26- Walking, Recreational Exercise Do Not Increase Risk for Knee OA in Older Adults

January 31, 2007 — Walking and other 

recreational exercise do not

increase the risk for developing osteoarthritis (OA) in older adults without OA, according to the results of the Framingham Offspring Study reported in the January issue of Arthritis Care & Research.

"Regular exercise is recommended for middle-aged and older persons," write David T. Felson, MD, of the Boston University School of Medicine in Massachusetts, and colleagues. "The effect of regular exercise on the development of osteoarthritis (OA) in older persons, especially those who are overweight, is unclear."

This longitudinal study followed up 1279 community-dwelling adults who were older (mean age at baseline 53.2 years) and many of whom were overweight. Using a questionnaire about physical activity, subjects were asked about recreational activities, including walking or jogging for exercise, and working up a sweat, and they were asked to compare their activity levels with those of others. At baseline, subjects were also asked about knee pain and had weight-bearing anteroposterior (AP) and lateral knee radiographs.

Approximately 9 years later, subjects were reexamined for OA, and radiographs were evaluated for OA features in both tibiofemoral and patellofemoral compartments and scored for tibiofemoral joint space narrowing. Knees with OA at baseline were excluded for all analyses.

The main knee-specific endpoints were incident radiographic OA, symptomatic OA, and tibiofemoral joint space loss. After adjustment for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), knee injury history, and correlation between knees, the investigators evaluated the association of each recreational activity with OA development.

Recreational walking, jogging, frequency of working up a sweat, or high activity levels relative to peers were not associated with decreased or increased risk for OA or with joint space loss. Participants with BMI above the median (27.7 kg/m2 for men and 25.7 kg/m2 for women; mean BMI > 30 kg/m2 for both) had no increases in risk for OA with different types of activity.
Study limitations include lack of MRI imaging at baseline evaluation and insufficient number of joggers or runners to evaluate the effect of running on OA.

"Among middle-aged and elderly persons without knee OA, many of whom were overweight, recreational exercise neither protects against nor increases risk of knee OA," the authors write. "Although dynamic loading may have a trophic effect on cartilage, there is no measurable protective effect of recommended weight-bearing exercise on OA. Physical activity can be done safely without concerns that persons will develop knee OA as a consequence."

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health's Framingham Heart Study and the Boston University School of Medicine supported this study.
In an accompanying editorial, Marian A. Minor, MD, of the University of Missouri in Columbia, called this "a useful and valid study that supports recommending regular moderate physical activity without undue fear that such activity may increase the risk for knee OA."

"Future research, whether designed to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions or to identify risk factors for development or progression, should characterize subjects in terms of variables relevant to knee OA," Dr. Minor writes. "We must identify and agree upon meaningful characterization of research subjects and move beyond general statements of risk and efficacy in the aggregate.

In addition to improving the usefulness of knee OA research, our ultimate aim must be to produce evidence that assists clinical decision-making and individualized recommendations regarding safety and effectiveness of interventions, including physical activity."

Posted by Mostafa gala & Mohamed rizk

25- Bioreasonance...What is this?!

Bioreasonance refers to the process of using the body's own oscillations for diagnosis and treatment.Bioreasonance is based on the principle of measuring the body's energy system using equipment, in an objective form. We utilize several Bioreasonance devices in our Naturopathic Diagnostic Laboratory. Chief among these are the Vega and the Bicom and the Vega Diagnostic System for Functional Medicine.
THE CONDITIONS IT CAN HELP Aches and pain, chronic tiredness, arthritis, bacteria, chemical sensitivity, depression, eczema, formaldehyde poisoning, fungus, heavy metal toxicity, parasites, poisoning from mercury fillings leaking from your teeth, radiation poisoning from computers, skin problems, virus and others.

How it works?

o It painlessly records and measures your body's energetic imbalances in a very specific way. For example, testing will show what specific allergies or heavy metal toxins you have and name the allergy or toxin. The equipment will also precisely measure the seriousness of the problem. Every follow up session will similarly measure the improvement.
o These devices and all the technological advancements that followed the first invention in 1953, is based on the principle that imbalance can be measured precisely with the aid of sensitive electronic circuitry. The energetic changes brought about by symptoms such as fever, aches, tiredness, can be detected by electro-acupuncture. Even when the patient is unaware of a problem, electro-acupuncture can come up with results.

It's origin?

Bioreasonance Medicine began in 1953 with Dr. Reinhold Voll of Germany. He reasoned that it should be possible with the aid of modern technology to measure the energy inherent in each of the body's organs and, if imbalanced, to lead it back to balance and health. Together with an electronics engineer, Dr. Voll constructed a device which allows acupuncturists to measure the slightest reactions at the acupuncture points.
THE VEGA TEST

Imagine machines that can measure the precise health status of your internal organs. These are astounding systems that can tell you the name of the virus, bacteria or allergen that is affecting you. Your mineral, vitamin and amino-acid deficiency can also be pin-pointed. All this information is achieved without pricking your skin or drawing blood. And so safe that even children have taken this test.

How can the Vega Test help you?

1. Your allergies can be specifically identified. Individual sensitivity to foods, inhalants, environmental toxicity, drugs, pollens, molds, etc. can be the cause of your breathing problems, skin problems and increase hyperactivity or depression.

2. Identifies hard to detect causes of chronic illness like : A. Chemical poisons in your body from home or from working in polluted. buildings where you seem to fall ill often. B. Mercury poisoning from dental fillings. C. Parasites and disease causing organisms in your body. D. Pin-pointing unsuspected nutritional deficiencies leading to feeling tired is within this system's capacity. Vega can identify which vitamin, mineral or amino-acid you are deficient in.

3. You can test for your health status as a precautionary strategy . Prevention is cheaper and more comfortable then being sick. Vega testing is able to give you forewarning of disease so you can take preventive treatment.

4. The Vega system is used only for diagnosis and not treatment. Medication can be homeopathic, herbal or nutritional.

5. It gives us another diagnostic view of your body. Because energy is such a basic component to your overall health, the Vega system is used in clinics of natural medicine around the world as a pre-screening device for chronic illnesses.

What will your Vega Treatment be like?

The procedure is safe for babies and young children as it is non-toxic, natural and non-habit forming and is as follows :

1. Electrical / bio-energetic measurements on specific points on the surface of your hands and feet are taken with a rounded probe.

2. The Vega system then identifies the specific causes of your problem.

3. Follow-up sessions will measure your exact progress and the remedies are changed according to the changes in your condition.

BICOM RESONANCE THERAPY

The Bicom is used to investigate for root causes of ill health at a level even deeper then the Vega testing. The machine's measuring capacity allows for a more narrowed focus of diagnosis as well as treatment. The Bicom's electromagnetic treatment speeds up your healing process so that you get well more quickly.

How can the Bicom help you?

1. Neutralizing allergies and toxins.

2. Healing skin conditions, asthma, gastro-intestinal problems.

3. Identify and address the causes of chronic fatigue.

4. Identify the cause of your immune system failure.

5. Strengthen your immune system by bio-energetic rebalancing.

Our approach

1. Bicom is used as part of your overall treatment.

2. You could be treated on the Bicom if your Vega test or the Applied Kinesiology test indicate further investigation is necessary.

3. We use it to speed up recovery and lessen the period of illness.

How does the Bicom work?

1. A rounded probe measures certain points on your skin surface: your ears and hands. The Bicom receives these signals via the rounded probe.

2. Treatment is through electrodes which are held in your hands or held against special parts of your body.

3. Your electromagnetic oscillation is measured by the Bicom's computerized system. The treatment modifies your natural energy field increasing your natural immunity and starting your self-healing process.

4. Your organs, cells, tissues etc. emit electromagnetic signals in the form of oscillations. These oscillations are measured to identify imbalances in your body. In the treatment which immediately follows, the Bicom electronically changes the oscillations by mirror imaging and relays the new information back to the body, again via electrodes. The body immediately reacts to this new information and the self-healing power of the body is activated and strengthened. The healing begins.

5. You do not get medication with the Bicom.

6. The diagnosis and treatment is gentle for all अगेस

Not used in my clinic now...

24-Biofeedback

What is Biofeedback?

If you have ever taken your temperature you have participated in a form of biofeedback. "Bio" is a combining word form meaning "life". Feedback denotes giving back. Simplified, biofeedback means feeding back information about life responses: temperature, heart rate, brain wave activity, and/or muscle tension.
Biofeedback requires intensive patient participation. The patient's goal is to learn to control involuntary functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, skin temperature, and muscle tension. The biofeedback therapist teaches the patient how to affect a particular function specific to a problem through mental or physical exercises (e.g. tense neck muscles).

This treatment is not designed to take the place of a physician. The patient should continue to follow-up with their physician as prescribed.

What is the purpose of Biofeedback?

Biofeedback has helped many people combat the ill effects from involuntary muscle tension and related pain.
Other forms of biofeedback include Electromyography (EMG's) that measures muscle tension, Electroencephalographs (EEGs) that measure brain-wave activity, and Electrocardiographs (ECG's) known to measure heart rate.

How does the patient learn to apply the principles of Biofeedback?

The biofeedback therapist begins by applying sensors to specific points on the patient's body. The sensors are then connected to special equipment (e.g. computer) designed to monitor the patient's physiological responses.

The therapist teaches the patient mental/physical exercises designed to treat their disorder. For example, the patient may learn how to relax certain groups of muscles in the low back. In addition, the therapist may teach the patient visualization skills and deep breathing.
During instruction, the patient is made aware of their "bio" progress by means of the monitoring equipment. The equipment may beep, buzz, or make a dinging sound to assure the patient they are making progress in learning how to control a specific function. Some monitors are capable of providing a visual graphic.
Once the patient has learned the technique, the biofeedback equipment is no longer needed

.
Does it take a long time for the patient to learn the technique?

Biofeedback treatment may involve as few as 10 sessions to as many as 40 or 50. The number of sessions is dependent on the disorder and the patient. Each treatment will last between one-half hour and an hour. Some patients may need to attend up to 5 sessions each week.
This treatment is not for all patients. First, biofeedback does not work for everyone.

If results are not apparent after 8 or 10 sessions, that could mean the patient will not benefit. Secondly, patients with pacemakers should avoid biofeedback because the electrical impulses generated to monitor progress could interfere with the operation of a pacemaker.

Are there any side effects?
There are no known side effects from biofeedback. The treatment is non-invasive.

Biofeedback device:

The SCENAR is a biofeedback device with patented technology. Developed by the Russian space program, it is particularly effective at its US FDA accepted use of muscular relaxation and re-education.
The SCENAR/BF is a biofeedback device indicated for use in relaxation training and muscle re-education.

Muscle Re-education
-Relaxing muscle spasm.
-Preventing or retarding disuse atrophy.
-Maintaining or increasing range of motionStimulating muscles in the leg and ankle of partially paralyzed patients to provide flexion of foot and thus improve the patient's gait.

Relaxation Training
-General muscle relaxation.
-Reduction of "secondary stress" that often accompanies disabling injuries and disorders.

Contraindications:

The SCENAR may affect the operation of cardiac pacemakers, particularly demand type pacemakers. Do not use the SCENAR to stimulate directly on the eyes or over the carotid sinus.

Posted by Mostafa galal & Mohamed rizk