My Program Observation Reports

Name:

Course:

Lecturer:

Date:

My Program Observation Reports

Part 1

Observation 1: The program used for the initial observation was Low Back Injuries offered in the Monterey Sports Center located in 301 E Franklin St. Monterey 93940. The contact during the observation was Gretta Williams-Lijbers within the physiotherapy department whose address is (831)646-3700.

Observation 2: The subsequent program for the second observation was Arthritis Aquatics accorded in the Simpkins Swim Center, located in 979 17^th Avenue Santa Cruz 95062. The contact used in the center was Lynn Difley with the address being (831)454-7946.

Part 2

Observation 1: Various easy exercises for the reduction of back pains were available for the participants. The exercises were accorded in a gradual manner beginning with the ankle pump. The participants would be required to assume a flat position on the ground while facing upwards. Beginning with one leg, one rotates the ankle ten times before switching to the next foot. The heel slide followed with the participants bending and outstretching their knees within the same position for ten times. This is to be replaced with the other foot. The third phase involves the abdominal contraction routine where both knees are raised in a bent position while both hands are placed on the gently underneath the ribs section. While performing normal inhaling and exhaling, constrict the abdominal muscles for five seconds then release. The exercise is to be performed ten times before moving to the next. Assuming an upright position, participants move to wall sections and lean straight. The feet have to be moved twelve inches forward, and with constricted abdominal muscles, a series of ten squats succeeded by upright positions are performed.

For the next exercise, the participants face the wall and use their sole tips to raise and lower the body in successive up and down motions. This is to be conducted ten times. Lastly, a lying position is assumed with one of the legs being bent on the knee area while the other is kept on a raised straight position adjacent to the back. With contracted lower back muscles, the participant should then raise the leg slowly and assume an unwavering position between one and five seconds. The leg is then to be lowered and successive rounds amounting to ten should be ensured before the same is performed for the next leg. For cryptic exercises, the participants had to be accorded aid with the application of the Swiss ball. The exercise involves groups, each comprising of two individuals, taking turns at supporting each other until the completion of the same. The therapy instructor only accords a supervisory element to ensure that the various exercises are executed precisely.

Assuming a lying position the ball is to be fixed and held on bended knees. With the second group member stabilizing the ball, the first member is to straighten one leg in a vertical position while simultaneously raising and lowering the opposite hand. With the bended foot, the participant is to push the ball frontward and back before repeating the same with the other leg and arm. After the successful completion of the first participant, the other should be assisted with the same before the next exercise is performed. In the last exercise, the participants have to assist each other on the ball with their stomachs facing downwards. This is to be followed by a placement of hands on a forward position on the floor. Using the arms as a peddling device, the participant is to gently move forward while sliding over the ball and halt for one to five push-ups. After this, the reverse is to be performed with the hands again until the ball assumes its initial position under the stomach. Educational facilities to aid with the technique were the use of interactive slide shows showing the various positions to be attained in the exercises.

Observation 2: Tai Chi is a primeval Chinese practice that was used to ensure combatants acquired muscular power on the hands and legs in preparation for battles. Its movements are very simple like yoga techniques but firm in their observances. Tai Chi bearing a focus on the hands and knees tends to be very useful in arthritis treatment as it allows gentle joint movements that aid with flexibility. Various techniques of the Tai Chi exist with varied number of routines. The most recommended is the Sun style best incorporated into the Beijing 24 structure comprising of twenty-four phases as the name suggests. This is the least number of steps that can be used in a Tai Chi routine with other comprising of fifty routines. However, as the joints acquire flexibility, the routine is varied with additional moves. A complementary technique to this is the swimming in a manner that allows for foot and joint muscles movement and consequently leads to pain relieve. Hydrotherapy is very useful in the organization for critical patients of arthritis, as water buoyancy tends to cushion and direct a level of the pain.

Part 3

Observation 1: The program conducted aligned to principles offered in class concerning the manner in which the exercises were performed. The initial simple performances were well placed for the warming up requirement before graduating into the cryptic exercises that involved more straining and energy use. This is a strength as it ensures that proper lung aeration and muscle stretching has been attained before the difficult exercises are indulged into. Lack of these would lead to muscle cramping, pulls and breathe briefness. The weakness noted is that after the tough exercises, there were no relaxation routines that would aid the strained muscles into re-adjusting slowly to the normal state. This is quite dangerous, as the fatigue would have an adverse effect on the level of pain by accelerating it. Additionally, I felt that the group activities would be easily and professionally attained if the assisting participants would be substituted with expert supporters.

This is majorly use to the fact that, all participants are all subjected to varying levels of pain and may not be able to perform the required process effectually due to their own back problems. Additionally, the energy that is required to support the other participants might accelerate the pain. This was highly unexpected and to mitigate the issue, the organization may reduce the number of participants per session to ensure that each is individual is accorded a professional assistant with the present staff. Alternatively, the organization may employ more assistants. Shifting the exercise sessions would also ensure the pooling of existing resources in a cost effectual manner.

Observation 2: Both techniques proved to be very useful in its combination of breathing and physical workouts. The weakness of the Tai Chi however lies in the necessity to comprehend the successive stages for each session, as the instructor tends to perform the whole routine with the participants required to follow. New participants who are not familiar with the process tend to be left out in many of the instances. Hence, to overcome this, the instructor should incorporate the use of visual projections where the participants are bale to follow the routine while he/ she accords individual monitoring to aid those erring in the practice.

Part 4

Observation 1: The program was highly informative especially regarding the various forms of exercise execution. It was also a good instance for linking theoretical information with pragmatic solutions in the real world aiding the appraisal process to assess whether the correct procedure are followed or discarded. Additionally, with the weakness identification, modifications are incorporated to ensure superior solutions are attained in physiotherapy and proficient pain management.

Observation 2: The Tai Chi was very enlightening and new as opposed to swimming and it was easy to observe the pressure points during the exercises to determine the effectuality of the process.