Biomechanics Blog 3 - Scapulohumeral Rhythm

The shoulder is a very complex and beneficial joint system to have. The scapulohumeral rhythm is what helps us to have such a large ROM in our shoulder in the 3 planes of motion. Without it, we would not have efficient arm movement to carry out daily tasks. For every 3 degrees of motion in shoulder, the scapulothoracic portion of the joint is responsible for 1 degree of motion and the glenohumeral joint for 2 degrees of motion. If either part of this joint is functioning improperly, it will result in a significant decrease in ROM. Raising the humerus up to flex the shoulder causes the scapula to upwardly rotate at the same time. This allows the glenoid fossa to stay in contact with the humeral head to avoid dislocation and a decrease of shear forces that can result in pain and friction. The rotation also allows the shoulder abductor muscles the optimal length-tension relationship to function properly. The subacromial space also benefits from the rotation because it helps maintain the space and prevent impingement of structures within it. So if this joint is out of rhythm it can cause various problems with our shoulder function.

Implicit Bias

Implicit bias is something that we probably all have and a lot of time just do not realize it. We show bias towards many things in our lives - food, clothes, hobbies, and anything other thing that we have a preference for. Those are all acceptable things to have a bias for and where it becomes a problem is when we have biases toward people and we begin to treat them differently because of that. This can come about from where we grew up, how we were raised, the kinds of people that we are comfortable around, and many other things. Most of the time people don't realize that they have implicit bias toward others, but they do because of the stereotypes that they have for others and not acting neutrally with different kinds of people.

In OT, we will work with very diverse people from all walks of life with different demographics and we will have to treat them all the same. When a client comes to us, they will more than likely have differing beliefs and values than we have or they could be from a different culture than holds to different beliefs as well. As OTs, it is our job and responsibility to treat all of our clients the same and give them all the same level of treatment as expected of us.

I think to help address all of our implicit biases we should just try to be more aware of it. When we have a negative thought about someone by just looking the way they look and before we know anything about them, maybe if we just stop, get rid of that thought, and go get to know that person better would help overall. By just staying more aware and taking tests or quizzes to see where of biases lie could also help. You could also talk to someone else about some biases you have and hold each other accountable to be more mindful of people and how we act and think. My biggest take away from this lesson is that we are always going to be around others that we different from us and it is our responsibility to treat them with as much respect and love as we want in return.

Conceptual Model

Biomechanics Blog 2 - Testing Position

When measuring for ROM on a client, you will use a goniometer to measure the start and end position of the joint that is being measured. Bony landmarks are important while doing this because they are the standard used to place the goniometer. The axis, stationary arm, and moveable arm of the goniometer have to be placed on the proper locations so the measurement is accurate and could be consistently performed and measured by someone else.

In MMT, there is a test position because you want to start the movement that is being tested where the muscle can perform at its highest. This is normally in mid position where the most cross bridges are formed. When performing MMT, you first try to perform the movement against gravity with the client. If the client cannot perform the movement against gravity, they can be placed in another body position where they can perform the movement with gravity eliminated by doing the movement parallel to the floor. This is beneficial because it takes away the force of gravity on the movement and makes it possible for the client to perform. It might also be the only way a movement can be measured to avoid pain and follow contraindications.

Biomechanics Blog 1 - Activity Analysis

Most days I put my hair up in a bun. When I raise my arms, my shoulder and elbow are both in a flexed position (start: arms down, end: arms up) and my shoulders also abduct. My wrists perform both radial and ulnar deviation when smoothing my hair and forming the bun. My phalanges flex to hold my hair in place and put the hair band in. The flexion on my elbow and shoulder is happening in the sagittal plane about a coronal axis, and the abduction of my shoulder is in the frontal plane about a sagittal axis. The osteokinematics of the shoulder is extension to flexion in an open kinematic chain. For the arthrokinematics, the moving humerus is the convex segment that rolls posteriorly and glides anteriorly in the stable concave glenoid fossa. The prime mover for shoulder flexion will be the deltoid, which performs a concentric muscle activation.

Takeaways from Session 28 of Foundations 425

The subject of health literacy definitely stands out more in my mind now due to the content of this lesson. Health literacy involves a person's ability to receive and understand basic information about their health and them being able to make informed decisions about it. Nobody particularly likes to receive information that they can't understand especially I would think when it involves their own personal health. I thought back to when I have been different health care or anatomy related questions and how frustrated it would be to not understand something something that I would be trying to. Now relating that to my own personal health and thinking about something being explained to me and I not being able comprehend it has an even more upsetting feeling for me.

There are many reasons why a person might not be able to understand the medical information. Maybe they do not have a very high reading/word comprehension level, the words being used might be too complex or technical for a patient, the doctor or medical professional might not be taking the time to explain it appropriately, or many other reasons could be listed. As OT practitioners, we need to always strive to see the needs of our clients and bring any information to them in a way that will be easily understood so that they can carry out the instructions or tasks to hopefully help to make them better. It might be embarrassing for them to admit that they don't understand something and we need to portray a helpful attitude so they will feel more comfortable, plus, we need to be checking for comprehension and striving to be client-centered. We always have to remember that no two people are going to be the same or come from the same circumstances and some might need different modifications or assistance than others, but we always have a responsibility to help in any way we can. People need to be confident with the intervention or treatment that they are taking part in so that their motivation will stay high and I think that health literacy plays a big part in that.