Insights on Therapy & Wellness

NEW Improved Biofreeze Is Better Than Ice

In a study of patients* with bilateral neck pain, Biofreeze® topical analgesic and ice applications were tested to see which gave better, longer lasting results.  Both treatments helped to reduce pain but patients preferred the Biofreeze application 8 to 1 compared to ice.  9 out of 10 patients said that they noticed that the Biofreeze application lasted longer than the ice remedy with up to twice the amount of pain relief.

The NEW improved Biofreeze formula contains ilex, arnica, aloe, boswellia, calendula, green tea, burdock root and lemon balm and is 100% paraben-free and propylene glycol-free.  

The new botanical blend is now available in traditional Green as well as a NEW Colorless version.  It contains two new effective skin conditioners, which enable easier application and allow the pain relieving properties to penetrate the skin quicker.

10 Reasons to use Biofreeze®

1. Biofreeze is an excellent remedy for sore or strained muscles
2. Using Biofreeze during ultra-sound and massage therapy helps reduce pain whilst your therapist evaluates your condition more accurately
3. Painful movement can hinder rehabilitation. Biofreeze reduces pain allowing you to get on with your Physical Therapy
4. Biofreeze aids mobility for sports training
5. Nagging pain and discomfort can keep you awake at night. A simple application of Biofreeze on the affected area will offer pain relief thereby allowing restful sleep
6. You don’t need a prescription to purchase Biofreeze
7. Biofreeze can be used as a topical application up to 4 times a day
8. Biofreeze is not tested on animals
9. Biofreeze is greaseless and non-staining with a vanishing scent
10. Biofreeze uses the pain relieving properties of cryotherapy toprovide natural, drug-free pain relief.

Biofreeze can be used by Physical Therapists, Massage Therapists & Sports Therapists for a variety of conditions.  Biofreeze Pain Reliever delivers targeted pain relief with the benefits of cryotherapy to treat sports injuries and muscle related injuries, sore or strained muscles, shoulder and arm discomfort, neck, hip and leg pain, back pain, painful joints, ankle or foot pain and pain associated with bruising and arthritis.

At 3B Scientific Therapy, we stock :

Biofreeze Original in Tube, Roll-on, Spray, Touch-free & Pump bottle dispensers

NEW Biofreeze Colorless Tubes, Roll-on & Pump bottle dispensers
Biofreeze multi-packs for Therapists

Therapists: Why not offer Biofreeze single packets to your patients for pain relief on the go!

 

 

 

 

*Carried out by Bart Bishop, DPT of Sport and Spine Rehab in Rockville, Maryland

 

 

Look who's coming to APTA CSM with us!

The 3B Scientific Therapy team is getting ready to pack their bags.  Yep, that's right, we're off to Chicago to the American Physical Therapy Association's Combined Sections Meeting to meet you and learn more about your Physical Therapy needs. 

The APTA CSM takes place February 8-12 and brings over 8,000 physical therapy professionals together for great education and networking opportunities.  The Exhibit Hall, located in the McCormick Place Lakeside Center, will feature over 400 companies showcasing the latest and best of Physical Therapy products and services.

Our Team will be there with an amazing range of our 3B Scientific Therapy products and will be on hand to answer your questions when you visit our booth #1155-1157.

We will be launching a fabulous selection of 3B Kinesiology Tape and we are delighted to introduce you to our special guest Dr. Homayun Gharavi MD, PhD., PhD.

Dr. Gharavi founded the German Academy of Applied Sports Medicine (GAASM) in 2004.  It is the only institution to promote Athletic Training in Germany.  

Dr. Gharavi is well known for his work with the Russian National Swim Team and in particular with ensuring Russian backstroker, Anastasia Zueva, returned to the pool after a serious back injury.

Russian Physicians told Zueva, in 2010, that her back injury was so serious that her swimming career had ended.  

Dr. Gharavi's intervention, however, changed Zueva's prognosis.  In 4 short weeks, Dr. Gharavi had Zueva back in the pool and the Russian successfully qualified in Moscow in April 2011, for the World Championships in Shanghai.  

Zueva went on to win Gold in the 50m and Silver in the 100m Backstroke in Shanghai.  She was the first woman ever to swim both the first and the 2nd 50 meters of the 100 meters back stroke event in under 30 seconds!  

Dr. Gharavi will be offering live kinesiology taping demonstrations at our booth.  You won't want to miss this exciting opportunity to hear how Dr. Gharavi has enabled athletes around the world to improve their performance and bounce back from injury with renewed strength.

Have you considered offering kinesiology taping in your therapy practice?  

Visit the 3B Scientific Therapy Booth #1155-1157 at the APTA CSM in Chicago - we're looking forward to meeting you!

 

 

 

8 Ways to Fix Frozen Shoulder

What is Frozen Shoulder?
About 2% of the general population suffers with Frozen Shoulder symptoms but as to what causes this painful condition, no one really knows.  The general school of thought is that the ball and socket joint of the shoulder has received some form of trauma or injury that triggers off the condition.

Frozen Shoulder, or Adhesive Capsulitis, is a disorder that affects the tissue surrounding the glenohumeral joint.  It results in loss of movement accompanied by intense pain.  Patients often find
that as the condition progresses, it becomes increasingly difficult to raise their arm and simple tasks like getting dressed, driving, working and sleeping are all severely affected.

The inflammation around the shoulder joint causes scar tissue to be formed which in turn limits movement further.

Frozen Shoulder is reported by The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons to also affect 10% - 20% of people with diabetes.  Again the reason seems a little unclear but as diabetes can damage blood vessels and restrict blood supplies this may be why diabetic patients develop frozen shoulder so much more frequently than non-diabetics.

8 Ways to Treat Frozen Shoulder

1. Movement is key to the treatment of this condition.  Whilst painful, it is important not to keep the shoulder totally immobile.
2. Painkillers can be prescribed by your Doctor to help relieve the inflammation but your pharmacist may also have some non-prescription alternatives.
3. Corticosteroid injections can help to relieve severe symptoms.  Whilst these are immensely useful in treating frozen shoulder, they will not cure it and only a limited number of injections will be available.  Too many and further damage may occur to your shoulder.
4. Your Physical Therapist and Massage Therapist will be of most help.  They will be able to assist with shoulder exercises and gentle manipulation to ease the pain and restore function.
5. TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) is also a very effective form of pain relief for a frozen shoulder.  The obvious benefits are that this is a non-invasive drug free therapy.
6. Acupuncture has also been used in clinical studies with patients with frozen shoulder.  It has been shown to be an effective alternative therapy to help reduce pain and it may be of use in treating the symptoms of frozen shoulder.
7. Hydrodilatation is the manipulation of a frozen shoulder whilst the patient is under general anaesthetic.  Doctors are then able to move the shoulder and break up the adhesions and scar tissue.  A course of physiotherapy will be needed afterwards but generally patients make an excellent recovery after this treatment.
8. If other treatments have not restored movement to the shoulder then surgery may be an option.  An arthroscopic capsular release is a keyhole operation that allows the surgeon to open up the frozen shoulder and remove any bands of scar tissue that have formed.  Again, a course of physiotherapy will be required afterwards to fully restore the full range of movement to the shoulder ball and socket joint.

 

Our video detailing the shoulder joint is just one of our collection of anatomy presentations available on YouTube - Subscribe to our American 3B Scientific YouTube channel here

 

5 Causes of Heel Pain

If you're experiencing heel pain or pain along the sole of your foot, you may have a condition called
Plantar Fasciitis.

What is Plantar Fasciitis?

The pain is caused by inflammation of the strip of tissue that runs from your heel bone (calcaneus), along the bottom of your foot, to your toes.  When the connective tissue in the bottom of your foot becomes tight and inflexible it results in pain and inflammation.  It commonly results in stiffness around the heel and makes it difficult to flex the foot when walking or playing sport.  Plantar Fasciitis is often more painful in the morning when you first wake up, after sitting for a period of time, whilst climbing the stairs or after intense activity such as sport.

This condition is unlikely to just go away of it’s own accord and is often a symptom of muscle imbalances within the feet and legs.  When your Physical Therapist examines your foot, they will be looking for tenderness, swelling, redness, stiffness and/or tightness.  They may decide to take x-rays to rule out any other potential problems such as heel spurs.

Top 5 Causes of Plantar Fasciitis:

1. Having either particularly high arches or flat feet
2. Obesity.  Sudden weight gain.
3. Long distance running. The pain can be made worse by running downhill or by running on uneven surfaces.
4. Tight Achilles tendons.
5. Poorly fitted soft-soled shoes lacking in arch support.

Whilst your Massage Therapist can help with easing the tension in your foot, it’s a great idea to use an all-in-one foot tool like Dr.Archy to provide frequent gentle, yet robust, massage.  This foot massager can be used to treat sore, tired feet whilst at home or at the office.

ProStretch Plus is an excellent tool to help treat Plantar Fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, tight calves & hamstrings.  Whilst holding your foot in the optimal biomechanical position, you can accurately and efficiently stretch and work your lower leg muscles.

 

Stretch-Rite® helps you to ergonomically improve flexibility and range of motion.  This is a great stretching tool for total body relief of sore, tight muscles.

 

 

Plantar Fasciitis can also be treated by using Kinesiology Tape.  In addition to the treatment of Plantar Fasciitis and heel pain, this is an effective treatment that can be used to alleviate pain from tight calves, sore ankles and over worked Achilles tendons.  3B Kinesiology Tape is easy to apply, long lasting and effective in the management of a range of painful conditions.

Restoring flexibility in the foot, ankle and leg muscles is paramount when dealing with Plantar Fasciitis.  Your Physical Therapist may also suggest a course of ibuprofen to help reduce the pain and associated swelling.  Additionally, your Physical Therapist my suggest using Heel Cups inserted into your shoes to help lessen pain and reduce the impact of walking.

Prevention is always something to bear in mind.  Don't wait until you're in extreme pain to seek help. Regular use of these simple, low cost stretching and massage tools may save you a lot of pain in the future.  

 

 

 

 

Pilates Elder Ron Fletcher dies

Ron Fletcher is probably the reason that you've heard of Pilates.

Whilst Joseph and Clara Pilates first devised the system in New York, it was Ron Fletcher who took Pilates to the West Coast and set up a studio in Hollywood where it became hugely popular.

Ron Fletcher was born in 1921 in a small town on the Missouri-Arkansas border.  With little formal education he set off from Dogtown for New York.  In a chance meeting he persuaded the renowned Martha Graham to accept him into her dance company.

However, a persistent knee injury saw Ron seek the help of Joseph Pilates who was keen to prove how his muscle control therapy would be able to help.  Over the years, Ron became a close friend to both Joseph and Clara Pilates, and studied their methods rigorously.

During his time in New York, Ron became a noted choreographer for Broadway musicals, Hollywood movies and the International Ice Capades.  But his worldwide success in spreading the Pilates movement came when he moved to the West Coast in 1972.

Ron moved the emphasis away from training equipment like the Reformer and instead took Pilates 'vertical' by showing that it could be done in any studio or home.

His brand of Pilates became known as Fletcher Pilates® and incorporated elements from the work he had studied with Martha Graham.  He developed his floor work Pilates and created a range of techniques including:

• Fletcher Percussive Breath™
• Fletcher Towelwork®
• Fletcher Fundamentals™
• Fletcher Barrework™

He quickly found that this was just what people were looking for and gained many celebrity clients including Ali MacGraw, Nancy Reagan and Barbra Streisand.

As an original student of Joseph Pilates, Ron became part of the revered Pilates Elders.  Fletcher Pilates® training hedquarters were set up in Tuscon, Arizona and continues to train instructors all over the U.S., Canada, Europe, Asia, Australia and South America.

Ron Fletcher was described as a visionary and had an illustrious career that had many highlights including the publication of his celebrated book "Every Body is Beautiful".  His death, at the age of 90, is a sad loss for the Pilates community and his charismatic personality will be much missed.  

"We are all Miracles" - Ron Fletcher 1921-2011

 

Coming Home for Thanksgiving

Gabrielle Giffords has returned home today to Tucson, Arizona, with her husband, to spend some time celebrating Thanksgiving with her friends and family.

Almost 10 months ago, 19 people were shot as Ms Giffords met constituents outside a Tucson supermarket.  Six people died the day that she was shot in the head, at close range.

Hospitals, Rehabilitation Specialists and Physical Therapy have governed Gabby Giffords' life since that terrifying day.  Anyone who has seen her recent television interview, with ABC's Diane Sawyer (20/20), will realize the immense physical and mental hurdles that this brave lady has had to overcome.

The bullet that was fired at Gabrielle fractured her skull and pierced the left side of her brain.  As it travelled from the front to the back of her head, it was a miracle that she wasn't instantly killed. However, an injury of such magnitude leaves more than just an obvious wound and Gabrielle Giffords has had to relearn rudimentary skills such as walking, talking and even smiling.

Specialist Physical Therapists encounter bravery and determination like this every day but few of their patients are in the media spotlight.  Fighting a way back to health and fitness often results in tears, frustration, disappointment and anger.  But the days that contain even the smallest flicker of progress are momentous milestones for both patient and therapist.

There are many health professionals involved in the recovery path that Gabrielle Giffords has started walking along this year.  There will be many, just like her, who realize that without these knowledgeable and skilled professionals, their lives would lack quality and purpose.

So, we'd like to take a moment and say "Thank You" to those dedicated Health Professionals, Carers and Therapists who make coming home for Thanksgiving possible.

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at 3B Scientific.

 

 

The Scandle you never knew about.. Till Now!

Towards the end of the year, we're all looking forward to the holidays but it's easy to become tired and stressed.  Neck and shoulders easily ache, muscles quickly feel knotted as we carry on our hectic lives and, with the onset of Winter, we often find that skin feels dryer and more sensitive.   

So, can you answer a few simple questions...?

• Do you love the feel of a luxurious body massage oil?  
• Do the fragrant candles your spa uses lull you into a deep sense of relaxation?
• What if we told you that you can experience the benefits of both in a soothing and calming massage oil candle?

Scandle body candles from 3B Scientific Fitness & Therapy can ease those tensions away with a combination of delicate aromas and skin softening soy aromatherapy lotion that melts into your skin.  We think you'll be amazed by these beautiful Scandle body candles.

The Scandle Massage Oil Candle is a candle that burns at 2 degrees above body temperature to produce a soothing oil that can be used for massage, manicures and pedicures or as a daily moisturizer.  Made from 100% natural vegan ingredients, including soy butter, shea butter, jojoba and Vitamin E, the Scandle Candle is healthy for your skin and the environment.

You can experience the ultimate spa massage with the beneficial effects of aromatherapy.  Scandle Candles use pure essential oil and are presented in stylish re-usable ceramic containers with pouring spouts.  Each Scandle Candle burns for approximately 30-40 hours. (Refills available)

Available in the following fragrances: Lavender, Gardenia, Fig & Brown Sugar, Green Tea & Aloe

Do you work in a massage therapy practice or spa?  Why not introduce your clients to this delightful candle - keep a lotion candle at your reception desk so that you can offer to demonstrate to your clients how safe and simple this beautiful candle really is.  It only takes a few moments to demonstrate on the back of your client's hand how the product feels and how it is quickly absorbed leaving skin feeling silky and soft.

"These wonderfully luxurious body massage oil candles make superb and thoughtful gifts."

 

 

8 Top Tips For Marathon Recovery

If you ran the New York Marathon yesterday, HUGE CONGRATULATIONS from us here at 3B Scientific!  Wow - what a great day!

Running marathons is tough.  How you feel at the end of the race, the following day or even the week after can be enough to put you off ever running again.  Whilst everyone is different and levels of fitness vary, you have to be kind to your body and allow proper recovery after running your marathon.  26.2 miles is a heck of a long way to run .. and if your aching and sore muscles are agreeing violently with this statement, don't worry .. we have some Top Tips to help you avoid the pitfalls of marathon recovery.

8 TOP TIPS FOR MARATHON RECOVERY:

 1. Fuel Up: Just because you've finished running a marathon doesn't mean you have to stop thinking about Hydration and Nutrition.  Your body needs to restore glycogen (energy) levels and you need to eat protein rich food to help rebuild any tissue damage.  You should continue to drink sensible amounts of water and if you suffered with cramps or tummy upset during or after your run, you may want to ask your local pharmacist for advice on drinks that help to replenish electrolytes.  A sensible balanced diet remains essential!

2. Marathon Toes: Those poor feet of yours have taken a pounding, so it's time to
inspect any damage and administer a little T.L.C*.  If you're unfortunate enough to have lost a toenail or two (like one of the 3B Scientific team during the London Marathon in April) it won't be a pretty sight.  

Open-toed sandals are best for a while.  Seek the advice of a professional Podiatrist - they can offer practical help with bruised and missing toenails and can sort out those blisters and problem areas.  Don't delay: There are plenty of Podiatrists that do home visits and the last thing you need now is an infected blister or toe.

3. Sore Muscles: Your leg muscles are going to ache but you don't have to suffer.  A good sports massage will ease out those knotted, tight muscles and help you relax too. 

4. Emotional Roller-coaster: Whilst it's great to experience that massive high as  you cross the marathon finish line, it's not uncommon to feel a bit low in the days following your great achievement.  It's a sign of fatigue and one easily remedied by talking to other marathon runners.  Sign up to Twitter, Facebook or look through the forums on Runners World and you'll be guaranteed to have a good chat with lots of other marathon runners who want to re-live their race experience and swap recovery tips and ideas.  We'd love to hear from you, so connect with us now and tell us your story. 

5. Sleep: Obvious but easily overlooked in our 'always on' society.  Get plenty of sleep - it's when your body is best able to  recover from all those hard miles of training and marathon day itself.  Don't forget that it's been a long build up and resting is every bit as important as training.

6. Stretch: If you want to remain flexible and not seize up overnight then regular stretching exercises will really help.  Yoga and Pilates are very popular with runners to help with strength and stamina training but are also excellent at helping prevent problems occurring post marathon.

7. When can you start running again? Your marathon recovery should be rather like your marathon taper in reverse.  Don't rush straight back into long runs and punishing training schedules.  Ease back gently and you'll be less likely to injure yourself and more likely to improve on the training you did before the marathon.  Remember - you run because you enjoy it.. so lighten up a little and enjoy some short easy runs when you feel up to it.

8. Cross training: If you don't feel like going straight back into a running schedule then try a bit of cross training.  Swimming is great for cardio whilst being easy on the joints.

Got any marathon recovery tips of your own that you'd like to share? Leave a comment below - it's good to share! 

 

*Tender Loving Care

Rock climbing offers major benefits to wounded warriors

A brand new facility, costing $150,000, has recently been opened at the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia. 

Usually, rock climbing is an activity that requires great physical strength, agility and co-ordination and only considered for those with a head for heights and in great physical shape.  However, the new climbing wall at the Charlie Norwood is specifically designed to be used by Veterans looking to add a new dimension to their physical therapy and rehabilitation.

Patients are, of course, closely monitored and strapped into special safety harnesses before being allowed to scale the wall.   It’s hoped that the climbing wall will offer a new sense of freedom to wheelchair patients and offer a new physical fitness challenge to reach for.

AMVETS donated $150,000 to ensure that both able-bodied and disabled climbers will be able to use the 50-foot climbing wall.  There are different colored courses on the wall for various levels of ability ensuring a challenging but enjoyable climb each time.

The new climbing wall is in addition to the state-of-the-art rehabilitation facilities on offer at CNVAMC which has earned the Active Duty Rehabilitation Unit national recognition.  The skilled therapists at the Charlie Norwood intend to offer the wall as part of their rehab programs for patients suffering from spinal cord injury, blindness, as well as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

 

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October is National Physical Therapy Month

As Fall Marathons get into full swing, the American Physical Therapy Association will be offering advice to Runners during National Physical Therapy Month.

APTA represents more than 77,000 physical therapists, physical therapist assistants and students of physical therapy nationwide.

APTA hopes to raise awareness amongst the running community about injury prevention and how physical therapists can help improve running performance.  To help celebrate National Physical Therapy Month, APTA’s Move Forward campaign is co-hosting an online event called ‘Running Experts LIVE’ on October 12^th at 8:00pm ET.  The livestream will feature Olympic marathon runner Magdalena Lewy Boulet and APTA member physical therapist and spokesperson Robert Gillanders, PT, DPT, OCS, who specializes in issues related to running. 

“Distance runners put tremendous stress on their bodies,’ said Gillanders.  ‘As experts in restoring and improving motion, physical therapists are able to analyze running form, identify physical weaknesses and provide guidance and solutions to runners to improve performance and prevent injury.  Finishing a race of any distance is a milestone to celebrate, and we help both experienced and novice runners see it through safely.’

Training Technique, injury prevention, tips for improving performance and finishing strong will all be topics up for discussion at ‘Running Experts LIVE’.  The event will encourage Runners of all abilities to submit online questions for the experts prior to and during the live event via Twitter and Facebook.  More information can also be found at moveforwardpt.com/running.

If you're a Runner, what injuries have you encountered?  

Keeping fit and injury free can be time consuming, particularly with the demands of family-life in addition to the stresses at work.  Learn to listen to those 'niggles' and seek the advice of a Physical Therapist to keep you in tip top running form.  Don't forget that regular massage can really soothe aching muscles and help restore suppleness.  

Top athletes use a variety of simple tools and techniques to supplement the work their Physical Therapist carries out.  

Here are 3B Scientific's Top 5 Great Value training tools for Runners: 

1.  Biofreeze - an absolute must for every runner.  Your Physical Therapist may use this in conjunction with ultrasound treatment whilst easing muscle soreness or completing muscle stripping treatment.

2. Foam Roller - we have a selection of different foam rollers that are perfect for ankle stretching and knee rehabilitation.  Foam rollers are also great for easing out tight Illio-tibial bands.

3. Heart Rate Monitor - ideal for understanding your body better and training efficiently.  Using a
heart rate mnitor allows you to effectively monitor your performance and set specific target zones.

4. 3B Tape - therapeutic kinesio tape can be used to help improve performance, reduce swelling, relieve plantar fasciitis and muscle, joint and ligament strains.

5. Exercise Balls - fantastic piece of home gym equipment ideal for core strengthening (abs & glutes). A Really versatile piece of fitness equipment!

 

 

What's your top training tip for newbie runners?  Are you running a Fall Marathon this year?  Share your thoughts by leaving a comment below!

 

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