Articles by Stephen Kelly on ArticleSnatch.com

What is Forensic Psychiatry?

Fri, 01 Jul 2011 03:12:43 -0400

Forensic psychiatry is a medical subspeciality of psychiatry and the science of criminology. While psychiatry is the branch of medicine devoted to the study and treatment of mental disorders, criminology is the scientific study of the nature, extent, cause, and control of criminal behavior in both individuals and in society. An expert forensic psychiatrist is a medical doctor with additional subspecialty training as a psychiatrist. In addition, the doctor also has special training and experience in the application of psychiatric knowledge to questions posed by the legal system. A forensic psychiatrist may work full-time as an expert witness but may also see patients. Because of the professional blending of medicine and criminology, forensic psychiatry is at the intersection of the law and psychiatry. Extensive knowledge of both is required. A forensic psychiatrist provides services - which can range from determination of competency to stand trial to evaluating addiction and other forms of substance abuse - to a court of law to aid the process of settling an issue or court case. Forensic psychiatrists are often called to be expert witnesses in both criminal and civil court proceedings. **End Summary** Topics: forensic psychiatry]]> what is forensic psychiatry]]> legal advice]]> legal help]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Stephen Kelly is a entrepreneur and freelance writer. Be sure to check out Psychiatric Expert Witness for more great articles like this one.

How Can a Personal Trainer Help Me Improve Cardio and Respiratory Functioning?

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 03:30:47 -0400

The heart and lungs work together during exercise to provide us with the energy we need to sustain an activity. During exercise your heart pumps blood out to the arteries, which act as transport mediums to deliver the nutrients (namely oxygen) to the working muscles and cells. Individuals that spend a lot of time doing cardiovascular-type training have more efficient hearts that are capable of delivering greater amounts of nourishment to working tissues with less stress placed on their hearts. In addition to having a greater amount of working capacity, regular aerobic-type training can help prevent certain diseases and disorders that can impair an individual's cardiovascular system. Take a look at the following list of reported benefits of cardiorespiratory fitness. It should make you feel good to know that your physical activities are lengthening your life span and improving your quality of life because you will have more endurance and energy to do what you want to do. **End Summary** Topics: personal trainer]]> cardiovascular health]]> cardio]]> fitness]]> improve fitness]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Stephen Kelly is a entrepreneur and freelance writer. Be sure to check out this Cambridge Physical Therapy website for more great articles like this one.

What Is a Disability Evaluation?

Sun, 26 Jun 2011 03:19:35 -0400

A disability is a condition judged to cause significant impairment relative to the usual standards of health for an individual or group. The term is used to refer to individual functioning, including physical impairment, sensory impairment, cognitive impairment, intellectual impairment, mental illness, and various types of chronic disease. Disability is a multidimensional experience for the person involved. There may be effects on organs or body parts and there may be effects on a person's participation in areas of life. Correspondingly, three dimensions of disability are recognized: body structure and function (and impairment thereof), activity (and activity restrictions) and participation (and participation restrictions). The classification also recognizes the role of physical and social environmental factors in affecting disability outcomes.The various types of disabilities can hamper or reduce a person's ability to carry out his day to day activities. When a second opinion is required about an individual's disability, an Independent Medical Evaluation, sometimes abbreviated as an IME, may be conducted. An IME is similar to a personal injury evaluation except it is usually conducted at the request of an insurance company or employer,or by the defendant in a case involving a lawsuit. **End Summary** Topics: legal cases]]> forensic phsychiatrist]]> disability cases]]> disability evaluation]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Stephen Kelly is a entrepreneur and freelance writer. Be sure to check out this Expert Forensic Psychiatrist website for more great articles like this one.

Disneyland Vacation Planning Tips

Sun, 26 Jun 2011 01:10:28 -0400

Here are some tips to help planning your dream Disneyland voyage even easier. After years upon years of enjoying Disneyland, scouring Disney websites and spending way to many nights browsing through Disneyland forums I have discovered thousands of big tips and hints that will make a Disneyland vacation lot's more fun. Once you've planned out the broad ideas of your vacation such as how long you'll stay at the Disneyland park and what hotel you'll stay at, you can start choosing the details. Many people say it's super satisfying to get familiar with little hints that can make your vacation a lot more enjoyable. Booking The Best Deal Book your trip on the internet - Making your reservation on the web may sound easy but since there are thousands of deal-driven travel web pages, sometimes it is tough to pick which is best. Don't rush and don't jump on the first offer you locate. Here at Walt disney world you are able to buy a 1-day pass meant for Disneyland alone or one of the "Parkhopper" which gives you the opportunity to "fly" back and forth Disneyland and additionally Disney's California Adventure (they're within walking distance of one another). **End Summary** Topics: Disneyland]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Stephen Kelly is a freelance author and Disneyland fanatic. Learn more and find other tips to plan a cheap Disneyland vacation at http://cheapdisneylandvacation.com

How Can I Prevent Aging Skin?

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 03:18:18 -0400

Of course we all age. At fifty, we can't look or maybe even feel like we did at twenty. The anti-aging product industry is worth billions. Every year, millions of people spend money on a range of products designed to delay the signs of aging. However, there is a simpler, natural way to look and feel young. Here are some tips. Avoiding the sun Undoubtedly, the biggest culprit of aging is exposure to sun. You need every protective measure to lessen its harmful effects. Taking preventative action together with sun cream over the long run can help to even reverse sun damage for those who suffer mild skin damage. There are simple tips to avoid the sun. - When you are outside, keep in the shade. It is not too cautious, because walking in the sun almost everyday for 30 minutes for a whole summer will no doubt cause some skin damage. Reversing sun damage is extremely difficult, so it is better to be cautious to avoid sun damage in the first place. - Before going out, wear sun cream with a protection factor of at least 30 SPF. **End Summary** Topics: aging]]> stop aging]]> aging skin]]> prevent aging]]> prevent skin aging]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Stephen Kelly is a entrepreneur and freelance writer. Be sure to check out this Boston Therapeutic Massage website for more great articles like this one.

The Effectiveness of Acupuncture for Problems With Asthma

Sun, 19 Jun 2011 03:21:36 -0400

Asthma is a common respiratory disease affecting millions of adults and, increasingly, children around the world. The symptoms of asthma are very recognizable, from wheezing (breathing with difficulty and with a whistling sound) to phlegm (the thick mucus secreted in the lungs and airway passages, and released through the mouth). Asthma can range from mild to life threatening. Acupuncturists claim that you can get asthma relief through treatments and herbs. There are many studies related to the success of acupuncture treatment for asthma that have been reported in medical journals. A study conducted at the Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care in the University Hospital of Vienna revealed that over 70% of patients with long-standing asthma reported a significant improvement of their ailments after 10 weeks of acupuncture treatment. There are two types of asthma: extrinsic and intrinsic. Both respond to acupuncture. Intrinsic asthma is caused by such things as chemicals, cold air, exercise, infection and emotional upset. Extrinsic is allergy related and is triggered by pollen, dust and molds. Studies in China involving acupuncture have shown that needling one of the acupuncture points increased breathing capacity by 6.6%. Acupuncture appears to act on the nervous system. **End Summary** Topics: acupuncture]]> asthma]]> asthma treatments]]> eastern medicine]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Stephen Kelly is a entrepreneur and freelance writer. Be sure to check out this Boston Physical Therapy website for more great articles like this one.

Who Hires a Forensic Psychiatrist?

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 03:25:57 -0400

Potential clients include lawyers and their clients, insurance companies, employers, courts, patients in treatment requiring evaluation, state licensing agencies and boards, professional organizations and ethics committees, hospitals that are conducting peer reviews, and prisons. Either the plaintiff or the defense side of a case may hire a forensic psychiatrist as a witness or to review documents and give an opinion. In either case,the forensic psychiatrist needs to have the proper professional credentials because they will be carefully reviewed by both sides - the parties hiring the psychiatrist for authenticity and the opposite side for credibility. The validity of the forensic psychiatrist's professional experience -- including medical and legal training, ethics, publications and associations -- could be scrutinized during cross-examinations. For this reason, the forensic psychiatrist needs to have a broad range of professional experience and training that covers the many aspects of the field. He or she also needs to have experience in giving testimony and evaluating documents relevant to cases. Besides the highly visible role of being an expert witness, the forensic psychiatrist may also provide a range of consultative services that are completely out of the public eye. **End Summary** Topics: forensic psychicatrist]]> legal advice]]> hiring a forensic psychiatrist]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Stephen Kelly is a entrepreneur and freelance writer. Be sure to check out this Forensic Psychiatrist website for more great articles like this one.

How Can a Physical Therapist Treat Pain?

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 03:14:44 -0400

Most people do not understand that there are two kinds of pain whether it is in your back or elsewhere in your body. Acute pain is the kind that we usually identify with injuries, for example, when you cut your finger or break a leg. With acute pain, after you have healed your pain goes away. Chronic pain persists even when the stimulus for pain is no longer there. Because it is chronic, this type of pain recurs and may never go away completely. Chronic pain can happen for a couple of reasons. You can have a problem that is not "fixable" with traditional medical treatments. Or you can have pain when the nerves no longer are being stimulated, but they continue to send messages of pain. Chronic pain occurs in 3-5% of the world's population. Chronic pain is often not understood by family and friends, and also by medical professionals. In addition, if you feel angry and frustrated, your muscles tighten and you have more pain. It becomes a big cycle, creating considerable stress and frustration. Just because it is not identifiable doesn't mean you don't have genuine chronic pain. **End Summary** Topics: physical therapy]]> pain treatment]]> acute pain]]> chronic pain]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Stephen Kelly is a entrepreneur and freelance writer. Be sure to check out this Physical Therapy Cambridge website for more great articles like this one.

Do I Need a Personal Trainer? Here Are Ten Reasons Why

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 03:31:50 -0400

Personal trainers aren't for everyone, but a trainer provides certain benefits that you can't find when working out on your own. Here are ten reasons a personal trainer may be right for you. 1. Motivation One of the main reasons people benefit from a personal trainer is that it is easy to lose the motivation to stick with a consistent exercise program. Certified personal trainers can provide structure and accountability, and help you develop a lifestyle that encourages health. 2. Individualized program If you have any chronic health conditions, injuries or training goals (running a marathon or a 5K race, for example) a trainer will work with you to plan a safe, efficient program that considers these needs and allows you to reach your goals. 3. Efficiency Personal trainers help you focus on results and stop wasting your time doing inefficient workouts. A personal trainer has a plan and will help you get maximum results in minimum time. 4. Improve technical skills If you play a particular sport, the right personal trainer will help you improve your skills by showing you new training techniques specific to your sport. **End Summary** Topics: personal trainer]]> reasons to hire a personal trainer]]> fitness goals]]> fitness]]> fitness help]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Stephen Kelly is a entrepreneur and freelance writer. Be sure to check out this Kendall Square Physical Therapy website for more great articles like this one.

How Can a Forensic Psychiatrist Assist in Personal Injury Cases?

Tue, 07 Jun 2011 03:11:56 -0400

Personal injury lawsuits are based on tort or civil law. There are four criteria for determining if a personal injury entitles the plaintiff to compensation from the defendant. These criteria are: 1. The defendant must have a clear and specific duty or obligation to the plaintiff. 2. There must have been some provable failure to perform or a breach of that duty by act of omission or volition by the defendant. 3. The plaintiff must give evidence of some damage or disability that demonstrates a decrease in the plaintiff's level of functioning or peace of mind from an earlier point in time. 4. There is good reason to believe that the plaintiff's damage or disability was the result of or increased by the defendant's dereliction of duty and was therefore the immediate cause of the damage. In cases of personal injury, a forensic psychiatrist may be hired by the defense or plaintiff's lawyer in order to answer the following questions: 1. Does the person being evaluated have a psychological injury; and if so, what is the extent of this injury? 2. How much of the injury is most likely attributed to the event that allegedly caused it? **End Summary** Topics: forensic psychologists]]> personal injury lawsuit]]> legal advice]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Stephen Kelly is a entrepreneur and freelance writer. Be sure to check out this Expert Forensic Psychiatrist website for more great articles like this one.

The Effectiveness of Acupuncture for Gastrointestinal Problems

Sat, 04 Jun 2011 03:12:36 -0400

Western medicine primarily sees gastrointestinal (GI) issues as disease. This is very telling. We mainly use medication to treat the symptoms because we Westerners believe that these symptoms, so commonly encountered in daily life, are somehow to be expected and are an inconvenience that can be treated by medicine. So we accept that we have excess acid or gas or that our bowels are sluggish and take the appropriate preparation. Moreover, we are willing to be scoped, x-rayed and prodded to confirm the medical diagnosis. To be fair, in both Western and Chinese medicine there is an acknowledgment that diet and stress play a large part in the development of GI conditions. Also, nutrition and stress management can make a difference in the course of the symptoms. However, this approach has barely made a difference compared to the extent of using medication. Even the Western alternative medical community often takes an aggressive approach to GI symptoms, recommending arduous fasts for cleansing the gut or colonics to "clean you out". Acupuncture, and Chinese medicine in general, is all about balance. The scope of Chinese medicine includes a sound diet, as well as a belief in the body's ability to self-correct. **End Summary** Topics: gastrointestinal problems]]> GI tract]]> acupuncture]]> acid reflux treatment]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Stephen Kelly is a entrepreneur and freelance writer. Be sure to check out this Physical Therapy Boston website for more great articles like this one.

How Does a Forensic Psychiatrist Help in Medical Malpractice Cases?

Wed, 01 Jun 2011 03:11:03 -0400

Medical malpractice is professional negligence by an act or omission of a health care provider, usually a doctor or nurse. The care provided does not meet accepted standards of practice in the medical community and causes injury or death to the patient. Standards and regulations for medical malpractice vary by country and jurisdiction within countries. Medical professionals are required to maintain liability insurance to offset the risk and costs of medical malpractice lawsuits. A legal finding of malpractice usually results in monetary damages. A doctor would be liable for (depending on the circumstances) such things as negligence in prescribing drugs and errors in performing surgery.Other common reasons for a malpractice claim include not taking a thorough patient history, or not treating or recognizing side effects. Both sides of a case may require the testimony of a forensic psychiatrist. This can include the patient, the plaintiff's family and lawyer, the defendant and lawyer, and insurance companies. A common and expensive type of claim is due to suicide or attempted suicide. The testimony of a forensic psychiatrist can be critical in determining the outcome of such cases. **End Summary** Topics: legal help]]> malpractice]]> forensic psychology]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Stephen Kelly is a entrepreneur and freelance writer. Be sure to check out this Forensic Psychiatrist websitefor more great articles like this one.

How Do I Know If I Am Fit? Here are Eight Measurements of Fitness

Mon, 30 May 2011 03:29:52 -0400

Simply put, fitness is the ability to function day to day. Consider the measurements below. If you can adequately perform them, consider yourself to be fit. 1. Aerobic endurance. This is how efficiently your body transports oxygen. It's a fitness measurement that helps every fitness effort, from sex to running a marathon, or just going for a brisk walk. Aerobic fitness is measured by a low resting heart rate and the ability to recover quickly after activity. You can increase this endurance with any activity but more efficiently when you do continuous low-level activity, like hiking or jogging. 2. Muscle mass. Our bodies require a certain percentage of muscle to stay healthy. This varies but we all need muscle to live. After 30, our bodies lose muscle mass each year, so it's important to do resistance training to keep it. Muscle mass helps in movement, and protects our organs and skeletal structures. To age well, it's vital to keep our muscle mass percentages high. 3. Body-fat percentage. This is how much of your total body weight is composed of fat. Ten percent to 14 percent is good for men, and 14 to 18 percent is good for women. **End Summary** Topics: measurements of fitness]]> fitness]]> aerobics]]> muscle building]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Stephen Kelly is a entrepreneur and freelance writer. Be sure to check out this physical therapy kenmore square website for more great articles like this one.

What Is the Difference Between a Forensic Psychiatrist and a Forensic Psychologist?

Fri, 27 May 2011 03:21:33 -0400

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who, after receiving his or her M.D. degree, has completed three to five years of additional specialty training in psychiatry. The first steps after high school are to get a college degree and take the required pre-med courses because this course of study is highly competitive. It is not necessary to major in a science or in psychology; however, there will be a requirement in college to take many science courses. In the junior or senior year of college, the application process for admission to a medical school begins. If a student is accepted to medical school, he or she spends four years there learning to be a physician. During the last couple of years of medical school, a medical student will decide on a specialty (in this case, psychiatry) and apply to psychiatric residency programs for specialty training. During the last year or so of the psychiatry residency, the trainee will get some forensic experience. This is experience at the interface of mental health and the law. If the student wants to truly specialize in forensic work, he or she will probably want to take a forensic psychiatry fellowship. **End Summary** Topics: legal]]> legal education]]> forensic psychiatrist]]> forensic psychologist]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Stephen Kelly is a entrepreneur and freelance writer. Be sure to check out this psychiatric expert witness website for more great articles like this one.

How Can a Personal Trainer Help Me Improve Muscle?

Wed, 25 May 2011 03:22:16 -0400

Weight training can help you tone your muscles, improve your appearance and fight age-related muscle loss. Better yet, weight training isn't as time-consuming as you might think. To start, what exactly is weight training? Weight training is a type of strength training that uses weights for resistance. These weights can be either machines or free weights such as barbells. Weight training challenges your muscles by forcing them to adapt to the stress of the weights. Here are some basic weight training principles: Learn proper technique. For best results, proper technique is essential. This is where having a personal trainer comes in. If you are a beginner, a personal trainer can teach you correct technique. If you are more experienced, the personal trainer can monitor you and perhaps introduce you to new things. It is possible to get injured if you do not use proper technique, so it is important. Do a single set of repetitions. There are all sorts of theories on the best way to approach weight training, including countless repetitions and hours at the gym. **End Summary** Topics: fitness]]> personal training]]> building muscle]]> improve muscle]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Stephen Kelly is a entrepreneur and freelance writer. Be sure to check out this Cambridge Physical Therapy website for more great articles like this one.

What is the Legal Liability of a Forensic Psychiatrist?

Sun, 22 May 2011 03:18:57 -0400

Forensic psychiatrists are exposed to potential liability. There are a number of legal-liability pitfalls in the forensic arena, but many are avoidable with adequate preparation and adherence to ethical guidelines. Forensic psychiatrists serving as expert witnesses have traditionally been sheltered from legal liability for the content of their testimony. In recent years, however, those safeguards have not been in place all the time, and it has become more likely that forensic psychiatrists could themselves be the target of lawsuits. But being aware of the risks will help forensic psychiatrists steer clear of the liability minefield, given that there is an increase in the number of psychiatrists who decide to offer themselves to the courts as expert witnesses. In fact, the number has increased by about 46 percent since 1992 as more psychiatrists have decided to supplement their clinical practices with forensic work. While the concept of providing immunity to witnesses extends back for centuries, in recent years several factors have combined to erode the safeguards that protected expert witnesses from suits in both state and federal courts. **End Summary** Topics: legal advice]]> forensic psychiatrist]]> legal liability]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Stephen Kelly is a entrepreneur and freelance writer. Be sure to check out this Expert Forensic Psychiatrist website for more great articles like this one.

What Are the Benefits of Aquatic Therapy?

Fri, 20 May 2011 03:38:35 -0400

Aquatic therapy or pool therapy consists of a physical therapy program that is performed in the water. It is a beneficial form of therapy that is useful for a variety of medical conditions. Aquatic therapy uses the physical properties of water to assist in patient healing and exercise performance. One benefit of aquatic therapy is the buoyancy provided by the water. While submerged in water, buoyancy helps in supporting the weight of the patient. This decreases the amount of weight bearing which reduces the force of stress placed on the joints. This aspect of aquatic therapy is especially useful for patients with arthritis, fractured bones, or who are overweight. By decreasing the amount of joint stress it is easier and less painful to perform exercises. By comparison, other forms of exercise such as running and jogging put a great amount of pressure and strain on the joints, with the possibility of injury or re-injury as a result. Water is heavy, at least heavier to move through than air. If you have ever taken a water aerobics class, you know that it is more difficult to perform the exercises than it is in a studio. **End Summary** Topics: aqua therapy]]> physical therapy]]> aquatics]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Stephen Kelly is a entrepreneur and freelance writer. Be sure to check out this Aquatic Therapy website for more great articles like this one.

How Does a Forensic Psychiatrist Evaluate PTSD?

Tue, 17 May 2011 09:02:04 -0400

Posttraumatic stress disorder (also known as PTSD) is a severe anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to any event that results in psychological trauma. This event may involve the threat of death to oneself or to someone else, or to one's own or someone else's physical, sexual, or psychological integrity. The individual is overwhelmed as an effect of the psychological trauma and impaired in his or her ability to cope. Symptoms of PTSD include re-experiencing the original trauma(s) through flashbacks or nightmares, avoidance of stimuli associated with the trauma, and increased arousal - such as difficulty falling or staying asleep, anger, and hyper awareness of one's surroundings. Criteria for diagnosis require that the symptoms last more than one month and cause significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. In cases of PTSD, there is usually significant disruption in the patient's personal and family life. When psychiatric disorders are alleged in civil cases, the forensic psychiatrist needs to determine whether or not the injury is malingering (imagined or exaggerated) or real and the proposed outcomes, and extent and nature of the injury. **End Summary** Topics: post traumatic stress]]> PTSD]]> leagal advice]]> evaluating PTSD]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Stephen Kelly is a entrepreneur and freelance writer. Be sure to check out this Psychiatric Disability Evaluation website for more great articles like this one.

Tips for What to Do After a Massage

Sun, 15 May 2011 03:23:02 -0400

Most people know the many benefits of a therapeutic massage. Massage is important for both health and fitness. It is one of the best ways to relax and release tension from work or your personal life. It also relieves any physical problems you may have, especially in your back or neck. People who have injuries or dysfunction requiring special attention or care can also benefit greatly from a massage. Following the holistic medicine idea of treating the whole person, massage can be an important part of the complete care of a patient. So now you know the benefits of massage therapy. You get a massage and feel great. What do you do after the massage? Here are some tips. 1. Drink Plenty Of Water Massaging your muscles can get them to release toxins. Make sure to stay hydrated to flush these substances out of your system faster. You may be thirsty anyway after the massage. Whether you are or not, try to drink at least a few glasses of water within the next few hours after the massage. Massage therapists and other health care professionals often recommend drinking water after a massage. **End Summary** Topics: massage]]> spa treatments]]> massage tips]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Stephen Kelly is a entrepreneur and freelance writer. Be sure to check out this Brookline Physical Therapy website for more great articles like this one.

How Can a Nutritionist Help Me?

Tue, 10 May 2011 03:11:40 -0400

Nutritionists are responsible for helping people improve their physical and mental health through foods or special diets. They have extensive knowledge about nutrition, how it impacts people, and how it can prevent or treat certain illnesses. But you don't need to have an illness to seek out a nutritionist. You may just want to be educated about healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle. Nutritionists help prevent and treat illnesses or increase a person's health by recommending certain foods or diets. They begin working with a client by evaluating the person's current diet and eating patterns, and maybe even asking the client to keep a food journal for a while. This journal helps reveal eating patterns. It may reveal that the client needs to make a change in lifestyle or maybe just make a few tweaks in what is already a healthy diet. This is important because a healthy diet can treat or prevent medical disorders, besides increase energy and a sense of well-being. A nutritionist also works on determining the reason why a client may overeat or make poor food choices. She gets to understand a client's relationship to food. **End Summary** Topics: health]]> nutritionist]]> counting calories]]> healthy food]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Stephen Kelly is a entrepreneur and freelance writer. Be sure to check out this Boston Massage website for more great articles like this one.

How Can a Forensic Psychiatrist Minimize the Risk of a Lawsuit?

Sat, 07 May 2011 03:32:18 -0400

There are several principles and guidelines to reduce the chances that forensic expert witnesses will fall into the legal liability trap. It is obvious but critically important that psychiatrists receive thorough and board-certified training about the way to conduct forensic evaluations before they perform them. Clinical evaluations and reports are very different from forensic ones. Psychiatrists need to understand relevant legal issues in each case, civil and criminal procedures, how to interact with claimants and those on the defense side and attorneys, how to give court testimony, and how to write reports. In addition, before they leap into the forensic arena, psychiatrists need to be certain that they have the time to meet court deadlines and requirements. A judge will not schedule court sessions around a doctor's schedule. Forensic psychiatry work can be inflexible, such as when reports need to be submitted by a discovery deadline or when a psychiatrist is called to testify in court or give a deposition. Forensic psychiatrists can also employ risk-management techniques similar to those attorneys use. **End Summary** Topics: legal advice]]> Forensic Psychiatrist]]> minimize lawsuit risk]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Stephen Kelly is a entrepreneur and freelance writer. Be sure to check out this Psychiatric Expert Witness website for more great articles like this one.

Acupuncture for Treating Anxiety and Depression

Thu, 05 May 2011 03:00:59 -0400

Acupuncture is a powerful treatment for depression and anxiety. In conventional Western medicine, these two mental health conditions - which affect tens of millions of us - are typically treated by medication or therapy, or a combination of both. Anxiety comes in a variety of forms, from mild worrying to phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a nervous stomach, and even panic attacks. Some anxiety is a normal healthy response to the stresses of daily life and new situations; however, anxiety that occurs randomly or in an excessive manner is a sign for concern. Fortunately, acupuncture can help balance both the mental and physical symptoms of this condition and return you to a more relaxed, fulfilling life. On the other hand, depression is a different condition. It is so pervasive that it affects an estimated 20% of the population at some point in their lives. Because of its prevalence, many professionals consider depression to be the "common cold" of psychology and psychiatry. While there are effective medications for the treatment of depression, the possible side effects make considering a natural therapy such as acupuncture worthwhile. Depression can feel like a form of extreme exhaustion. **End Summary** Topics: accupuncture]]> anxiety]]> anxiety relief]]> alternative medicine]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Stephen Kelly is a entrepreneur and freelance writer. Be sure to check out this Kendall Square Physical Therapy website for more great articles like this one.

What Are Aggravating Factors?

Mon, 02 May 2011 03:13:50 -0400

When a defendant is found guilty of an offense, mitigating and aggravating factors may be presented at the sentencing hearing. "Aggravating factors" refer to information about the defendant that may make the crime worse than similar crimes and which the judge can take into account at the time of sentencing.In the field of criminal law, the prosecution can use aggravating factors to increase the sentence imposed on a defendant if he is found guilty of a crime. Aggravating factors can vary by the state or district where the court is located, but some factors are common regardless of location. Most courts consider prior convictions an aggravating factor, especially if the convictions were for dangerous or lethal crimes. Prior convictions also can be used as aggravating factors to enhance a criminal sentence for crimes other than murder. Also, the aggravating factor of cruelty means a court can find that the defendant should be punished more harshly if he acted in a way that showed a particular disregard for human life. Many states also consider the use of a deadly weapon during the commission of a crime to be an aggravating factor. **End Summary** Topics: aggravating factors]]> legal advice]]> prosecution]]> legal defense]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Stephen Kelly is a entrepreneur and freelance writer. Be sure to check out this psychiatric expert witness website for more great articles like this one.

What is the Difference Between a Chiropractor and a Physical Therapist?

Sat, 30 Apr 2011 03:04:46 -0400

You may be suffering from back pain. A very common complaint. Do you see a chiropractor or a physical therapist? In order to make the decision, it is important to know the difference between what these two types of health professionals do. Both chiropractors and physical therapists are integral components of a patient's medical team, dedicated to treating the whole patient and not just a cluster of problems. But they differ in their approaches and training. Physical therapy is a health profession that treats movement dysfunctions. At the initial appointment, a physical therapist performs a thorough analysis of movement and range of motion. This analysis includes identifying any dysfunction of the joints, tissue limitations, muscular imbalances and structural disease. Then the patient receives a customized program for rehabilitation, including exercises to do at home. The exercises the physical therapist provides between sessions are as important if not more important than the actual sessions themselves. In order to help patients, physical therapists use a variety of methods to create changes in tissue and movement patterns to ultimately restore function. **End Summary** Topics: chiropractor]]> physical therapy]]> physical therapist]]> back pain]]> injury]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Stephen Kelly is a entrepreneur and freelance writer. Be sure to check out this Physical Therapy Boston website for more great articles like this one.

What Type of Massage Therapy Is Right For Me?

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 03:09:21 -0400

Okay, you have decided to get a massage. Maybe you just want it to help you relax, or maybe you are experiencing physical problems. Or maybe you just see it as a way to make yourself feel a little bit pampered. Next you need to decide what type of massage is right for you. How do you choose? There are several types of massage that skilled therapists are trained in. Here are some of your options. Deep Tissue Massage Deep tissue massage targets the deep tissue structure of the muscles and connective tissue. Deep tissue massage focuses on the release of muscle tension and chronic knots (also known as adhesions). Deep tissue massage can break up and eliminate these adhesions, which are scar tissue from previous injuries. A common problem is that stressed muscles can block nutrients and oxygen from getting to where they need to go, which causes inflammation that allows toxins to build up in your muscle tissue. This buildup contributes to pain and stress. Once the toxins are broken up and released, the muscles are loosened and blood and oxygen can circulate through the body. **End Summary** Topics: massage therapy]]> facials]]> rejuvination]]> spa treatments]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Stephen Kelly is a entrepreneur and freelance writer. Be sure to check out this Brookline Physical Therapy website for more great articles like this one.