SG the Future OT

            In Dr. Flick’s lesson on health promotion, we learned about the different levels of interventions that promote health in the community. In primary intervention, the aim is to prevent disease or injury before it occurs. Secondary intervention is trying to detect disease or injury early so that the effects can be lessened or prevented. Finally, tertiary interventions occur when the disability or disease is already present, and the aim is to improve the quality of life for the client.              I think the biggest take-away from today’s lecture and the assigned readings is the role that occupational therapists can play in promoting health. We have a unique role where we can match our clients’ preferences and desires with activities that promote health. It is also crucial that we ensure the client’s understanding of intervention options. It made me so sad to watch the video of the clients who did not understand what their doctors were saying or prescribing

             Scapulohumeral rhythm is the ratio of movement between the scapula and the humerus to maintain optimal congruency between the glenoid fossa and the head of the humerus. When performing abduction of the humerus in the frontal plane about the sagittal axis, for every degree of upward rotation of the scapula at the scapulothoracic joint, the glenohumeral joint abducts the humerus two degrees. This phenomenon also allows for a greater range of motion at the shoulder without compromising the stability of the joint. If the scapula did not upwardly rotate as the humerus abducts, we would not be able to put our arms above our heads—it would greatly restrict our range of motion at the shoulder. With this synchronized movement, the muscles can maintain the optimal length-tension relationship, and it helps maintain the sub-acromial space so that there is not an impingement. The congruency of the joints also results in decreased shear forces.

            It is important to find the bony landmarks before performing range of motion testing because it allows for better interrater and intrarater reliability. If we know exactly where to place the axis of the goniometer each time, we can be more accurate each time and see better reliability among practitioners and each time a practitioner measures range of motion on a client. Putting the client in the proper position also helps with interrater and intrarater reliability because it helps ensure that the patient is being tested the same way each time.             The test position for manual muscle testing is crucial. First, you have to make sure that you are testing the right muscles—if the client is positioned incorrectly, the test might be testing the wrong muscles. Also, the position is important for replication of the test for the same practitioner and other practitioners which is interrater and intrarater reliability.              A gravity eliminated po