Cover Story
In the past 30 years, the rates of childhood obesity in this country have tripled. Twenty percent of 6- to 11-year-olds are medically obese. Children who are obese are at increased risk for high blood pressure or high cholesterol and are more likely to develop pre-diabetes. Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, DE, takes a comprehensive approach to treating childhood obesity. Specialists in the hospital's weight management program work with both children and parents to get them back on a healthy living track.
(Photo by Jeffrey Leeser)
The gastrointestinal system (GI) runs your life especially as you age. Colon health is part of physical health and fitness. It is a major factor in energy, endurance, strength, balance, mental alertness, pain-free movement and life viability. Taking care of the GI and its nervous system can improve physical, mental and emotional aspects of life.
The role of physical therapy in wound care has evolved since the inception of the Reconstruction Aide in the 1850s, which occurred primarily in response to the emerging polio epidemic when massage and aquatic type exercises were used. It wasn't until later that the profession focused on the management of other types of disabling conditions. Today there are many interventions available in order to improve wound healing outcomes.
More PTs are embracing the modality of low-level (or cold) laser therapy. Skeptics are plentiful thanks to a paucity of literature, so converts usually rely on personal experience and anecdotal evidence. There is still some mystery as to what is going on physiologically with laser treatment. The basic theory revolves around photonic absorption that initiates changes at the cellular level-an increase in adenosine triphosphate, which may regenerate cells.