Tag Archives: Wellness

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME:

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is compression of the median nerve as it passes into the hand. The median nerve is located on the palm side of the hand (also called the carpal tunnel). It provides sensation (ability to feel) to your thumb, index finger, long finger, and part of the ring finger. Compression of the nerve produces numbness, tingling and, eventually, hand weakness. Proper Physiotherapy treatment can relieve the tingling and numbness and restore wrist and hand function.

Causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome can be made worse if the wrist is overextended repeatedly
• Repeated motions of your wrist contribute to swelling and compression of the median nerve
• Poor positioning of your wrists while using a keyboard or mouse
• Prolonged exposure to vibrations from using hand tools or power tools
• Any repeated movement that overextends your wrist, such as playing the piano or typing
• Gripping frequently, even an iPad or book for long periods of time
• Lifting free weights
• Gripping weight machines at the gym or home
• Resting your head on your hand with your wrist in a bent position

Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome include:

• Numbness, tingling, and pain in the thumb and first three fingers of the hand
• Pain and burning that can travel up the forearm
• Wrist pain at night that interferes with sleep
• Weakness in the muscles of the hand

Physiotherapy Treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome:

• Wrist splints that hold your hand in a neutral position, especially at night
• Avoiding activities that put your wrist into extreme positions up or down
• Ultrasound and Interferential current can help to reduce the swelling in the Carpal Tunnel
• Proper posture for work and home while reading, working on the computer, etc.
• Exercises done in physical therapy may also be helpful
Acupuncture may help to stimulate the median nerve and relieve pain

Overall, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a very uncomfortable condition. It can interrupt your life and your sleep. Getting the proper Physiotherapy Treatment Program is very helpful! PhysioNow has fully trained Registered Physiotherapists standing ready to help you Now! Please call today to get started on relieving your pain!

Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis

Plantar Fasciitis

The plantar fascia is the band of tissue (ligament) that connects your heel bone to your toes. The main function of this Fascia is to support the arch of your foot. Any strain to the plantar fascia will make it weak, swollen, and irritated. This results in the bottom of your foot hurting when you stand or walk. Some of the causes of plantar fasciitis are: high arches or flat feet, prolonged walking, standing, or running for long periods of time, especially on hard surfaces. Plantar fasciitis can also be caused by shoes that don’t fit well, tight calf muscles or being overweight. Plantar fasciitis is also common with athletes.

Treatment recommended:

In order to decrease these symptoms, try to give the feet adequate rest by reducing the activities that cause your foot to hurt. Walking on hard surfaces should be avoided. Talk to your physiotherapist today. They can help you with various treatment approaches.

To reduce pain and swelling, try putting ice on your heel especially when you first get up in the morning. Get a new pair of shoes. Pick shoes with good arch support and a cushioned sole. Plantar fasciitis most often occurs because of injuries that have happened over time. It may take time for the pain to go away completely.

Stay with your treatment. There may be constant pain when you stand or walk. The sooner you start treatment,the better. Physiotherapy treatment will prevent the injury from being aggravated further.

PhysioNow treatment

Here at PhysioNow we can help you to treat Plantar fasciitis with modalities like Laser, ultrasound and manual physiotherapy. Physiotherapy treatment would include stretches and strengthening exercises. We have a special tool called a “HAWK” that we love to use for Plantar fasciitis to strip out the scar tissue. It speeds up the healing of plantar fasciitis immensely. Custom orthotics may also be useful to support flat feet.
Give us a call today to start feeling better! We can help!

Low Back Pain : Massage Therapy

Low Back Pain

Low Back Pain

Low Back Pain: Massage Therapy
As physiotherapists and registered massage therapists we treat low back pain – a lot. It is by far the most common injury that we see. Stats suggest that almost all of us will have back pain at some point in our lives. It is also the most common cause for missed days at work. But what causes low back pain?

Low Back Pain

The lumbar spine is very complex, therefore what causes low back pain cannot be answered easily. It is critical to have the spine assessed by someone who is trained to determine what structure is sore, and more importantly why. I have listed some of the most common causes of low back pain.

Common Causes of Low Back Pain

1. Disc herniation or bulge: The disc is a shock absorbing structure that sits between each vertebrae or bone of the back. The disc has a hard outside ring around a soft jelly middle. It is often compared to a jelly donut. Pain is produced when this jelly is pushed through the firm outer shell causing a bump in the circular shape. Sciatica or pain radiating down the leg is caused if this bulge hits a nerve.

2. Joint Stiffness: Each of the vertebrae have a joint connecting them to the bone above and below. Like many of the other joints of the body – the ankle, the knee – these joints will swell and become irritated if they are stretched too far or too much work is demanded of them.

3. Muscle Spasm: Often to protect the back, the muscles that run beside the spine will go into spasm. The purpose of this is to splint the back to allow the irritated area to rest. However, often the spasm can be much worse and more limiting than the initial low back pain. Massage Therapy can be very effective at releasing the muscle spasm and helping you to decrease pain.

These are just a few of the causes, and there are many more. If you would like to know the reason for your low back pain and perhaps more importantly how to treat it, call for an appointment with a Physiotherapist or Massage Therapist today!

Exercise: Disease Prevention and tips to include Daily exercise

Dr. Mike Evans is a family doctor who works for University of Toronto and St Michael’s Hospital. He also works for the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute. This institute presents medical information in an understandable way via you tube. A few years ago, Dr. Evans decided to find the most important single thing that someone could do to improve their health and prevent disease. His answer? Exercise. He created a video called “23 and half hours”, in which, he asks you to be at rest only 23 and ½ hours a day. You can see this engaging video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUaInS6HIGo.

Athlete

Stretching before a walk or run


For many of our clients it is difficult to be active for even 30 minutes a day. And although we have to recognize the difficult pressures of work and family, these clients find it difficult to exercise due to pain and injury. So, although they know that exercise may help, they get in a cycle of exercising causing pain, forcing them to rest, which causes more pain…. It is a difficult cycle to be caught in, but there are strategies to break the pattern and get moving.
When starting to exercise, one of the most common mistakes is that people do too much too soon. Remember that any increase in activity will benefit you. This may be taking the stairs versus the elevator, parking at the back of the parking lot and walking to the mall, or even marching on the spot. Start with a level that is comfortable without increasing discomfort. As you continue to do this exercise, it will get easier and this is when you increase intensity. Gym memberships and community programs can be expensive, especially if you are dealing with the costs of chronic illness. Activity can be less expensive. Look into walking in your neighbourhood, or mall walking when the weather is poor. Finally, remember that every little bit helps. If you can only tolerate 5 to 10 minutes of exercise at a time, start there but do it a few times a day.
Shoulder Exercise
If you are uncertain where to start, seek out a physiotherapist to assist you. They are trained in exercise and particularly, exercise for people in pain or with illness and injury. Simple steps can be taken to get you moving again.

Registered Massage Therapy Mississauga – Benefits?

Registered Massage therapy can be an effective part of any wellness program. Whether it is used for injury rehabilitation, pain relief, relaxation, general body maintenance, improved sleep, reduced stress, or anxiety/ depression, there are many good reasons to get a registered massage therapy treatment.

Massage Therapy

Benefits Of Registered Massage Therapy Mississauga

Many of the techniques that have been developed are used to improve the use of muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, fascia, joints, bones, blood circulation, and the lymphatic system. Massage therapy also helps the nervous system to release hormones that promote healing, reduce pain, and increase relaxation. Some of the conditions massage therapy has been shown to benefit include:

  • Arthritis
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Headaches
  • Lower back pain
  • Sprains and strains
  • Tendonitis
  • Repetitive strain injuries
  • Pregnancy support
  •  Scoliosis and Kyphosis
  • Pain that comes from poor posture

Many people have aches and pains that they suffer with on a daily basis. Sometimes these pains will  go away, but other times they can linger for quite a while. Registered Massage therapy can help nip these problems in the bud before they become long term issues.

Massage Therapy Treatment

Stress is another issue that affects us all. It can cause health problems such as headaches, heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Chronic stress can decrease your immune system making it easier for you to suffer from disease or infections.  It can also increase the time it takes you to recover from an illness or injury. Stress can affect your mood by making you anxious, irritable, or depressed. A massage therapy treatment can help you to manage your stress and improve your sense of well being.

There are many good reasons to get a massage therapy treatment. Whatever your reason is, mind, body, or both, book a treatment today with a registered massage therapist and feel the difference massage therapy can make for you. PhysioNow has Massage Therapists standing by to help you.