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Go To Health! (Because Life's Too Short. . .)

About
the Author:

Shara Rendell-Smock, author

Shara Rendell-Smock has written more than twenty computer software manuals, numerous newspaper articles, including a monthly health column for The Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

She's the author of two books of non-fiction: Getting Hooked: Fiction's Opening Sentences 1950's- 1990's
and
Living With Big Cats: The Story of Jungle Larry, Safari Jane, and David Tetzlaff
For ordering information, click here.

To read more about these books, participate in an ongoing joke contest, surf on over to
www.rendell-smock.com .
The author currently lives on Florida's Space Coast.

Shara signed with a New York Literary agency in December.


"Back" to Health

Physical Therapy and Self Help Tips
- (Part 4 of 5)

Physical Therapy

Most physical therapists use the standard approach of first evaluating and analyzing the patient's problem, so they can determine a treatment plan.

A rule of thumb for a physical therapy timetable after an injury is four to six weeks. Treatment may involve ultra sound, electrical stimulation, massage, mobilization, ice packs, and/or moist heat to relieve a patient's pain. The first three weeks of treatment often address pain relief. After that, the agenda shifts to patient education and strengthening.

Physical therapists use diverse techniques to relieve their patients' pain and promote healing. These include ultra sound, electrical stimulation, moist heat, ice pack, stretches, exercises, and massage.

Biomechanics/Ergo

Some physical therapists are willing to visit a patient's workplace to observe him in action and make suggestions to modify body movement or the work environment. A therapist with knowledge of biomechanics can make a number of suggestions without even visiting the workplace.

Reminders for employees who sit at a computer much of the day: Typists should sit with their feet flat on floor straight and in front of them. To alleviate stress on the wrists, when typing, arms should be bent at the elbows so the forearms are parallel to the floor.

Prevention costs less than time lost from work. Employers can increase productivity in the workplace by supplying employees with a good desk chair with support, perhaps a headset for the receptionist so she won't have a painful, stiff neck from being on the phone much of the day. If a person has pain accumulate until he or she has to take time off work, this costs the employer time in lost wages, plus he or she may have to hire a temporary replacement.

Tension- and Pain-Relievers

Currently we choose any number of self-help items for relief.

Contour and other pillows are sold in some drug stores, department stores, health food stores, online stores, mail order, and chiropractor offices. Pillows vary! You may need to try several before you find one you're satisfied with.

Other products:

Issue # 17
Tuesday, Feb. 24, 1998

Previously:

"Back" to Health

Part 1 of 5- Looking After Your Back

Part 2 of 5- Avoiding Back Sprains

Part 3 of 5- Medical and chiropractic treatments


Humour and Health

Part 1 of 5 - "Think You're Funny?" (A look at laughter.)

Part 2 of 5 - What the Experts Say. . .

Part 3 of 5 - A Matter of Perspective

Part 4 of 5 - Humour as a Coping Mechanism

Part 5 of 5 - Wooten on Humour and Coping


Overcoming Sleep Disorders

Part 1 of 4 - how your mattress can make all the difference.

Part 2 of 4 - strategies to help you sleep.

Part 3 of 4 - more strategies to help you sleep.

Part 4 of 4 - what is a sleep log and how does it work?

Osteoporosis

Stats indicate that for those over the age of 50, one of every two women and one in eight men will have an osteoporosis-related fracture. Our sedentary lifestyle puts us at risk for this disease. Yet osteoporosis is not inevitable. Here's some information on this disease and how we can prevent it.

Part 1 of 4 - - details the likelihood of developing this disease, and its dangers and consequences.

Part 2 of 4 - - presents the risk factors of osteoporosis and some of our misconceptions about the disease.

Part 3 of 4 - - insights into diagnosis, and basic management techniques.

Part 4 of 4 - - new medical treatments to stop osteoporosis, and safety in the home of osteoporosis sufferers.

Next Week:

Nutrition

Part of the original Sideroad. Text © 1998, Shara Rendell-Smock. Posted Feb. 24 , 1998. The new Sideroad is now receiving traffic at www.sideroad.com.

Shara's books can be ordered from her web site at www.rendell-smock.com