The latest available clinical data does not support the use of traction (either manual traction or machine-based “non-surgical spinal decompression therapy”) for treating patients with lower back pain with or without sciatica, other than for providing temporary pain relief. Lower back pain is a major source of disability, work absenteeism…
Manual lymphatic drainage is a central tenant of Complex (Combined) Decongestive Therapy, the standard treatment for the chronic swelling condition known as lymphedema. While the benefits of manual lymphatic drainage are well recognized for cases of longstanding lymphedema, does it provide enough benefit for early cases to warrant the added…
Intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) therapy is used to improve venous circulation, can it also improve lymphatic circulation in cases of secondary lymphedema? Intermittent pneumatic compression was originally developed to improve venous circulation. It accomplishes this through the use of an air-pressure controlled sleeve, glove or boot that provides a rhythmic…
New research shows that physicians are increasingly choosing the wrong treatments for back pain, while physiotherapy referrals remain stagnant. The well-established clinical practice guidelines for managing and treating back pain support the use of non-opioid pain-killers, avoidance of imaging, and the use of physiotherapy including exercise therapy. For the latest…
New research suggests there is no difference in functional outcome when arthroscopic surgery is added to standardized physiotherapy for patients with both a meniscal tear and knee osteoarthritis. Meniscal tears are common in individuals with knee osteoarthritis (click here to learn more about knee osteoarthritis and its treatment). The Mayo Clinic…
In January we discussed one patient’s experience with lymphedema secondary to obesity (see: “A case of Lower Extremity Lymphedema Secondary to Morbid Obesity”). Here we provide an update on her progress one year after her initial assessment at our clinic. The patient was first seen at our clinic on May…
Appropriate exercise can reduce the side effects of breast cancer therapy while improving long-term survival. Current medical opinion unanimously supports the use of exercise in breast cancer prevention (see post: “Exercise for breast cancer prevention“) and in breast cancer rehabilitation (see post: “Exercise for breast cancer rehabilitation“). Indeed, the available…
Exercise not only relieves the side effects of breast cancer, but can also significantly improve long-term survival. It is well known that exercise can help prevent cancer (see blog post “Exercise for breast cancer prevention”), but its powerful effects on cancer recovery remain mostly unappreciated. Just a couple decades ago…
How can I use exercise to help prevent breast cancer, and how much will it decrease my risk? It is well appreciated that exercise can help prevent or delay an enormous range of health problems from cardiovascular disease, to neurodegenerative disease, to cancer. In fact it would appear that all…
Always on the look-out for new approaches to treating lymphedema, we took a close look at a new study that examines the use of acupuncture for treating the condition. The study in question (Cassileth B.R., Van Zee K.J., et al. Acupuncture in the treatment of upper-limb lymphedema: Results of a…
