Expanding Human to Veterinary Biomechanics Applications
Stephen M. Apatow, Biomechanics Specialist, Director of Research and Development for the Sports Medicine and Science Institute has expanded a specialized program for the elite dancer in Classical Ballet Training into Olympic Development Programs and at the request of the medical community, orthopedic applications that include entrapment neuropathies, scoliosis, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, fibromyalgia, friedreich ataxia, multiple sclerosis and veterinary cases (canine, equine).
(PRWEB) April 15, 2005 -- During the 1980's, a specialized analysis,
correction and retraining program was developed to enhance the joint flexibility
and technical performance of competitive international level dancers in Soviet
ballet training. The program incorporated the analysis of a dancers postural
alignment to the classical ballet mechanical ideal, isolation of
muscle-tendon-articular restrictions and correction via a specialized procedure
to increase the elasticity of structures limiting potential joint range of
motion. The method yields an immediate change in spinal and extremity
flexibility, providing the dancer with the capacity to optimize classical ballet
alignment, which is then integrated into the overall development program.
Biomechanical changes include increased hip turnout, functional flexibility
(strength) of the legs and upper extremities in all classical positions.
Technical progress of 2-3 turns on pointe to 7-8 turns on pointe has been
demonstrated in a one month concentrated program prior to an international
competition.
In the mid 90's, Dr. Keith Forbes, a veterinarian and
blackbelt in Tae Kwon Do, learned about the scope of this work in conjunction
with a program I was conducting at a martial arts training center in Northern
Nevada. Discussion associated with this specialized work, included my reference
to a cervical entrapment neuropathy case on female client (Yale Case), and
presentation of my interest in veterinary applications.
The dialogue led
to his request for me to review a case, including X-rays, associated with a disk
prolapse on a Basset Hound, approximately 8 years old, presented with
paraparesis, unable to stand on his hind legs, but still presenting some limited
motility. The physical exam revealed some mild pain along the back of the
thoracic-lumbar junction, on the neurological exam indicated that conscious
propioception was absent in the hind legs, the withdrawal reflex was decreased,
and the patellar reflex was increased. The owner declined surgery, so drug
treatment was started with prednisolone at the dosage of 0.5 mg./lb. for one
week and then decreased to 0.25 mg/lb. for the 2nd week. At the end of two weeks
of medical treatment the dog was re-evaluated with no improvement clinically or
neurologically. Alternative treatment was started at this time.
Dr.
Forbes and assistants helped while the problem was assessed and small muscle
tendon restrictions in the thoracic, lumbar and sacral spine, pelvis and hind
legs were isolated with corrective procedures utilized to increase the
elasticity of abnormal tension relations. As demonstrated in human cases, the
approach yielded an immediate increase in joint range of motion of the affected
spine and extremities, correction of compensatory changes that resulted in the
functional capacity of the dog to support its weight on its hind legs with
progressive loading when the hind end was lifted and released from approximately
6 inches above the ground. One week later, after only one session, the owner
brought the pet in for an examination, and the dog stood up and walked out of
the exam room.
After observing the effective cross-application of the
biomechanical analysis and corrective procedure in a quadruped, I was interested
in exploring applications relating to both musculo-skeletal conditions and
performance in high level sporthorses. Our first case was a Hanovarian jumper at
the Franktown Meadows Equestrian Facility in Northern Nevada. The horse was
flexibility restricted, requiring over a one hour warm up period prior to
lessons or competition. The assessment of muscle-tendon relations of the spine
and extremities resulted in our isolation of restrictions and hypersensitivity
that contributed to numerous compensatory patterns. The same procedure was used
to increase the elasticity of the affected structures, a number of which
exhibited hardening or fibrosis due to trauma or a chronic condition in which
compensatory changes resulted in stabilization. As with the Basset Hound, we
were able to immediately increase the elasticity of these structures, decrease
the hypersensitivity and observe an immediate increase in functional joint range
of motion.
After the assessment and procedure, we proceeded to saddle and
have the trainer assess the functional capacity of the horse. To our surprise,
the horse walked out relaxed and with the same level function that was
experienced after a prolonged warm up period. During the session the horse
improved progressively and the training objective was to work with movements
that could be executed correctly, avoiding any destabilizing compensatory
pattern. If a problem was observed in a movement, the instruction was to back
off, and only work in a range that the horse could function correctly and below
a threshold of discomfort. Our capacity to increase the joint flexibility to
accommodate integrity, combined with efforts to control inflammation, led to the
continued progress in the horse's performance.
Conclusion
The success
with the animal applications demonstrated that once the animal was provided the
functional capacity to work without pain, they would automatically adjust their
mechanics into a stable pattern, a scenario that doesn't happen quite as easily
with humans. To date, doors have opened to adapt this work on numerous small
animal cases with conditions ranging from herniations to arthritis and hip
dysplasia as well as hundreds of sporthorses in dressage,hunter-jumper and
western training programs.
For additional information on the Sports
Medicine & Science Institute Equestrian Development Programs, visit: www.esportsmedicine.org/equestrian
Stephen M. Apatow,
Biomechanics Specialist, Director of Research and Development for the Sports
Medicine and Science Institute has expanded a specialized program for the elite
dancer in Classical Ballet Training into Olympic Development Programs and at the
request of the medical community, orthopedic applications that include
entrapment neuropathies, scoliosis, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, fibromyalgia,
friedreich ataxia, multiple sclerosis and veterinary cases (canine,
equine).
In conjunction with this work, he is also president of the
nonprofit organization Humanitarian Resource Institute (www.humanitarian.net), and
serves as a specialist in strategic planning and project development of
initiatives associated with human medicine, veterinary medicine and U.S. and
international law. Current programs include the internet based Biodefense
Reference Library, Foreign Animal and Zoonotic Disease Center, Bioinformatics:
Pathobiological Diagnostics Center and Biodefense Legal Reference Library.
Educational resource development for the veterinary and medical community
include the Foreign Animal Disease Online Course and the Zoonotic Disease Online
Review. To enhance collaboration between Humanitarian Resource Institute and the
international community of scholars, the Humanitarian University Consortium was
formed to enhance the development of initiatives associated with economic,
social, cultural and humanitarian issues worldwide.
Related educational
initiatives include:
International Veterinary Public Health Consortium hosted
by Pathobiologics International, the consulting arm of Humanitarian Resource
Institute and the Humanitarian University Consortium, World Veterinary
Association. Url: www.worldvet.org/Article2085.phtml
Dressage Today: Ask
The Expert (April 2000): Workshops on the topic of rider biomechanics is offered
to clubs and equestrian facilities throughout the United States. Url: www.esportsmedicine.org/equestrian/dt42000.html
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/4/prweb229343.htm