Cranio Cradle to the Rescue!

I started having cervical neck pain after a patient fell while I was transferring him from a bed 

to his wheelchair.  It was an unexpected move and I wasn't ready so my upper Trapezius muscle ended up pulling my vertebrae out of alignment.  This made my neck tighten up to the point where I could barely turn my head to shoulder check while driving.

I tried using a TENS unit at work, I went to an Acupuncturist, I had my Chiropractor friend manually adjust me at soccer and went for multiple massages.  They all helped temporarily but I frequently would wind up re-injuring it at work or on the pitch.  I eventually went to Physical Therapy, which helped address my wonky posture and forward head positioning, but it didn't address the neck muscle dysfunction.

I ended up complaining about the pain at work one day while I was working at another nursing facility and the other OT pulled me aside and explained he had had the same problem a few years ago.  He explained to me that my neck muscles probably needed strengthening, that the reason I kept re-injuring myself was because my neck was too loose and needed more support.  He encouraged me to start doing Shoulder shrugs with weights, Chest Pull exercises with a Thera-band and Chair dips.  I started doing them that day and it started to help, my neck pain went away (after another adjustment from my friend, in his clinic this time) but it still felt tight and after I quit going to Massage therapy, I wanted something I could do on my own.

Resisted Shoulder Shrugs

Chest Pull

Chair Dips

I was introduced to the Cranio Cradle by a Myofascial Release therapist who recommended I get one to help release the fascia and tight muscles on my own time.  I ordered it right away on Amazon and ordered a second one to gift to a friend who had always taken the time to help me with my neck!  Check it out at http://www.craniocradle.com/

 

Cranio Cradle

Tips for new OT Clinical Educators/Practioners

For the next six or eight weeks, you are the gatekeeper that will decide if your student will continue with their program and become a practicing OT.  It is your responsibility so I would encourage you to take this as seriously as you would your own career.

1. Remember this is may be the first time your student may have encountered a smelly, nasty bowel movement, looked at an amputation, knelt in urine, and heard patients crying and screaming out in pain.

2. Encourage them to ask questions.   Show them that when you ask the patient about their life and listen to the answer, it can distract you and them from an awkward situation (working around your first pair of elderly breasts or testicles) and it helps build the bond you will use to educate, support and push your patient.

3. Try to be open to your student asking questions, in fact encourage it!  Remind them that an engaged student should have questions; about your approach, your thoughts, what they are seeing and even how they might have handled a situation or patient.  Keep in mind this is an opportunity for you to learn too, don't be immediately defensive.

4. Remind them that most clinicians like to hear themselves talk.  Give them time in their day to talk to the other clinicians, aides, nurses, doctor, administration - one day that information will come in handy for them, as it did for you.

5.  Remember your student will be slow at everything, but especially documentation; it may take them an hour to write a note you'd finish in 10 minutes so schedule your time accordingly.  Here's where it pays to be an organized clinician, something else you can model to your student.

6. When your student is actively participating in treatments and evaluations give them space afterward to ask for feedback about your time together.  Try to stay positive when you do give feedback and use the 2 positives, 1 negative sandwich rule if possible.

7.  Hopefully your student won't do this but most of the students I've worked with and seen at work have cried at some point in their time as a student.  If your student does cry, try to stay neutral and listen to them, find out what is going on and offer to help.  

8.  If your student, even your first one, is endangering patients or putting the other employees at risk don't be afraid to go to their supervisor and communicate your concerns.  You are the gatekeeper to our profession and so should act like one.

9. Most importantly...you are the clinician...so act like one!  Ask your supervisor or other clinicians for help if you are feeling overwhelmed as having a student can be an amazing experience or a stint in hell!