Relieving pain one exercise at a time on World Physiotherapy Day

On World Physiotherapy Day, physiotherapist A Venkataganesh talks about the scope, challenges and advancements in the field of physiotherapy Dumbbells, swiss balls and cycling machines.

Published: 08th September 2018 03:42 AM 

Physiotherapist A Venkataganesh has been a yoga instructor for 15 years

  D Sampathkumar

By Vaishali Vijaykumar

Express News Service

CHENNAI: On World Physiotherapy Day, physiotherapist A Venkataganesh talks about the scope, challenges and advancements in the field of physiotherapy Dumbbells, swiss balls and cycling machines. No, this is not a gym, we’re at a physiotherapy clinic which resembles the clinical version of a gym. Physiotherapist A Venkataganesh is busy attending to one of his patients. We are seated next to a skeletal apparatus in his cabin. The bones and joints are fixed by the prototype of nuts and bolts. There is a picture board that explains the different types of muscles in our body.

Venkataganesh has been in the field for 20 years. His interest towards exercise and bio mechanics drove him to take up physiotherapy as a career. He has a Bachelors degree in physiotherapy and a Masters degree in psychology. He went on to pursue his international diplomas in orthopedic manual therapy, myofascial therapy and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilisation. “Physiotherapy is a medicine through exercise. We need to walk the talk. And to do that we need to be fit, understand the body movements, and impart the knowledge to patients. When people are in pain they open up to listen. Targeted exercise when said to give an immediate relief becomes a cultivated habit. Pain relief is the greatest incentive for them.”

The therapist has been a yoga instructor for 15 years. He is currently working with a tennis academy in OMR. From experience, he believes that if there is no diversion for a therapist then it eventually leads to exhaustion after four years. Handling multiple patients can be physically and emotionally challenging. Venkataganesh is a cyclist and he has trained in tai chi, martial arts, silambam and Russian ballet. He has also studied books on dance, which he uses to study the dynamic postures of a patient. “Presence of mind and serious self discipline are the most important qualities that help maintain calm. I brought in yoga into physiotherapy in 2004. Meditation helps me live in the moment.



Emotionally, we should have detached-attachment. One has to see things as they are. As long as there’s weakness there is pain. The option is not to get emotional but stronger,” says the therapist highlighting two of his specialties. One is the suspension therapy for diabetic patients, and the other is incline plane to improve the joint and strength pressure. “Above the age of 65, it gets tougher. The case of terminally ill patients is similar. We can give therapy to an extent but the cooperation from the body is not effective,” the therapist adds.

Occupational hazards are common and physiotherapy is not an exception. “Standing for hours causes strain on the legs, stiffness in lower back, wrist, shoulder and hip. We need to train harder,” he says. The therapist believes that with increased awareness among people for a quality life, the scope for physiotherapy has also widened. Some of the sectors include outpatient, health and wellness, rehabilitation, fitness and sports. “Earlier we used to examine people when they’re stationary. Now everything is monitored in motion. The initial criteria used to be to check a person’s balance, endurance and coordination.

Now we have the advancements in science and medicine to work on power, agility and explosive power. We can go one step beyond the muscles to study the soft tissues lying beneath and strengthen the muscle fibres. In fact, I can work on improving just the energy level of the patients through yoga. There is more to just easing pain in functionality,” says Venkataganesh while stressing that patients must be listened to very carefully by paying attention to the gestures. Hidden cues are important in this field.

Enforcement Directorate searches nine places over Rs 90-crore bank fraud

They also diverted business proceeds which resulted in a pecuniary loss of around `90 crore to the SBI, sources said.

Published: 09th September 2018 02:46 AM 

Enforcement Directorate(Image from official website for represenational purpose)

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: The Enforcement Directorate conducted searches at nine places in Virudhunagar, Madurai, Coimbatore and Chennai on Saturday after Indhumathi Refineries (IRPL), a Virudhunagar-based company came under scanner for its alleged bank loan fraud to the tune of `90 crore.

It is learnt that the IRPL had availed 46 letters of credit from the SBI, which were issued against bogus firms or fake invoices for a value of around `87.36 crore which was devolved on the bank later due to insufficient funds in their account. They also diverted business proceeds which resulted in a pecuniary loss of around `90 crore to the SBI, sources said.

The bank had filed a complaint with the CBI in Bengaluru, who registered an FIR, conducted investigation and filed charge-sheet against IRPL, and its directors and partners - R Shenbagan, R Rajan, Raji Shenbagan, Thirumagal Rajan and few employees of IRPL and State Bank of India, among others.

ED sources said that R Shenbagan, R Rajan, S Raji, and R Thirumagal did not disclose the details of financial transactions or properties involved and the bank accounts as such the searches were carried out.

Admit disabled girl in MBBS course: Madras High Court
But, her case was rejected by assessing her disability as 80% by the expert committee constituted by the selection panel.

Published: 09th September 2018 02:47 AM 

Image for representational purpose only.

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: A division bench of the Madras High Court has directed the State government to admit a disabled woman candidate in the first-year MBBS course for 2018-19 forthwith without insisting on her taking NEET, if she is found otherwise eligible on merit.

The second bench of Justices Huluvadi G Ramesh and K Kalyanasundaram gave the direction while disposing of a writ appeal from K Nandhinee, on August 28 last.

Originally, Nandhinee, who had secured 1,018 against 1,200 in the Plus-Two examinations and obtained the eligible cut-ff mark in NEET, applied for admission in MBBS course for 2016-17 under the physically-handicapped quota earmarked in the prospectus. As per the Disability Certificate issued by the District Medical Board, Villupuram, her medical disability was assessed at 70% (othopedically handicapped).

However, the expert panel of the selection committee assessed her disability at 80 per cent and rejected her candidature. Challenging this, she moved the High Court with a writ petition and a single judge dismissed it on July 11, 2016. Hence, the present writ appeal.

Disposing of it, the bench pointed out that as per clause 41(iii) (a) of the prospectus that candidates with disability of lower limbs between 50 per cent to 70 per cent shall be considered at the first instance in the reservation of seats.

But, her case was rejected by assessing her disability as 80% by the expert committee constituted by the selection panel.

The appellant was issued the Disability Certificate by the District Medical Board, Villupuram constituted under the provisions of Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunity for Protection of Rights of Full Participation) Act, 1995, assessing her medical disability at 70% (orthopedically handicapped) whereas the doctors in the expert committee constituted by the Directorate of Medical Examination, who were present in the counselling on June 20, 2016,assessed her disability at 80 per cent and declared that she was not eligible.

University Grants Commission urged to take action against unrecognised varsities

The judge said it was open to the UGC to initiate appropriate action in view of the fact that the poor students were exploited in this manner by such Deemed to be Universities for their personal gains

Published: 09th September 2018 02:51 AM |


UGC head office at New Delhi.(Photo | PTI)

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has held that the University Grants Commission (UGC) is empowered to initiate appropriate penal action under the UGC Act and its regulations against the open universities and unrecognised universities or the universities which offered unrecognised courses. Justice S M

Subramaniyam made the observation on September 6 last while disposing of a batch of writ petitions seeking to quash an order, dated October 3, 2012, of the Regional Accounts Officer (Audit), Department of School Education, Coimbatore and consequently direct the government and its various agencies to continue payment of incentive for qualifying M.Phil degree granted by the Vinayaka Missions University in Salem.

The judge said it was open to the UGC to initiate appropriate action in view of the fact that the poor students were exploited in this manner by such Deemed to be Universities for their personal gains.

Andhrapradesh

Govt. will recruit physiotherapists at teaching hospitals, says Minister

STAFF REPORTER

GUNTUR, SEPTEMBER 09, 2018 00:00 IST




Minister for Social Welfare Nakka Ananda Babu releasing a brochure during the World Physiotherapy Day celebrations in Guntur on Saturday.T. VIJAYA KUMAR
‘Cabinet has given nod to set up council’

Minister for Social Welfare Nakka Ananda Babu has pledged support to the strengthening of the Physiotherapy Council of Andhra Pradesh including starting new courses and filling up posts of physiotherapists in government teaching hospitals.

Addressing a meeting during the World Physiotherapy Day celebrations organised by the A.P. Physiotherapy Federation here on Saturday, Mr. Babu said the Cabinet had recently given its nod to set up the Physiotherapy Council, giving statutory recognition to the body.

The council would frame guidelines for sanctioning new colleges, decide syllabi and start admissions.

Stating that Physiotherapy was an essential branch of supportive medicine, Mr. Babu said the course was started during the TDP government in 1996.

Guntur Urban Superintendent of Police Ch. Vijaya Rao said the field was vital to supportive medicare which helped sportspersons. He said physiotherapists should be encouraged by the government as they were offering quality supportive services to Orthopedicians, neurologists and other specialists.

Agricultural Market Committee chairman Mannava Subba Rao said nursing and physiotherapy constituted an important branch of medicine.

Corpus fund

The Federation pledged to constitute a corpus fund of Rs. 1 crore to meet exigencies.

Federation president Naga Sateesh, secretary Subhani, vice president Hari Krishna and state convener Rajesh Roshan were present.

High Court directs insurance firm to pay compensation

STAFF REPORTER

MADURAI, SEPTEMBER 09, 2018 00:00 IST

The Madurai Bench of Madras High Court has dismissed the appeal of a nationalised insurance company and directed them to pay appropriate compensation towards the family of the deceased.

Justice J. Nisha Banu observed that interpretation of Motor Vehicles Act,1988, should be more beneficial to poor victims and directed the insurance company to pay the compensation. The National Insurance Company appealed against a lower court order which directed the insurance company to pay appropriate compensation to the family of the victim.

The case is that the deceased, Moorthy, had engaged a bore-well drilling truck for sinking a borewell at his plot in Seelanthikulam in Tirunelveli district.

On the fateful day, the deceased was inspecting the work at his plot when all of a sudden a rod from the drilling machine hit Moorthy. Due to the impact, he suffered injuries on his head and body. He later succumbed to his injuries at a private hospital.

The lower court had observed that this was an act of negligence on the part of the truck owner and directed the insurance company to pay compensation and recover the same from the owner of the vehicle. The insurance company had contended that it was not liable as the accident occurred due to the drilling machinery which was not part of the insured lorry.

School teacher placed under suspension for absenteeism

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

KRISHNAGIRI, SEPTEMBER 09, 2018 00:00 IST

A mathematics teacher, Jayaprakash, of Kummanur Government High Secondary School was placed under suspension here for continued absenteeism, which had led to the appointing of proxy teachers by the parent-teacher association (PTA) to take classes. The teacher was suspended following a report by the District Education Officer.

Chief Education Officer D.Maheshwari told The Hindu that the appointments were was made by the PTA and the salaries were paid by them.

Jayaprakash, who was paid government’s salary had not taken a single class for the students. An inquiry by the DEO, which included testimonies by the school HM and the students, revealed that Jayaprakash had not taken any class.

Following the suspension, the PTA had mobilised some students to kneel in protest under the sun. “This in itself is an offence under the RTE Act, and is punishable,” the CEO said. The Hindu was unable to reach the PTA president for his version.