AAPM&R 2004 Annual Conference

The 65th annual American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation conference was held this week in Phoenix, Arizona, where hundreds of physiatrists, pain management specialists and rehabilitation doctors assembled to learn, network and gossip about what's new in the world of PM&R.

Medical conferences allow manufacturers of medical products or services to reach physicians with their information. Usually an exhibiting booth will contain information about a new treatment treatment or a product to help a patient recover from treatment. The mood is a mix of sales and networking, sometimes bustling with activity, other times very quiet.

Examples of products that doctors can learn about and purchase for their practices are rehabilitation products like dry-hydro therapy beds and Spine Med lumbar traction. These products are always cool to test and play with because they feel good, not to mention they don't require a co-pay or physician referral.

It's not a water bed! (Or is it?)
Dry hydrotherapy is using water to create the feeling of warm massage on parts of the body that require increased circulation or are sensitive to the touch. It's called "dry hydrotherapy) because the water doesn't get you wet - it is contained within the unit. Similar to a water bed, but with more massage and a lot more tact.

Cracking your back without moving
"Traction" is like the ultimate back-stretch. The patient is strapped into this machine (very similar to the torture device seen in "The Princess Bride" (1988) - but much more comfortable) and slowly stretched to ease the tension on the lower back, lumbar vertebrate and disks. It feels great. But unfortunately, it didn't make Seth any taller.

"Working hard just standing still"
CreakyJoints' co-founder Lou Tharp tests out the new Galileo 2000, a vibrating platform designed to stimulate muscle groups (in the legs and lower back) much more quickly than lifting or running and without injury. We call it a treadmill that requires you to stand still. Users can perform a series of movements on the platform customized to their strength level and aerobic capacity, allowing them to strengthen muscles or rehabilitate weak muscles without ever leaving the office!