WALK TALL! The Newsletter April-June 2008

NEW IN 2007

Special Seminar

 

Products

SARA MEEKS SEMINARS offers several products designed to enhance your practice and to educate you and your patients on the condition of osteoporosis and its physical therapy management. Listed below are some of the products we offer along with a short explanation of what it is and how to use it.

To order products, please visit the registration page.

  • The Physical Therapy Management of Bone Health --
    A Clinician's Guide

    The World's Osteoporosis Time Bomb is Ticking.1
    ARE YOU PREPARED?

    NOW AVAILABLE! THE FIRST GUIDE ON THE MANAGEMENT OF BONE HEALTH FOR CLINICIANS! Focused primarily on The Meeks Method, a 12-point comprehensive approach to bone health, this booklet includes information on Pre-Assessment Screening, Patient Assessment and Education, Site-Specific Exercise, Body Mechanics, Postural Correction, Balance, Weight-Bearing Exercise, Bracing, Breathing, Relaxation, Modalities, as well as Advanced Exercises with guidelines for the Gym, Yoga and Pilates.

    In addition, there is information on special populations such as Pediatrics and the Physically Frail. The Meeks Method has proven to be a very successful program for the management of osteoporosis and bone health and is based heavily on principles of movement and exercise substantiated in the research literature.     1 World Health Organization 2003

  • WALK TALL! An Exercise Program for the Prevention and Treatment of Osteoporosis by Sara Meeks, PT, MS, GCS.
    This 96 page book was written especially for the public although it has been reported to be of use to clinicians also. Well illustrated and described, it contains exercises and movement guidelines SAFE for persons with osteoporosis. Although it might not contain everything that someone can do for this condition, everything in the book has been selected for safety. Included are Site-specific Exercises, Postural Correction, Balance, Gait, Activities of Daily Living, Scapular Strengthening with Resistance Band and Guidelines for other Activities and Gym programs.


  • STAND TALL! Every Woman's Guide to the Treatment of Osteoporosis by Morris Notelovitz, M.D.
    Another book written specifically for the public, this book is full of information on osteoporosis itself, bone density testing, along with information on nutrition and medications. There are two chapters on exercise which Sara Meeks either wrote or edited.

  • PATIENT EDUCATION DVD
    This DVD contains three video recordings:

    #1 Patient Education shows Sara Meeks with a model of the skeleton explaining what osteoporosis is, giving information on bone density testing and, most importantly, what can be done about it from a movement and exercise perspective. Contraindicated exercises are also explained.
    #2 Basic Exercises shows Sara Meeks working with a patient who has been diagnosed with osteoporosis and demonstrating the basic exercises in her program.
    #3 Postural Correction, Balance, Gait shows Sara Meeks working with two different patients, both diagnosed with osteoporosis, and demonstrating exercises to improve body alignment, balance and walking.

  • PAIN ALGOMETER
    This simple tool, based on a 0-10 scale, is designed to measure pain intensity and unpleasantness. It is a handy tool which will help objectify the subjective phenomenon of pain.

  • MULTI-LOOPED STRETCH-OUT STRAP
    This strap is made of a tough webbing material and can be used for assisted stretching of nearly any joint of the body. With this strap, stretching can be more specific and also accomplished without strain.

  • FOAM ROLLERS
    Foam rollers can be used to improve spinal alignment, balance and also by the therapist as an assistive tool for stretching of the hip and knee in side-lying position. These rollers come in soft, medium and firm densities and in many different lengths and diameters. Contact SARA MEEKS SEMINARS to speak to Sara Meeks regarding their use.

  • EZ POSTURE PILLOW
    The EZ Posture Pillow has been designed to support the pelvis in seated Yoga postures and other exercise. Although the original intent of the design was as a meditation pillow, it can be used in a standard chair, wheelchair, on board an airplane, in your car etc.—basically, any place you sit.

    It has a recess in the back for the ischial tuberosities (SITS Bones) and a bump in the front for the pubic symphysis ("P" Bone.) This unique design supports the pelvis in a neutral position thus giving more support for the back. With pressure on the bump in the front, the pelvis is tilted forward thereby helping to protect the natural lordotic curve of the lumbar spine.

    Combine correct seating on the EZ Posture Pillow with elongation of the spine by lifting up through the manubrium bone ("M" bone) and you are seated in the Perch Posture which strengthens the back extensors.

    Each individually hand-made EZ Posture Pillow comes with a re-moveable, washable cover.

  • EZ POSTURE STRAP
    The EZ Posture Strap consists of a single triangular piece that fits on the back between the shoulder blades, two looped straps that fit over each shoulder, cross in the back (within the triangular piece) with a handle at the end. Pictured to the right is the EZ Posture Strap in the starting position and in the finished position.

    The EZ Posture Strap is NOT a brace. It is designed to be an exercise tool, an easy-to-use device that you can throw into your workout bag and carry with you to the gym or keep it handy at home for your home exercise program.

    Its unique action pulls the shoulder blades down and in, thereby stabilizing the shoulder girdle for cervical and shoulder exercises.

    Available in 3 sizes by chest measurement:
    S (28"-34") M (35" - 42") L (43" - 52")

    Comes with instruction for use.

To order products, please visit the registration page.