michaelgodwin

[michaelgodwin]

A Lawyer With Limb Loss Becomes a Voice for the O and P Community

Maggie Baumer, a lawyer, lost her forearm following an accident with a trash compactor at her apartment. She combines her legal knowledge and experience of losing her limb to become a voice for people with limb loss and limb difference. Baumer’s involvement with the orthotic and prosthetic (O&P) community also includes “So Every BODY Can Move” (SEBCM), an initiative that seeks to improve access to O&P care.

SEBCM aims to address healthcare inequities by advocating for specific local and state legislation. It hopes to end discriminatory healthcare access to people with disabilities and create insurance coverages for recreational O&P care. One of SEBCM’s short-term goals is the “28 x 28”. For five years, from 2024 through 2028, 28 states would have enacted SEBCM legislation in time for the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics.

In addition to her involvement in SEBCM, Baumer educates the members of the O&P community on the resources that are available to them. She also seizes opportunities to update outdated policies, pushing for technological advancements without sacrificing empathy and compassionate care.

After her accident in 2012, Baumer’s doctors could only amputate her arm to save it. Thus, she joined the AMPOWER program of Hanger Clinic, which empowers and strengthens amputees by providing peer-to-peer mentorship, education, and a social network. Baumer said meeting her peer mentor was pivotal in her acceptance of her condition as an amputee. Then, she became a peer mentor herself.

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The Function of Stance Controlled Knee Ankle Foot Orthoses

Individuals with quadricep weakness centered on the area above the knees may use Stance-Controlled Knee Ankle Foot Orthoses (SC KAFO), a specialized type of orthosis. These orthoses provide knee and foot stability during the stance phase of ambulation when the foot makes contact with the ground.

In addition, the SC KAFO orthosis may control knee hyperextension. As the heel makes contact with the ground, it helps lock the knee joint, which ensures stability. As the toe lifts from the ground, the orthoses unlocks and moves through a swing phase that enables mobility. Several support mechanisms work together to provide support and flexibility. For example, two shells bind the SC KAFO to the leg - one surrounding the thigh and one covering the lower limb down to the ankle. It offers better balance, more natural mobility, and improved joint load distribution.

Available in mechanical or electronic versions, most SC KAFOs lock the knee during the stance phase of gait when individuals require added stability and bracing. Then, they unlock as the swing phase begins. Many SC KAFOs have three settings: permanent locking, permanent unlocking, and automatic locking, which gives the user control of all functions. For example, when standing for an extended period, it might be preferable to have the permanent locking function in place. The latest technology are types of stance control Kafos with a microprocessor assisted hydraulic knee joint that do not require a complete mechanical lock, but improves resistance at the knee while monitoring of the patient’s gait and providing additional knee support as needed such as walking up and down stairs or ramps.

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What Is Enduro Mountain Biking?

Mountain biking, or MTB, is a racing activity that involves off-road bicycling with specialized mountain bikes on various terrains such as deserts, mountains, or rocks. Multiple MTB disciplines exist, including cross-country, downhill, freeride, and enduro.

Although its origins trace back to 2003, Enduro MTB has gained popularity in the past eight years. It resembles a mountain biking ride in a competitive setting.

Enduro MTB races take place over one or several days of riding in a picturesque mountain area, transferring to the top, and racing down. While detailed rules vary, all enduro races have two main components - timed and untimed stages. The first stages are competitive, where riders race a set number, between three to six, marked downhill tracks. Completing each track can take two to 20 minutes, depending on its difficulty, length, and steepness. The winner is the rider who completes all stages in the shortest cumulative time.

The untimed stages, or liaisons, are the transfers between the timed ones. They typically involve uphill climbs from the end of one timed stage to the start of another. Depending on the race, riders can carry their bikes on their backs, also known as hike-a-bike, use a chair lift, or pedal uphill. Although untimed, liaisons have completion limits. Failing to meet the limits results in penalties.

Finally, enduro MTB requires specially designed mountain bikes, which perform well uphill and downhill. They are typically front- and rear-full-suspension bikes that can handle rough terrain.

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Systems for Assessing the Difficulty of Mountain Biking Trails

The United States was home to nearly nine million mountain biking enthusiasts in 2022, a slight increase from 2021. Mountain biking and cycling provide riders with several health benefits, including improved heart health and sleep patterns. Individuals picking up mountain biking for the first time should familiarize themselves with how trails are graded so they can avoid riding a trail that is beyond their skill level.

The International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) Trail Difficulty Rating System is a basic rating system that takes several hard data points into account. For instance, a white circle trail is easy, with an average trail grade of less than five percent and a maximum grade of 10 percent. By comparison, the slightly more challenging green circle paths have an average grade of five percent and can max out at 15 percent.

Additional points of consideration include trail width, surface, and the presence of obstacles. Intermediate blue square trails measure about 24 inches in width, while very difficult black diamond trails may be just 12 inches wide. Black diamond trails have an average grade of about 15 percent, while extremely difficult double black diamonds average 20 percent grades with widely variable and unpredictable terrain.

The IMBA system is not the only difficulty rating system for mountain bikers. The Tirol system, for instance, is used to describe a rider’s likely experience on a trail. Easy blue trails are perfect for relaxing family rides, while difficult black trails give riders the chance to show off their advanced handling skills.

While these and other systems can be helpful tools for assessing a trail’s potential difficulty, riders should discuss specific trails with local riders or authorities and learn from firsthand experience. If riders are unsure about a trail, they should scout it before riding.

[michaelgodwin]

How to Build Muscle and Burn Fat Simultaneously

With the appropriate approach, you can achieve fitness objectives like building muscle while losing weight simultaneously. Here are a few tips for accomplishing this goal:

Diversify your exercise routine. Ensure that your fitness regimen involves different types of exercises, as well as those that that engage multiple muscle groups at once. Incorporating weightlifting sessions into your exercise schedule helps stimulate muscle growth by placing stimulatory stress on your muscles, which breaks down muscle fibers and allows muscle tissue to become stronger over time. Cardiovascular activities like running, cycling, or high intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts aid in burning calories and fat.

Maintain a diet that supports muscle growth and fat loss. Facilitating both muscle gain and weight loss requires prioritizing foods with high nutritional value and limiting dietary fats and carbohydrates. Consume sufficient protein to repair and build muscle tissue and incorporate healthy fats and complex carbohydrates to sustain your energy level. Choose whole foods over refined carbohydrates and regulate your calorie intake to find the right balance between caloric surplus and caloric deficient.

Rest and recovery are essential. Allow your muscles time to recuperate between workouts, as this is when they repair and strengthen. Quality sleep also helps optimize muscle recovery and regulate hormones involved in energy and muscle production.

Aim for consistency. Strive for consistency in your workouts and dietary habits, as these are critical to achieving sustainable results.

[michaelgodwin]

Biking White Clay Creek State Park near Philadelphia

A short drive from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, White Clay Creek State Park spans over 3,600 acres of preserved woodland, crisscrossed by several biking trails. Unpaved and crossing relatively rough terrain, these trails require mountain bikes. However, the trails at White Clay Creek State Park feature relatively flat surfaces.

The lack of elevation gain and ease of travel makes many of the trails, such as the David English Trail and the Whitley Farms Trail, great for beginning mountain bikers. The trails allow beginners to test the waters and terrain. Advanced riders will also enjoy the lengthy and highly scenic Triple Loop.

Mountain bike riders who seek to test their abilities can ride at White Clay’s Skills Park. The park contains raised trail sections with several long, narrow bridges, including a rope-suspended ladder bridge. Riders can navigate a rock garden and several teeter-totters for an extra challenge. The skills park also offers twists, turns, ups, and downs.

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How to Care for Your Prosthetics

Prosthetics have given people with disabilities the ability to do what they would not have been able to do given the state of their anatomy. For instance, prosthetics allow an amputee to walk comfortably or participate in athletic events. However, to function optimally, prosthetics need to be properly maintained.

One of the primary ways to care for your prosthetics is to clean them daily. Because prosthetics get exposed to elements like dust, fluid, and oil, you must clean them daily. You can clean your prosthetics with a damp cloth, alcohol, or a mild soap. If you apply powder before wearing your prosthetics, you must clean out the powder with a soft brush every evening to prevent it from accumulating in your prosthetic valve. You should also ensure that you regularly keep the prosthetic valve tight by screwing it.

The socket is an important part of the prosthetic; you should remove the valve and allow air to circulate every evening. You should also visit the prosthetist regularly to ensure the prosthetic’s finish does not wear off.

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Advantages of 3D Printing in Orthotics

Based in Glenolden, PA, Michael Godwin obtained his MS in orthotics from the Newington Certificate Program. As a certified orthotist, Michael Godwin was responsible for servicing several hospitals and nursing homes for prosthetics and orthotics devices.

Orthotics is the branch of medicine that deals with using artificial devices for different parts of the body, such as the arms, torso, and head. A recently emerged manufacturing method, 3D printing provides the ability to produce proofs of concept, prototypes, and final products. The following are the advantages of 3D printing in orthotics:

It makes large-scale customization possible. Conventional methods of production were effective in creating pleasing orthotics. But to ensure the best treatment, assistance, and satisfaction for the patient, 3D printing provides new possibilities.

It is economical. Using its distinctive method of processing, orthotics that use 3D printing are frequently more cost-effective compared to the traditional manufacturing approach. The printer minimizes material waste by using only precise quantities needed for the orthotics.

Also, 3D printing incorporates greater levels of dynamic functionality compared to conventional designs. For instance, areas with both rigidity and flexibility can be designed within the same layout, making use of various perforation patterns to enhance breathability and hygiene.

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What to Know When Using Prosthetics

Based in Glenolden, Pennsylvania, Michael Godwin is a certified prosthetist orthotist who draws upon more than two decades of professional experience. Throughout his career, he has worked for various companies, including Philadelphia’s Hanger Clinic. Michael Godwin specializes in fitting and designing prosthetics, such as artificial limbs and braces. Advances in custom prosthetics (artificial…

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How the Oblique Muscles Stabilize the Abdomen

A Glenolden, PA-based orthotist, Michael Godwin undertakes procedures involving prosthetics and braces for limbs at the Hanger Clinic in Philadelphia. A fitness enthusiast, Michael Godwin enjoys activities such as weight training in his free time. One major focus of a well-rounded fitness routine is exercises that focus on the obliques, the major muscles in the abdomen. They target the rectus…

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How the Knee Operates as a Complex Joint

Michael Godwin is a Glenolden, PA, orthotist who practices with Philadelphia’s Hanger Clinic and focuses on complex issues that require braces and new limbs. One of Michael Godwin’s areas of extensive knowledge in Glenolden, PA, is how the knees operate in providing stability and mobility to the entire torso. A joint that connects the lower and upper parts of the leg, the knee is the largest…

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The Benefits of Microprocessor-Controlled Prosthetic Knees

A certified prosthetist/orthotist (CPO) in Glenolden, PA, Michael Godwin holds postgraduate certificates in both prosthetics and orthotics from Newington in Lock Haven, PA. Since 2017, he has been designing and fitting braces and artificial limbs at the Hanger Clinic near Glenolden on the southwest side of downtown Philadelphia. Michael Godwin counts microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knees…

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The Origins of the Modern Theme Park Waterslide

A Pennsylvania (PA) certified prosthetist/orthotist with Philadelphia’s Hanger Clinic, Michael Godwin lives with his family in the southwestern suburb of Glenolden, PA. When he isn’t working, Michael Godwin and his family like to venture from their Glenolden home to explore different indoor waterparks. The first widely documented waterslide was a “Wonderland” ride at the 1906 International…

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Published: ABC’s Individual Prosthetics and Orthotics Certification

I published “ABC’s Individual Prosthetics and Orthotics Certification” on @Medium https://ift.tt/s5N8Bil

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Published: How Microprocessor-Controlled Prosthetics Work

I published “How Microprocessor-Controlled Prosthetics Work” on @Medium https://ift.tt/UJtTDEI

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What Is Reciprocating Gait Orthosis?

Michael Godwin orthotist A certified prosthetist and orthotist in Glenolden, PA, Michael Godwin practices at the Hanger Clinic in Philadelphia, PA, where he is responsible for fitting and designing artificial limbs and braces for individual patients, customizing each system to fit their needs. Michael Godwin of Glenolden, PA, is skilled in new prosthetic innovation and design, and keeps up to…

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Mountain Biking: Choosing the Right Bike and Trail

Mountain biking can be an enjoyable sport with the right equipment and following the right trails. As a newbie to mountain biking, you need to find yourself the right bike for these trails, and this can be quite overwhelming due to the sheer amount of bikes available to pick from. Each bike has its special discipline, and different factors can influence your decision, such as weight, suspension, wheel size, and frame size.

Trail mountain bikes are most suitable for beginners. These bikes are manufactured for singletrack (trails) and feature a front suspension. They can handle a few jumps and drops, while a few also include a rear suspension. Beginners who are not looking to race but instead plan to enjoy a nice ride on the trail are sure to enjoy riding these bikes. The trail bikes also keep their riders upright, unlike the cross country (XC) mountain bikes.

Beginner riders who plan to race against others on a trail or closed track should opt for XC mountain bikes. Since the priority for these bikes is lightweight and climbing, they are perfect for racing. However, they perform poorly on rough terrain and have less suspension travel than trail mountain bikes.

A perfect balance between the trail mountain bikes and the XC mountain bikes is the all-mountain/enduro mountain bikes. Although they are built to withstand rougher terrain than trail bikes, enduro mountain bikes also weigh more and are the best for enduro racing. Enduro racing is a race with untimed uphill sections and timed downhill sections. Therefore, the speed that the enduro mountain bikes provide is needed in enduro racing because the winner has to have the lowest downhill duration.

After finding the right bike for you, carefully consider the trail on which you ride it. The elevation and length of your proposed trail as a beginner are important. It is smart to keep it flat and short, whether it is your first time riding as a beginner or you are an experienced rider exploring a new trail.

The best way to explore new trails is with a friend or a guide who has more experience riding on that particular trail. This eliminates the fear of getting lost, and they show you all the best spots. While riding with these experts, you also pick up the basic mountain bike skills needed to navigate obstacles on these trails, and they help get you through the trails safely. In addition to good handling skills, you should possess superlative physical and aerobic endurance needed to scale through the terrain. When you ride with a guide, they ensure you do not leave the bounds of your ability level.

Next, consider weather and trail conditions before taking a ride. Some trails may be off-bounds if there has recently been a downpour of rain. Many bikes leave brake and tire marks that dry up and turn into ruts after the trails dry out. Due to this, most trail stewards prefer you refrain from riding on the trails when they are muddy. Some trails tend to dry faster than their counterparts, so you can consult a local rider to know which trails you can ride after wet weather.