ViPerform Wearable Sensor Technology now available at Duffy & Bracken

The latest in wearable sensor technology is now available at 

Duffy & Bracken to measure your movement and muscle activity

At Duffy & Bracken we want to keep you safe, optimize your performance and help you recover. To do that, we need to tailor a treatment plan that's unique to you. Now we have a great tool that does just that. It’s called the dorsaVi Movement Suite and it uses revolutionary wireless wearable sensors to objectively measure exactly how you move. These are the same sensors that elite sports trainers are using with Olympians and professional athletes to measure range of motion, acceleration and muscle activity. By recording data at 200 frames per second, the dorsaVi Movement Suite provides our team with visual, objective, easily interpreted data to assess your technique and movement for performance analysis and muscle re-education.

How does it work?

The dorsaVi Movement Suite’s sensors adhere to the skin using low irritant, disposable adhesive pads. There are two different types of sensors that have tiny electronics built inside: Movement sensors and Muscle Sensors (EMG). The movement sensors are about the size of a small USB stick and can be placed on different parts of your body to record different movements to capture and quantify how you bend, twist, and move. These sensors send the data wirelessly to pager sized Recording and feedback Device (RFD) that talks to software on our computers. The system also allows us to videotape you so that we can show you what’s happening with the data when you move in a certain way.

Previously, this kind of data has only been available in expensive and sophisticated bio mechanics laboratories. Now we can offer these tests to everyone.

The dorsaVi Movement Suite can be used to do quick in-clinic assessments as well as providing immediate visual feedback for movement retraining. In addition, unlike a biomechanics lab, the dorsaVi Movement Suite also lets us monitor your movements outside the clinic. For example, the dorsaVi Movement Suite allows us to monitor you if you go for a run outside on any surface in any environment. We can tell you how you’re performing when you’re fresh or fatigued. Are you favouring one leg or the other? How do you land on one foot vs. the other?

The system can also be programmed to provide you with alerts when you move in a way that our team believes will be undesirable to you either now or later.

What can the dorsaVi Movement Suite measure?

The dorsaVi Movement Suite can be used to measure movement and muscle activity on different parts of your body, or it can be used to enhance technique or optimize performance in activities like running.

Want to learn more?

Give as a call or visit our clinic to learn more about what the dorsaVi Movement Suite can do for you. You can also find more information at dorsaVi’s website: http://us.dorsavi.com/  

It's All About the Curves!

The post-holiday season has us sporting more curves than necessary so why not start the New Year on focusing on the curve that matters the most.

While the word ‘curves’ is associated more with vanity and the fashion industry --- physical therapists are also interested in your curve --- but not the fashionable one ---the functional one.

The most important curve in your body is your ‘spinal curve” and the loss or gain of it sets you up for a lifetime of niggling and annoying pains. The stiff back on long car rides, the need to stretch your neck when staring at a computer screen, the shuffling in your seat at a movie theatre – if this sounds familiar then you have compromised your curves. It's these ignored pains that can sometimes lead to severe problems which in turn lead to major surgeries.

The human spine has 3 curves—cervical, thoracic and lumbar curve. The balance between the three curves is optimal for functioning and getting through the movements that occur in daily life. 

The cervical curve is the inquisitive curve as it allows us to move to discover our world. Functionally it supports the weight of the head (approx. 8-10lbs) and when optimally balanced allows for 180 degrees of rotation or looking over each shoulder (think backing up a car).

The thoracic curve is like the powerhouse curve as it supports the weight of both arms (approx. 15-18lbs each). Then it also supports 24 ribs that protect the heart and lungs and viscera. Then it also has to expand and contract while we breathe all this while allowing us free arm motion.

Then the lumbar curve it’s the expensive curve compensated most for increased movement and lack of strength. It costs us billions per year in medical cost. Just look at the stat below.

The prevalence of pain has a tremendous impact on business, with a recent report by the Institute of Medicine indicating that the annual value of lost productivity in 2010 dollars ranged between $297.4 billion to 335.5 billion. The value of lost productivity is based on three estimates: days of work missed (ranging from $11.6 to $12.7 billion); hours of work lost (from $95.2 to $96.5 billion); and lower wages (from $190.6 billion to $226.3 billion

But fear not….. All problems have solutions ---and so does the spinal curve!

Dr. Carolyn Richardson as Australian physiotherapist and researcher has spent her career studying the spinal curves and has proven hypothesis and theories by doing research on astronauts. I have had the pleasure to study with her and learn her system called “GRAVITY FIT” that offers real world solutions to spinal and peripheral joint pain. Learn more at www.gravityfit.com.au

No one can escape gravity but it is one of the most predictable elements in life 9.8m/s2 and it’s constant. So if you are not in a good relationship with gravity expect breakdowns in your body. Gravitational force is acting on you at all times 24/7/365. And the more your body and gravity and work together the lesser stresses on your joints, ligaments, muscles etc.

Renuka Pinto, PT, MA
renuka@duffyandbracken.com

Health Insurance 101

It never fails to amaze me when I hear a patient talking about how much they hate their current insurance policy. “They are horrible” “They pay nothing” “It’s such a waste of money” “It’s so expensive each month”. These are just a few of the things I hear almost on a daily basis. At the end of the day it is your money that goes into your healthcare so why not take charge when it comes time for you to choose your healthcare policy.

For many people health insurance is something that is only utilized when they become sick. So what do people do? They go the inexpensive route. I will admit I too would look at the cheapest offer first. But what exactly are you getting out of it? Cheap is not always better and when it comes to your health, it shouldn’t be.

In this entry I hope to offer you some advice on deciding which policy to switch to.

What kind of policy do you need? When looking for a policy there is a variety of things that you want within the plan. Keep in mind who it is for; yourself, your spouse, your children. What specialties do you visit often? Are emergency room visits a priority?

Education. HMO, PPO, POS. They aren’t just letters associated with health insurances; they mean something. Take the time to learn what they mean because when deciding on your future policy they can either help or hinder you.

Research companies. Take initiative and read about the different kinds of insurances that are out there. There are a huge variety of them with both pros and cons. All insurance companies are not the same and do not offer the same benefits. If they did, there wouldn’t be so many to choose from. Read, call, and question everything you do not understand. Educating yourself will help you gain knowledge.

Network Status. There is nothing worse than coming for years to your favorite primary care doctor or specialist, only to find that your new insurance plan is no longer in network. Be proactive and find out what insurance your favorite medical providers accept to help you decide on a policy.

Get familiar with your out-of-pocket expense. So many times a patient is shocked to hear their co-payment amounts or how high their deductible is. When you are looking at your policy options you can also learn beforehand what these amounts will be. Often times an individual sees that they may have a high deductible then covered at 100% at a small monthly fee. Although you are saving money the downside of this is you are walking into your medical appointment and being told that you are paying your deductible and this amount is $100 per visit. Trust me, this has happened before and it won’t happen to you if you know what you’re looking for and educate yourself.

​The whole insurance ordeal can be tricky but taking charge can put you in the right place so that you won’t get trapped in a low allowable visit amount or high deductible policy.

Von Petteway
Duffy & Bracken Verification Specialist
vonceia@duffyandbracken.com