Physical therapy
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I surveyed by questionnaire a random sample of 585 physical therapists and the administrators of all accredited and developing entry-level educational programs on record with the American Physical Therapy Association in March 1981 to determine attitudes toward, involvement in, and preparation for teaching as a skill in physical therapy. Results were based on responses from 367 (63%) of the physical therapists who spent at least 50 percent of their workday in direct patient-care activities and 95 (93%) of the administrators of the educational programs. Although 99 percent of the physical therapists believed that teaching was an important skill in their practice, only 34 percent had received instruction in teaching as part of their basic preparation. ⋯ Educational skills most frequently taught were writing learning objectives, planning the learning experience, understanding the role of the physical therapist as an educator, and teaching by lecture. Physical therapists consider teaching an important skill in physical therapy practice, but not all physical therapy programs include preparation in this area. Agreement on which skills are important is limited.
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Cervicogenic headache (CGH) is defined as headache symptoms originating from the cervical spine. Cervical dysfunction from abnormal posture has been proposed to aggravate or cause CGH, but there are conflicting reports as to whether there is an association between posture and CGH. ⋯ The association between greater GCL and increased likelihood of having CGH suggests that GCL might be considered in the treatment of patients with CGH. However, as the data do not support posture as a cause of CGH, it is unknown whether addressing posture would reduce CGH.
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The purpose of this paper is to identify competencies needed in the area of biomechanics for physical therapists. The discussion is divided into the following three areas: prevention of movement dysfunction, patient evaluation, and patient treatment. ⋯ Physical therapists must understand normal biomechanical development, pathomechanical development, biomechanics of normal movement, and pathomechanics of the musculoskeletal system. In addition, physical therapists should be experts in biomechanics of exercise and be able to analyze biomechanically various types of activities.
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Adhesive capsulitis often is difficult to diagnose in its early stage and to differentiate from other commonly seen shoulder disorders with the potential to cause pain and limited range of movement. ⋯ This is the first study to use the Delphi technique to establish clinical identifiers indicative of the early stage of primary (idiopathic) adhesive capsulitis. Although limited in differential diagnostic ability, these identifiers may assist the clinician in recognizing early-stage adhesive capsulitis and may inform management, as well as facilitate future research.
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Pilates exercise is recommended for people with chronic low back pain (CLBP). In the literature, however, Pilates exercise is described and applied differently to treat people with CLBP. These differences in the definition and application of Pilates exercise make it difficult to evaluate its effectiveness. ⋯ These findings contribute to a better understanding of Pilates exercise and how it is utilized by physical therapists to treat people with CLBP. This information provides direction for future research into Pilates exercise, but findings need to be interpreted within the context of study limitations.