Sep
5
2023
People who have migraines — either chronic or episodic — are more likely to suffer from serious skin pain and sensitivity, new research shows.
As many as two-thirds of those affected by migraines may also experience a condition called cutaneous allodynia. Cutaneous allodynia is skin sensitivity and pain so severe that everyday activities like brushing your hair or wearing jewelry can cause pain.
“The phenomenon of cutaneous allodynia seems to be correlated to true migraine,” said headache expert Dr. Bruce Silverman, a neurologist at Providence Hospital and Medical Centers in Southfield, Mich. “For those with migraine and cutaneous allodynia, the idea of treating prior to the onset of symptoms may offer a greater response.”
To assess the prevalence of cutaneous allodynia, researchers led by Dr. Marcelo Bigal, of Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York City, surveyed almost 17,000 people who experienced headaches. Their questionnaires asked about the type of headaches suffered, how often, whether or not their quality of life was affected, whether or not they suffered from depression, or if they had any other illnesses that might cause pain. Survey participants were also asked to complete the allodynia symptom checklist (ASC), an assessment tool previously designed by the study’s authors.
The study, which is in the April 22 issue of the journal Neurology, found that almost 12,000 people reported suffering from migraines. Another 1,491 had headaches that were probably migraines, and 3,345 experienced other types of headaches, such as tension headaches.
Of those who reported having chronic migraines — daily headaches — 68 percent also experienced cutaneous allodynia. In those with episodic migraines, 63 percent also experienced the condition. Just 42 percent of those with suspected migraine reported cutaneous allodynia, and about 37 percent of those with other types of headaches reported allodynia, as well.
In people with migraine, cutaneous allodynia was more common in women, in those who had headaches more often, in people with a higher body mass index, and in those disabled or depressed.
http://www.healthcentral.com/migraine/news-250285-31.html
Sep
5
2023
Women who play sports are prone to tearing the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL). Beyond the immediate pain and swelling it can cause, there’s now reason to suspect that this type of injury may lead to another vexing health problem.
Researchers at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., found that young women who had surgery to repair the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) suffered significant bone loss around the knee even two years later. And that damage was seen even though they had undergone rehabilitation.
“Despite telling them to weight-bear early and put weight on the leg, people are going to protect an operative limb,” said study author Dr. Diane L. Dahm, an assistant professor of orthopedics at Mayo. “So, it’s probable that the forces going across that operative limb were not as great as the opposite limb, early on especially.”
The findings were first reported at a meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery (AAOS).
Dahm and her colleagues studied 18 female athletes ranging in age from 16 to 40. All were fairly active and involved in some sort of exercise, although not necessarily an organized sport. The researchers chose age 40 as the cutoff to eliminate any patients who might have osteoporosis related to early menopause.
After undergoing ACL reconstruction, the women participated in a rehabilitation program that involved routine visits with physical therapists and sports psychologists.
Before surgery, there were no significant differences in bone density between the injured and uninjured legs. Three months after surgery, however, the researchers found striking differences in bone density between the injured limb and the unaffected one. While there were improvements in the women’s injured limbs over two years, “they did not get back to completely normal,” Dahm observed
Given the incidence of ACL injuries among women, orthopedists urge women athletes to take steps to prevent ligament tears from occurring. The AAOS recommends year-round training and conditioning, including strength training and practicing performing proper landing and cutting maneuvers.
http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/news-250370-31.html
Sep
5
2023
Saw it on ABC’s The New Inventors. Ryan Kendrick a physio from Corindi Beach, north of Coffs Harbour invented PosturePals. PosturePals are adhesive spinal supports applied to the back area to re-educate posture and avoid people adopting flexed or loaded postures. Similar to the taping commonly used by physio, but now anyone can buy it off the shelf. PsoturePals also use more flexible material rather than the rigid tape.
See the video of The New Inventors here:http://www.abc.net.au/tv/newinventors/txt/s2204746.htm
Or Buy PosturePals from Ryan’s website: www.posturepals.com.au
The shoulder strap is $15 and the back strap is $12. A real bargain. Save your $$ from goinf to physio.
