Could Ahiflower Replace Fish and Flax?

By Dr. Sean M. Wells, PT, DPT, OCS, ATC/L, CSCS, CNPT, Cert-DN

In the realm of nutritional supplements, Ahiflower oil has been gaining recognition for its impressive profile of health-promoting properties. Extracted from the seeds of the Buglossoides arvensis plant, Ahiflower oil is rapidly becoming a popular choice for those seeking an omega-rich alternative to traditional fish oil. Some people are making the claim that Ahiflower could replace fish-based Omega 3s but the plant is still new to the scene. A recent PubMed article outlines some of these factors, but let's briefly dive into the potential health benefits that may make Ahiflower oil a noteworthy addition to your wellness routine.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids Reinvented

Ahiflower oil distinguishes itself by its omega-3 fatty acid content, particularly boasting a unique combination of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), stearidonic acid (SDA), and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). This trifecta of fatty aci...

Physical Therapy and Low-Carb Diets

By Dr. Sean M. Wells, PT, DPT, OCS, ATC/L, CSCS, CNPT, Cert-DN

In recent years, low-carb diets have gained popularity as an effective approach to weight loss and improved health. Advocates praise the benefits, while critics highlight potential drawbacks. In our 3 course certification program, we dive deep into the topic of various diets to analyze their pros and cons. This blog post aims to delve into the advantages and disadvantages of low-carb diets to help physical therapists (PTs) educate their patients and avoid spreading misinformation.

Benefits of Low-Carb Diets:

1. Weight Loss:
One of the primary reasons people opt for low-carb diets is their potential to facilitate weight loss. By restricting carbohydrate intake, the body is prompted to burn stored fat for energy, leading to a reduction in body weight. While the data on this seems promising, long term studies show the weight loss may not be sustained and is truly pegged to the quality of...

Physical Therapists' Role in Reducing Alcohol Consumption

By Dr. Sean M. Wells, PT, DPT, OCS, ATC/L, CSCS, CNPT, Cert-DN

The holidays are upon us and that typically translates to more alcoholic drinks. Data show alcohol sales tick up during these times often due to stress, social norms (New Years), and cultural reasons. Regardless of the reason, Doctors of Physical Therapy (DPTs) and rehabilitation professionals ought to be informed about the deleterious effects of alcohol: more importantly they ought to know one evidenced-based method to help their clients drink less in general.

Physical therapists that have taken our courses probably will ramble off the alcohol-associated health risks, but many DPTs don't know or don't educate their patients on these issues during PT. Some of these health risk include:

1. Liver Damage: Chronic alcohol consumption can lead to liver diseases such as fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, and cirrhosis. The liver plays a crucial role in metabolizing alc

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Holiday Wellness: Mindful Eating, PT Strategies, and Healthy Habits

By Dr. Sean M. Wells, PT, DPT, OCS, ATC/L, CSCS, CNPT, Cert-DN

The Holidays are here and dietary patterns change! Our physical therapy clients often come into our clinics and gyms complaining of new aches and pains, and with the perpetual battle of progressive weight gain. We discuss, in our continuing education courses for (physical therapists) PTs, the various dietary patterns that can promote inflammation and weight gain. But, what is it about the holidays that make them a particularly difficult time to eat health? Let's look at some information:

1. Overeating and Weight Gain:
- Many studies suggest that people tend to consume more calories during the holiday season, which can contribute to weight gain.
- Factors such as social gatherings, festive meals, and an abundance of high-calorie foods may contribute to overeating. Overeating is difficult to see when foods are ultra-processed: they are calorie rich but nutri...

Boswellia: A PT Game-Changer in Managing Knee Arthritis?

By Dr. Sean M. Wells, PT, DPT, OCS, ATC/L, CSCS, CNPT, Cert-DN

In the quest for alternative and effective treatments for knee osteoarthritis (OA), a degenerative joint condition marked by pain, swelling, and diminished mobility, Boswellia serrata, commonly known as Indian frankincense, is emerging as a promising solution.

Many of my physical therapy patients have asked about Boswellia, and honestly it was never covered in PT school so the depth of my answer was limited. Fortunately with my continued education, writing textbooks, and research advancements, Boswellia appears to be a possible solution for helping our PT clients with arthritis. Let's understand what it is, how it works, and if it is something you should discuss with your clients.

Tackling Inflammation at its Core
With its potent anti-inflammatory properties, Boswellia has shown remarkable potential in subduing the chronic inflammation associated with knee osteoart...

By Dr. Sean Wells, DPT, PT, OCS, ATC/L, CSCS, NSCA-CPT, CNPT, Cert-DN

Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) is a molecule that has gained attention in recent years due to its potential role in enhancing longevity and healthspan. Doctors of Physical Therapy (DPTs) ought to be aware of NMN as many clients have begun taking them and are unaware of new data and legal challenges ahead. NMN is a precursor to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), a coenzyme involved in various cellular processes, including energy metabolism and DNA repair. Research on NMN supplementation in humans is ongoing, and while there is some promising evidence, it's important to note that the field is still evolving, and more research is needed to draw definitive conclusions.
Here is a research summary of NMN use in humans up to my knowledge cutoff date in September 2021:

1. NAD+ Levels: One of the primary reasons for interest in NMN is its potential to boost NAD+ levels in cells. NAD+ declines with age, and maintaini
...

By Dr. Sean Wells, DPT, PT, OCS, ATC/L, CSCS, NSCA-CPT, CNPT, Cert-DN

In recent years, the influence of the United States' food industry has extended its reach beyond traditional methods like lobbying, governmental appointments, and dietary guideline manipulation. According to a Washington Post report, the food industry has now set its sights on a new arena: social media.

Background:

In a strategy reminiscent of tactics employed by the tobacco industry, prominent players in the food sector, particularly big sugar and supplement companies, have been discreetly compensating dietitians to generate content on their social media platforms. These covert actions have raised concerns akin to the obfuscation campaigns witnessed during the heyday of big tobacco. The central figures in this evolving controversy are dietitians who wield significant influence as social media influencers.

The issue of dietitians, or RDs, succumbing to the sway of the food industry is not novel. It revolves aroun...

Collagen Supplementation for Joint Pain and Arthritis: Does it Really Work?

By Dr. Sean M.Wells, DPT, PT, OCS, ATC/L, CSCS, NSCA-CPT, CNPT, Cert-DN

Recently I was presenting at the annual conference of Athletic Trainers' Association of Florida (ATAF) and I was overwhelmed by one consistent question: why didn't you talk about collagen supplementation?

My talk was specifically on orthopedics for older adults and naturally I focused on osteoarthritis (OA) and how important exercise and diet are for that condition. I did touch on some supplementation, but I left off collagen because my last examination of this supplement, using one of my favorite websites Examine.com, yielded mediocre results. However the participants at the sports medicine conference piqued my interest and convinced me that perhaps I had missed something -- almost every single one of these participants had some form of joint pain or stiffness and felt significantly better after taking collagen daily. So, back to the li...

How Many CEUs do PTs need in Florida?

Florida requires that physical therapists have 24 hours of continuing education units every 2 years.

The current licensure period ends November 30, 2023. This means that the 24 required continuing education hours per biennium of licensure must be met by November 30, 2023.  If you are licensed in the second half of the biennium you are only required to complete a two (2) hour medical errors course and one (1) hour of HIV.

Check out the Florida Board of Physical Therapy and the Florida Physical Therapy Association for more information.

Are you at PT looking for continuing education courses?

Check out the Physical Therapy CEU Course: Intro to Nutrition by Dr. Sean M. Wells, DPT, PT, OCS, ATC/L, CSCS, NSCA-CPT, Cert-DN

If you are interested in how nutrition can help with PT patient outcomes; try our intro to nutrition course. The online CEU course is specific to PTs and PTAs and includes content on macronutrients, calories, food groups and daily ...

How Many CEUs do PTAs need in Florida?

Florida requires that physical therapist assistants to have 24 hours of continuing education units every 2 years.

The current licensure period ends November 30, 2023. This means that the 24 required continuing education hours per biennium of licensure must be met by November 30, 2023.  If you are licensed in the second half of the biennium you are only required to complete a two (2) hour medical errors course and one (1) hour of HIV.

Check out the Florida Board of Physical Therapy and the Florida Physical Therapy Association for more information.

Are you at PTA looking for continuing education courses for Physical Therapy?

Check out the Physical Therapy CEU Course: Intro to Nutrition by Dr. Sean M. Wells, DPT, PT, OCS, ATC/L, CSCS, NSCA-CPT, Cert-DN

If you are interested in how nutrition can help with PT patient outcomes; try our intro to nutrition course. The online CEU course is specific to PTs and PTAs and includes content on macronutrien...