What is shockwave therapy? Shockwave therapy is also known as extracorporeal shockwave therapy. It is a treatment which uses low energy acoustic wave pulsations. The modalities can be directly applied to the area of injury using a gel as a medium. Lately, it is becoming one of the common treatment modalities seen in physiotherapy clinics. Why is shockwave therapy used? Importantly, shockwave can be beneficial in treating many musculoskeletal conditions, especially chronic ones. Firstly, it is used to stimulate the body’s natural healing process. Additionally, it can help you to decrease your pain levels by stimulating the nerves around an…

Sports injuries can vary widely depending on the type of sport, the level of competition, and the mechanisms of injury. Some of these injuries you may have experienced yourself while others you may have heard of or even seen them happen on television. Our team at PhysioNow has treated many athletics and sports injuries over the years and would love to share our experiences with them! 1. Ankle sprains/tears Rolled ankles are very frequently seen sports injuries Often, injuries to the ankle ligaments are seen as a result of a running or jumping sport. In most…

What is a shin splint? Shin splints are a common complaint in runners or athletes with sports that involve a lot of high impact movements like dancers, volleyball, basketball players, etc. Usually, it presents as pain in the front of the lower leg, or the shin area. Sometimes, it may be called medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS). Oftentimes, it’s caused by irritation of the tissues between the tibial bone and the muscles, and/or overuse of a lower leg muscle called the tibialis anterior. It can happen to just a single leg, or both simultaneously. The muscle,…

  Our physiotherapy clinic PhysioNow has 9 locations to serve you across the GTA, from Burlington to Etobicoke Physiotherapists can improve your health by being champions of fitness and wellness. They are experts in a wide variety of topics and can help in many different areas. The following is a list of ways your physiotherapist can improve your health! 1. Prevention Physiotherapists work to prevent injuries and physical health issues through education and awareness. For example, they may provide guidance on proper ergonomics, posture, and exercise habits to reduce the risk of developing pain, injuries and chronic conditions. 2. Rehabilitation Sometimes, accidents happen and injuries can’t be avoided. Physiotherapists help individuals recover from injuries, surgeries, and medical conditions. They use various techniques, therapeutic exercises, and treatments to restore physical function, mobility, and strength. 3. Pain Management Physiotherapists help manage and alleviate pain, whether it’s caused by…

What is Frozen Shoulder? Frozen shoulder, also called adhesive capsulitis, involves stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint. The shoulder joint is enclosed in a capsule of connective tissue. Then, frozen shoulder occurs when this capsule thickens and tightens around the shoulder joint, restricting its movement. What does a typical case look like? Often, signs and symptoms begin slowly, and start getting worse. Over a long period of time, symptoms get better, usually within 1 to 3 years. Additionally, having to keep a shoulder still for a long period increases the risk of developing frozen shoulder. For example, this might happen after having surgery or breaking an arm. Treatment involves range-of-motion exercises. Sometimes, treatment involves corticosteroids and numbing medications injected into the joint. Rarely, arthroscopic surgery is needed to loosen the joint capsule so that it can move more freely. It’s unusual for this condition r to reoccur in the…

What is carpal tunnel syndrome? Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common neurological disorder. It  occurs when the median nerve, which runs from your forearm into the palm of the hand, becomes compressed or squeezed at the wrist. Importantly, the median nerve provides feeling to the thumb, index, and middle finger, and part of the ring finger (but not the little finger). Also, it controls some small muscles at the base of the thumb. Sometimes, thickening from the lining of irritated tendons or other swelling narrows the tunnel and compresses the median nerve. For example, a common sign is that you might wake up and feel you need to “shake out” your hand or wrist. What are the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome? Usually, carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms start gradually and includes: Tingling or numbness – You may notice tingling and numbness in the fingers or hand. Usually the thumb…

Image by stockking on Freepik Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis/epicondylalgia, is swelling and pain of the tendons that bend your wrist backwards away from your palm. Usually, it is diagnosed in both men and women between the ages of 30 and 50 years. What is tennis elbow? Firstly, tennis elbow is inflammation or, in some cases, micro tearing of the tendons that join the forearm muscles on the outside of the elbow. As a result, the forearm muscles and tendons become damaged from overuse— repeating the same motions again and again. Ultimately, this leads to pain and tenderness on the outside of the elbow. What are the causes of tennis elbow? 1.  Overuse Recently, studies show that tennis elbow is often due to damage to a specific forearm muscle. The ECRB (extensor carpi radialis brevis) muscle helps stabilize the wrist when the elbow is…

Image by creativeart on Freepik Chronic pain is a complex and pervasive health issue that affects millions of people worldwide. While physical factors like injuries and medical conditions play a significant role in chronic pain, there’s a growing body of evidence suggesting that psychological factors, particularly stress, can also contribute to the development and exacerbation of chronic pain. In this blog post, we’ll explore the intricate relationship between stress and chronic pain and how understanding this connection can lead to better management and relief. The Stress Response and Chronic Pain Stress is a natural response to challenging situations, triggering the release of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. In the short term, this “fight or flight” response can help us cope with immediate threats. However, when stress becomes chronic, as is often the case in our fast-paced modern lives, it can have detrimental effects on…

Image by jcomp on Freepik In our modern, sedentary lifestyles, many of us find ourselves sitting for prolonged periods at desks, in front of computers, or hunched over smartphones. This can lead to poor posture, discomfort, and even health issues. However, initiating postural changes frequently throughout the day can be a simple yet effective way to mitigate these problems and promote overall well-being. In this blog, we’ll explore the reasons why changing your posture is recommended and how it can benefit your health and productivity. 1. Relieves Muscular Tension One of the primary reasons for postural changes is to relieve muscular tension. When you maintain the same posture for an extended period, certain muscles can become overworked and fatigued, while others weaken from underuse. Frequent changes in posture help distribute the load evenly, preventing muscle imbalances and reducing tension. 2. Supports Spinal Health Sitting in one…

What is shockwave therapy? Shockwave Therapy (SWT) is a modality used as treatment for a variety of musculoskeletal conditions – typically chronic (more than 3 months), such as but not limited to: Patient receiving shockwave therapy on their heel. Image by pvproductions on Freepik Plantar Fasciitis Achilles Tendinopathy Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow) Calcific Tendonitis Morton’s Neuroma Importantly, SWT can facilitate the body’s ability to regenerate new tissue and can decrease your pain by stimulating your nerves at the site of the injury.  Not only that, it encourages tissue healing by increasing circulation around injured soft tissues and stimulating cells that generate new bone and connective tissue – triggering and accelerating the body’s natural healing response. Additionally, it breaks down calcified deposits such as in the case of Calcific Tendonitis. How does it work? Shockwave Therapy transforms electricity into shockwaves that are transmitted into the tissue with…