Hi Katja,
Some free resources include shutterstock, istock, wolters kluwer, etc. Some medical universities offer either free or for a charge anatomical images. And if the images are for free, most universities indicate how to cite the resource. Here are two university examples:

http://uscm.med.sc.edu/medimages.asp

http://www.neuro.utah.edu/related_links/image_links.html

Hope this helps,
Joy

Hi Alice,
While we do not diagnosis as yoga medicine teachers, this sounds like this would be an opportunity to recommend or refer your client back to their doctor. As a gentle reminder, shooting / sharp pain and or burning pain may be a sign of nerve issues.

In Chinese medicine, shooting / sharp pain may be a sign of blood stagnation, and burning pain may be a sign of heat.

Hope this helps,
Joy

Hi Emily,
Would you mind sharing the SOAP / OPQRST for this client. Specifically, it would be helpful to understand the background of any and all infertility issues of your client as this would be helpful in providing information tailored to your client’s needs. For example, here are some questions that would be helpful:

# of Pregnancies (dates):_______________________________________________________________
# of Births (dates):_____________________________# of Stillbirths (dates):_____________________
# of Miscarriages (dates):_______________________ # of Abortions (dates):_____________________
Have you kept a Basal Body Temperature Chart?
Have you ever been treated for infertility? If yes, when, with whom, what was tried?
Have you taken medications to stimulate ovulation? If yes, what type, duration, & time frame:
Have your fallopian tubes been medically evaluated? If yes, what were the results?
Have you had any gynecological operations or procedures (i.e., laparoscopy, abdominal surgery, pelvic / abdominal imagery such as ultrasound, etc.?
Have you had blood work done to assess fertility & hormone factors?
If you have been trying to conceive, how long have you been actively trying?
Have you been given a medical diagnosis related to infertility or woman’s reproductive health?
Are you aware of any exposure to drugs or chemicals while your mother was pregnant with you?
Any additional history or relevant information

Hope this helps,
Joy

Hi Annette,
Here are a few questions to then better answer your questions.

* Which meniscus is torn? Medial, lateral, or both? What is the percentage of the tear? Was an MRI completed?
* What type of cysts are at the knee? Baker’s cyst, Ganglion cyst, Cystic lesions, etc.?
* What type of doctor has your mother seen? Osteopath, orthopedic surgeon, pain specialist, sports medicine, chiropractor, etc.?

Other things to consider:
* What was the onset to the tear, and cysts?
* How long has your mother been dealing with the tear, cysts, and osteoarthritis?
* How did your mother’s knee respond to the shots?
* Does your mother notice what makes the knee better or worse?
* Beside starting physical therapy, what therapies has she tried? Naturopath, osteopath, chiropractic, acupuncture, rolfing, etc.?
* What are the SOAP, OPQRST for your mother?

In general, the knees may take a while to heal as they have a limited blood supply. Therefore, it may be helpful to consider a second opinion, and other therapies if they have not been tried. Additionally, something to consider are there any limitations in activity with the knee replacement since your mother is active. Something to ultimately consider is what does your mother want. This does not mean does your mother want surgery or not. It means what are the activities or things that she enjoys that she wants to continue that may be currently limited if they are limited. It may be helpful to determine your mother’s wants to determine what is the choice that supports that desire.

Hope this helps,
Joy

Hi Rachel,
Based on my experience, the information you are sharing about your client is common. Any issues to other heart values may slowly generate weakening of other values as this is like a dyke or dam system as one value opens when another closes. Some of the Western medicine concerns with a widening of the aorta is whether the value may leak, blood may backflow, additional pressure on and weakening of the heart including the left ventricle, the rest of the body may not be receiving the oxygenated blood which may lead to fatigue, shortness of breath, etc.

Some of the Western medicine strategies include: monitoring blood pressure and heart rate; eating heart-health foods and fluids; maintaining healthy weight; maintaining mouth and dental health; mindfulness regarding stress; appropriate movement / exercise as determined by their doctor; observation and monitoring by doctor; prescriptions related to blood pressure, cholesterol, blood clots, arrhythmia, etc. as deemed necessary; and surgery.

Something for your client to consider is speaking with their doctor and trying to get more information about their condition, limitations, preventative measures, signs and symptoms to look for in the event surgery may be needed, etc. If this is not possible with their current doctor, they may want to consider a second opinion. Without this information from a doctor, it would be challenging to recommend anything else at this point.

Hope this helps,
Joy