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The Role of Physiotherapy in Recovery from Personal Injury

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The Role of Physiotherapy in Recovery from Personal Injury

Following an accident, including a car crash, slip-and-fall, or another incident, you might face a personal injury following or trauma. Ongoing pain, loss of range of motion, muscular weakness, and other problems are common with back and neck injuries, fractures, whiplash, and other injuries associated with accidents. When a personal injury interferes with your ability to perform the tasks of daily living, your doctor might refer you to physiotherapy or physical therapist.

Addressing ongoing pain, muscular weakness, stiffness, and other continuing problems is a vital part of the recovery process. Physiotherapy is a term that is often used interchangeably with physical therapy, but there are a few subtle differences. However, both are typically provided by physical therapists within or outside of hospitals and rehabilitation clinics. Physiotherapy can play a critical role by helping people regain strength and flexibility and facilitating their recovery.

Understanding Personal Injury

When injuries are the result of someone else’s negligent or intentional conduct, personal injury law might play a role. Personal injury is a legal term that refers to injuries a victim suffers because of the negligence or intentional acts of others for which the victim can pursue compensation through a claim against the responsible party. These claims are civil actions that allow victims to seek justice by holding the at-fault parties accountable for their conduct and recovering economic and non-economic damages to place them in a similar position to what they were in before their accidents.

The following are some common types of injuries that can occur because of negligent or intentional behavior and form the basis of a viable injury claim:

  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
  • Whiplash
  • Face, neck, and skull fractures
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Paraplegia or quadriplegia
  • Rib fractures
  • Thoracic injuries
  • Arm and wrist fractures
  • Hip and pelvic fractures
  • Femur fractures
  • Lower leg fractures
  • Ankle and foot fractures
  • Soft tissue injuries

Many of these injuries might require intervention by physiotherapists and physical therapists to help facilitate the victim’s recovery. Certain severe injuries might lead to permanent and life-altering disabilities. In those cases, physical therapy can help disabled victims improve their quality of life and enable greater independence.

The following are some of the common types of incidents that can lead to serious injuries requiring physiotherapy:

  • Car crashes
  • Motorcycle accidents
  • Truck collisions
  • Pedestrian accidents
  • Bicycle accidents
  • Slip, trip, and fall accidents
  • Workplace accidents
  • Construction accidents
  • Dog bites
  • Defective products
  • Assaults
  • Sports injuries

Here’s a look at the role of physiotherapy in the treatment of common injuries arising from accidents.

What Is Physiotherapy?

In Europe, physiotherapy is the same as physical therapy, and the two terms are also frequently used interchangeably in the U.S. However, there are a couple of subtle differences between physiotherapy and physical therapy. Physiotherapy involves a more hands-on approach to treatment while physical therapy involves physical exercises and recommendations to improve physical function.

Many physiotherapists incorporate massage, electrical stimulation of muscles, stretches, joint manipulation, stretches, and recommendations for lifestyle changes into their therapeutic approach in addition to providing exercise recommendations. [1] Some physiotherapists might also incorporate complementary medicine practices, including dry needling or acupuncture. The approach taken by physiotherapists is holistic and considers overall functioning to improve quality of life.

How Physiotherapy Relates to Personal Injury

When people sustain injuries and seek medical attention at the hospital or with their primary care physician, their treating medical professionals might refer them to physiotherapists after providing acute care. Physiotherapists often work as a part of a patient’s treatment team to help them fully recover or reach maximum medical improvement. For someone who is seriously injured because of the actions of someone else, physiotherapy might enable them to regain independence and enjoy a better quality of life.

In a case study of a 25-year-old woman who suffered whiplash and lower back injuries in a rear-end collision, the woman was treated in the emergency department before being discharged. She experienced continued headaches, muscle stiffness, and a loss of her range of motion and went to see her primary care physician (PCP).

Her doctor referred her to physical therapy and reported trouble with completing the tasks of her office job, reading, and driving because of pain symptoms. Before her accident, the woman was athletic and participated in marathons. She was diagnosed with a whiplash-associated disorder, grade II following an examination.

She underwent three, 60-minute sessions of physical therapy per week for five weeks with the goal of reducing pain, tingling, and numbness and increasing the range of motion in her neck and back so she could return to performing her normal activities and working without pain. At the end of treatment, the patient rated her improvement as complete and reported she was able to perform both the tasks of her job and the activities she enjoyed in her personal life just as she had before her accident. [2]

Benefits of Physiotherapy

Injured patients might benefit from physiotherapy in multiple ways. Some people might return to a similar level of functioning as how they functioned before their accidents. For people with serious, lifelong injuries, physiotherapy might help to increase independence and increase muscular strength. For example, people who have suffered spinal cord injuries and paraplegia might receive physical therapy focused on building muscle strength in their upper bodies to allow them to complete transfers and other activities of daily living and live more independently.[3]

The following are some benefits patients might receive from physiotherapy:

  • Pain reduction/elimination
  • Increased range of motion
  • Increased stamina
  • Improvements in muscular strength
  • Potential avoidance of the need for surgery
  • Reduced reliance on pain medication
  • Better physical fitness
  • Improved cardiovascular health
  • Increased independence
  • Better life quality

Tailoring of Physiotherapy Treatment

Physiotherapists do not take a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, an individual’s treatment plan will be tailored to their needs based on the findings of an assessment. Physical therapy is different for each patient even when they share diagnoses or have similar injuries. The physiotherapist will evaluate the patient’s pain levels, range of motion, baseline strength, injury type, and needs when creating an individualized treatment plan.

The duration of treatment, the number of recommended sessions, and the particular therapeutic modalities involved will be based on the patient’s needs, abilities, and pain. Exercises that might be recommended will be structured to not place too great of a load on the muscles while increasing strength.

Physical therapists evaluate the patient’s progress throughout treatment and make adjustments as needed. This is done through regular progress tracking. The therapist might add exercises or additional modalities or remove some based on the progress the patient is making.

The Patient’s Role During Physiotherapy

Patients are responsible for following all of the recommendations provided by their physical therapists, including incorporating lifestyle changes, performing recommended at-home exercises, and attending all appointments. A patient will not enjoy improvements if they are unwilling to put in the work. A physiotherapist can’t magically increase a patient’s functioning when the patient fails to work their treatment plan.

This includes following each step of the recommended exercises and pushing through pain if necessary. It also involves paying attention to maintaining correct form and posture while completing repetitions and taking rest breaks between sets as recommended. Making sure to stay hydrated and eating nutritious foods are also important.

Finally, the importance of maintaining a positive mindset can’t be overstated. Patients who remain positive while undergoing a physical therapy program are likelier to achieve better outcomes from their treatment.

Physiotherapy plays an important part in a patient’s recovery process following an injury. A physical therapist will work closely with other members of the patient’s treatment team to facilitate greater independence, strength, stamina, and flexibility. By following all treatment recommendations, you might enjoy better outcomes, including a better quality of life. If you are also pursuing compensation for your injuries through the legal process, completing all treatment recommendations you are provided can also help to strengthen your claim and make it likelier that your case will succeed.

References

[1] Pedersen, B.K. & Saltin, B. (2015). Exercise as medicine: Evidence for prescribing exercise as therapy in 26 different chronic diseases. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, (25) 1-72.

[2] Stanhope, C. (2018). A case report: Physical therapy management of a 25-year-old female experiencing a whiplash injury and low back pain. Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects, 642.

[3] Sweat, S. (n.d.) Spinal Injuries Caused by Car Accidents. Accessed on June 4, 2023. https://www.victimslawyer.com/spinal-injuries-caused-by-car-accidents.html

 

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Report Causes Pfizer Stock to Climb Approximately $1 Billion Acquired by Starboard

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Pfizer

(VOR News) – According to a rumor that activist investor Pfizer Starboard Value has taken a holding in the struggling pharmaceutical business that is expected to be worth around one billion dollars, the stock of Pfizer (PFE) is on the increase in premarket trading on Monday.

This comes after the report was made public. The report was made available to the general public following this. Starboard Value was successful in moving forward with the acquisition of the position.

Starboard is said to have approached Ian Read, a former chief executive officer of Pfizer, and Frank D’Amelio, a former chief financial officer, in order to seek assistance with its goals of boosting the performance of the company, according to the Wall Street Journal. Read and D’Amelio are both former Pfizer executives.

The purpose of this is to facilitate the accomplishment of its objectives, which include enhancing the overall performance of the firm.

In their previous jobs, D’Amelio and Read were chief financial officers.

It is stated in the report that the hedge fund is of the opinion that Pfizer, which is currently being managed by Albert Bourla, who succeeded Read as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in 2019, does not demonstrate the same level of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) discipline that Read did. Bourla took over for Read in 2019. Read was succeeded by Bourla in the year 2019.

Pfizer, a multinational pharmaceutical conglomerate, has made substantial investments in the acquisition of more companies that are involved in the research and development of cancer medicines.

These businesses have been acquired for billions of dollars. The biotechnology company Seagen, which was acquired by Pfizer in the previous year for a price of $43 billion, is included in this category. One of the businesses that can be classified as belonging to this category is Seagen.

In spite of the fact that the S&P 500 Index experienced a 21% increase in 2024.

No major trading occurred in Pfizer stock that year.

Due to the fact that the demand for Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccines fell after the firm reached its pandemic peak in 2021, the share price of the corporation has decreased by over fifty percent since that time.

This drop has occurred ever since the company’s shares reached their maximum peak, which was during the time that this decline occurred. Not only have they not changed at all, but they have also remained essentially stable. This is in contrast to the S&P 500, which has gained 21% since the beginning of this year.

Recently, the corporation was forced to take a hit when it decided to recall all of the sickle cell illness medications that it had distributed all over the world.

Fears that the prescription could lead patients to experience severe agony and possibly even death were the impetus for the decision to recall the product. In spite of the fact that Pfizer’s stock is increasing by almost three percent as a result of the news that followed the company’s decision, this is the circumstance that has come about.

SOURCE: IPN

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New Study Reveals Drinking Soda Pop Increases the Risk of Stroke

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Soda Pop Increases the Risk of Stroke
If you drink too much soda, fruit juice and coffee, beware!

A recent report from global research indicates that excessive consumption of coffee or soda pop is associated with an increased risk of stroke, although the intake of black and green tea is correlated with a reduced risk. Excessive consumption of soda pop or coffee warrants caution!

Recent research indicates that it may substantially elevate the risk of stroke.

Consuming four cups of coffee daily elevates the risk of stroke, according to studies, although ingesting 3-4 cups of black or green tea daily typically offers protection against stroke. Additionally, consume more coffee; it may reduce your risk of mortality.

Recent findings from global research studies co-led by the University of Galway and McMaster University, alongside an international consortium of stroke researchers, indicate that soda, encompassing both sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened variants such as diet or zero sugar, is associated with a 22 percent heightened risk of stroke. The risk escalated significantly with the consumption of two or more of these beverages daily.

Stroke Risk Fizzy Drinks and Soda Pop

The correlation between fizzy drinks consumption and stroke risk was most pronounced in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and South America. Women exhibit the most elevated risk of stroke from bleeding (intracranial hemorrhage) associated with fruit juice beverages. Consuming over 7 cups of water daily diminishes the likelihood of stroke due to a clot.

Researchers observed that numerous items advertised as fruit juice are derived from concentrates and have added sugars and preservatives, potentially negating the advantages often associated with fresh fruit and instead elevating stroke risk.

Fruit juice beverages were associated with a 37 percent heightened risk of stroke resulting from bleeding (intracranial hemorrhage). Consuming two of these beverages daily increases the risk thrice.

Consuming over four cups of coffee daily elevates the risk of stroke by 37 percent, although lower consumption levels do not correlate with stroke risk. Conversely, tea consumption was associated with an 18-20 percent reduction in stroke risk. Additionally, consuming 3-4 cups daily of black tea, such as Breakfast and Earl Grey varieties, excluding green and herbal teas, was associated with a 29 percent reduced risk of stroke.

Consuming 3-4 cups of green tea daily was associated with a 27 percent reduction in stroke risk. Notably, the addition of milk may diminish or inhibit the advantageous effects of antioxidants present in tea. The lower risk of stroke associated with tea consumption was negated for individuals who added milk.

Disclaimer: This article is intended solely for informational reasons and should not be considered a replacement for professional medical counsel. Consistently consult your physician regarding any inquiries pertaining to a medical problem.

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Following a Diagnosis of Breast Cancer, What Else Should You Know?

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Breast Cancer

(VOR News) – Even though breast cancer affects one in eight American women, receiving a diagnosis can make a woman feel isolated.

Experts in breast cancer from the American College of Physicians (ACS) advise patients on how to manage their disease so that they may better cope with this awful information.

First, the kind and stage of breast cancer dictates the course of your care.

In addition to immunotherapy and chemotherapy, there are various surgical options available for the treatment of breast cancer.

Women of African descent are disproportionately affected by triple-negative breast cancer, an extremely aggressive form of the disease that has never proven easy to treat.

According to the American Cancer Society, pembrolizumab (Keytruda), an immunotherapy, has been shown to be helpful when combined with chemotherapy and is currently the recommended course of treatment for certain combinations of triple-negative breast cancer.

In her presentation, Dr. Katharine Yao said, “It’s really important that the patient and physician discuss the patient’s preferences and values when deciding what type of treatment to pursue and that they have an honest, individualized discussion with their care team.”

She is currently responsible for developing breast cancer treatment recommendations for more than 575 hospitals and institutions nationwide in her role as chair of the American College of Surgeons’ National Accreditation Program for Breast Institutions (NAPBC).

Yao, vice chair of research at Endeavor Health NorthShore Hospitals in New York, pointed out that each decision made about a patient’s treatment plan should take her preferences and diagnosis into consideration.

She ought to think about whether she would prefer a mastectomy—a surgical procedure that involves removing the entire breast with or without reconstruction—or a lumpectomy, which involves a surgical procedure that spares part of the breast tissue.

She stated that “the breast cancer you have may be very different from the breast cancer you hear about in your neighbor, colleague, or friend” in a press release issued by the American Cancer Society (ACS).

“Consider that while discussing breast cancer with others.”

Throughout your journey, it is critical that you look after your emotional health because having breast cancer may have a detrimental impact on your mental health.

“Getting a cancer diagnosis does not mean that everything in your life stops to be normal.” Director of the Fellowship in the Diseases of the Breast program at the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at the University of Arkansas and state head of the American Cancer Society Commission on Cancer for Arkansas, Dr. Daniela Ochoa She thinks adding the burden of a cancer diagnosis and treatment to all the other pressures in life may be taxing.

“Managing stress and emotional health is vital component of a treatment plan.”

Ochoa recommends clinically trained psychologists and social workers who have assisted people in coping with cancer to anyone receiving treatment. Learning coping techniques might also be facilitated by joining cancer support groups or cancer wellness initiatives.

Breast cancer specialists say your care team is crucial.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) defines comprehensive care as having support at every stage of the procedure from surgeons, oncologists, patient navigators, nurses, social workers, psychologists, and other specialists.

After receiving a breast cancer diagnosis, women should see a surgeon or medical oncologist to explore their options; nevertheless, treatment shouldn’t be discontinued after just one appointment or after surgery is over.

Additionally, you can ask trustworthy friends or family members to accompany you to appointments and aid you with research or notes. They could serve as a network of support for you.

Yao stated in his talk that “one of the most important things is that patients should search out a team they have confidence in, that they trust will have their back when they need it, and a team they feel they can get access to and that will help them when they are in need.”

SOURCE: MP

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