INTRODUCING LAURA BRADFORD
We are excited to introduce Laura Bradford, who will be performing exercise rehabilitation and training in our Silver Spring office. Laura has 28 years of personal fitness instruction experience and has numerous certifications in the areas of exercise rehabilitation, personal training, group fitness, spinning, kickboxing, Yoga, Reiki and CPR. From 1997- 2004, Laura was an adjunct faculty member at Meredith College in North Carolina in the Department of Physical Education and Dance and was employed as a flexibility coach for the Washington Capitals hockey team for 3 years. Laura has competed in bodybuilding, served as a coach and judge, been the director of training at numerous health clubs, worked as a chiropractic assistant, appeared on TV as a fitness expert and has singing, dancing and acting experience. She has specialized in older adult fitness, post-rehabilitative exercise, exercise for cancer patients and fitness for healthy adults. For all patients who have been waiting to get started (or re-started!), call our office today to schedule an appointment to start training with Laura.

DOES WEATHER REALLY AFFECT JOINT PAIN?
"Many patients who have arthritis say their symptoms are worse when the weather is cold and unsettled. Researchers who compared tow sets of independently collected data have substantiated patient suspicions, according to research presented in October at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology in San Antonio." "The researchers found that changes in barometric pressure were strongly associated with increases in knee pain. Cooler temperatures were consistently, but weakly, associated with increased pain. Neither dew point nor precipitation was associated with pain."
The Physician and Sportsmedicine, December 2004, pp.12-13.

This is why many patients say they can FORECAST the weather - the pain is worst during the CHANGE in the weather, not necessarily during the bad weather.

So, what can you do about it? The best treatment is contrast therapy. Use moist heat for 2 minutes, then ice for one minute on the joint or area of pain to decrease the inflammation (accumulation of fluid) caused by the change in the pressure. Repeat this sequence 3-5 times. Also, self-massage with a topical cream (like Biofreeze) to enhance fluid exchange and decrease pain is helpful as well. Finally, keep moving, i.e. exercise! Non-pounding aerobic exercise for the lower extremity joints like an elliptical, cross-country ski machine or bike would be better than running. Weight training can be done as well. The intensity and duration of exercise on those changing weather days should be low to moderate.

SENIORCAREPHARMACIST.COM
Drug reactions kill tens of thousands of people each year. Thousands more have unnecessary side effects because the INTERACTIONS of the medications they take have not been checked. Typically, people do not get ALL their drugs from the SAME pharmacy and the SAME doctor. Seniorcarepharmacist.com lists pharmacists who have gone into "private practice" and consult with patients about the medications they take. I believe a once per year consult from an independent pharmacist to review your medications is one of the most important health care visits you can make. List all your medications with name and dosage so you can review them carefully.

Below are websites that can give you helpful drug information:

www.crbestbuydrugs.org- free service that reports of the safety, effectiveness and cost of drugs.
www.pdrhealth.com
www.safemedication.com
www.webmd.com
www.intellihealth.com: drug dosing, side effects, contraindications and FDA actions
www.drugstore.com
www.worstpills.com - nonprofit advocacy group which often petitions FDA to withdraw certain drugs - has been VERY accurate about drug recalls by giving warnings YEARS in advance.