Opinions and Reviews

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

The aging population, the trend towards increased physical exercise, along with the stress many young athletes place on their body have combined to increase the demand for physical therapists in the U.S. and Canada. In fact as early as 1990, the market for equipment, supplies and services reached 2.2 billion per year. The industry has been growing ever since as people become more interested in overcoming health problems.

According to information provided by the Bureau of Labour Statistics in the United States over 160,000 Americans are Physical Therapists. Physical Therapists also earn a median annual wage of $69,760 with some of the highest wage earners earning above $120,000 annually.

With that in mind all of you who are interested in getting yourself started in this fulfilling and lucrative career there are 10 things you will need to get started.

The Winco 850CD Steel Frame Therapy Table, is a great solution for offices without much storage. With 2 shelves and 2 drawers all of your supplies will be on hand and organized when you need them. This treatment table is strong and can hold up to 400 pounds. Its stable design allows for its use for any type of treatment.

If it is an adjustable treatment table you are searching for, look no further than the Proluxe PT 300. This treatment table with a flexible top and leg adjustments allows you to offer treatments for a variety of different people while assuring the utmost comfort.

This mega capacity cooling unit is ideal for your busy practice, athletic training department or emergency room. The C-6 ColPac Chilling Unit comes decked out with 12 standard size ColPacs and its specially designed interior chills your packs faster with the use of a heavy duty compressor.

The 2793k Intelect Legend lives up to its name. The Legend offers users 7 different waveforms and 2 standard channels. It also comes complete with an on-board data management system which stores comprehensive patient pain profiles, generate electrode placement diagrams as well as help to ensure consistent patient care.

This 105 gallon Lo-Boy whirlpool is ideal for your patient?s rehabilitation. Constructed with a heavy gage stainless steel it provides both strength and durability. The turbine motor provides a soothing, cleansing and relaxing treatment and has a built in thermal overload protector. The M4 Hydrocollator is Source 1 medicals largest mobile Hydrocollator. Its extra large insulated tank comes complete with 24 standard Hotpacs. Made from high quality stainless steel it has an almost indefinite lifespan. The design of this Hyrdocollator makes maintenance hassle free.

The Twin Stim Plus digital offers 4 channels of portable digital electrotherapy. It features 3 modes of TENS and 3 modes of EMS and offers the use of 8 electrodes simultaneously. This unit would be ideal for use at home or in your clinic.

The standard size ColPac is an absolute necessity for anyone starting out in a Physical Therapy clinic. The standard 11″x 14″ size offers effective cold therapy regardless of the area or shape of the injury.

The 2795K Intelect Legend XT’s 4 channel combination system with cart offers unparalleled value to any owner. With the use of 7 different wave forms as well as a 5″ high contrast LCD screen and on board patient data management system each day is sure to be a breeze.

The 1006 Standard Size HotPac allows you to warm away all that ales you by applying this hydrocollator moist heat hot pack. This 10″x 12″ size has been used since 1947 by thousands of doctors and physical therapists to treat patients. Once heated up the hydrocollator provides up to 30 minutes of deep, soothing moist heat.

*wage statistics for Physical Therapists found at: http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291123.htm

Tweet This Post 

Nearly everyone uses some sort of skin care these days. With new awareness of how our skin ages, many people have discovered that they do need to use some sort of skin care. Unfortunately, there are a lot of low quality skin care products out there that claim to do amazing things, but never deliver. Jurlique skin care products are just the opposite.

This line of skin care products has a lot to offer and the reviews are positive . . . Jurlique really does produce results. Here are just ten reasons why you might want to consider using this particular skin care line.

1. Jurlique products are made with organic herbs and ingredients that are all natural. There are no harsh chemicals to further damage your skin, just wholesome goodness.

2. The line of skin care products has various options formulated for every skin type. You just need to determine what kind of skin you have and then choose the appropriate product to meet your needs. It`s important to use lotions, etc. that are made for your skin type or you will end up with dryer skin and more blemishes.

3. If you are tired of overly competitive beauty companies that only care about cash . . . Jurlique is a breath of fresh air. Focusing on sustainable practices and biodynamic beauty, they really stand out from the crowd.

4. Got wrinkles? While wrinkles may be a natural part of aging, that doesn’t mean you have to let them take over your face too early . . . Jurlique provides natural wrinkle removers that smooth out your skin and keep you looking younger.

5. Combination skin can be very difficult to treat, with patches of dry skin in amongst the oily areas. However, Jurlique offers specially formulated skin care products to help with that problem and to get your skin back into balance.

6. Many cosmetic companies buy any old ingredients and turn it into something for your face, but Jurlique actually grows their own herbs and flowers to use in their products. The entire process takes place on their farms, so each natural, organic ingredient is carefully monitored from seed. This ensures top quality ingredients.

7. If you suffer from sensitive skin and find that regular skin care products tend to make your face break out and irritate the skin, then you will need something gentle. Since natural skin care products don’t use harsh chemicals, existing problems have the chance to clear up, rather than be aggravated.

8. Reduce blemishes the natural way. Rather than applying acids and chemicals to your problem areas, use herbs to soothe the skin naturally and moisturize while minimizing the blemishes. Most skin care lines do one or the other, but Jurlique combines tasks in their creams, meaning you get more for your money.

9. For anyone who wants their facial products to be good enough to eat . . . Jurlique offers yummy natural ingredients like honey, mint and chamomile, among other healthy types. These are all great for your skin and all natural.

10. Beyond skin care products, this line extends to hair treatments and other areas of beauty, as well. So, if you like their creams and lotions, you can start using everything from the same company, all made with the same quality ingredients.

It`s important to put products you trust on your skin. When it comes to treating problems like wrinkles and blemishes, it`s definitely not a good idea to be using lotions full of damaging chemicals that may only aggravate the issue. Opt for natural and organic and you`ll find that your skin does far better.

Tweet This Post 

Whenever you are buying health insurance it is very important that you ask several specific questions about a medical insurance quote in order to ensure that you get the right cover at the best price. Below we look at 10 questions which you should always ask:

Question 1. What out of pocket expenses and deductible are there? No health insurance plan will cover one hundred percent of your medical expenses and you will normally have to pay a deductible before your insurance company will pay out anything at all and will also ask you to meet certain other expenses.

Question 2. What health screenings and examinations does the plan include? Health plans vary considerably when it comes to preventative care and you will have to look to see what screening tests are covered. For example, does the plan cover all family members including babies, children and adults and provide such things as breast examinations, mammograms and pap smears?

Question 3. Is specialist care and referrals covered? When you require a referral to a specialist this might or might not be covered and, if it is covered, might have restrictions placed upon that cover.

Question 4. How does the plan treat emergency care and hospitalization? In some cases you will find that both emergency care and hospitalization will only be covered when they are pre-approved and you must fully understand the conditions under which this form of treatment is covered.

Question 5. What prescriptions costs are covered by the plan? You will have to check out any accompanying prescription plan carefully to determine which drugs are covered and the extent to which you might be required to meet part of the cost of any prescription drugs.

Question 6. Are both vision and dental care covered? In a lot of cases medical insurance plans will not cover vision and dental care and these then have to be covered under separate plans.

Question 7. Are psychiatric services, psychotherapy or mental health services covered? Although a lot of medical plans will provide cover for mental illness in its various different form cover is frequently limited and you will normally find that there is a limit to the amount of cover provided.

Question 8. Is hospital, home health and nursing home care covered? Although most plans will offer reasonably good hospital cover you will have to look carefully at just what cover is provided for home health and nursing home care.

Question 9. Is physical therapy and rehabilitative care covered? Health insurance plans will frequently separate out initial treatment and follow-up rehabilitative care and physical therapy and so it is essential to determine exactly what is and what is not covered.

Question 10. Is alternative care covered? As an increasing number of people turn to alternative forms of treatment like acupuncture or holistic treatments insurers are increasingly including cover for such treatments. It is however still early days for alternative treatment and, should this be a form of treatment which you wish to take advantage of, you will need to check to see to what extent it is covered.

The ten questions here are important when you are considering any health insurance quote but you might wish to include other items to your own list like how much paperwork is involved when making a claim under the plan and how much choice you will have in terms of hospitals, doctors and other care facilities. The most important thing however is to ensure that you fully understand just what cover you are getting and how much it will cost before signing an application for cover.

Tweet This Post 

If you are a mom or dad with a young child and you are an avid jogger, inline skater or power walker (or want to be) and you want to be outdoors and stay fit with your baby you can still do it. More and more families are considering a baby jogging stroller. Times have changed – baby strollers used to be for gentle walks in the park. Not anymore – baby jogging strollers are here to stay – helping moms and dads stay fit and get fit. There are lots of strollers to choose from – so it is not easy to decide. Here are 10 things that will help you to decide which one is best for you.

1. Lighter the better. The stroller you choose should weigh less than 25 pounds. Strollers are made with either aluminum frames or metal tube frames. The lightest ones are those that have an aluminium frame. Not only are aluminum frames much lighter but they are also stronger and longer lasting.

2. Stroller wheels. The stroller you choose should have air-filled 16 inch wheels since they provide easy pushing for mom or dad, and they provide your baby with a comfortably smooth ride. Traditional jogging strollers have two back wheels and one front wheel. The goal with a jogging stroller is to reduce rolling resistance, and any wheels that are less than 16 inches in diameter just don`t do the trick.

3. Comfort for baby. You want your baby to be as comfortable as possible. The seat should be padded and made of a lightweight, breathable fabric. During your jog your baby may decide to take a nap. Look for a stroller that reclines by at least 25%.

4. Sun canopy. Everyone is now conscious of the destructive nature of the sun`s rays, and when out exercising you want to make sure that your son or daughter is fully protected. Each jogging stroller that you consider will have a sun canopy – but some will do a better job than others in providing protection from the sun. For maximum coverage for your baby make sure that the stroller you choose has a sun canopy that rotates 360 degrees to block the sun`s rays no matter which direction your run takes you.

5. Child safety. Safety is number 1 whenever it comes to your baby. Make sure that the stroller you choose keeps your baby safely strapped into their seat. Look for a stroller with a five-point harness. The stroller should have both a hand brake, and a parking brake (engaged by flipping a bar with your feet).

6. Folds easily. Make sure that it can be easily folded with a one step process that one person can do (there is not always a second person available to help you) for placing into a car trunk. If it compacts to no more than 45 inches long, 25 inches wide and 18 inches tall it will fit in most cars. For even more compactness make sure it has quick release wheels that pop off and on with a push of a button.

7. Adjustable handlebar. If you are 6 foot 4 inches tall and your partner is 5 foot 4 inches tall, and you are both going to be using the stroller, the handlebar on your stroller should be easily adjustable (with a simple push of a button) making it comfortable for each of you when jogging.

8. Make sure the baby will not outgrow the stroller. The stroller is not just for use for a year. You want to make sure that you maximize its use over several years. Make sure that the seating area is large enough for your child as they grow (it should be 24 or 25 inches high in the seating area) and make sure that the stroller is rated to handle your child`s weight as they get older (look for a weight rating of up to 80 pounds).

9. Buy with confidence. If you bring the stroller home and try it out and it just isn`t what you expected it to be, make sure that the retailer will provide a full refund without any arguing. And if there are problems down the road make sure that there is a good long term warranty from the manufacturer. A solid manufacturer`s warranty is 5 years on the frame and 1 year on all other parts of the stroller.

10. They range in price. Make sure it fits within your budget. You can purchase a good jogging stroller for as little as $280 and you can pay over $1,000. Sometimes you are paying for the `brand name`. Select your stroller based on your family`s needs and the features that are important to you. Remember, that it is a multi year investment in your child`s health and your family`s happiness. If you are able to afford $280 a jogging stroller can become an important part of your life.

Use this list of ten things to do to list which stroller features are most important to your family. Then use your list to help you to purchase the stroller that best meets your needs.

Tweet This Post 

It’s no wonder shows like “The Biggest Loser” are so popular. The money spent on junk food companies that push fat and sugar rivals the rating for the weight loss shows.

Studying what all the most successful “losers” have in common, I’ve come up with these 10 “secrets” of the “big losers.”

1. Make a plan 2. Set reasonable, reachable goals 3. Write it down 4. Exercise! 5. Find encouragement 6. Drink Water! 7. Get enough rest 8. Eat a balanced diet 9. Eat more often 10. Prepare for temptation!

Secret #1: Make a plan!

Think carefully about how you are going to achieve your desired weight loss. What will you need to change as far as shopping, schedules, eating out, etc.?

Secret #2: Set reasonable, reachable goals!

You didn’t put those extra pounds on overnight, so they won’t come off overnight. Start with something you KNOW you can do – one pound a week is much more achievable than two pounds a week. Be ready to revise your goals and not beat yourself up about it.

Secret #3: Write it down

A long term goal might be “lose 50 pounds.” A short term goal might be “lose one pound this week” or “don’t eat junk food this week.” Take out some paper. Write down exactly how you are going to lose those pounds. Also write your long and short term goals.

Secret #4: Exercise!

Weight is lost in two ways. One is to eat fewer calories than the body burns. The other is to burn more calories than the body consumes with work out. So be sure to include the correct kinds of exercise in your plan.

Secret #5: Find encouragement

A diet and exercise program is feeling alone business. Find online and offline weight loss groups for support. You can also find encouragement in books written by those who have done it.

Secret #6: Drink Water!

Water cleans out your system, flushes toxins, and prevents dehydration. It’s vital to stay fully hydrated, particularly when you are dieting.

Secret #7: Get enough rest

It’s easier to keep going when you aren’t sleep deprived and cranky. And let’s face it, when you’re sleeping you’re not eating or THINKING about eating !

Secret #8: Eat a balanced diet

Forget low carb, low fat, no carb, no fat, no this, no that. You need a little of everything. Eat good quality food that’s heavy on the fruits and vegetables and lighter on everything else. You can stay on a balanced diet for a lifetime, and that’s the whole point.

Secret #9: Eat more often

Eating six small meals a day is better than eating three large meals because your blood sugar and metabolism are more stable. also your body doesn’t get too hungry.

Secret #10: Prepare for temptation!

When you know that you are going to be in an over-eating temptation situation, prepare for it! If you aren’t hungry, it’s a lot easier not to cheat but when you are Eat a substantial but low calorie snack before you leave home.

Tweet This Post