SMA-related HCP News and Resources
Genetic Counselors
Genetic counseling is the process by which the patients or relatives at risk of an inherited disorder (or may be carrying a child at risk) are advised of the consequences and nature of the disorder, the probability of developing or transmitting it, and the options open to them in management and family planning. This complex process can be separated into diagnostic (the actual estimation of risk) and supportive aspects.
Recent SMA Genetic Counselor News
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Nerve-muscle Communication Molecule May Be SBMA Therapeutic Target, Study Says
Increasing the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) — a molecule involved in the communication between nerve cells and muscle — specifically in muscle delayed symptom onset and slowed disease progression in a mouse model of spinal and bulbar muscular...

SMA-related Genetic Counselor Articles on HCP
Spinraza-Zolgensma Combination Well-tolerated in Children with SMA Type 1, Study Shows
Combining Spinraza (nusinersen) with the gene therapy Zolgensma (onasemnogene abeparvovec-xioi) is generally well-tolerated and sustains motor improvements in children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 1, according to a case series study. The data, which...
Late-Breaking SMA Treatment Insights You May Have Missed in February
February wrapped up with a surge of data on SMA, including novel investigations into how combinatorial therapies may provide new advantages to those with the disease. More information on how nusinersen impacts patients has also become available, as have new findings...
Orthopedics
Orthopedic surgery or orthopedics, also spelled orthopaedic[s], is the branch of surgery concerned with conditions involving the musculoskeletal system. Orthopedic surgeons use both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors, and congenital disorders.
Recent SMA Orthopedics News
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Using Cupping During Physical Therapy For Patients With SMA
Recently, Michael, our patient with SMA, has exhibited some increased tenderness and reduced tissue mobility to his calf muscles bilaterally. This is no surprise since he doesn’t wear footrests and is constantly in a plantarflexed, or toe-down position. In this...

SMA-related Orthopedics Articles on HCP
Positive Updates Regarding Physical Therapy For SMA Patients
As mentioned in our previous article, Michael, our patient with SMA, had been suffering from tailbone pain that was subsided by a modified stuck drawer technique to his sacrum. We had initially intended on performing this every other week, but since Michael has been...
Coccyx Mobilization for Increased Comfort
Our bodies are not designed to sit all day long. We are designed to absorb shock through many different joints throughout the day, such as hips, knees, and ankles. When a patient is unable to use the lower half of their body and must sit all day, all that pressure...
Pulmonologists
Pulmonology is a medical speciality that deals with diseases involving the respiratory tract.[1] The term is derived from the Latin word pulmō, pulmōnis (“lung”) and the Greek suffix -λογία, -logia (“study of”). Pulmonology is synonymous with pneumology (from Greek πνεύμων (“lung”) and -λογία), respirology and respiratory medicine.
Pulmonology is known as chest medicine and respiratory medicine in some countries and areas. Pulmonology is considered a branch of internal medicine, and is related to intensive care medicine. Pulmonology often involves managing patients who need life support and mechanical ventilation. Pulmonologists are specially trained in diseases and conditions of the chest, particularly pneumonia, asthma, tuberculosis, emphysema, and complicated chest infections.
Recent SMA Pulmonologists News
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Using Cupping During Physical Therapy For Patients With SMA
Recently, Michael, our patient with SMA, has exhibited some increased tenderness and reduced tissue mobility to his calf muscles bilaterally. This is no surprise since he doesn’t wear footrests and is constantly in a plantarflexed, or toe-down position. In this...

SMA-related Pulmonologist Articles on HCP
Positive Updates Regarding Physical Therapy For SMA Patients
As mentioned in our previous article, Michael, our patient with SMA, had been suffering from tailbone pain that was subsided by a modified stuck drawer technique to his sacrum. We had initially intended on performing this every other week, but since Michael has been...
Coccyx Mobilization for Increased Comfort
Our bodies are not designed to sit all day long. We are designed to absorb shock through many different joints throughout the day, such as hips, knees, and ankles. When a patient is unable to use the lower half of their body and must sit all day, all that pressure...
Nurses/Nurse Practitioners
Nurse practitioners are healthcare professionals educated and trained to provide health promotion and maintenance through the diagnosis and treatment of acute illness and chronic conditions. According to the International Council of Nurses, an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) is “a registered nurse who has acquired the expert knowledge base, complex decision-making skills and clinical competencies for expanded practice, the characteristics of which are shaped by the context and/or country in which s/he is credentialed to practice. A master’s degree is recommended for entry level.
Recent SMA Nurses/Nurse Practitioners News
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Using Cupping During Physical Therapy For Patients With SMA
Recently, Michael, our patient with SMA, has exhibited some increased tenderness and reduced tissue mobility to his calf muscles bilaterally. This is no surprise since he doesn’t wear footrests and is constantly in a plantarflexed, or toe-down position. In this...

SMA-related Nurse/Nurse Practitioner Articles on HCP
Positive Updates Regarding Physical Therapy For SMA Patients
As mentioned in our previous article, Michael, our patient with SMA, had been suffering from tailbone pain that was subsided by a modified stuck drawer technique to his sacrum. We had initially intended on performing this every other week, but since Michael has been...
Coccyx Mobilization for Increased Comfort
Our bodies are not designed to sit all day long. We are designed to absorb shock through many different joints throughout the day, such as hips, knees, and ankles. When a patient is unable to use the lower half of their body and must sit all day, all that pressure...
Neurologists
Neurology (from Greek: νεῦρον (neûron), “string, nerve” and the suffix -logia, “study of”) is a branch of medicine dealing with disorders of the nervous system. Neurology deals with the diagnosis and treatment of all categories of conditions and disease involving the central and peripheral nervous systems (and their subdivisions, the autonomic and somatic nervous systems), including their coverings, blood vessels, and all effector tissue, such as muscle.[1] Neurological practice relies heavily on the field of neuroscience, which is the scientific study of the nervous system.
Recent SMA Neurologist News
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Researchers Discover Promising New Gene Therapy Approach for Spinal Muscular Atrophy
A new genetic approach to restore the expression of the gene that causes spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in patients' cells holds promise to effectively and permanently treat the disease, researchers suggest. The study, “Seamless genetic conversion of SMN2 to SMN1 via...

SMA-related Neurologist Articles on HCP
Positive Updates Regarding Physical Therapy For SMA Patients
As mentioned in our previous article, Michael, our patient with SMA, had been suffering from tailbone pain that was subsided by a modified stuck drawer technique to his sacrum. We had initially intended on performing this every other week, but since Michael has been...
Coccyx Mobilization for Increased Comfort
Our bodies are not designed to sit all day long. We are designed to absorb shock through many different joints throughout the day, such as hips, knees, and ankles. When a patient is unable to use the lower half of their body and must sit all day, all that pressure...
Recent SMA Social Worker News
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Using Cupping During Physical Therapy For Patients With SMA
Recently, Michael, our patient with SMA, has exhibited some increased tenderness and reduced tissue mobility to his calf muscles bilaterally. This is no surprise since he doesn’t wear footrests and is constantly in a plantarflexed, or toe-down position. In this...

SMA-related Social Worker Articles on HCP
The Amino Acid Diet and Its Benefits
Nutrition has always been a challenge for my daughter, Ella. And, in turn, it is a challenge for my wife and me. Due to Ella's disease, she has an increased amount of difficulty digesting long-chain fats (meats, cheeses, etc.) and she also has a hard time maintaining...
Physical Therapists
Physical therapy (PT), also known as physiotherapy, is one of the allied health professions that, by using mechanical force and movements (bio-mechanics or kinesiology), manual therapy, exercise therapy, and electrotherapy, remediates impairments and promotes mobility and function. Physical therapy is used to improve a patient’s quality of life through examination, diagnosis, prognosis, physical intervention, and patient education. It is performed by physical therapists (known as physiotherapists in many countries).
Recent SMA Physical Therapist News
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Using Cupping During Physical Therapy For Patients With SMA
Recently, Michael, our patient with SMA, has exhibited some increased tenderness and reduced tissue mobility to his calf muscles bilaterally. This is no surprise since he doesn’t wear footrests and is constantly in a plantarflexed, or toe-down position. In this...

SMA-related Physical Therapists Articles on HCP
Increasing Cervical Range of Motion and Reducing Tension For SMA Patients
Cervical, or neck, range of motion is important for many different reasons. A major reason it is needed has to do with safety with scanning the environment during functional activities. Due to scoliosis, Michael has had most of his thoracic and lumbar spine fused,...
SMA Patients May Have Difficulties Laying on Their Stomachs
When patients are limited in their range of motion, this can lead to an inability to tolerate certain positions. For example, Michael, who has been diagnosed from an early age with SMA, is severely lacking hip and knee extension, making it hard for him to assume a...
Nutritionists
A nutritionist is a person who advises on matters of food and nutrition and their impacts on human health. Different professional terms are used in different countries, employment settings and contexts: nutrition scientist, public health nutritionist, dietitian-nutritionist, clinical nutritionist, and sports nutritionist. Dietitians and nutritionists evaluate the health of their clients. And based on their findings, they advise clients on which foods to eat. Both are both experts in food and diet, and both are considered to be healthcare professions.
Recent SMA Nutritionist News
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Using Cupping During Physical Therapy For Patients With SMA
Recently, Michael, our patient with SMA, has exhibited some increased tenderness and reduced tissue mobility to his calf muscles bilaterally. This is no surprise since he doesn’t wear footrests and is constantly in a plantarflexed, or toe-down position. In this...

SMA-related Nutritionist Articles on HCP
The Amino Acid Diet and Its Benefits
Nutrition has always been a challenge for my daughter, Ella. And, in turn, it is a challenge for my wife and me. Due to Ella's disease, she has an increased amount of difficulty digesting long-chain fats (meats, cheeses, etc.) and she also has a hard time maintaining...
Social Workers
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