tidbits of techniques i learned during internship

i still haven't mastered the art of organized thought so let this just be word vomit (what a formal blog this is, eh?).


some of the techniques i'd be writing down are not unique to me, not that ingenious or whatever, but there might be PT students or interns out there who might not know these things and might find them helpful :)


feel free to comment if you agree or disagree, if you have corrections or if you find some of these tips useful :)


1. one of my favorite rotations during internship was PGH-Charity In Clinic, specifically when i handled patients with Spinal Cord Injury. one of the things i could share while handling bed-bound patients is that you could start working on their endurance as early as this stage. you could do this by using the ever-handy portable cycle ergometer. if you could position them in moderate to high back rest and place the ergometer over a pillow or table, the better, if not, you could still position the ergometer over a pillow (over their tummy) and just stabilize the ergometer so it won't slip or slide.


2. how to train a patient for trunk strengthening when his spine is not that stable yet (say he is still required to wear a brace)? you could start using rhythmic stabilization exercises (in sitting if he was cleared by his physician)


3. if ever you come across a patient with TMJ dysfunction, you could try using this exercise: instruct them to perform capital extension do a clicking sound with their tongue by clicking it against the roof of your mouth. i forgot the name of the exercise. hahaha but i credit my PGH supervisor Sir Niko for teaching me that.


4. for patients with Adhesive Capsulitis, you could teach them home exercises for joint traction. caudal glide to increase abduction: while seated by the edge of the bed, instruct them to hold on to edge of the bed using hand of affected shoulder, lean towards the opposite side so their body weight would serve as the traction. 


of course these exercises should be instructed or facilitated under the supervision of physical therapists (this goes to patients reading this blog, if there are any. hahaha)


more on my next post ♥