We know that certain things like lifestyle, genes, diet, and habits contribute to the chances of having dementia later in life. However, there is growing evidence that chronic use of certain over the counter medications and prescription drugs are linked to the development and exacerbation of dementia and it’s symptoms.

“Study: Common Types of Medications Linked to Increased Dementia Risk” – The Hearty Soul

As soon as I saw this, I knew I had to share it! Ontario is working a trial where drones deliver an AED to cardiac arrest patients, and they’re arriving on average seven minutes before EMS crews. Imagine the difference this could make if one of your patients was suffering a cardiac condition in your clinic.

“Drones Arrive 7 Minutes Before EMS Crews In Policy-Changing Trial” – EMS 1

Sometimes (well…most of the time), we have to educate the public that there is more to what we do than just simply “massaging” people. In order to change this we not only need to educate the public, but also other health care professionals, providing advocacy, and educating other therapists.

“Physical Therapy, More Than Just Stretches” – Jennifer Stone

I don’t know about you, but for me massage therapy college was stressful, it felt like I was drinking from a firehose with the amount of information being thrown at me. I wish I had this advice with tips on studying while in massage therapy college.

“Tips For Studying In Massage Therapy School” – National Holistic Institute

I’m a TERRIBLE procastinator, so if you’re anything like me, you’ll find value in this article. Even if you’re not, I’m sure we’d all like to find ways to be more productive, so here’s some help with that.

“A Simple Trick For Getting More Done” – Carmen Ohling

Some great info about Achilles tendon loading progressions, complete with content and images with instructions.

“Achilles Tendon Loading Progression” – The Physio Network

This one is important for those of us who work in sport and also act as First Responders for our athletes. There have been changes made to how we apply stimulation, as well as how the patient responds, and how we interpret the findings.

“The Glascow Coma Scale Turns 40 And Gets A Facelift” – Micheal Fraley

We know that mindfulness and meditation are important, but it turns out this can actually make a massive difference in brain function. Studies show this can increase gray matter in several areas of the brain that contribute to decision making, memory, as well as the auditory and sensory cortex.

“Neuroscience Shows That 50-Year-Olds Can Have The Brains Of 25-Year-Olds If They Sit Quietly And Do Nothing For 15 Minutes A Day” – Melanie Curtin

Understanding pain is important for us to help our patients, so is understanding pain behaviours. If we change how we react to pain we could also change pain behavours. 

“My Story: Eeeeek… Pain Behaviours!” –  Tom Bowen

Genes, lifestyle, and relationships can all influence your health, but it turns out, so can your thoughts. What we tell ourselves about who we are and why things happen, influence our stress levels, health, and happiness. 

“Are Your Thoughts Aging You?” – B Grace Bullock PhD

This is an important topic, so important it’s a two-part series and both made our articles this week. Part one helps us understand managing someone dealing with this, boundaries, informed consent, our role, and proper communication. Give these a read!

“Working With Clients Who Have Experienced Assault Part 1” – Robert Libbey

In part 2, Robert helps us understand what to avoid, and what things could possibly be a trigger for a patient who has experienced assault. He also shows us why we should embrace the opportunity to help this population of people.

“Working With Clients Who Have Experienced Assault Part 2” – Robert Libbey

I think we have all had a patient come to us who was told by another practitioner they had to come in for weekly, biweekly, or some other range of appointments in order for the said practitioner to “heal” them. While this may work on some patients (and boost said practitioners ego and pocketbook), it turns out humility is probably a better way for us to get patients.

“Healer Syndrome” – Paul Ingraham

Most of us work and contractors in a clinic, some of us are clinic owners. However, the government has started cracking down on the way things are structured in some clinics which put both the owner and contractor at risk. This helps us understand the differences and what we need to consider for a clinic setup.

“Independent Contractor Or Employee? Common Mistakes In Massage Therapy Invite Government Scrutiny And Penalties” – Erin Jackson

I love this as it’s an analogy I use to explain to patients that pain doesn’t necessarily equate to tissue damage.

“I Slept On It Wrong” – Dean Disanjh