Athletes put their bodies to the test daily by playing the sports they love. However, high-impact athletics can take a heavy toll on your body. Practices like athletic therapy provide prevention, rehabilitation, and maintenance care to improve athletes’ physical outcomes. What is Athletic Therapy? Athletic Therapy specializes in the prevention, evaluation and management of neuromusculoskeletal injuries (muscles, bones and joints, etc.), especially sports injuries. Their focus is on athletics and physical activity to help athletes return to their sport or individuals to return to an active lifestyle. They work with individuals of all ages and abilities, from amateur and professional athletes to the general population. During a session, they use a variety of techniques to help their patients manage and recover from injuries, improve their physical function and performance, and reduce the risk of future injuries. These techniques include manual therapy, exercise prescription, and modalities such as ultrasound and electrotherapy, and more. They…

What is the Pelvic Floor? Pelvic floor muscles attach to the pelvis bone The pelvic floor is a group of muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues that span the bottom of the pelvis. Importantly, these structures support the pelvic organs, including the bladder, rectum, and in women, the uterus and vagina. The pelvic floor plays a crucial role in maintaining continence (control over bladder and bowel movements), supporting pelvic organs, and contributing to sexual function. What are the most common signs and symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction? There are several signs and symptoms for pelvic floor dysfunctions. They can be further…

Manual osteopathy has been gaining increasing recognition and popularity in Canada. In fact, at PhysioNow we are now happy to have welcomed some professionals to our team that offer manual osteopathy services! Many of our patients have not had experience with this profession before, so here’s what you should know about manual osteopathy, and why you should try it! A Brief Summary In a nutshell, manual osteopathy is a holistic approach to healthcare that emphasizes the interconnectedness of the body’s structure and function. They believe that the body is designed to be self-regulating and aim to restore bodies back to…

So you’ve decided to be part of the 1% that completes a marathon, an incredible achievement! Training for a marathon is demanding on both your physical endurance and mental resilience. One of the most common dangers comes from experiencing a sports injury during your training. This could be overuse injuries, strains, sprains, and more. Ultimately, these can hinder your progress and even affect you on race day itself. To help you keep your body as healthy as possible, here are some essential tips to avoid sports injuries while training for a marathon: 1. Start Slow and Build Gradually Tip: Avoid…

Sports injuries are an unfortunate but common occurrence among athletes of all levels. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a professional athlete, injuries can interrupt your training and competition plans. However, with the right approach to rehabilitation, you can get back to doing what you love with confidence. In this blog post, we’ll explore how physiotherapy plays a crucial role in managing and preventing sports injuries. Understanding Sports Injuries Before diving into how physiotherapy can help, we should understand the nature of sports injuries. Firstly, they can range from acute injuries like sprains, strains, and fractures to more chronic conditions…

Oftentimes, people can be scared to move their backs certain ways, or that some movements are bad, and they will injure themselves if they do them. Truthfully, the more we avoid these movements, the harder they become to do which can actually lead to a greater chance of injury. Keeping the spine mobile and strong with exercises every day is the best way at minimizing the risk of injury. Ultimately, it helps our bodies build resiliency. There are many gentle movements and stretches to choose from that are great for keeping a healthy spine! Getting Started Firstly, these exercises may…

Anatomy of the “back” In order to understand a lower back strain/sprain, a small anatomy lesson must be done. The back is a complex structure of bones and muscles, supported by cartilage, tendons and ligaments. “Back” is a common term which can include portions of the neck, thoracic spine and lumber spine. The back—especially the lumbar, or lower portion of the back—bears much of the body’s weight during walking, running, lifting and other activities. Defining a strain vs. sprain A strain is a general term for an injury that affects a muscle or tendon. Then, the location of the injury…

A pinched nerve, also known as a radiculopathy, is caused by pressure on a nerve as it exits the spinal cord, potentially causing pain, discomfort, weakness, and/or changes in sensation.  Unfortunately, it can have quite detrimental effects on your daily life, hobbies, and ability to work. In this blog, we will discuss the causes, symptoms, and most importantly, how physiotherapy can help you recover from this condition. Why does it happen? Model of the spine showing how the nerves (yellow) exit through spaces around the spinal column. The nerves may get pinched in these spaces. A…

What is the Achilles tendon? The Achilles tendon is one of the strongest tendons in the human body. Anatomically, it connects our calf muscles to the back of the heel bone. Its main action is to point the toes and ankle downwards when our foot is off the ground or raise the heel off the ground when our foot is on the ground. Functionally, it is used whenever we are engaged in walking, running, or hopping-like activities and helps us with force production and shock absorption. The tendon is extremely strong and can withstand high amounts of stress Unfortunately, this can also predispose it to injury and cause ankle pain. Stages of Achilles tendon injuries Diagram showing the different stages of Achilles tendon problems 1) Achilles tendinitis: Inflammation has developed or is developing in the tendon. 2) Achilles tendinosis: There is now degeneration along with or…

Whether you’re recovering from surgery, a fractured bone, or dealing with a temporary mobility issue, you’ve probably been recommended to use crutches! Using them can help you maintain independence while also reducing the amount of stress on your body.  In this guide, we’ll explore the basics of using crutches to get around. How do I choose the right pair? Firstly, you need to have the right pair for your needs. There are various types of crutches, including axillary, forearm, and platform. Usually, the most used are axillary (standard) crutches but they require good upper body strength and endurance. If you are unsure consult with your healthcare provider to determine which type is best suited for you. 3 different styles of crutches How do I size them? In order for crutches to be effective and comfortable, they must be the correct size for you. Luckily, most types…