By Sarah Knaup, LAc

What is electroacupuncture?

Electroacupuncture is the conduction of an electric pulse along an acupuncture needle to provide stimulation to an area or acupuncture point. The treatment of overactive bladder with electroacupuncture is the insertion of an acupuncture needle above the medial malleolus into a superficial branch of the posterior tibial nerve known as the acupuncture point SP 6.

How does it work?

The stimulus at the acupuncture point SP 6 travels via the posterior tibial nerve to the sacral nerve plexus to alter pelvic floor function by neuromodulation. Neuromodulation is defined as gentle electrical impulses. The theory of neurologic stimulation therapy is that stimulation of the nerves can stimulate pelvic muscle contractions or detrusor contractions thus making gradual changes in bladder activity.

What is the treatment?

The treatment consists of one treatment a week for 12 weeks. Each treatment session lasts 30 minutes. Patients who respond to the original treatment protocal can usually sustain symptom benefit with occasional follow up treatments. As with all OAB treatments, results for individual patients may vary. Acupuncture has accumulative affect, patients may experience symptom improvement between weeks 2-12.

The Benefits of Electroacupuncture for OAB

Studies report that 60 - 80% of patients improve with stimulation of posterior tibialis nerve.
Non-surgical, low risk option. Does not require an implant or have lingering side-effects.
Perceived as relatively painless. Patients typically describe the sensation as a "tingling" or a "pulsing" in the foot or ankle.

By Jill Menefee, PT

Backpacks come in all sizes and shapes and are a necessity for every school-aged child. When worn correctly, a backpack is supported by some of the strongest muscles in the body. If not worn correctly or packed too heavily, a backpack can strain muscles and joints and cause back, neck, or shoulder pain along with impacting posture.

The following guidelines can help your child use a backpack safely:

Look for backpacks with wide padded straps.
Narrow straps can dig into shoulders and press on nerves close to the clavicle or collarbone causing pain. They can also impact circulation, causing numbness and tingling into the arms.
Wear both straps.
Wearing a backpack over one shoulder can cause muscle and postural imbalances due to the weight not being evenly distributed.
Tighten the straps.
Make sure the backpack fits closely to the body and does not fall more than two to thee inches below the waist.
Minimize the weight of the backpack.
The backpack should be no more than 15-20% of your child's body weight. Encourage your child to make frequent stops at his or her locker during the day and to only carry the items needed for that day.
Make good use of all the pockets.
Backpacks are usually full of packets so use them all to distribute the weight. Pack the heavier items in the back closer to the body.
Use good body mechanics when lifting the backpack.
Picking up the backpack the right way can also help avoid muscles injuries. As in lifting any heavy weight, encourage your child to bend at the knees and grab the pack with both hands to place over the shoulders.

Talk to your child and ask about any pain or strain in the neck, back, or shoulders. Some warning signs a that a backpack is too heavy include a change in posture when wearing the backpack, struggling when putting on or taking off the backpack, pain when wearing a backpack, tingling or numbness in shoulders, arms, or hands, and red marks from the backpack. Keep these tips in mind to make sure that backpack use is not becoming a literal pain in the neck!

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In This Issue

Electroacupuncture for Overactive Bladder

Backpack Safety

Pilates

Maintain that summer body with Pilates classes!

Group Apparatus

Class Schedule

Reach your fitness goals, then challenge yourself to new ones! Check out our expanded class schedule and find a Pilates class for you.

Bladder Basics

Educate Yourself

Join us for our next round of educational seminars to learn all you need to know about bladder health!

Call CTS for upcoming seminars!

CoreAlign

Balance & Strengthen

Contact our office for information about this new way to activate your core and balance your body. Free 15 minute trials available.

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