. Here is just a few tips to protect and take care of your hands as we age.

The focus of care in OT is often directly on the client, and rightly so, but it is also important to support and educate the caregiver in ways to reduce their stress and provide them with resources such as the article posted here. This article discusses the importance of caregivers self-care, the benefits of attending support groups, and overcoming personal barriers. Being a caregiver is a very tough job both physically and mentally, so it is important that OT practitioners advocate for caregivers as well as the clients for which they care.

This website describes a new piece of technology that helps with the recovery of burn victims. Researchers have found a way to use skin from an undamaged area, place it in a tube with an enzyme and spray the solution in the tube over the burn area to heal the site in a way that is much less painful than having a skin graph. this process can be a better option than a traditional skin graph because it takes less time for the patient to heal from, it can cover a larger portion of damaged skin from a smaller portion of undamaged skin, and the solution takes very little time to prepare.

OT helping a burn victim with hand ROM.

I can't see your page with this link. It just takes me to the main page. :~(

I was unable to view it, like Deneicee said, it directed me to my page.

When I have an injury I feel like sometimes I have some really basic question about it and sometimes its really hard to find the answers or takes forever because they arent all in one place. I really liked this article because it has several most common questions asked for a rotator cuff tear! Also it is a good article to read if you would just like to broaden your knowledge of rotator cuff injuries. It covers anything from the cause to the healing process.