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The seventh annual International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR) was held last May 15 – 17 in London. Autism Speaks has provided brief summaries of some of the IMFAR presentations in the areas of autism etiology, biology, diagnosis and treatment.

2008 IMFAR Shows Progress in All Areas of Autism Research

The seventh annual International Meeting for Autism Research recently concluded in London with more than 1150 researchers from around the world attending and making more than 850 presentations. Among the countries represented were Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, India, Ireland, Israel, Mexico, Norway, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, Venezuela and Vietnam.

ETIOLOGY
The following are brief summaries of some of the IMFAR presentations in the areas of autism etiology, biology, diagnosis and treatment. The record number of attendees and the depth and breadth of the science presented signals that autism research is truly becoming global, with advances being made across the board. But most importantly, the science presented and discussed will help individuals and families who are living with autism by uncovering more effective means to diagnose, treat and determine the causes of autism.

Environmental Science
Several presentations focused on the role of the environment as a risk factor for autism. Genetic risk factors may be acted upon by additional environmental factors to ultimately cause autism. This year IMFAR hosted an educational symposium concerning links between the environment and autism. These presentations, led by Craig Newschaffer, Ph.D., were intended to educate the community on ongoing research and current thinking in environmental health science, genetics and epidemiology that is relevant to the investigation of environmental risk factors in autism. This symposium also served to complement other presentations on environmental exposures that are being examined for links to autism, which include such factors as method of birth induction, ultrasound frequency, as well as chemical exposures found in the home.

Read more »

Source: Autism Speaks

OT Australia’s 23rd National Conference & Exhibition 2008 will be held at the Sofitel in Melbourne, Australia on 11 to 13 September. The theme for this year’s conference is ‘Creating the Future: To explore, to inspire, to take action’. The vision for Conference 2008 is to provide a wide range of opportunities to facilitate creating your future, the future of the profession in Australia and the future of the Association.

Keynote Speakers
Rebecca Allen
Dr. Elizabeth Townsend Ph.D., O.T.(C), Reg.N.S., FCAOT
Alison Nelson

Themes and Topics

Inspire: Motivate and Encourage
Teaching and learning in all aspects of our profession is encompassed within this theme. You have the ability to inspire others by sharing your ideas and wisdom whatever your current role is within occupational therapy.

Explore: Discover and Investigate
Research and consolidation of theories provides the structure upon which our profession is based and continues to develop. This is an opportunity to contribute to the ongoing advancement of our profession’s knowledge and wisdom.

Action: Encounters and Achievements
The diversity of our clients and the environments in which we work provides us with a valuable opportunity for sharing our clinical experiences and expertise. This allows us to share ideas and current work practices and promote occupational therapists as experts in their field. Streams Topics and Keywords

Topics addressed:

• Service evaluation and development
• Private practice
• Changing workplace environments
• Rehabilitation
• Driver rehabilitation and community mobility
• Enabling occupations
• Mental Health
• Paediatrics
• Academia and occupational therapy education
• Wellness
• Vocational rehabilitation
• Hand therapy
• Adult complex care needs
• Acute care
• Rural and remote
• Occupational Health and Safety
• Gerontology
• Technology/Environment
• Leadership/Management
• Professional Issues
• Other

For more information on this event, click here.

There was a recent study made which shows that pre-operative assessments of patients with breast cancer by physical therapists allow for early diagnosis and successful treatment of lymphedema.

The study, conducted by the National Naval Medical Center (NNMC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and in collaboration with the University of Michigan-Flint and George Mason University, was published in the journal, Cancer (April 25, 2008). The authors demonstrated the effectiveness of a surveillance program that included pre-operative limb volume measurement and interval post-operative follow-up to successfully detect and treat lymphedema, a chronic and often irreversible condition that can cause significant swelling of the upper and lower extremities due to the build-up of excess lymph fluid.

“This study is significant for several reasons, but none more so than it showing that detection and management of lymphedema at early stages may prevent the condition from progressing to a chronic, disabling stage and may enable a more cost-effective, conservative intervention,” said American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) spokesperson and the study’s lead author, Nicole L Stout Gergich, PT, MPT, CLT-LANA, of the National Naval Medical Center (NNMC) Breast Care Center, in Bethesda, Maryland.

Read more »

Blog! I thought of some other things too. My first option was of course to skip work. But considering my suspension and with June being just around the corner, ( which also means half of our sick leaves will be converted to cash ) I decided to ditch that thought. Besides, its always hard to enjoy when you constantly have to be alert and look out for people from work, yes that happened to me once. Going back, I have no choice but to go to work and hope that today would be as 'petiks' as yesterday (because it was Memorial Day in the states therefore not much calls.) Is that too much to ask? I guess so. I've always thought that if we have a holiday at work, there's always something in store for us the next day. Sure we enjoy all the food distributed and we enjoy lounging around in the pantry, while the rest of the Americans go to parades and stuff, but that almost always translates to having a very stressful work day after. Much like today, my shift started at 7pm and after 3 hours we already have reports of 2, not 1, but 2 outages! Both regions across America are experiencing downtimes, hooray! So much for a holiday. Right now I'm using my break in order to post an entry because I don't want this blog to feel neglected. LOL. And Im hurrying up so I could leave because I noticed that the calls are becoming more and more stressful. Im kidding, if any of my supervisors are reading this, I was able to finish everything I'm supposed to do of course, I always make sure that I do, and i'm willing to render overtime if you'd like?

Anyway, I post pictures of my weekend, uhm, two weeks ago? What a late I know. We went to Manaoag, Pangasinan and heard mass there. Seriously, cus we're devoted like that. In case you didn't know, that's 6hours away from my hometown. Penny + weekend = BOOZE CHURCH???!! Yeah, yeah, shut up!

People sell a lot of religous items there like rosaries, prayer booklets and other holy figures. Those who buy have it blessed after the mass.

At the back of the church there's an area where you can light a candle and pray for something to happen, like, i dunno, world peace? That's water underneath, filled with melted candles.

Every time we go to church here, we always eat at this place not far from the church. I keep forgetting the name, but they serve bad ass sea weed salad! And Adobong Pusit, a famous dish here in the Philippines. Most people don't like it. I love it! 

My Girl starring Kim Chiu & Gerald Anderson, premiered last night, May 26. My Girl posted a rating of 28 percent to take the fifth position in the daytime race and topped all ABS-CBN programs.
Download FREE My Girl Wallpaper
GMA-7’s formidable quartet—Dyesebel, Joaquin Bordado, Babangon Ako’t Dudurgin Kita, and 24 Oras—remained strong in the Top 4 positions. The new Kimerald primetime series, which replaced Claudine Barretto’s Maligno, went up against the latter part of Dyesebel (39.8 percent) and most part of Babangon Ako’t Dudurugin Kita (31.3 percent).
Download FREE Dyesebel Wallpaper
Full TV ratings after the jump below.
ABS-CBN’s reality program Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition Plus also benefited from My Girl’s strong showing as it posted a high 26.4 percent, which is good for sixth place. Former top Kapamilya show The Singing Bee dropped to seventh place with 25.8 percent.

Completing the Top 10 are TV Patrol World, Lobo, and The Legend.

In the daytime race, ABS-CBN’s new afternoon soap Ligaw na Bulaklak starring Roxanne Guinoo also had its debut Monday. The replacement show of Prinsesa ng Banyera got 15.6 percent to take the seventh place.

Kaputol ng Isang Awit posted the highest rating of the day with 20.5 percent; followed by Daisy Siete, Eat Bulaga, Magdusa Ka, and El Cuerpo Deseo.

GMA-7’s Mel & Joey was the highest rated primetime show last Sunday, May 25, with 22.8 percent while ABS-CBN’s Goin’ Bulilit (21.5 percent) and Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition Plus (21.4 percent) took the second and third spots, respectively. Completing the Top 5 are All Star K and the results night of Pinoy Idol.

SOP topped Sunday’s daytime race with 15.2 percent despite the absence of main female hosts Regine Velasquez and Jaya. Takeshi’s Castle was second with 12.9 percent while ASAP ‘08 was third with 12.6 perecnt.

In the battle of the showbiz talk shows, Showbiz Central once again beat The Buzz—11.3 percent versus 10.6 percent—considering that John “Sweet” Lapus was the only main host present at last Sunday’s episode of Showbiz Central, which also featured Rufa Mae Quinto’s birthday celebration.

Saturday (May 24) primetime viewing was ruled by Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho with 30.5 percent. Michael V’s gag show Bitoy’s Funniest Videos came in second with 28.5 percent while Imbestigador was in third place with 27.6 percent.

Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition Plus and Pinoy Idol ranked fourth and fifth, respectively.

Eat Bulaga, meanwhile, topped the daytime race with 22 percent; followed by Wowowee, Takeshi’s Castle, Wish Ko Lang, and Cinema FPJ to complete the Top 5.

Finally, Dyesebel once again topped the primetime race last Friday, May 23, with 39.5 percent. The final episode of Maligno posted a rating of 21.1 percent to take the 8^th place.

Daisy Siete was the No. 1 daytime show; followed by Magdusa Ka, Eat Bulaga, Kaputol ng Isang Awit, and El Cuerpo Deseo.

The last episode of Prinsesa ng Banyera grabbed the No. 8 position with 14.6 percent.

Here are the comparative TV ratings of ABS-CBN and GMA-7 shows from May 23 to 25 based on the overnight ratings conducted by AGB Nielsen Philippines among Mega Manila households:

May 23 (Friday)

Non-Primetime:

SiS (GMA-7) 11.5%; Boy & Kris (ABS-CBN) 6.9%

Da Big Show (GMA-7) 14.9%; Pilipinas, Game KNB? (ABS-CBN) 13.3%

Eat Bulaga! (GMA-7) 21.5%; Wowowee (ABS-CBN) 17%

Daisy Siete (GMA-7) 22.1%; Magdusa Ka (GMA-7) 21.7%; Prinsesa ng Banyera (ABS-CBN) 14.6%

Kaputol ng Isang Awit (GMA-7) 21.1%; El Cuerpo Deseo (ABS-CBN) 19%

Primetime:

Gobingo (GMA-7) 13.3%; Wheel of Fortune (ABS-CBN) 16.2%

24 Oras (GMA-7) 26.5%; TV Patrol World (ABS-CBN) 23.4%

Joaquin Bordado (GMA-7) 34%; The Singing Bee (ABS-CBN) 25.2%

Dyesebel (GMA-7) 39.5%; Lobo (ABS-CBN) 20.8%

Babangon Ako’t Dudurugin Kita (GMA-7) 33.8%; Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition Plus (ABS-CBN) 21.6%

Pinoy Idol (GMA-7) 18.4%; Maligno (ABS-CBN) 21.1%

Bubble Gang (GMA-7) 15.8%; Maalaala Mo Kaya (ABS-CBN) 17.3%; Bandila (ABS-CBN) 7.6%

May 24 (Saturday)

Non-Primetime:

Takeshi’s Castle (GMA-7) 16.4%; Pilipinas, Game KNB? (ABS-CBN) 9.6%

Eat Bulaga! (GMA-7) 22%; Wowowee (ABS-CBN) 18.6%

StarTalk (GMA-7) 11.3%; Entertainment Live (ABS-CBN) 9%

Wish Ko Lang (GMA-7) 13.4%; Cinema FPJ (ABS-CBN) 12.3%

Primetime:

Pinoy Records (GMA-7) 12.8 %; That’s My Doc (ABS-CBN) 11.9%

Pinoy Idol (GMA-7) 23.1%; Kapitan Boom (ABS-CBN) 18%

Bitoy’s Funniest Videos (GMA-7) 28.5%; Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition Plus (ABS-CBN) 23.4%

Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (GMA-7) 30.5%; TV Patrol World (ABS-CBN) 15.7%

Imbestigador (GMA-7) 27.6%; XXX (ABS-CBN) 13.6%

Nuts Entertainment (GMA-7) 15%; Sports Unlimited (ABS-CBN) 5.4%

Sine Totoo (GMA-7) 11.5%; Walang Tulugan: Master Showman (GMA-7) 3.4%

May 25 (Sunday)

Non-Primetime:

Takeshi’s Castle (GMA-7) 12.9%; Gaby’s Extraordinary Files (ABS-CBN) 7.4%

SOP (GMA-7) 15.2%; ASAP ‘08 (ABS-CBN) 12.6%

Pinoy Idol Extra (ABS-CBN) 10.3%; Tasya Fantasya (GMA-7) 8.4%; Your Song (ABS-CBN) 9.1%

Showbiz Central (GMA-7) 11.3%; The Buzz (ABS-CBN) 10.6%

Primetime:

Kap’s Amazing Stories (GMA-7) 19.5%; Rated K (ABS-CBN) 18.1%

Pinoy Idol (GMA-7) 19.7%; Goin’ Bulilit (ABS-CBN) 21.5%

Mel & Joey (GMA-7) 22.8%; Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition Plus (ABS-CBN) 21.4%

All Star K (GMA-7) 19.8%; Sharon (ABS-CBN) 16.4%

Ful Haus (GMA-7) 17.4%; TV Patrol World (ABS-CBN) 11.3%

SNBO: Texas Chainsaw Massacre (GMA-7) 14.8%; Runaways (ABS-CBN) 7.4%

May 26 (Monday)

Non-Primetime:

SiS (GMA-7) 9.3%; Boy & Kris (ABS-CBN) 5.6%

Da Big Show (GMA-7) 12.8%; Pilipinas, Game KNB? (ABS-CBN) 13.3%

Eat Bulaga! (GMA-7) 19.3%; Wowowee (ABS-CBN) 17.2%

Daisy Siete (GMA-7) 19.9%; Magdusa Ka (GMA-7) 18.4%; Ligaw na Bulaklak (ABS-CBN) 15.6%

Kaputol ng Isang Awit (GMA-7) 20.5%; El Cuerpo Deseo (ABS-CBN) 17.6 %

Primetime:

Gobingo (GMA-7) 15.8%; Wheel of Fortune (ABS-CBN) 15.9%

24 Oras (GMA-7) 31.3%; TV Patrol World (ABS-CBN) 23%

Joaquin Bordado (GMA-7) 34.8%; The Singing Bee (ABS-CBN) 25.8%

Dyesebel (GMA-7) 39.8%; Lobo (ABS-CBN) 22.9%

Babangon Ako’t Dudurugin Kita (GMA-7) 31.6%; My Girl (ABS-CBN) 28%

The Legend (GMA-7) 21.9%; Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition Plus (ABS-CBN) 26.4%

Pinoy Idol Extra (GMA-7) 12.9%; Lovers (ABS-CBN) 16.6%

Kung Ako Ikaw (GMA-7) 10.5%; Bandila (ABS-CBN) 8.3%

Here are the Top 10 daytime and primetime programs from May 23 to 26 based on the overnight ratings conducted by AGB Nielsen Philippines among Mega Manila households:

May 23 (Friday)

Daytime:

1. Daisy Siete (GMA-7) - 22.1%
2. Magdusa Ka (GMA-7) - 21.7%
3. Eat Bulaga! (GMA-7) - 21.5%
4. Kaputol ng Isang Awit (GMA-7) - 21.1%
5. El Cuerpo Deseo (ABS-CBN) - 19%
6. Wowowee (ABS-CBN) - 17%
7. Da Big Show (GMA-7) - 14.9%
8. Prinsesa ng Banyera (ABS-CBN) - 14.6%
9. Pilipinas, Game KNB? (ABS-CBN) - 13.3%
10. SiS (GMA-7) - 11.5%

Primetime:

1. Dyesebel (GMA-7) - 39.5%
2. Joaquin Bordado (GMA-7) 34%
3. Babangon Ako’t Dudurugin Kita (GMA-7) - 33.8%
4. 24 Oras (GMA-7) - 26.5%
5. The Singing Bee (ABS-CBN) - 25.2%
6. TV Patrol World (ABS-CBN) 23.4%
7. Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition Plus (ABS-CBN) - 21.6%
8. Maligno (ABS-CBN) - 21.1%
9. Lobo (ABS-CBN) - 20.0%
10. Pinoy Idol (GMA-7) - 18.4%

May 24 (Saturday)

Daytime

1. Eat Bulaga! (GMA-7) - 22%
2. Wowowee (ABS-CBN) 18.6%
3. Takeshi’s Castle (GMA-7) - 16.4%
4. Wish Ko Lang (GMA-7) - 13.4%
5. Cinema FPJ: Da King on ABS-CBN (ABS-CBN) - 12.3%
6. StarTalk (GMA-7) - 11.3%
7. Pilipinas, Game KNB? (ABS-CBN) - 9.6%
8. Entertainment Live (ABS-CBN) - 9%

Primetime:

1. Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (GMA-7) - 30.5%
2. Bitoy’s Funniest Videos (GMA-7) - 28.5%
3. Imbestigador (GMA-7) - 27.6%
4. Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition Plus (ABS-CBN) - 23.4%
5. Pinoy Idol (GMA-7) - 23.1%
6. Kapitan Boom (ABS-CBN) - 18%
7. TV Patrol World (ABS-CBN) - 15.7%
8. Nuts Entertainment (GMA-7) - 15%
9. XXX (ABS-CBN) - 13.6%
10. Pinoy Records (GMA-7) - 12.8%

May 25 (Sunday)

Daytime

1. SOP (GMA-7) 15.2%
2. Takeshi’s Castle (GMA-7) - 12.9%
3. ASAP ‘08 (ABS-CBN) - 12.6%
4. Showbiz Central (GMA-7) - 11.3%
5. The Buzz (ABS-CBN) - 10.6%
6. Pinoy Idol Extra (GMA-7) - 10.3%
7. Your Song (ABS-CBN) - 9.1%
8. Tasya Fantasya (GMA-7) - 8.4%
9. Gaby’s Extraordinary Files (ABS-CBN) - 7.4%

Primetime:

1. Mel & Joey (GMA-7) - 22.8%
2. Goin’ Bulilit (ABS-CBN) - 21.5%
3. Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition Plus (ABS-CBN) - 21.4%
4. All Star K (GMA-7) - 19.8%
5. Pinoy Idol (GMA-7) - 19.7%
6. Kap’s Amazing Stories (GMA-7) - 19.5%
7. Rated K (ABS-CBN) - 18.1%
8. Ful Haus (GMA-7) - 17.4%
9. Sharon (ABS-CBN) - 16.4%
10. SNBO: Texas Chainsaw Massacre (GMA-7) - 14.8%

May 26 (Monday)

Daytime:

1. Kaputol ng Isang Awit (GMA-7) - 20.5%
2. Daisy Siete (GMA-7) - 19.9%
3. Eat Bulaga! (GMA-7) - 19.3%
4. Magdusa Ka (GMA-7) - 18.4%
5. El Cuerpo Deseo (ABS-CBN) - 17.6%
6. Wowowee (ABS-CBN) - 17.2%
7. Ligaw na Bulaklak (ABS-CBN) - 15.6%
8. Pilipinas, Game KNB? (ABS-CBN) - 13.3%
9. Da Big Show (GMA-7) - 12.8%
10. SiS (GMA-7) - 9.3%

Primetime:

1. Dyesebel (GMA-7) - 39.8%
2. Joaquin Bordado (GMA-7) - 34.8%
3. Babangon Ako’t Dudurugin Kita (GMA-7) - 31.6%
4. 24 Oras (GMA-7) - 31.3%
5. My Girl (ABS-CBN) - 28%
6. Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition Plus (ABS-CBN) 26.4%
7. The Singing Bee (ABS-CBN) - 25.8%
8. TV Patrol World (ABS-CBN) - 23%
9. Lobo (ABS-CBN) - 22.9%
10. The Legend (GMA-7) - 21.9%

Source: AGB Nielsen Philippines

Sharon Cuneta and John Estrada are paired together for the first time in Caregiver, which received an “A” rating from the Cinema Evaluation Board.

Dingdong Dantes added another feather to his cap when he was chosen by Sam Miguel Brewery Corp. to be the newest endorser of San Mig Light.

Sam Milby on Anne Curtis: “Dating with a purpose. Gusto ko kasi talaga matuto na ng mag-Tagalog. Ang palagi kong roles, galing sa States, lumaki sa States, half-American. Gusto ko naman maging taga-Mindanao minsan!”

• FIRST READ ON PEP: Dingdong Dantes chosen by San Mig Light to be its new endorser HOT May 27, 2008 06:07 PM
• It’s all about Gabby Concepcion and Sharon Cuneta this June in “YES!” May 27, 2008 05:11 PM
• “Caregiver” receives “A” rating from Cinema Evaluation Board May 27, 2008 03:59 PM
• Sam Milby on status of his relationship with Anne Curtis: “Dating with a purpose.” May 27, 2008 03:37 PM
• Latest batch of PBB evictees pick Ejay and Robi as the Big Winner May 27, 2008 02:45 PM
• TV Ratings (May 23-26): “My Girl” poses threat to GMA-7’s Telebabad block May 27, 2008 02:15 PM
• Monique Wilson joins Hollywood stars for celebration of “The Vagina Monologues” 10th anniversary May 27, 2008 10:15 AM
• Sunshine Dizon, Marvin Agustin, and Diana Zubiri star in GMA-7 adaptation of “Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan” May 26, 2008 06:27 PM

Travel from Mar 1, 2008 to June 30, 2008 with Cebu Pacific and you can get 20 x 4R prints from Picatoo for free! Just email (info@picatoo.com) a copy of your boarding pass by either scanning it or taking a digital photo of it. Picatoo will email you back a voucher code that you can use to claim your free 20 prints online.

The Peninsula Postgraduate Health Institute is inviting applications for postgraduate study of e-health via a new online module. This module will be mainly given by synchronous interactive live webcasts to your Internet connected computer. The sessions will be 2-5pm (British Time) on 10 Wednesdays from October (i.e. 8, 15, 22, 29 Oct, 5, 12, 19, 26 Nov, 3, 10 Dec 2008). The module will be given by Professor Ray Jones, Drs Maged Kamel Boulos, and Inocencio Maramba. You can find out more about them here.

The module is at postgraduate level and aims to give students an appreciation of e-health, in particular how information and communication technologies can be used to manipulate information for both population health need assessment and to support patient groups and communities. The module is available to students taking various Masters programmes at the Peninsula Postgraduate Health Institute (PPHI) (www.pphi.ac.uk) including those taking a Masters in Public and Community Health. In total they are aiming to have 20 students on the module from a range of health and social care disciplines and from a range of countries. In addition to PPHI Masters students they are also inviting others who wish to take the module as a ‘stand alone’ module. This can either be as an assessed module (which you may be able to have credit-transferred to another Masters degree) or as a non-assessed module (certificate of attendance only) for your continuing professional development. The fees for this module are the same for all students regardless of whether they are UK or overseas: £220 assessed, and £190 for non-assessed.

Each of the ten interactive live webinars will comprise a live video presentation by the lecturer and simultaneous on-line discussion by students. Students will need a broadband Internet connected computer that plays sound. Students will also be required to carry out other study in between the webinars with activities such as (a) work/home based project work using Internet tools to explore health information needs of particular patient or public communities and the quality and relevance of information available, (b) ‘traditional’ e-learning work packages on aspects of e-health, (c) use of Geographic Information Systems through the Internet to explore issues of record linkage.

For application form please click here. For details of other postgraduate courses please click here. Other CPD courses may be found here.

The NZAOT Conferences are held biennially and complement the biennial NZAOT Clinical Workshops.

The NZAOT Conference 2008
“Inspiration – Energy – Action” 
September 4-6 in Palmerston North

The Conference organisers are expecting over 200 registrations from occupational therapists throughout New Zealand, and some from the Asia-Pacific region. The programme will be a mixture of plenary sessions; concurrent presentations; workshops and a Trade Exhibition.

Palmerston North, with its central position and easy access for national and international travel, promises to attract record numbers of occupational therapists. The spacious Convention Centre provides a convenient location close to a range of amenities.

Click here for more details.

Party and festival lovers will often find themselves suffering from preventable injuries such as sprains, strains, and other soft tissue injuries, which were shown to have high incidence in events such as Glastonbury, the Isle of Wight Festival, Download, Latitude and Womad. To address this, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) has produced a festival survival guide. Read up on this guide and save yourself on medical costs and not put a dent on your checking account.

FESTIVAL SURVIVAL GUIDE
from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy

During the summer, thousands of music-lovers will be enjoying open-air music festivals. But a large number of people unfortunately need medical attention at these events. A high proportion of injuries are sprains and strains, and other soft tissue problems - follow the tips below to avoid these common problems and have a fun-filled, injury free festival!

Getting there:
· Take care when travelling to the festival. Many festival-goers arrive tired having travelled for a few days, hitching or walking with heavy rucksacks.
· Take regular rest periods during your journey.
· Keep hydrated by drinking plenty of water travelling to and during the festival.
· Space is at a premium in rucksacks and so you should prioritise what to bring to a festival. Don’t carry more than you need.

Medications & Sunblock:
· Asthma and hayfever are conditions physiotherapists can help with.
· If you suffer from asthma, don’t forget to bring your inhaler and remember to use it.
· If you suffer from hayfever, don’t forget to take your anti-histamines.
· Festival life is also about enjoying being outdoors – make sure you’ve got sun-screen with you.

Footwear:
· If you are travelling on foot, make sure you are wearing good, comfortable, supportive and waterproof footwear. This will help you avoid ankle sprains from walking across fields or uneven ground.
· Take care if the ground is muddy and wet to avoid slipping. If it is cold, wet weather, muscles can be strained from walking all day in several inches of mud!

Putting up with tent life:
· Try to bring something supportive to sit or lie on as hard ground can exacerbate or create back and neck problems.
· Think carefully about what you will use for a pillow at night. It needs to support your head and neck well enough. Something that can roll up into a reasonable neck support is fine, such as a thick fleece.
· Not supporting your head or sleeping in an awkward position, especially under the influence of alcohol, can bring on a stiff neck.
· Take a good quality camping mat with you. This can help prevent stiffness from having slept on a cold, hard floor.

Dancing all hours:
Prolonged dancing, especially if you’re not used to it, and if combined with mood enhancing substances, can put a strain on the body, which will not be realised until the following day. If it is a hot day and the ground is hard, dancing can become a high impact activity so your footwear needs to be able to cope with this. A cold, wet day can increase the risk of groin and hamstring strains from slipping in the mud.

A sudden increase in activity levels can sometimes prove too much for people unaccustomed to exercise. Dancing all night (perhaps with someone on your shoulders!) can seem fun at the time and make it easier to ignore an injury. So –

· Wear supportive, comfortable and waterproof shoes or trainers, preferably with high shock absorption.
· Those with chronic back conditions should avoid body surfing and crowd crushes at the front of stages.
· Be aware of your physical limitations and fitness level and use a little common sense without spoiling your fun!

Help for injuries and the PRICE principle:
If soft-tissue injuries do occur, drop in at the medical centres at the festivals where advice can be sought and injuries treated. The Festival Medical Services physiotherapy team (attending Glastonbury, The Glade and Reading festivals) can also provide information on where to seek follow-up treatment when you get home.

In the event of an injury to the lower body, FMS physiotherapists will have a good stock of crutches at the medical tents to use if you are having difficulty weight bearing.

If you are aware of the onset of a strain or sprain, the first line of treatment in general is PRICE –

Protection – support the injured part by taping or strapping to protect against further damage. Seek expert help and advice here, as poor strapping can make some injuries worse.

Rest – continuing to exercise a damaged muscle, joint or ligament can turn a minor problem into a major one. A rest from high-impact activity for the first 72 hours following injury helps promote healing – so stop dancing at once!

Ice – apply some ice (wrapped in a damp tea towel to prevent ice burns) immediately for 20-30 minutes and repeat every two hours. Reduce the time to 10-20 minutes if you are applying ice over a bony area like your ankle. Applying heat during the first 72 hours is not advisable.

Compression – a compression bandage will help reduce swelling. However, if applied too tightly the bandage can affect the healing process and make injuries last for longer. Make sure you use a stretchy bandage and don’t apply it too tightly. If unsure seek medical advice.

Elevation – elevate the injured part whenever possible. Ideally this should be above the level of your heart. If the injured area can be elevated do not apply compression at the same time.

Source: CSP

THEY'RE MINE!! ALL MINE!!! 

YAY! Two photohunts in a row! That's new, but I don't have any entry in between, MEH. I was too lazy to post again. Plus I don't get any opps/sponsored post assignments anymore, I wonder why. Anyway, this entry's theme is SHOES! This photo was taken at VNC, December of 2006 (this blog wasn't around yet) right after I got the (Christmas) bonus. My pals and I headed to the mall and burned holes in our wallets.

For more info on the mechanics of photohunt go here.

I thought only budget airlines offer FREE SEATS (Philippine Airlines came close with its 8-peso seat sale) , I was wrong and here is the reason. Malaysia Airlines (MH) is now offering its version of FREE SEATS to its ASEAN and domestic destinations. A roundtrip ticket from Manila to Kuala Lumpur (KL) or Kota Kinabalu (KK) will only cost you U$125 as of course you need to pay for the taxes and fuel surcharge on top of the FREE fare. By the way, this promotion is cheaper than the FREE seats sale last offered by Cebu Pacific as all MH tickets to Malaysia include the PHP1,620 travel tax. Not bad for a multi-awarded 5-star airline (according to Skytrax UK). In its truest sense, a return ticket to KL is less than PHP4,000.

If you want to go to KL to see the Petronas Twin Towers or KK to climb the tallest mountain in Southeast Asia or in any other city in Southeast Asia that you fancy then you will be ecstatic with this news. More than 1,000,000 seats are on sale which will only run up to June 3, 2008 for travel from July 1 to December 14, 2008. For example, if you want to go to Phuket, Bali or Cambodia you can make KL your stopover city and in the end you will save some extra cash rather than taking Philippine Airlines or Cebu Pacific and another booking another flight to those destinations.

Malaysia Airlines is a 5-star "legacy airline" so you can expect all the services and amenities that no budget airline in the world offers including the "best cabin staff in the world" (from the World Travel Awards). And besides, MH is a multi-awarded airline so this promotion is almost hard to be true. I already tried and tested MH on 4 occasions (KK-Brunei, Brunei-KK, KK-Labuan, Labuan-KK) and I'm satisfied with all of those trips.

this is me at Kota Kinabalu International Airport waiting for our Brunei flight via MH

The AARP Home Fit Guide provides information and tips to keep one’s home in top form for comfort, safety, and livability.  The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) has featured this in their website.

Nearly 9 out of 10 Americans age 50 and older say they want to stay in their homes and community for as long as possible, according to The AARP Home Fit Guide, a new 25-page booklet for consumers on home safety and livability.

AARP, the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) are continuing a collaboration that provides solutions to address this growing societal need. 

Many of the solutions are described in the Home Fit Guide, which covers everything from home safety tips to hiring a contractor. Occupational therapy is also prominently featured for its role in assessing the fit between the individual and his or her home environment. AOTA staff was invited to review and comment on the draft guide prior to its completion.

Read more »

Click here to download The AARP Home Fit Guide.

The internet is a treasure trove of information. There are several video clips on YouTube which feature different topics related to Occupational and Physcial Therapy. Recently, I have discovered this series of workshop summaries presented by Kid Sense, which provide private pediatric services in South Australia.

Below is a video clip on the topic of Occupational Therapy for Children.

Other videos by Kidsense worth watching are:
Making Sense of Sensory Integration
Getting Control of Your Engine
Sharpening up on Pencil Skills
Developing Control in Coordination
Organisation
Visual Cues

And while we are on the subject, here’s another one that talks also about Using Visual Cues to Promote Learning in Autism.

There is so much more available on YouTube so don’t hesitate to dig into the archives for your fill of videos.

Since I don’t frequent SM Southmall that often, this place could easily qualify as one of my most frequently visited places here. Particularly when I’m loaded with internet hungry equipment. In spite of its offerings food-wise, it still is a coffee shop at heart. But I don’t mind. Free WiFi and being allowed to use the convenience outlet is definitely welcome.

Half due to the internet conking-out last night and half due to the fact that it’s lunchtime, I decided to re-visit this cafe. Sure, being at school allows me to catch up on my mail. But it does have a lot of site-restrictions. Not to mention the ever-present mosquito swarm and the cats that won’t let you eat at all in peace.

Lunch is not too bad. Given, I do end up spending a bit more here than in others. But 250 pesos for a full meal is definitely not bad. Soup, pasta, dessert and a strawberry flavored smoothie for that amount isn’t bad considering the smoothie alone would cost a hundred on its own.

Pumpkin soup and the Strawberry Snow

Seafood pasta

Rocky Road brownie

Lunch aside, the browsing speeds are impressive for something free (especially for something free). Easily breaking the 100kB/s barrier for download and 50kB/s on upload. Granted, I’m not likely to spend THAT much time here. But a couple of hours ain’t too bad. Besides, the convenience outlet does let me spend a bit more time here than I normally could. Hopefully, it doesn’t start raining when I’m through with lunch.

Learn how to advance your child’s emotional, social and intellectual capacities and develop higher level symbolic play and abstract thinking. Developed by Dr. Stanley Greenspan, Floortime is an effective therapeutic, affect-based developmental model that has been successful in encouraging children on the spectrum to interact and engage in relationships while enhancing motor planning, communication, abstract reasoning and problem solving skills.

Parents, therapists and educators are invited to discover how Floortime can foster early stages of engagement and purposeful communication in children with regulatory and developmental challenges. Designed to be effective in both home and school- or center-based programs, Floortime and the DIR model help create healthy foundations for social, emotional and intellectual growth.

Topics to be covered include:

• Understanding the basic principles of Floortime and the DIR Model;
• Encouraging affect-based developmentally appropriate interactions for children with various sensory and developmental profiles;
• Maintaining a continuous flow of interaction;
• Opening and closing circles of communication;
• Encouraging initiative, shared attention and social engagement;
• Advancing purposeful behavior and problem solving;
• Video illustrations of parent-child interactions, therapist-child interactions and parent coaching;
• Dealing with typical Floortime challenges including “stuck” moments when dealing with avoidance, frustration, tantrums, aggression, fears and anxiety.

Presented by Lorraine Ehlers-Flint, PhD

When and Where
Friday, June 20th, 2008 at Greenville Community Church
270 Ardsley Road, Scarsdale, NY, USA
9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Registration begins at 8:30.
Lunch is included.

Fees
Members - $50 / Non-Members - $100
Need based scholarships available.

This event is limited to 50 participants only so early registration is encouraged. You may download the registration form here.

Source: Navigating the Spectrum

Did you know that improper bike fit can lead to pain and injury risk? Well, it does. The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) is urging cyclists to help lower their risk of injury by ensuring that their bicycles are fitted properly. This is in conjunction with the recently celebrated National Bike to Work Day held last May 16.

APTA member Erik Moen, PT, CSCS, a Seattle-based “Elite Level” coach through the United States Cycling Federation, says that saddle heights that are either too high or too low, handlebar reach that is either too long or too short, and misalignments of the pedal and shoe are the most common bike fit errors which lead to pain and injury. The following are his recommendations to ensure proper bike fit:

Saddle. Be sure that the saddle is level. If you are sliding too far forward from a forward-tilting saddle, too much weight is being placed on your hands, arms, and lower back. If the seat is tilted backwards, you may place undue strain on your lower back and possibly experience saddle-related pain. A physical therapist can measure proper saddle height by measuring knee angle at the most extended position of the knee in common pedaling.

Handlebars. Handlebar position will affect hand, shoulder, neck, and back comfort. The higher the handlebars, the more weight will be placed on the saddle. Generally, taller riders should have lower handlebars in relation to the height of the saddle. Moen notes that riders should re-examine their bicycle fit after bad falls or crashes, due to possible re-orientation of handlebars, brakehoods, cleats, or the saddle.

Knee to Pedal. A physical therapist also can measure the angle of the knee to the pedal. The closer the angle is to 35 degrees, the better function the cyclist will have and with less stress on the knee.

Foot to Pedal. The ball of the foot should be positioned over the pedal spindle for the best leverage, comfort, and efficiency, Moen notes. A stiff-soled shoe is best for comfort and performance. Pedaling is a skilled activity that requires aerobic conditioning,” Moen says. “You should make it your goal to work toward pedaling at 80-90 revolutions per minute (advanced at 90-105 rpm). Pedaling at this rate will lessen your chance of injury.”

According to Moen, one’s physical condition is also a factor in preventing pain and injury when riding a bike.

“Good flexibility of the hamstrings, quadriceps, and gluteal muscles is crucial because these muscles generate the majority of the pedaling force and must ideally move through the pedal-stroke in 80-90 revolutions per minute.” He adds, “Proper stretching, balance, and flexibility exercises help with coordination of cycling-related skills such as breaking and cornering.” Moen also cautions that changes in riders’ strength and flexibility affect the ability to attain certain positions on the bicycle and also may require them to re-examine their bike fit.

The APTA is happy to provide tips and other related infomation on proper bike fit and preventing bike-related injuries as well as stretching exercises for cyclists via their consumer page.

Source: APTA

The World Health Organization is calling on everyone to celebrate World No Tobacco Day on May 31 with the theme “Tobacco- Free Youth.”

The focus
Globally, most people start smoking before the age of 18, and almost a quarter of these individuals begin using tobacco before the age of 10. The younger children are when they first try smoking, the more likely they are to become regular tobacco users and the less likely they are to quit.

It is clearly proven that exposure to direct and indirect pro-tobacco advertising, together with other marketing strategies used by the tobacco industry, leads to an increase in experimentation by young people and, in turn, to the very real risk of their becoming regular users of tobacco products. The tobacco industry spends tens of billions of dollars worldwide every year to effectively market its products in as many ways as possible.

In response to this threat to young people, this year’s World No Tobacco Day campaign focuses on the following main message:

One of the most effective ways countries can protect young people from experimenting and becoming regular tobacco users is to ban all forms of direct and indirect tobacco advertising, including promotion of tobacco products and sponsorship, by the tobacco industry, of any events or activities. 

WHY DO WE NEED TO CAMPAIGN FOR A TOTAL BAN ON TOBACCO ADVERTISING, PROMOTION AND SPONSORSHIP?

• Because about half the children of the world live in countries that do not ban free distribution of tobacco products to them.
• Because only total and comprehensive bans can be effective in reducing tobacco consumption.
• Because national-level studies before and after advertising bans found a decline in tobacco consumption of up to 16%.
• Because partial bans have little or no impact on demand since advertising can be switched to alternative media.

Direct and indirect tobacco advertising is conducted in numerous ways via: television; radio; Internet; magazines; banners, posters and hoardings; direct mail; coupons; sweepstake offers; brand stretching; brand loyalty programs; sponsorship of sports; sponsorship of specialized entertainment events in popular youth locations such as bars and clubs; and controlled circulation magazines distributed to those on the tobacco industry’s large mailing list.

Source: WHO

Skittles! And my slippers!

I miss eating Skittles. Gone are the days when vendo machines were everywhere back where I live and filled with Skittles (and other candies) and cost only .15 cents. Americanized Olongapo! But you can now get them at 7eleven stores for, I dunno, 30 pesos? Wow, I miss doing the photohunt too! Its been two months since my last entry. Haha

 For more info on the mechanics of photohunt go here.

People are not only enjoying the games on their Nintendo Wii Console at home. Now it has also gained popularity in retirement homes and clinics. There is a cool video clip on USA Today, which features the use of the Nintendo Wii in the Occupational Therapy Section of the Walter Reed Army Medical Center as part of their treatment programs.

Retirement communities, where residents are typically 60 and older, are using the system to energize their social scene. Hospitals have begun making the Wii part of rehabilitation regimens. And the Army is trying out the Wii for therapy at its Landstuhl, Germany, medical center and Walter Reed Hospital.

Physical rehab clinics have used computer and video games for many years, says Laurel Cargill Radley of the American Occupational Therapy Association, but the Wii “uses much more complex and much broader use of movement. … It’s like a simulation machine.”

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