Hippocrates, the father of Western medicine, taught the prevention of disease through a regimen of diet and exercise.—The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition.
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The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) recently released a statement urging consumers to consider physical therapy for many of their aches and pains before resorting to pharmaceutical painkillers.
A recent national survey* of US workers indicates an increase of almost 40% in the complaints of chronic pain in a 10-year time span (between 1996 and 2006). A substantial proportion of those individuals are, no doubt, becoming dependent—if not addicted—to painkillers.
Obviously, the APTA’s stance on this issue is not intended to deter consumers whose pain is so severe that physical therapy alone cannot provide the necessary relief given by their medications. However, among the goals of the organization is to promote fitness and pain control, as well as diminish the discomfort of such conditions as musculoskeletal injuries and diseases, headaches, and back pain through physical therapy and exercise. Therapists can design individualized programs for their clients that can help relieve pain and restore functionality—without the addiction of pharmaceuticals.
The APTA is to be commended for its provocative message promoting physical medicine and rehabilitation in a society where the omnipotent pharmaceutical companies seem to have a firm hold over the rest of the medical community.
—Rogena Schuyler Silverman
*Pain in the Workplace, sponsored by PriCara, Unit of Ortho-McNeil Inc, in partnership with the National Pain Foundation.
IN MEMORIAM
It is with deep sadness that the Ascend Media family notes the passing of one of its own, Vladimir Davydov. On August 20, Vladimir, art director for Rehab Management, lost his battle with cancer.
Born in St Petersburg, the former capital of old Russia, in the late 1950s, Vladimir came to the United States in 1994 where he settled in Los Angeles.
A graduate of the St Petersburg College of Art & Design and the recipient of numerous awards for his graphic design talents, he has exhibited his work in his native Russia, Europe, and the United States.
Before becoming part of the Rehab Management team in 2004, Vladimir taught at the Hammer Museum of Art and Cultural Center, Los Angeles; Art Center College of Design, Pasadena, Calif; OTIS College of Design, Los Angeles; and the UCLA Extension. In addition to his notable career as a graphic designer and artist, Vladimir was a theatrical set designer, an accomplished musician, a travel enthusiast, and connoisseur of the arts.
He leaves his wife Olga Ginzburg, stepsons Joseph and David, and devoted relatives and friends around the globe.
Dosvi`daniya, Vladimir. We will miss you.—RSS
