The purpose of a neuropsychological assessment is to evaluate and understand the relationship between brain functioning and behavior. It is used to assess cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning in individuals who may have experienced brain injury, neurological disorders, or developmental disorders. The assessment provides valuable information about an individual's strengths and weaknesses, helps in diagnosing specific conditions, and guides treatment planning and intervention strategies.
A neuropsychological assessment differs from a regular psychological assessment in that it focuses specifically on the relationship between brain functioning and behavior. While a regular psychological assessment may assess general mental health, personality traits, and emotional well-being, a neuropsychological assessment evaluates cognitive abilities such as attention, memory, language, problem-solving, and executive functions. It also assesses emotional and behavioral functioning in relation to brain functioning.
Andrew is back talking about a colleague's recent case. This is a new grad, only practicing for 5 weeks or so, but kudos to his differential diagnosis skills and applying the Wells Criteria for Pulmonary Embolism. If you're not familiar with it, its something you should keep in the back of your mind, especially with post op patients, those who have been recently immobilized, or with history of Cancer or PE. Untold Physio Stories is sponsored byThe Eclectic Approach Network - Check out Dr. E's all new private, non tracking and ad free network for rehab pros! It's free to join, has chat, feed, and all the features of other social networks without the creeping tracking.Check out EDGE Mobility System's Best Sellers - Something for every PT, OT, DC, MT, ATC or Fitness Minded Individual https://edgemobilitysystem.comCurv Health - Start your own Virtual Clinic Side Hustle for FREE! Create your profile in 3 minutes, set your rates, and Curv will handle the rest! From scheduling to payments, messaging, charting, and a full exercise library that allow for patient/clinician tracking, it's never been easier! Click to join Dr. E's new Virtual Clinic Collective to help promote best online practices. Keeping it Eclectic... This article was originally posted on Modern Manual Therapy Blog
Posted by on 2023-07-26
Collagen Supplementation for Joint Pain and Arthritis: Does it Really Work?By Dr. Sean M.Wells, DPT, PT, OCS, ATC/L, CSCS, NSCA-CPT, CNPT, Cert-DNRecently I was presenting at the annual conference of Athletic Trainers' Association of Florida (ATAF) and I was overwhelmed by one consistent question: why didn't you talk about collagen supplementation? My talk was specifically on orthopedics for older adults and naturally I focused on osteoarthritis (OA) and how important exercise and diet are for that condition. I did touch on some supplementation, but I left off collagen because my last examination of this supplement, using one of my favorite websites Examine.com, yielded mediocre results. However the participants at the sports medicine conference piqued my interest and convinced me that perhaps I had missed something -- almost every single one of these participants had some form of joint pain or stiffness and felt significantly better after taking collagen daily. So, back to the literature, and asking some of my clients, I went!What is Collagen?Collagen is a protein found in the body that provides structure and support to various tissues, including joints, bones, tendons, and ligaments. It may play a role in maintaining joint health and may have potential benefits for individuals with joint pain. A few small-scale studies have shown positive results in reducing joint pain and improving joint function when individuals with osteoarthritis took collagen supplements. These studies often used specific collagen formulations, such as collagen peptides or hydrolyzed collagen, which are broken down into smaller peptides for better absorption by the body. However, it's important to note that the findings of these studies are not yet conclusive, and more robust research is necessary.The ResearchIt's worth mentioning that joint pain can have various causes, and collagen supplementation may not be effective for everyone. Factors like age, underlying health conditions, overall diet, and lifestyle habits can also influence joint health. For instance, a meta-analysis on collagen supplementation for OA showed improvements in the WOMAC, a functional score for knee arthritis, but it didn't yield significant results for knee pain. Meanwhile, another review article looking at collagen supplementation for joint pain, muscle protein synthesis, and body composition found that collagen did significantly reduce joint pain (it had effect on the other metrics). Here's a nice table listed in the article:The joint pain included in the review included knee pain and Achilles tendinopathy, all predominately in an athletic population. Another glaring observation is several of these studies included physical therapy and exercise prescriptions with the supplementation (Yay! Nutrition and Physical Therapy), which can also alter the results and effects of collagen as well. It's important to see the doses varied in the studies from 5, 10, to 40 grams per day; moreover, the collagen can come in varying form from peptides, hydrolyzed proteins, to denatured collagen. Having such variability in the type of collagen also likely explains the variability in responses and data.DosingSo, roughly how much and what type of collagen should a client take? Well, many studies have used dosages ranging from 8 to 12 grams of collagen peptides or hydrolyzed collagen per day for joint-related benefits. Research suggests that type II collagen supplementation may help reduce joint pain and improve joint function in individuals with arthritis, particularly osteoarthritis. It is believed to work by helping to restore and support cartilage health, potentially reducing inflammation and promoting joint mobility. It's important to note that collagen supplements are available in various forms, such as powders, capsules, and liquids, and their concentration of collagen can vary. Therefore, it's crucial to follow the manufacturer's instructions and consult with a healthcare professional to determine the appropriate dosage for your specific needs.It's also worth mentioning that collagen supplements are often combined with other ingredients, such as vitamins, minerals, or herbal extracts, which may influence their effectiveness. If you decide to try collagen supplementation for joint pain, it's a good idea to choose a reputable brand and look for products that have been tested for quality and safety. I suggest using Labdoor.com to help you or your client find a high-quality collagen supplement, if and when appropriate.SummaryIn the end, perhaps the participants at the ATAF conference were right -- there is something to say about collagen and joint pain. Not every study is exact and more research needs to be done on what dose, what age, what condition, and what exercises should be done with the collagen -- but that's why we practice physical therapy! Love to hear your thoughts and maybe some of your clients' responses to collagen. If you like what you see here then know there is more in our 3 board-approved continuing education courses on Nutrition specific for Physical Therapists. Enroll today in our new bundled course offering and save 20%, a value of $60! Earn CEUs in most states for PTs! Want to learn in person? Attend a #manualtherapyparty! Check out our course calendar below! Learn more online - new online discussion group included! Want an approach that enhances your existing evaluation and treatment? No commercial model gives you THE answer. You need an approach that blends the modern with the old school. NEW - Online Discussion Group Live cases webinars lecture Live Q&A over 600 videos - hundreds of techniques and more! Check out MMT Insiders Keeping it Eclectic... This article was originally posted on Modern Manual Therapy Blog
![[RESEARCH] Collagen Supplementation for Joint Pain and Arthritis: Does it Really Work?](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNRlO03OFOpdytY9td2mMDwpqFwMqHyUpqlQukvulwJkAaq6-RVGwr1keXUlLXifkdyTTWv66um_-YJFeEDqBBymiw14ZWWFPPem3W4DZrzncQYGpZkWWsxSuZhi6eaJN19b1AkC6SMBeCDeEBF1DYueqVTCUD80jq5SJkKqc2Tokr3FWbElnPb8LbnhP0/s16000/knee%20oa.jpg)
Posted by on 2023-07-24
In this episode, Erson goes over a tough case of constant and flared up cervical pain with radiating complaints. What do you think of his solution? Have you ever had a similar case that responded to sustained holds better than repeated loading or traditional techniques? Untold Physio Stories is sponsored byThe Eclectic Approach Network - Check out Dr. E's all new private, non tracking and ad free network for rehab pros! It's free to join, has chat, feed, and all the features of other social networks without the creeping tracking.Check out EDGE Mobility System's Best Sellers - Something for every PT, OT, DC, MT, ATC or Fitness Minded Individual https://edgemobilitysystem.comCurv Health - Start your own Virtual Clinic Side Hustle for FREE! Create your profile in 3 minutes, set your rates, and Curv will handle the rest! From scheduling to payments, messaging, charting, and a full exercise library that allow for patient/clinician tracking, it's never been easier! Click to join Dr. E's new Virtual Clinic Collective to help promote best online practices. Keeping it Eclectic... This article was originally posted on Modern Manual Therapy Blog
Posted by on 2023-07-17
Erson tells a story of getting back to rock climbing after a 20 year break. After a finger injury that wasn't healing, he got some totally unexpected great advice from another climber. What do you think of the solution and has anything similar ever happened to you? Untold Physio Stories is sponsored byThe Eclectic Approach Network - Check out Dr. E's all new private, non tracking and ad free network for rehab pros! It's free to join, has chat, feed, and all the features of other social networks without the creeping tracking.Check out EDGE Mobility System's Best Sellers - Something for every PT, OT, DC, MT, ATC or Fitness Minded Individual https://edgemobilitysystem.comCurv Health - Start your own Virtual Clinic Side Hustle for FREE! Create your profile in 3 minutes, set your rates, and Curv will handle the rest! From scheduling to payments, messaging, charting, and a full exercise library that allow for patient/clinician tracking, it's never been easier! Click to join Dr. E's new Virtual Clinic Collective to help promote best online practices. Keeping it Eclectic... This article was originally posted on Modern Manual Therapy Blog
Posted by on 2023-07-06
Tension-type headache (TTH) is a prevalent and burdensome condition that affects many individuals. Recent research suggests that the cervical spine, specifically the trigemino-cervical nucleus caudalis, may play a role in the development of TTH. This nucleus facilitates the exchange of pain signals between the upper cervical spine and the trigeminal nerve, which is involved in headache generation. Links between the upper cervical spine and TTHStudies have shown that individuals with TTH often exhibit musculoskeletal impairments. Common findings include forward head posture and restricted cervical range of motion. These physical dysfunctions may contribute to the headache symptoms experienced by TTH patients. Neck pain and sensitivity in the cervical spine are frequently reported alongside TTH and may worsen the clinical presentation of the headache. These symptoms could be epiphenomena resulting from the sensitization of the trigemino-cervical nucleus caudalis.While forward head posture is a common observation in TTH, its direct relevance to the headache remains a topic of debate. Similarly, the relationship between restricted cervical range of motion and TTH is not well understood. It is uncertain whether these musculoskeletal impairments are causative factors or consequences of the headache.Clinicians often use the cervical flexion-rotation test to assess upper cervical spine mobility, which has proven useful in diagnosing cervicogenic headache. However, its application and significance in TTH are not extensively studied. Further research is needed to elucidate the role of this test in TTH diagnosis and management.Another intriguing observation is the reproduction of headache pain through manual stimulation of the upper cervical spine in both cervicogenic headache and TTH. This suggests that referred pain from the cervical spine may be involved in the pathophysiology of primary headaches. Understanding this mechanism could lead to novel therapeutic approaches for TTH.Additionally, trigger points in the neck-shoulder muscles may contribute to TTH symptoms by generating muscle referred pain. These trigger points can refer pain to other areas, including the head, and may exacerbate the headache experienced by individuals with TTH. Managing TTH in practiceA multidisciplinary approach involving physical therapy interventions targeting musculoskeletal impairments, exercise, and psychological aspects is essential for the management of TTH. The effectiveness of cervical treatment approaches varies, and personalized strategies should be tailored to individual patients. Understanding the role of the cervical spine in TTH and differentiating between cervical components and sources can aid in the recognition and treatment of diverse headache presentations. Our cervical spine models help professionals manage the connections between TTH and the role of the cervical spine. Check out my exclusive blue nucleus anti-nocebo version!via Dr. Jerome Fryer - Dynamic Disc Designs Want to learn in person? Attend a #manualtherapyparty! Check out our course calendar below! Learn more online - new online discussion group included! Want an approach that enhances your existing evaluation and treatment? No commercial model gives you THE answer. You need an approach that blends the modern with the old school. NEW - Online Discussion Group Live cases webinars lecture Live Q&A over 600 videos - hundreds of techniques and more! Check out MMT Insiders Keeping it Eclectic... This article was originally posted on Modern Manual Therapy Blog
Posted by on 2023-07-05
There are several common neuropsychological tests used in assessments. These include tests such as the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS), which measures overall intelligence and cognitive abilities, the Trail Making Test, which assesses attention, mental flexibility, and visual-motor skills, the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, which evaluates executive functions and problem-solving abilities, and the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test, which assesses visual memory and visuospatial skills. Other tests may include measures of language abilities, memory, attention, and processing speed.
The duration of a typical neuropsychological assessment can vary depending on the complexity of the case and the specific tests administered. On average, a comprehensive assessment can take anywhere from 4 to 8 hours, which may be spread out over multiple sessions. The assessment process involves an initial interview, administration of various tests, scoring and interpretation of results, and a feedback session to discuss the findings and recommendations.
A neuropsychological assessment can help diagnose a range of conditions or disorders that affect brain functioning. These may include traumatic brain injury, stroke, epilepsy, neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease, developmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and psychiatric disorders such as depression or anxiety. The assessment provides valuable information about the nature and extent of cognitive and behavioral impairments, aiding in accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.
Undergoing a neuropsychological assessment can have several potential benefits. Firstly, it provides a comprehensive evaluation of an individual's cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning, helping to identify strengths and weaknesses. This information can guide treatment planning and intervention strategies, ensuring that appropriate support and interventions are provided. Additionally, the assessment can provide a clearer understanding of the impact of brain injury or neurological disorders on an individual's daily functioning, helping to set realistic expectations and goals. It can also provide reassurance and validation for individuals and their families, as it offers an objective assessment of their difficulties and provides a roadmap for intervention.
There are generally no significant risks or side effects associated with a neuropsychological assessment. The assessment process is non-invasive and does not involve any medical procedures or interventions. However, some individuals may find the assessment process tiring or emotionally challenging, as it can involve prolonged concentration and effort. It is important for the assessing clinician to create a supportive and comfortable environment for the individual undergoing the assessment. Additionally, some individuals may experience temporary frustration or anxiety during certain tests, but these feelings typically subside once the assessment is complete. Overall, the benefits of a neuropsychological assessment outweigh any potential discomfort or temporary emotional challenges.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a non-invasive technique that has been used to modulate pain perception in individuals with fibromyalgia. TENS works by delivering low-frequency electrical currents through electrodes placed on the skin, which stimulates the sensory nerves and activates the body's natural pain control mechanisms. This stimulation leads to the release of endogenous opioids, such as enkephalins and endorphins, which act as natural painkillers. Additionally, TENS may also activate the descending pain inhibitory pathways, which involve the release of neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine. These neurotransmitters help to dampen the transmission of pain signals in the central nervous system, thereby reducing pain perception in individuals with fibromyalgia. Overall, TENS provides a multi-modal approach to pain management in fibromyalgia by targeting both the peripheral and central mechanisms involved in pain perception.
Individuals with hypermobility syndrome should follow specific exercise protocols to help manage their condition. These protocols typically focus on strengthening the muscles surrounding the joints to provide more stability and support. Exercises that target the core, such as planks and bridges, can help improve overall stability. Additionally, low-impact exercises like swimming and cycling can be beneficial as they put less stress on the joints. It is important for individuals with hypermobility syndrome to avoid high-impact activities that may exacerbate joint instability. Stretching exercises should also be included in the exercise routine to maintain flexibility, but caution should be taken to avoid overstretching. Working with a physical therapist or exercise specialist who is knowledgeable about hypermobility syndrome can help individuals develop a personalized exercise program that addresses their specific needs and limitations.
The Feldenkrais Method is a somatic educational approach that addresses chronic musculoskeletal pain by focusing on improving movement and body awareness. Through gentle and mindful movements, individuals are guided to explore different patterns of movement and discover new ways of organizing their bodies. This method emphasizes the connection between the mind and body, and aims to retrain the nervous system to move with greater efficiency and ease. By increasing body awareness and promoting more efficient movement patterns, the Feldenkrais Method can help individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain to reduce tension, improve posture, and alleviate pain. Additionally, this method encourages individuals to develop a greater sense of self-care and self-regulation, empowering them to take an active role in managing their pain and promoting overall well-being.
Iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS) is a common overuse injury that affects the iliotibial band, a thick band of connective tissue running along the outside of the thigh. Biomechanical factors play a significant role in the development of ITBS. These factors include excessive pronation of the foot, tightness or weakness in the hip muscles, and poor running or cycling mechanics. Excessive pronation can lead to increased stress on the iliotibial band, while tight or weak hip muscles can alter the alignment of the pelvis and increase strain on the band. Poor running or cycling mechanics, such as excessive hip adduction or internal rotation, can also contribute to ITBS. Managing ITBS involves addressing these biomechanical factors through a combination of stretching and strengthening exercises, orthotics or shoe inserts to correct foot pronation, and gait analysis to improve running or cycling mechanics. Physical therapy may also be recommended to address any underlying muscle imbalances or weaknesses. Additionally, modifying training intensity and gradually increasing mileage can help prevent overuse and reduce the risk of ITBS recurrence.
Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) has been shown to be effective in reducing pain intensity in patients with chronic pain. Numerous studies have demonstrated that the practice of mindfulness, which involves paying attention to the present moment without judgment, can lead to significant reductions in pain perception. By cultivating a non-reactive and accepting attitude towards pain, individuals with chronic pain can experience a decrease in pain intensity and an improvement in overall well-being. Additionally, MBSR techniques such as body scans, mindful movement, and meditation can help individuals develop a greater sense of body awareness and enhance their ability to cope with pain. Overall, MBSR offers a promising approach for managing chronic pain and improving the quality of life for patients.