Tag Archives: Applewood Sports & Physiotherapy Ltd

ACL REHAB

ACL REHAB
Knee Injuries

ACL REHAB

ACL REHAB is very important for you to get back to your normal life! injuries lead to pain, inflammation, internal bleeding and instability.

Mechanism of Injury

The mechanism of injury is a sudden rotational force that occurs when the foot is planted on the ground.

Symptoms of ACL tear

During certain movements you may feel instability and pain such as when walking and coming down stairs.

Muscles may get weak because they respond to stress put on them during weight bearing activities.

After injuring the ACL, people tend to to avoid pain.

This can lead to decreased balance, strength and control in the muscles.

It may further lead to locking of other structures that are also involved with an ACL tear. This includes meniscus and medial collateral ligament injuries.

Is Surgical Repair required?

Surgical repair may be needed for a fully torn ACL depending on the level of physical activities you want to return to. It is possible to avoid surgery completely if proper physiotherapy is done with a skilled Registered Physiotherapist.

Custom Knee Braces for ACL REHAB

ACL REHAB
Custom Knee Brace

In addition, wearing a custom knee brace can allow you to fully support your knee without having to do surgery. Custom knee braces can be very helpful once the swelling goes down. They can allow you to return to all or most of your previous activities without surgery. A Custom Knee Brace provide the support for the torn ACL ligament. There are several types of Custom Knee braces available in the market. The most popular brands are DonJoy, Bledsoe and Ossur. At PhysioNow, we carry off the shelf knee braces and Custom Knee braces from all of the major suppliers.

Check out this link for a few of the braces we currently offer at PhysioNow in Mississauga.

How can Physiotherapy Help after an ACL tear?

Role of a physiotherapist after an ACL tear is:

– to control pain,

-increase/maintain ROM,

– stretching tight structures,

and strengthen the weak muscles

How is Pain controlled?

Pain is controlled by using different modalities such as ultrasound and interferential therapy. A graduated exercise program will help you to improve your movement.
Here is another interesting article about ACL REHAB.

Exercises will focus mainly on:

– strengthening quadriceps and gluteal muscles,

– proprioception techniques (you will likely lose some of your natural ability to balance after an ACL tear),

-and stretching of the hamstring muscles.

ACL REHAB
Possible ACL REHAB Exercises

Please do not attempt these exercises at home without the advice of your doctor or a skilled Registered Physiotherapist!

If you or someone you know has had an ACL tear, we at PhysioNow would be happy to help! If you want to discuss Physiotherapy Treatment or to see if a Custom Knee brace might be helpful for you, please call and ask to speak with Sharon. Call today!

PELVIC FLOOR: POSTURE

PELVIC FLOOR: POSTURE

Pelvic Floor: Posture

PELVIC FLOOR: POSTURE is a very important area if you have issues with urinary incontinence, pelvic pain, etc.  The muscles of the pelvic floor support the abdominal and pelvic viscera.  These muscles are active in standing and sitting. Furthermore, because the abdomen is a fluid-filled cavity, intra-abdominal pressure  is distributed in all directions.  The Pelvic Floor muscles, which form the floor of the abdominal cavity, contribute to its muscle control.

As a result of this contribution to control of intra-abdominal pressure, the muscles of the pelvic floor are likely to contribute to control of the spine and pelvis. The slouched posture places a lot of pressure on our internal organs and pelvic floor. This can cause a worsening of:

  • urinary incontinence,
  • pelvic pain,
  •  symptoms related to prolapse,
  • and rectus diastasis.

Pelvic Floor: Posture, sitting slumped

  • Research has shown that when we sit in a slumped posture, our pelvic floor muscle activity is much less than when we are sitting tall.
  • Pelvic Floor: Posture IS VERY IMPORTANT!
  • slouched sitting postures decrease the activity of your transverse abdominal muscles.
  • A Proper breathing pattern encourages the pelvic floor to move more dynamically.
  • Dysfunctional breathing patterns inhibit this dynamic movement of the pelvic floor.

Pelvic Floor: Posture,  

  • An assessment by a Pelvic Health Physiotherapist includes a thorough postural examination.
  • Your Pelvic Health Physiotherapist will be able to identify your unique postural compensations
  • They can help guide you on the road to improved body posture awareness.

CHECK OUT THIS LINK FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.

At PhysioNow, we have fully trained Pelvic Health Physiotherapists that can help to assess and treat pelvic issues like the following conditions:

  • Constipation
  • Dyspareunia
  • Endometriosis
  • leakage of urine
  • pain with intercourse
  • pelvic organ prolapse
  • pelvic pain
  • urinary incontinence
  • vaginismus
  • erectile dysfunction

If you or someone you know suffers from one of these conditions, give us a call today.  We would be happy to help!

  1. Sapsford, RR. et al (2006) Sitting posture affects pelvic floor muscle activity in parous women: an observation study. Aust L Physiother. 52(3):219-22
  2. Reeve, A., Dilley, A., (2009) Effects of posture on the thickness of Transverse Abdominal Muscle and Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercises for Stress Urinary Incontinence: A Randomized controlled Trial. J Phys Ther Sci. 26(8): 1161-1163.

Neck Pain Treatment

Neck Pain Treatment

Neck Pain Treatment

Pain in your neck can happen for several different reason  . Neck Pain Treatment can help get you back on your feet quickly.  It can happen suddenly from an accident or fall.  Even sleeping in an awkward position can cause neck pain. Other times it can build up over several months or even years and gradually get worse. And sometimes, it may seem like there is no reason and you just wake up one day with neck pain.

Neck Pain Treatment:  Possible symptoms you may feel

  • The way you feel the pain can also vary depending on how the  injury happened.
  • Some neck injuries will have just pain as the symptom.
  • Other neck injuries will include pain but also have weakness and pins and needles as well.
  • Sometimes you will have pain that is just in the neck itself. In other cases, pain is felt more in the arms or hands.  When this happens,  you might not think that there is anything wrong with your neck at all.
  • Neck pain Treatment can be difficult mostly because it can be difficult to properly diagnose. It is important to find an experienced Registered physiotherapist to make sure that appropriate treatment is received.

See this link for possible causes of Neck Pain.

Neck pain Treatment options:

There can be a variety of treatment options that can be successful at managing neck pain.

  • Modalities such as heat and IFC/TENS can help with reducing pain temporarily.
  • Manual treatment techniques like soft tissue work and mobilizations help with improving mobility and reducing stiffness and tissue tension.
  • Doing the appropriate exercises will also help stretch and strengthen the affected areas.
  • Acupuncture is another modality that can help with reducing pain and improving stiffness.
  • Massage therapy is another treatment approach that can greatly alleviate pain and stiffness and help further the patient’s recovery.
  • Ultimately, there are a variety of treatment options available to treat neck pain. It is up the treating therapist and their expertise to determine the best treatment approach to correct the pain and achieve the patient’s goals.

Neck pain can be very painful  and really affect a your quality of life. It is important to seek help as soon as possible so that the pain and limitations can be addressed and recovery can be achieved quickly!

Call PhysioNow today to get started!

Baker’s Cyst

Baker's cyst

A Baker’s Cyst, also known as a popliteal cyst, is a fluid-filled swelling that causes a lump at the back of the knee. This leads to tightness and restricted movement. The Baker’s Cyst can be painful when you bend or straighten your knee.

? Causes of a Baker’s Cyst

Synovial fluid is a clear liquid that normally circulates through the spaces in your knee joint. Sometimes the knee produces too much of this fluid. The increasing pressure forces the fluid to the back of the knee via a one-way valve. This creates a bulge. This  swelling of the knee causes a Baker’s Cyst to form.

The most common causes of a Baker’s Cyst are:

  • damage to the knee’s cartilage (meniscus)
  • arthritis of the knee
  • rheumatoid arthritis
  • other knee conditions that cause joint inflammation

? Symptoms of a Baker’s Cyst

Some patients may have no pain and may not even notice the cyst is there. However, the signs and symptoms of a Baker’s cyst can include:

  • Swelling or lump behind the knee (the main sign) – this is more evident when standing and comparing one knee to the other. It may feel like a water-filled balloon.
  • Knee pain.
  • Calf pain.
  • Accumulation of fluid around the knee.
  • The knee joint may click or buckle.
  • The knee joint may lock.
  • ? Diagnosis of a Baker’s Cyst

    • Your doctor will examine your knee and feel the swelling. If the cyst is small, they may compare the affected knee to the healthy one and check your range of motion.
    • Your doctor may recommend non-invasive imaging tests if the cyst rapidly increases in size or causes severe pain or fever. These tests include an MRI or ultrasound. An MRI will enable your doctor to see the cyst clearly and to determine if you have any damage to the cartilage.
    • These tests will determine if some other form of growth, such as a tumor, is causing the swelling.
    • Although the cyst won’t show up on an X-ray, your doctor may use one to check for other problems, such as inflammation or arthritis.

    Web MD has additional info on this condition.

    ? Treatment

    A Baker’s Cyst doesn’t need treatment. It will go away on its own. However, if the swelling becomes large and causes severe pain, your doctor may recommend one of the following treatments.

    • Fluid draining

      Your doctor will insert a needle into the knee joint and may use an ultrasound to help guide the needle to the correct place. They’ll then draw the fluid from the joint.

    • Medication

      Your doctor may recommend a corticosteroid medication, such as cortisone. Your doctor will inject this drug into the joint, and the medication will flow back into the cyst. Though it may help relieve the pain, it doesn’t always prevent a Baker’s Cyst from recurring.

    • Physiotherapy

      Regular, gentle exercises may help increase your range of motion and strengthen the muscles around your knee.

    If you think you or someone you know may have a Baker’s Cyst, please call PhysioNow today!  We would be happy to help! We have highly trained Registered Physiotherapists ready to see you Now!

Acupuncture: Neck pain

Acupuncture: Neck pain

Acupuncture: Neck pain

Almost everyone will experience some sort of neck pain or stiffness during their lifetime. However, certain occupations appear to be predisposed to neck symptoms.  Acupuncture: Neck pain may be able to help.

Manual laborers, for instance, have more symptoms than office workers.  The type of work seems to affect the risk. A person’s age and a history of twisting and bending during work can also contribute.

Studies have shown acupuncture: Neck Pain to be effective in relieving certain types of neck pain.  This is especially true for neck pain  caused by whiplash. Some studies suggest acupuncture can treat degenerative neck disorders such as ankylosing spondylosis and cervical spondylosis.  In many cases, acupuncture: Neck pain has worked for patients whose conditions could not be solved using conventional approaches.

¬ Mechanism of action of Acupuncture: Neck pain

  • Release of opioid peptides.Opioids are naturally occurring chemicals in the brain that have apain killing effect. The release of these opioids plays a large role in the reduction of pain. There has been lots of evidence to show that acupuncture stimulates the central nervous system.  This causes the release of these pain killing chemicals.
  • Alteration in the secretion of neurotransmitters and neurohormones.Acupuncture is said to activate the hypothalamus and pituitary glands. This changes the release of these chemicals. These particular chemicals play a direct role in the feeling of pain. It also affects the activity of an organ . Evidence has shown that acupuncture alters this secretion in a manner that reduces pain.
  • Stimulation of electromagnetic points on the body. The 2,000 points of the body that acupuncture focuses on are thought to be special conductors of electromagnetic signals. Stimulation of these areas is believed to start the flow of endorphins—the body’s natural painkillers.¬ Indications for Acupuncture: Neck pain
    • Sudden Force/Automobile Accident
    • Degenerative Disc Disease
    • Overuse/Improper Use
    • Osteoporosis
    • Neck Strain
    • Degenerative Arthritis
    • Whiplash
    • Muscle Tension or Spasm
    • Bone Spur
    • Herniated or Protruding Disk
    • Pinched Nerve
    • Ligament/Muscle Tears
    • Cervical Spondylosis
    • Ankylosing Spondylosis

    ¬ Contraindications of Acupuncture: Neck pain

    There are very few situations where acupuncture is not advised:

    • When someone has a hemophilic condition
    • When a  patient is pregnant – certain acupuncture points and needle manipulations should not be used during pregnancy
    • If a patient has a severe psychotic condition or is under the influence of drugs or alcohol

    Check out this link for a bit more information about the use of Acupuncture: Neck pain.

    ¬ Types of application of Acupuncture: Neck pain

    • Basic needlingNeedles are inserted to a depth of 4–25 mm and left in place for a period of time (from a few seconds to many minutes). There are often 6–12 needles (and sometimes more) inserted at different acupoints at the same time. The sensation is often described as a tingling or dull ache at the entry point. Many people say they feel very relaxed or sleepy, and some report increased energy levels afterwards.
    • Electro acupuncture (EA)A tiny focused electric current is applied to the skin at the acupoints or can be applied to the needle itself.

    If you would like to meet with a Registered Physiotherapist that is trained to do Acupuncture: Neck Pain,   please call PhysioNow today! Our experienced physiotherapists would be happy to help !