St.Leonard

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Team University of Dayton Engineering & Safety Lab No. 24: Interview with a Physical Therapist

In the field of prosthetics, balance is crucial to rehabilitation after a person undergoes an amputation. Melanie Welch, a licensed physical therapist at Dayton Artificial Limb, was interviewed about the significance of balance therapy.

The first step of balance therapy is finding out why an individual has poor balance. Balance is dependent on multiple factors including posture, strength, range of motion, sensory abilities, an individual’s reaction abilities, and vestibular effects. The physical therapist tests the person’s “ability to balance sitting, standing, and experiencing external forces,” says Welch. In these tests, a therapist looks for balance reactions in an individual’s ankles and hips, specifically. In her patients, poor balance often results from stiffness or weakness.

After determining the issue causing instability, the next step is to address the issue. Strength and mobility exercises are some of the most common tools for improving an individual’s balance. In some cases, a patient is instructed on the use of assistive devices which help them maintain a stable base of support. A stable base of support is an important factor in stability; a wide, shoulder-width stance is more stable than standing with the feet together. Balance is affected by many things, and being able to influence those factors using techniques such as balance therapy, allows a person to walk with good stability.

Team Spiritual Care: Pass on the Works of Wisdom

Sister Kareri Theriault

People who work with their hands have an intimate connection with their labor, and because of that as a rule they take great pride in and care of what they do. Though you don’t hear much about Joseph or his relationship with Jesus in the biblical accounts, it does not seem a stretch to imagine him patiently teaching his craft to young Jesus and imparting a lot of wisdom along the way. Whatever your own line of work may be, you do well to stay connected to its basic dignity and share that value with a young person in your own life. In doing so you will be shaping a future life in the same quiet way Joseph did.

TODAY’S READINGS: For the memorial: Genesis 1:26-2:3 or Colossians 3:14-15, 17, 23-24; Matthew 13:54-58 (559)

“ ‘Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds? Is he not the carpenter’s son?’”

CONTRIBUTORS

Alice Camille, Daniel Grippo, Father Larry Janowski, O.F.M., Ann O’Connor, Siobhán O’Neill, Joel Schorn, Patrice J. Tuohy, Sister Julie Vieira, I.H.M.

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Blue Zone Your Memory No.43: Anger Management

It is important that when we are looking for ways to enhance our brain function that we also consider how our emotions impact the efficiency of the brain and memory recall. Last month we explored the benefits of joy for improving memories and reducing stress, and this month we will open the discussion for how anger can interrupt memory recall and increase stress. Researchers have investigated how anger interferes with the brain’s cue processing ability and how anger triggers the amygdala to hijack almost all of the most efficient regions of the brain for decision-making and impulse control. Certainly, anger management would be a good intervention or treatment plan to add when building a personal wellness program.