Ando and Aston Physical Therapy Blog

ScienceDaily (Jan. 19, 2012) — Romauld Lepers and Thomas Cattagni, Inserm researchers at the Université de Bourgogone, have analysed changes in participation and performance of runners aged 20 to 80 in the New York marathon over the last 30 years. The results are largely unexpected: the best male marathon runners over 65 and the best female marathon runners over 45 have consistently improved their performance over the last 30 years. At the same time, the researchers also observed a strong increase in athletes over 40 participating in the New York marathon: from 36% of the total masculine runners between 1980-1989, to 53% between 2000-2009; and from 24 to 40% during the same periods for female runners.

Inserm researchers analysed the finish times of competitors in the New York marathon in accordance with age and sex over the 1980-2009 period. They classified runners who successfully completed he race into 10 separate age categories (20-29; 30-39; then every 5 years from between 40 and 79).

Although the average times achieved by the 10 best male and female athletes in age categories below 60-64 have not changed over the last 30 years, there was a sharp decrease in times for the senior age categories: for an average marathon time achieved of 3 hours and 50 minutes, men in the 65-69 age category improved by 8 minutes between 1980-1989 and 1990-1999, and 7 minutes between 1990-1999 and 2000-2009. Similarly, the average time achieved by women in age categories above 45-49 fell significantly. For example, the average performance for the 55-59 age category improved by 33 minutes between 1980-1989 and 1990-1999 (for an average race time of 4 hours and 20 minutes), and by 8 minutes between 1990-1999 and 2000-2009.

The researchers have thus concluded that, over the last two decades, the performances of the best male marathon runners over 65 and the best female marathon runners over 45 have particularly improved, whereas their younger counterparts have remained stable.

“The improved performances can be explained by the increased number of participants in these age categories, as well as the increased interest this age population has in terms of the benefits of physical activity on health and well being” says Romuald Lepers.

In recent years, the gap in performance between men and women has stabilized, in all age categories, suggesting that the decline in physiological functions with age is similar for both sexes. For the researchers, this initial data on athletes over 40, combined with new physiology and sociology data, will lead to improved understanding of the role physical exercise has in “aging well.”

Comments from Dr. Art Ando: Aging well means moving well, running is only an example. See the full story and related stories at sciencedaily.com

A new study by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Center for Injury Research and Policy and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) documents a need for increased injury prevention efforts in many of the most popular activities for kids (walking, bicycling, swimming, sports and playground use) in the United States. Injury is the leading cause of death for young people in the U.S., yet many public health efforts to promote physical activity in kids do not consider the numerous available strategies to incorporate injury prevention.

The report, published online in the journal Health and Place, outlines how injury prevention and child obesity professionals can work together to prevent injury while promoting active lifestyles in kids.

“Many of the activities currently recommended to reduce obesity in kids are also the leading causes of activity-related injury,” explained lead study author Keshia Pollack, PhD, an assistant professor with the Johns Hopkins Center for Injury Research and Policy. “There are many behavioral, environmental and policy approaches proven to make exercise activities safer for kids, which we outline in our study.”

For example, efforts are underway at the federal, state and local levels to increase the number of kids who walk to school; kids who walk to/from school each day are more likely to meet their daily recommended level of physical activity than kids who do not and, over time, walking or biking to school helps children develop an early habit of engaging in physical activity. The researchers note, however, that while pedestrian injury is the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among U.S. children ages 5 to 14, many effective interventions exist to improve pedestrian safety, particularly changes to the built environment such as traffic-calming measures (i.e., speed humps, traffic circles) and enforcement of traffic laws.

“The key is breaking down the silos so injury prevention is incorporated into strategies to increase physical activity,” said Pollack. “The goal should be to maximize the benefits of physical activity programs and avoid the possible unintended consequences of increased injury.”

The researchers cite Sweden as an example of such integration: In 1954, a national program for child safety was established. “Biking and walking provide great exercise and health benefits. We also know that wearing helmets while biking and building safe pedestrian paths can help prevent injuries,” said David Sleet, PhD, associate director of science, CDC Injury Center’s Division of Unintentional Injury Prevention. “It’s taking that one extra step to build safety into physical activity that helps reduce injury risks.”

Comments from Dr. Art Ando: I love reports such as this. Positive and helpful science. See the full story and related stories at sciencedaily.com

ScienceDaily (Nov. 29, 2011) – Women in their 40s with no family history of breast cancer are just as likely to develop invasive breast cancer as are women with a family history of the disease, according to a study presented November 29 at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). These findings indicate that women in this age group would benefit from annual screening mammography.
The breast cancer screening guidelines issued by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force in November 2009 sparked a controversy among physicians, patient advocacy groups and the media. Much of the debate centered on the recommendation against routine annual mammography screening for women in their 40s.

“We believe this study demonstrates the importance of mammography screening for women in this age group, which is in opposition to the recommendations issued by the task force,” said Stamatia V. Destounis, M.D., radiologist and managing partner of Elizabeth Wende Breast Care, LLC, in Rochester, N.Y.

For the study, Dr. Destounis and colleagues performed a retrospective review to identify the number and type of cancers diagnosed among women between the ages of 40 and 49 — with and without a family history of breast cancer — who underwent screening mammography at Elizabeth Wende Breast Care from 2000 to 2010. The researchers then compared the number of cancers, incidence of invasive disease and lymph node metastases between the two groups.

Of the 1,071 patients in the 40 — 49 age group with breast cancer, 373 were diagnosed as a result of screening. Of that 373, 39 percent had a family history of breast cancer, and 61 percent had no family history of breast cancer. In the family history group, 63.2 percent of the patients had invasive disease, and 36.8 percent had noninvasive disease. In the no family history group, 64 percent of the patients had invasive disease, and 36 percent had noninvasive disease. The respective lymph node metastatic rates were 31 percent and 29 percent.

“In the 40 — 49 age group, we found a significant rate of breast cancer and similar rates of invasive disease in women with and without family history,” Dr. Destounis said. “Additionally, we found the lymph node metastatic rate was similar.”

According to Dr. Destounis, these results underscore the importance of early detection and annual screening mammography for women between the ages of 40 and 49 whether or not they have a family history of breast cancer.

Coauthors are Jenny Song, M.D., Posy Seifert, D.O., Philip Murphy, M.D., Patricia Somerville, M.D., Wende Logan-Young, M.D., Andrea Arieno, B.S., and Renee Morgan, R.T.

ScienceDaily (Nov. 3, 2011) — A new study indicates that many patients undergoing spine surgery have low levels of vitamin D, which may delay their recovery.
In a study of 313 patients undergoing spinal fusion surgery, orthopaedic surgeons at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis found that more than half had inadequate levels of vitamin D, including one-fourth who were more severely deficient. The researchers report their findings at the 26th Annual Meeting of the North American Spine Society. The study was chosen as one of the meeting’s best papers.
“Our findings suggest it may be worthwhile to screen surgery patients for vitamin D,” says Jacob M. Buchowski, MD, the study’s principal investigator. “We think those with insufficient levels of vitamin D may benefit from taking 50,000 international units of the vitamin once a week for eight weeks before surgery as this may help the recovery after spinal fusion surgery.”
Vitamin D helps with calcium absorption, and patients with a deficiency can have difficulty producing new bone. They are at risk for a condition called osteomalacia. Unlike osteoporosis or osteopenia, which result from low bone mineral density, osteomalacia interferes with new bone formation.
All the patients in the study had spinal fusion surgery. In that procedure, surgeons remove discs between two or more vertebrae. The bones in the spine are then attached with hardware and treated with growth factors. As the spine heals, new bone begins to form, and the vertebrae fuse together.
Low vitamin D levels are known to be common in elderly patients. Surprisingly in this study, the patients most likely to have inadequate levels of the bone-building vitamin were younger.
“We rarely think about deficiency in younger patients,” Buchowski says. “More of the older patients in this study had a history of taking supplements, and as a result, they had less risk for vitamin D deficiency than younger patients.”
Although an earlier study had shown inadequate vitamin D levels in 43 percent of patients undergoing orthopedic procedures, this is the first look solely at spine surgery patients.
Sun exposure is one of the best ways to get the body to produce vitamin D. He also recommends that if they are not getting enough vitamin D, patients consume dairy products fortified with the vitamin and begin taking a vitamin D supplement prior to and following surgery.
To maintain bone health and normal calcium metabolism, the Institute of Medicine established a recommended daily allowance (RDA) for vitamin D of 600 international units. Buchowski says patients should work with their doctors to determine what supplemental level is appropriate for them.
Comments from Art: Complications from hardware failure are nightmares for all involved. We do see several spine surguries each month for post surgical rehabilitation that have hardware stabilization. I think such a simple screening and pre-surgical recommendation for Vitamin D management is an easy concept to embrace. Actual implementation by surgeons and patients will be the key.
Dr Art Ando
Comprehensive Physical Therapist

Hi All,
I get this great feed from Science Daily on Women’s Health, and I thought I would share. Please browse through the titles and go to the Science Daily site for the detailed articles:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/health_medicine/women’s_health/
Posted November 1-11, 2011
New Target Identified to Stop the Spread of Breast Cancer
Dairy Foods May Improve Bone Health During Diet and Exercise in Overweight Premenopausal Women
Novel Technique Switches Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells to Hormone-Receptor Positive Cells
Skin ‘Sees’ UV Light, Starts Producing Pigment
Low Vitamin D Common in Spine Surgery Patients; Deficiency May Hinder Recovery
Low Levels of Alcohol Consumption Associated With Small Increased Risk of Breast Cancer, Study Finds
Vitamin D Study Suggests No Mortality Benefit for Older Women
Depression Linked to Breast Cancer Outcomes
High Levels of Master Heat Shock Protein Linked to Poor Prognosis in Breast Cancer Patients
No Higher Risk of Breast Cancer for Women Who Don’t Have BRCA Mutation but Have Relatives Who Do
Best,
Dr. Art Ando
Comprehensive Physical Therapist
“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.” – Albert Einstein

ScienceDaily (Oct. 24, 2011) — Yoga classes were linked to better back-related function and diminished symptoms from chronic low back pain in the largest U.S. randomized controlled trial of yoga to date, published by the Archives of Internal Medicine as an “Online First” article on October 24. But so were intensive stretching classes.
“We found yoga classes more effective than a self-care book — but no more effective than stretching classes,” said study leader Karen J. Sherman, PhD, MPH, a senior investigator at Group Health Research Institute. Back-related function was better and symptoms were diminished with yoga at 12 weeks; and clinically important benefits, including less use of pain medications, lasted at least six months for both yoga and stretching, with thorough follow-up of more than nine in 10 participants. Participants in the trial typically had moderate — not severe — back pain and relatively good mental health, and most had been at least somewhat active before the trial started.
The class participants received instructional videos and were encouraged to practice at home for 20 minutes a day between their weekly classes. Interviewers who didn’t know the patients’ treatment assignments assessed their back-related function and pain symptoms at six weeks, 12 weeks, and six months. The type of yoga used in the trial, called viniyoga, adapts the principles of yoga for each individual and physical condition, with modifications for people with physical limitations. The yoga classes also used breathing exercises, with a deep relaxation at the end.
“Our results suggest that both yoga and stretching can be good, safe options for people who are willing to try physical activity to relieve their moderate low back pain,” Dr. Sherman concluded. “But it’s important for the classes to be therapeutically oriented, geared for beginners, and taught by instructors who can modify postures for participants’ individual physical limitations.”
Commentary from Dr. Ando: Studies like this support what we already know, that there are safe options for people with back pain. The similarities between yoga and stretching invite comparison, the intersection is guided, safe movement. At Ando & Aston Physical Wellness Therapy we do offer therapeutic oriented yoga, and guided stretching in each of our private or small group Pilates Mat, Body Rolling, and Gyrokinesis sessions. Stretching is also part of the Pilates/Ballet barre conditioning workout and Tai Chi classes. Please come and let our experienced, attentive instructors guide you to health.
Visualize Health and Move Towards It
Dr. Art Ando
Comprehensive Physical Therapist

We are proud to announce that Patty Morita Nagai PT WCS, board certified in Women’s Health is rejoining the Women’s Health team at Ando & Aston Physical Wellness Therapy. Patty and I started the Women’s Health program in the mid 1990’s, and with her experience, we plan on developing the BEST Women’s Health Program in Orange County! Stay tuned, we have quite a few things in the works…
Welcome back Patty!
Best,
Dr. Art Ando
Comprehensive Physical Therapist,

My life started to improve the moment I was referred to the Ando and Aston Physical Wellness Therapy in Anaheim Hills.

I’m a 59 yr. old dance teacher, yoga practitioner and ballet student, working around or refusing to give in to chronic pain. I have suffered low back pain for 19 years and, these last 4 months, such debilitating knee pain that I had to give up yoga altogether.

I found an orthopedic physician who works with dancers, Dr. Chris Koutures using the internet. Luckily for me he referred me to Dr. Art Ando, Physical Therapist. Before the first session was over, I had complete confidence in his ability to assess my entire physical nature and root out the sources of not just the knee pain, but chronic tightness and imbalances I had developed over my lifetime, Dr. Ando, Dr. James Sposa and the entire staff were able to educate and encourage me to move with better awareness of habitual patterns contributing to chronic problems. They took into account the shoes I wear, the way I walk, sleep, sit and warm-up and stretch for dance. Many things needed changing for better alignment and a more stable pelvis.

These last 5 weeks I have made tremendous improvements. My knee pain is gone. My spine is straight for the first time in decades. The relentless tightness in the stabilizing muscles throughout my low back, pelvis and front of the thighs is slowly letting go. I could not have achieved this without the persistent guidance of Dr. Ando and staff. Thanks to them I can move ahead with my fall teaching schedule in better condition and with invaluable information to teach my students.

I intend to spend the rest of my life living and dancing with greater efficiency, proper alignment and more effortless balance thanks to having been a patient of the Ando and Aston Physical Wellness Therapy.

Sincerely, Barbara Macurda

COMMENTS FROM ART ANDO DPT

Barbara’s story is one I never grow tired of. The 5-Step Functional Approach (viewable in the ‘For PT’S section of our andoaston.comwebsite) I used to help Barbara was intended to NOT miss any of the factors involved in her pain and functional loss, and was actually developed for patients like her. We are all very happy for Barbara. I know she will continue to be an inspirational advocate of Physical Therapy and the Wellness knowledge she has gained for many years to come.

Dr. Art Ando

Comprehensive Physical Therapist

 

Shannon Hennigar will be offering Acupuncture 4 days a week at Ando & Aston Physical Wellness Therapy. Pain relief, Health and Wellness can be had through Acupuncture M-W-F and now Tuesdays! Call before she books up!

“Over my career, I have tested numerous fruits, including figs, dates, strawberries and raisins, and none of them come anywhere close to having the effect on bone density that dried plums, or prunes, have,” said Bahram H. Arjmandi, Florida State’s Margaret A. Sitton Professor and chairman of the Department of Nutrition, Food and Exercise Sciences in the College of Human Sciences. “All fruits and vegetables have a positive effect on nutrition, but in terms of bone health, this particular food is exceptional.”

Arjmandi and a group of researchers from Florida State and Oklahoma State University tested two groups of postmenopausal women. Over a 12-month period, the first group, consisting of 55 women, was instructed to consume 100 grams of dried plums (about 10 prunes) each day, while the second — a comparative control group of 45 women — was told to consume 100 grams of dried apples. All of the study’s participants also received daily doses of calcium (500 milligrams) and vitamin D (400 international units).

The group that consumed dried plums had significantly higher bone mineral density in the ulna (one of two long bones in the forearm) and spine, in comparison with the group that ate dried apples. This, according to Arjmandi, was due in part to the ability of dried plums to suppress the rate of bone resorption, or the breakdown of bone, which tends to exceed the rate of new bone growth as people age.

The group’s research, was published in the British Journal of Nutrition. Arjmandi conducted the research with his graduate students Shirin Hooshmand, Sheau C. Chai and Raz L. Saadat of the College of Human Sciences; Dr. Kenneth Brummel-Smith, Florida State’s Charlotte Edwards Maguire Professor and chairman of the Department of Geriatrics in the College of Medicine; and Oklahoma State University statistics Professor Mark E. Payton.

In the United States, about 8 million women have osteoporosis because of the sudden cessation of ovarian hormone production at the onset of menopause. What’s more, about 2 million men also have osteoporosis.

“In the first five to seven postmenopausal years, women are at risk of losing bone at a rate of 3 to 5 percent per year,” Arjmandi said. “However, osteoporosis is not exclusive to women and, indeed, around the age of 65, men start losing bone with the same rapidity as women.”

Arjmandi encourages people who are interested in maintaining or improving their bone health to take note of the extraordinarily positive effect that dried plums have on bone density.

 ”Don’t wait until you get a fracture or you are diagnosed with osteoporosis and have to have prescribed medicine,” Arjmandi said. “Do something meaningful and practical beforehand. People could start eating two to three dried plums per day and increase gradually to perhaps six to 10 per day. Prunes can be eaten in all forms and can be included in a variety of recipes.”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture funded Arjmandi’s research. The California Dried Plum Board provided the dried plums for the study, as well as some funding to measure markers of oxidative stress.