Parañaque Progress Physical Therapy Service

31/01/2026

In 1958, he told people to eat fat. Medicine called it propaganda. 1.5 million readers called it freedom.

In 1958, a British doctor named Richard Mackarness committed what was, at the time, nutritional heresy.

He told people to stop fearing fat.

He said the real problem wasn’t calories.
It was carbohydrates.
Especially sugar and refined starch.

His book was called Eat Fat and Grow Slim.

Inside it, Mackarness dismantled what he called the calorie fallacy and proposed something radically simple: eat the way humans ate before agriculture rewired the food supply.

Meat.
Fish.
Fat.
Simple vegetables and roots.

No sugar.
No grains.
No soy.
No cow’s milk.

Sound familiar?

This wasn’t keto branding.
This wasn’t influencer science.
This was 1958.

And the response was immediate and predictable.

Dietitians dismissed it as propaganda.
Institutions warned people away from it.
Powerful voices like Ancel Keys mocked it publicly.

Yet something inconvenient happened.

The book sold over 1.5 million copies.

Because people weren’t debating it.
They were getting better.

Mackarness didn’t stop there.

In 1976, he wrote Not All in the Mind, arguing that modern foods like white flour, sugar, and even milk could quietly make people mentally and physically unwell.

He wasn’t guessing.

He had met surgeons and physicians who were already using what he called a “Stone Age” approach to reverse chronic illness long before low-carb had a name.

Doctors who saw the same thing over and over again.

Remove sugar.
Remove refined carbs.
And the body does what it was always designed to do.

Heal.

History didn’t forget this book by accident.

It was buried because it broke the story too early.

And once you see that, you can’t unsee it.

30/01/2026

Did you know

25/01/2026

🔥 Understanding Burn Injuries || Physiotherapy management ✍️

​Burn rehabilitation is about more than just skin healing; it’s about maintaining mobility and preventing permanent "tightening" of the body.

​🎯 Main Principles

1️⃣​The Golden Rule:
"The position of comfort is the position of contracture." (If you heal in a curled-up position, you stay in a curled-up position). 📏

2️⃣​Early Movement:
Joints must be moved within the first 24 hours to prevent "freezing." 🏃‍♂️

3️⃣​Scar Management:
Scars can continue to change for up to 2 years; treatment doesn't stop when the wound closes. ✨

🔥 Burn Depth Classifications

1️⃣Superficial (1st Degree)✅
📌Depth:
Involves the epidermis only.
📌Appearance:
Red, dry, and painful (classic example: a mild sunburn).
📌Healing:
Typically heals within 3–7 days with no blistering.

2️⃣Superficial Partial-Thickness (2nd Degree)✅
📌Depth:
Involves the epidermis and the upper layer of the dermis (papillary dermis).
📌Appearance:
Red, moist, and blistered. It is extremely painful because nerve endings are exposed.
📌Healing:
Usually heals within 7–14 days.

3️⃣Deep Partial-Thickness (2nd Degree)✅
📌Depth:
Extends into the deeper dermis.
📌Appearance:
Waxy white or yellow, less moist than superficial burns. Pain can be variable because some nerves are damaged.
📌Healing: .Takes more than 21 days; high risk of scarring and often requires surgery.

4️⃣Full-Thickness (3rd Degree)✅
📌Depth:
Destroys the entire thickness of the skin (epidermis and dermis).
📌Appearance:
White, charred, or leathery in texture.
📌Sensation:
Often painless in the center because the nerve endings have been destroyed.
📌Healing:
Will not heal on its own; requires skin grafting.

5️⃣Deep Tissue Injury (4th Degree)✅
📌Depth:
Extends beyond the skin into muscles, tendons, and even bone.
📌Appearance:
Blackened or charred.
📌Healing:
Requires major surgical intervention and often leads to permanent loss of function.

⚠️ Key Clinical Pearls

1️⃣Pain Management:
PT should be timed with the patient's pain medication.
2️⃣Nutrition:
Burn recovery requires massive protein intake; if the patient doesn't eat enough, the body will "eat" its own muscle, causing severe weakness.
3️⃣Psychosocial Support:
Burn recovery is mentally taxing. Collaboration with psychologists is essential for long-term success.

​🏥 Burn Physiotherapy Protocol

​1️⃣ Anti-Contracture Positioning 📐
​Task: Splinting and positioning limbs in a "stretched" state (e.g., arms out like an airplane, neck tilted back).
​✔ Goal: Prevents the healing skin from pulling joints into a permanent bent position.

​2️⃣ Chest Physiotherapy (Respiratory Care) 🫁
​Task: Deep breathing exercises, coughing techniques, and chest percussion.
​✔ Goal: Vital for patients with smoke inhalation to clear the lungs and prevent pneumonia.

​3️⃣ Active & Passive Range of Motion (ROM) 🔄
​Task: Gently moving every joint through its full range, even if it’s painful.
​✔ Goal: Keeps the "glide" in the tendons and prevents the joints from stiffening.

​4️⃣ Edema (Swelling) Management 🎈
​Task: Elevating burned limbs above the level of the heart and using gentle "muscle pumping" exercises.
​✔ Goal: Reduces pain and prevents high pressure from damaging blood vessels.

​5️⃣ Early Ambulation (Walking) 👣
​Task: Getting out of bed and walking as soon as the patient is medically stable.
​✔ Goal: Prevents blood clots (DVT), keeps the heart strong, and boosts morale.

​6️⃣ Skin Graft Protection (The "Quiet" Phase) 🤫
​Task: Absolute immobilization of the joint for 3–5 days after a surgical skin graft.
​✔ Goal: Ensures the new skin "takes" and establishes a blood supply without being torn.

​7️⃣ Compression Therapy (Pressure Garments) 👕
​Task: Wearing custom-fitted, tight elastic garments 23 hours a day.
​✔ Goal: Applies constant pressure to flatten scars and prevent "Hypertrophic" (thick, bumpy) scarring.

​8️⃣ Scar Massage & Desensitization 🧤
​Task: Rubbing healed scars with non-perfumed lotion and touching them with different textures.
​✔ Goal: Softens the scar tissue and retrains the nerves so the skin isn't "over-sensitive."

​9️⃣ Functional Re-training (ADLs) ☕
​Task: Practicing daily tasks like buttoning a shirt, holding a fork, or brushing hair.
​✔ Goal: Translates raw strength and flexibility into actual independence.

​🏠 Home Support Tips

📌​Hydration & Nutrition:
Burn recovery requires massive amounts of protein and water to rebuild skin. 🥩💧

📌​Sun Protection:
New skin is incredibly sensitive. Always use SPF 50+ or keep the area covered for at least a year. ☀️🚫

25/01/2026

🧠 Crossed Syndromes: Muscle Imbalance Patterns That Drive Pain

Crossed Syndromes are predictable muscle imbalance patterns described by Vladimir Janda, where certain muscles become tight/overactive while their opposing muscles become weak/inhibited.

This creates a “crossed” pattern of dysfunction, leading to faulty movement, joint overload, and chronic pain.

They are neuromuscular control problems, not just posture issues.

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🔄 Why “Crossed”?

Tight muscles and weak muscles lie diagonally opposite, forming a cross when viewed from the side or back.

The nervous system favors some muscles and “switches off” others.

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🔹 Upper Crossed Syndrome (UCS)

📍 Where?

Neck, shoulders, upper back

🔴 Tight / Overactive

• Upper trapezius
• Levator scapulae
• Pectoralis major & minor
• Suboccipitals

🔵 Weak / Inhibited

• Deep neck flexors
• Lower & middle trapezius
• Rhomboids
• Serratus anterior

⚠️ Common Features

• Forward head posture
• Rounded shoulders
• Neck pain
• Cervicogenic headaches
• Shoulder impingement
• Scapular dyskinesis

🔹 Lower Crossed Syndrome (LCS)

📍 Where?

Lumbar spine, pelvis, hips

🔴 Tight / Overactive

• Iliopsoas
• Re**us femoris
• Lumbar extensors
• TFL

🔵 Weak / Inhibited

• Gluteus maximus
• Deep abdominals (Transversus abdominis)
• Sometimes gluteus medius

⚠️ Common Features

• Anterior pelvic tilt
• Increased lumbar lordosis
• Low back pain
• Hip pain
• Hamstring overuse
• Poor load transfer

🧠 Why Crossed Syndromes Cause Pain

• Alter joint alignment
• Increase compressive & shear forces
• Delay stabilizer muscle firing
• Force global muscles to overwork
• Reduce shock absorption

👉 Pain often appears away from the real cause.

🧩 Movement Consequences

Upper crossed → neck & shoulder overload
Lower crossed → lumbar spine overload

During movement:

• The wrong muscles work first
• Stability is lost
• Compensations increase
• Injury risk rises

🫁 Breathing & Core Connection

Crossed syndromes disrupt:

• Rib–pelvis alignment
• Diaphragm efficiency
• Intra-abdominal pressure

Result:

• Shallow breathing
• Early fatigue
• Poor spinal protection

🛠️ Why Stretching or Strengthening Alone Fails

Stretching tight muscles ❌
Strengthening weak muscles ❌

Because:

• Inhibited muscles won’t fire properly
• Overactive muscles stay dominant
• The brain hasn’t relearned control

🔄 Corrective Strategy (Janda-Based Approach)

Effective correction requires:

✔ Inhibit overactive muscles
✔ Activate inhibited muscles
✔ Restore timing & sequencing
✔ Rebuild movement patterns

Order matters.

🧠 Fix the pattern, not just the pain.

23/01/2026

🦴 Thoracic Scoliosis Biomechanics – Convex vs Concave Side Explained

Thoracic scoliosis is a three-dimensional spinal deformity involving lateral curvature, vertebral rotation, and rib cage distortion. Biomechanically, the spine does not simply bend sideways; it twists and adapts under gravitational and muscular forces, leading to asymmetric loading of the vertebrae, ribs, muscles, and soft tissues.

🔄 Convex Side Biomechanics

On the convex side of the curve, the ribs are pushed outward and separated, causing the associated muscles to become lengthened and mechanically disadvantaged. Muscles such as the erector spinae, intercostals, and stabilizing scapular muscles are placed in a stretched position. Although they appear longer, these muscles often become weak and inefficient, reducing their ability to stabilize the spine against gravity.

The rib cage on the convex side rotates posteriorly, contributing to the characteristic rib hump seen during forward bending. This altered rib position changes thoracic mobility and affects breathing mechanics by limiting effective expansion of the lungs.

🔒 Concave Side Biomechanics

On the concave side, the ribs are drawn closer together, and muscles become shortened and overactive. Intercostals, paraspinal muscles, and accessory respiratory muscles on this side remain in a chronically contracted state. This increases compressive forces on the vertebral bodies and facet joints, often leading to stiffness, discomfort, and reduced spinal mobility.

The rib cage on the concave side rotates anteriorly, reducing thoracic volume and restricting lung expansion. Over time, this asymmetry can impair respiratory efficiency, especially in more pronounced curves.

⚙️ Vertebral & Disc Loading

Biomechanically, uneven muscle forces and gravity cause asymmetrical loading of the intervertebral discs. The concave side experiences greater compression, while the convex side undergoes tensile stress. This imbalance influences vertebral growth and disc health, potentially allowing the curve to progress if left uncorrected, especially during growth phases.

🚶 Posture & Kinetic Chain Effects

Thoracic scoliosis does not affect the spine in isolation. Pelvic alignment, shoulder positioning, and head posture all adapt to maintain balance. These compensations alter the mechanics of the cervical spine, lumbar spine, hips, and even gait, increasing energy expenditure and muscular fatigue during daily activities.

💨 Breathing & Rib Cage Mechanics

The rib cage plays a major role in respiration. In scoliosis, asymmetric rib motion leads to uneven lung expansion, with reduced ventilation on the concave side. This places increased demand on accessory breathing muscles and can contribute to early fatigue and reduced exercise tolerance.

🩺 Clinical & Rehabilitation Perspective

From a biomechanical standpoint, treatment should aim to decompress the concave side and activate the lengthened muscles on the convex side. Corrective exercises focus on improving thoracic mobility, restoring muscle balance, enhancing postural awareness, and optimizing breathing mechanics rather than simply strengthening indiscriminately.

📌 Key Biomechanical Insight

Scoliosis is a dynamic, three-dimensional problem driven by asymmetric forces. Understanding the difference between convex lengthened weakness and concave shortened stiffness is essential for effective rehabilitation and long-term spinal health.

22/01/2026

21/01/2026

EXERCISE!
Aging accelerates when movement stops. Strength training preserves metabolism, posture, hormones and independence.

20/01/2026

Here’s some super helpful info that you’re going to want to save!

TISSUE HEALING⁣
⁣
🤕When an individual sustains an injury, one of the first questions asked is, “How long will it take until I am back to normal?” The difficult part of injuries is that there are certain components of them we are unable to control, such as our age, the type of tissue that was injured, blood supply to a specific tissue, and the extent of damage that was done.⁣
⁣
🙌However, what we can control is enhancing our understanding of tissue healing, and how to optimize healing times by avoiding factors that could slow the normal healing process.⁣
⁣

As our bodies go through the healing process we go through 3 key phases of recovery, here is a quick breakdown:

1️⃣ Inflammatory Phase (0-7 days): The body’s immediate response to injury: swelling, redness, & sometimes pain.

2️⃣ Proliferative Phase (7-21 days): New tissue begins to form. Movement & direct tissue loading is key during these next two phases.

3️⃣ Remodeling Phase (3 weeks to 12 months): The new tissue strengthens & matures. Gradual return to full activity is important to prevent re-injury. 🏋️‍♀️

⁣
‼️It’s important to note that different tissues heal at different rates! And more importantly, the severity of the injury also impacts the length of recovery. You’ll notice that the range of healing times is quite large! So please - respect that you may recover faster or slower than your friend with the “same injury”.

There are so many factors that go into recovery - but a good understand of tissue healing timelines is definitely the place to start for both clinicians & patients.

Btw, I also recommend focusing on sleep, hydration, & nutrition (esp protein and creatine) to help you recover as fast as possible. These seem simple, but they are often overlooked.

20/01/2026

🟣 High Cholesterol – Fix That Actually Works

High cholesterol means there is excess fat (cholesterol) circulating in the blood, especially LDL (“bad”) cholesterol. Over time, this leads to blockage of blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart attack, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease. The good news is—cholesterol can be effectively controlled and even reversed with the right approach.

🟣 Understand Cholesterol First (Why It Matters)

→ Cholesterol is needed for hormones and cell membranes
→ Problem occurs when LDL is high or HDL is low
→ Excess LDL deposits in arteries forming plaques
→ Plaque buildup reduces blood flow and can suddenly rupture

🟣 Dietary Fix That Works (Most Powerful Lifestyle Tool)

→ Reduce saturated and trans fats
→ Found in fried foods, bakery items, butter, ghee, cream, processed meats
→ These fats raise LDL cholesterol significantly

→ Increase soluble fiber intake
→ Oats, barley, beans, lentils, fruits bind cholesterol in the gut
→ Helps remove cholesterol through stools

→ Choose healthy fats
→ Nuts, seeds, olive oil, fish improve HDL and reduce LDL

→ Limit sugar and refined carbohydrates
→ Excess sugar converts to fat and worsens lipid profile

🟣 Regular Physical Activity (Non-Negotiable)

→ Exercise increases HDL (“good”) cholesterol
→ Helps reduce LDL and triglycerides
→ Improves insulin sensitivity and weight control

→ Best options
→ Brisk walking, cycling, swimming for 30–45 minutes
→ At least 5 days a week

🟣 Weight Reduction (Even Small Loss Helps)

→ Belly fat increases LDL and triglycerides
→ Losing even 5–10% body weight improves cholesterol
→ Fat loss reduces inflammation in blood vessels

🟣 Quit Smoking & Limit Alcohol

→ Smoking lowers HDL and damages arteries
→ Alcohol excess raises triglycerides
→ Quitting smoking rapidly improves lipid profile

🟣 Manage Stress & Sleep

→ Chronic stress raises LDL via cortisol
→ Poor sleep worsens cholesterol metabolism
→ Aim for 7–8 hours of quality sleep

🟣 Control Medical Conditions

→ Diabetes and hypothyroidism worsen cholesterol
→ Proper treatment improves lipid levels
→ Regular screening is essential

🟣 Medications (When Lifestyle Is Not Enough)

→ Statins reduce cholesterol production in liver
→ Lower risk of heart attack and stroke
→ Safe and effective when taken correctly

→ Other options
→ Ezetimibe reduces absorption of cholesterol
→ Used if statins alone are insufficient

⚠️ Medicines do not replace lifestyle—they work best together

🟣 Monitor Progress Regularly

→ Lipid profile every 3–6 months initially
→ Adjust diet, activity, or medication based on results

🟣 What Does NOT Work

→ Detox drinks or fad diets
→ Stopping medicines without advice
→ Relying on supplements alone

⭐ Key Takeaway

→ High cholesterol is silent but dangerous
→ Lifestyle changes are the foundation
→ Medicines save lives when indicated
→ Consistency is the real fix—not shortcuts

⚠️ Medical disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider before starting or stopping cholesterol treatment.

Ctto

20/01/2026

🟣 Fatty Liver (Hepatic Steatosis) – Signs & Symptoms

Fatty liver disease occurs when excess fat accumulates in liver cells. It is commonly associated with obesity, diabetes, insulin resistance, high cholesterol, alcohol use, and sedentary lifestyle. Fatty liver is often silent in early stages, but recognizing symptoms early can prevent progression to serious liver disease.

🟣 Early & Common Symptoms (Often Overlooked)

→ Persistent fatigue and low energy
→ Liver plays a key role in metabolism and detoxification
→ Fat accumulation reduces liver efficiency, causing tiredness

→ General weakness
→ Feeling physically drained even with minimal activity

🟣 Abdominal & Digestive Symptoms

→ Discomfort or pain in the right upper abdomen
→ Dull, aching sensation under the right ribs
→ Caused by liver enlargement stretching its capsule

→ Abdominal bloating or fullness
→ Poor fat metabolism affects digestion

→ Poor appetite
→ Feeling full early or reduced desire to eat

🟣 Metabolic & Weight-Related Signs

→ Unexplained weight gain
→ Strongly linked with insulin resistance

→ Difficulty losing weight despite efforts
→ Metabolic slowdown due to liver fat

→ Central (belly) obesity
→ A major risk factor and visible sign

🟣 Skin & External Warning Signs

→ Darkening of skin in neck, armpits (acanthosis nigricans)
→ Sign of insulin resistance

→ Easy bruising
→ Impaired liver function affects clotting factors

→ Yellowish skin or eyes (rare in early stages)
→ Suggests progression toward liver inflammation

🟣 Blood Test & Laboratory Clues

→ Mild elevation of liver enzymes (ALT, AST)
→ Often detected incidentally

→ High triglycerides and cholesterol
→ Common metabolic association

🟣 Symptoms of Advanced Fatty Liver (Serious Warning Signs)

→ Persistent abdominal swelling
→ Fluid accumulation (ascites)

→ Swelling of legs and feet
→ Poor protein synthesis by liver

→ Confusion or sleep changes
→ Toxin buildup affecting brain (hepatic encephalopathy)

→ Jaundice
→ Yellowing of skin and eyes

🟣 Who Is at Higher Risk?

→ Obesity and sedentary lifestyle
→ Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes
→ High cholesterol or triglycerides
→ Excess alcohol intake
→ PCOS and insulin resistance

🟣 When to See a Doctor

→ Persistent fatigue with abdominal discomfort
→ Abnormal liver tests
→ Rapid weight gain with metabolic symptoms
→ Signs of liver dysfunction

Remember:

→ Fatty liver is often silent but reversible
→ Early symptoms are mild and non-specific
→ Lifestyle correction can reverse fatty liver
→ Ignoring symptoms can lead to liver inflammation and cirrhosis

⚠️ Medical disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. If fatty liver is suspected, consult a healthcare provider for proper evaluation and management.

19/01/2026

Modern healthcare treats symptoms. Real health starts earlier.

17/01/2026

🦶 How Your Foot Works During Walking – Simple Explanation

This image shows two smart systems inside your foot that help you walk efficiently, absorb shock, and push your body forward with less effort.

🔹 1. Windlass Mechanism (Left Side)

Think of the plantar fascia (a strong band under your foot) like a rope around a wheel.

👣 When toes are flat on the ground

The rope (plantar fascia) is loose

The foot stays flexible

This helps the foot adjust to the ground and absorb shock

👣 When toes bend upward (during push-off)

The rope tightens

The foot arch lifts up

The foot becomes strong and stiff, helping you push forward

👉 This is why bending your toes upward makes your arch look higher.

🔹 2. Foot Arch Works Like a Spring (Right Side)

Your foot arch also acts like a spring.

🔽 When your body weight comes down

The arch flattens slightly

Energy is stored, just like compressing a spring

🔼 When you push off

The arch springs back

Stored energy is released

This helps move you forward without extra muscle effort

🚶 Why This Is Important

✔ Makes walking smooth
✔ Saves energy
✔ Protects joints
✔ Improves balance and speed

If these systems don’t work properly, it can lead to:

Foot pain

Flat feet or high arches

Plantar fasciitis

Poor walking pattern (common in neurological conditions)

🧠 Simple takeaway

🦶 Your foot is not just a support—it’s a flexible shock absorber and a powerful spring.

When the timing is right, walking becomes easy and efficient.