Picking Our Brain with Shepherd Center
73 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 1 ratingThe Official Podcast of Shepherd Center, a private, not-for-profit hospital specializing in medical treatment, research and rehabilitation for people with spinal cord injury and brain injury.
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Episodes
Educational Resources to Help People with Brain Injury
March 09, 2016 14:54 - 10.5 MBEach year, an estimated 2.4 million people in the United States sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI), and another 795,000 people are diagnosed with an acquired brain injury (ABI) from non-traumatic causes, such as stroke. Brain injury can have significant, long-term effects. In fact, more than 5.3 million Americans are living with a lifelong disability because of TBI, and an estimated 1.1 million have a disability related to stroke. With this large of an impact, many caregivers are se...
How to Get Fit When Living with a Physical Disability
February 15, 2016 03:20 - 9.77 MBShepherd Center embraces a total approach to fitness and wellness that emphasizes physical and mental wellbeing. Facilities include a weight room, indoor track, full-court gymnasium and swimming pool. Through land and aquatic classes, personalized programs, massage, yoga and personal training, Shepherd Center attempts to improve its members’ fitness and quality of life. The facility is completely accessible to allow people with physical disabilities to participate in all programs, as ap...
Infection Prevention in the Acute Rehabilitation Setting
January 25, 2016 16:31 - 9.06 MBPatients at Shepherd Center are at risk of infection for a few important reasons. The risk goes up the longer a person is in a facility, and Shepherd’s average inpatient is in the hospital for more than six weeks. Because Shepherd Center is a rehabilitation facility, patients are very mobile throughout the hospital, which sacrifices some infection protection afforded by having them stay put in their rooms. Also, a high proportion of Shepherd patients use medical devices that add the ris...
Fall Prevention in the Acute Rehabilitation Setting
December 14, 2015 03:15 - 11.1 MBPatients in the acute rehabilitation phase of recovery from a brain injury are at a high risk of falls, largely because of physical limitations and cognitive impairments. But some prevention strategies implemented at Shepherd Center have proven successful in reducing fall rates significantly in this setting. Falls among these patients can occur because patients experience weakness, confusion, impulsivity, impaired safety awareness, and poor judgment and reasoning. They may also have unc...
How to Prevent Pressure Ulcers in People with Spinal Cord Injury
November 10, 2015 15:29 - 10.2 MBPeople with spinal cord injury and other conditions that limit movement are at great risk for pressure ulcer development. Many risk factors predispose people with spinal cord injury to the development of these wounds; factors include impaired sensation, mobility, spasms and respiratory issues. At Shepherd Center, nurse Cathy Koerner and her colleagues have implemented a comprehensive program to prevent these ulcers among patients while they are in the hospital and after they discharge. ...
Tips for Returning to Work After Rehabilitation for a Spinal Cord or Brain Injury
October 12, 2015 14:22 - 11.3 MBEvery October, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy celebrates National Disability Employment Awareness Month to recognize the workforce contributions of people with disabilities. Those workers include people living with spinal cord or brain injury. Returning to work after rehabilitation for these life-changing injuries is filled with challenges. But with the guidance of vocational case managers and others, many have overcome the challenges and now make ...
Spinal Cord Injury Research: Working Toward a Cure While Injury Prevention Efforts are Expanding
September 08, 2015 00:50 - 9.65 MBCongress has designated September as National Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Awareness Month. In addition to raising awareness and support for much-needed cure research, National SCI Awareness Month aims to further educate the public about how paralyzing accidents can be prevented. There is no cure for spinal cord injury, nor is there an FDA-approved therapeutic or device that can restore function. But researchers are working toward these goals, and more research dollars are needed to continu...
Disorders of Consciousness Require Early Intervention and Specialized Care
August 17, 2015 19:57 - 12.8 MBPatients who are in a reduced or minimally conscious state following a traumatic brain injury are often not ready to begin an active rehabilitation program. But rehabilitation services are critical to optimize recovery until the patient emerges. It is also vital to educate and train the patient’s family and/or caregivers about expectations and care. For these patients, Shepherd Center’s specialized Disorders of Consciousness (DOC) Program provides pre-rehabilitation and education servic...
Specialized, Comprehensive Outpatient Services Under One Roof
July 13, 2015 22:56 - 5.79 MBOutpatient Services at Shepherd Center provides comprehensive medical treatment for people with spinal cord injury, brain injury, multiple sclerosis and chronic pain on an outpatient basis. These programs provide individualized, integrative care and may even include family members. Listen as Emily Cade, MS, CCM,CRC,CLCP, director of Shepherd Center Outpatient Services, discusses the outpatient services available at Shepherd Center.
Indego Robotic Exoskeleton to Assist Walking
June 03, 2015 15:40 - 8.15 MBShepherd Center is the lead clinical partner in the critical final stage of trials for a robotics-assisted walking device that could improve the lives of people with limited mobility caused by spinal cord or brain injury, stroke or multiple sclerosis. Developer Parker Hannifin Corp. describes the exoskeleton device – called Indego® – as a “powered orthosis worn around the waist and legs that allows individuals with spinal cord injuries to stand and walk." The device is being tested at Sheph...
Prevention of Diving-Related Spinal Cord Injury
May 06, 2015 15:15 - 8.71 MBA decade's worth of Shepherd Center statistics shows diving has historically been the fourth leading cause of paralyzing spinal cord injury among patients treated at the rehabilitation hospital. These injuries are also among the most preventable. Now, thanks to the efforts of Shepherd Center physician Herndon Murray, M.D., and the hospital's injury prevention program, Shepherd Center has seen a dramatic reduction in the past 18 months in spinal cord injuries caused by diving. Diving is sim...
Stroke Awareness, Prevention and Rehabilitation
April 21, 2015 23:12 - 10.8 MBIn the United States, more than 795,000 strokes occur each year. Stroke can happen to anyone at any age. In fact, research shows strokes are on the rise among younger people. So, it's important to know the risk factors and work to prevent those that can be managed, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. If you or a loved one experiences a stroke, early and intensive rehabilitation is key to achieving the best outcomes. That is why Shepherd Center provides a full continuum...
Upper-Extremity Surgical Options for People with Spinal Cord Injury
March 09, 2015 16:27 - 11 MBTendon transfer procedures have been done for decades and applied in spinal cord injury (SCI) since the 1950s – though Shepherd Center is one of only a handful of facilities that offer the procedure for people with SCI. In the past several decades, techniques and protocols have been greatly improved through research. In fact, Shepherd Center's Upper Extremity Clinic has conducted some of this research and presented it at international meetings and published it in journals and books. Upper-...
Expressing Sexuality When Living with a Spinal Cord Injury
November 30, 2014 16:51 - 10.9 MBPeople are sexual beings by nature. Sexuality is not just about the physical act of sexual intercourse, but also includes emotional, intellectual, social aspects and other forms of sexual expression. Spinal cord injury may alter certain physical and emotional aspects, but in spite of this there are still many ways that a person can express their sexuality. Listen in as Minna Hong discusses your sexual options after a spinal cord injury.
Injury Prevention: An Important Part of Shepherd Center’s Mission
November 30, 2014 16:43 - 10.1 MBInjury prevention is part of the stated mission at Shepherd Center. Efforts are focused on preventing injuries related to distracted driving, falls and diving. Listen in as Emma Harrington, MSPS, talks about Shepherd Center's devotion to the prevention of injuries.
Tips for Caregivers of People with a Spinal Cord Injury
November 30, 2014 16:29 - 9.17 MBRecovery from a spinal cord injury is unpredictable and can be frustrating. Those who provide care for a loved one with a brain injury can gain insight and encouragement from these tips from a longtime rehabilitation case manager. Listen in as Bridget Metzger, CCM, discusses how you can help a survivor of a spinal cord injury.
Importance of Recreation Therapy in Recovery from Spinal Cord or Brain Injury
November 30, 2014 16:15 - 9.42 MBWhen a person first sustains a spinal cord or brain injury, they are faced with many issues about how they will manage their lifestyle and daily schedule. An important part of the solution is recreation therapy, which gives you leisure counseling and skills to increase their overall wellness of in the emotional, spiritual, physical, intellectual, vocational and social aspects of life. Listen in as Kelly Edens discusses all the options available at Shepherd Center for a spinal cord or brain...
Tips for Caregivers of People with Brain Injury
November 30, 2014 15:46 - 9.81 MBRecovery from brain injury is unpredictable and can be frustrating. Those who provide care for a loved one with a brain injury can gain insight and encouragement from these tips from a longtime director of brain injury services. Listen in as Susan Johnson, M.A., discusses the care you can provide for your survivor of a brain injury.
The Latest Mainstream and Alternative Treatments for Chronic Back Pain
November 18, 2014 22:28 - 11.4 MB“Ow! I hurt my back!” I imagine you have said this, out loud or to yourself, at some point in your life. Most low back injuries involve lifting, bending or twisting in the wrong way. There are many different little back muscles, all connected by tendons to the bones in your spine. The medical staff at Shepherd Pain Institute ventures beyond narcotics to treat pain. Some examples: •Nerve blocks – injections of medication into a specific area of the body. These are used to both diagnose...
Living a Healthy Life After Stroke
November 18, 2014 22:12 - 8.79 MBStudies show that having a stroke increases risk for having a second stroke, so doctors emphasize healthy lifestyles for patients in this situation. Diet and exercise play a significant role, as well as controlling risk factors such as high blood pressure. Listen in as Payal Fadia, M.D., discusses how to live a healthier life after you've had a stroke.
How to Choose a Rehabilitation Facility for a Brain or Spinal Cord Injury
November 18, 2014 21:32 - 10.3 MBIt's important to be confident about the quality of care you or a loved one will receive when entering a rehabilitation program. There are certain things to look for and questions to ask when narrowing down your list of options. A specialized rehabilitation facility like Shepherd Center offers distinct advantages for people who need rehabilitation for a spinal cord or brain injury. Advantages include staff expertise, a comprehensive continuum of care, a younger patient population and ong...
Latest Development in MS Treatment and Research
November 18, 2014 19:45 - 9.51 MBResearchers are reporting exciting work under way to develop new treatments for multiple sclerosis. A number of clinical trials are under way at Shepherd Center and elsewhere. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Plegridy™ (peginterferon beta-1a), a new treatment for people with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (RMS). Clinical trials show the drug reduces relapses, disability progression and brain lesions. MS management can be divided into three areas: relapse t...
Latest Developments in Spinal Cord Injury Research
November 18, 2014 13:13 - 12.6 MBMany exciting developments are occurring in the field of spinal cord injury research. They include both basic and applied research aimed at finding a cure, as well as ways to improve function and quality of life. After years of tests and research there have been many positive results. Listen in as Edelle Field-Fote, PT, Ph.D., discusses spinal cord injury research and the work being done at Shepherd Center to help improve the quality of life for its patients.