When discussing manual wheelchairs, we often focus on the idea of having the lightest weight wheelchair possible. Yes, weight can be an important factor when we think about propelling a manual wheelchair all day. We also have to consider where the weight in the system is coming from. I said system here because it is…
Read MoreIf you are a physio or occupational therapist working with an individual who is utilising a manual or power wheelchair, you should have a better understanding of the shoulder than a sports physio. Yes, that’s right you read that sentence correctly. Our client needs us to better understand the shoulder than a sports physio. Why?…
Read MoreWe have been discussing shoulder preservation over the past couple months and today I want to finish our discussion with this video. When I watched this video, I became overwhelmed with several emotions. I must have watched this clip 10 times in a row. Over and over, each time thinking about all of my clients,…
Read MoreWhen we are considering a manual wheelchair, are we considering a power assist option? We have been discussing shoulder preservation and how it relates to the weight of the wheelchair, the configuration of the wheelchair, and to the individual and their pre-morbid shoulder health. We have also discussed how mobility is NOT and should NOT…
Read MoreAs we continue our discussion on shoulder preservation one common question that comes up from therapists, end-users, and families frequently is: Should Propelling a Manual Wheelchair be Exercise? This question comes in many forms. Often the therapist in the dilemma of worrying about the end-user being as independent as possible, the idea of maintaining the…
Read MoreIn 1980, when I acquired my SCI, there was very little talk about preservation of shoulders. The focus was on strength, lots of weights and pushing. The adage “if you don’t use it you lose it” was strongly endorsed. In those days, I thought that shoulder pain was a good thing, it meant I had…
Read MoreLet’s continue our conversation on propulsion with a manual wheelchair. Last week, we briefly looked at 7 of the recommendations based on clinical practice guidelines. Today, we will begin our dive into those recommendations. Let’s start at the top: Provide manual wheelchair users with SCI a high-strength, fully customisable manual wheelchair made of the lightest…
Read MoreDid you know that the average number of pushes per day for a full-time manual wheelchair user is 2,000 to 3,000! Take a second and let this number sink in: 2,000 to 3,000 pushes every day. Now, go ahead and use that great technique we talked about last week and just take your arms and…
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