Physiotherapy Blog

Ankle mobility, or rather the lack of it, is often overlooked. Many people assume ankle problems only matter if they’ve had a sprain or fracture. In reality, limited ankle mobility can affect your entire body, from your knees and hips to your lower back. At physiotherapy clinics, it is very common to see patients with knee pain, hip pain, or back pain where the root cause is actually poor ankle movement. Understanding ankle mobility and how it ties into the whole body can help you proactively prevent pain and reduce your injury risk. What is ankle mobility? Ankle mobility refers to how well your ankle joint moves. Normally, the ankle joint moves into dorsiflexion (bringing the foot closer to the ankle), plantarflexion (pointing the foot away from the ankle), inversion (sole of the foot towards the middle), eversion (sole of the foot away from the middle), and a combination of…

Why does shoveling cause many low back injuries each year? While shoveling is a simple, everyday chore which Canadians need to endure each winter, it is also one which catches many people off guard. Unfortunately, shoveling can lead to many aches and pains, injuries to the shoulders, slips and falls, and last but not least, low back pain. As physiotherapists, we often see patients with injuries which can be prevented with some tips and improvement to their technique.  Why does such a seemingly easy task cause so many injuries, you ask? Well, for those unfortunate enough to be placed on shoveling duty, they’ll be the first to tell you how physically demanding of a task it really is. Shoveling requires repetitive pushing, lifting, bending and twisting of the back while carrying heavy loads. Not to mention, the freezing temperature causes our muscles to stiffen up, causing them to be more…

Better sleep, a goal that many of strive for day after day. Unfortunately, the struggle to get a good night’s sleep may be known to many of us. Tossing and turning, waking up with a stiff neck or sore back, or feeling exhausted even after a full night in bed, sound familiar? At PhysioNow, we often see patients who come for back pain or neck pain, but once we treat the underlying physical tension, they start sleeping better too. Ultimately, that’s because your body and sleep quality are closely linked. Physiotherapy helps your body relax, realign, and recover, so you…

What’s the difference between leg extension and squats, and which ones better for you? If you find are an avid gym goer yourself, you’ve probably heard some version of this argument. When discussing leg workouts, there is much debate surrounding the importance of leg extension versus squat movement. Although both of these exercises can be performed in a gym setting, they provide different results based on how each exercise incorporates various types of movement patterns into your workout regimen.  Breaking down leg extensions vs squats Let’s begin with understanding the basis of these two exercises. Leg extensions are a targeted…

What Is Bell’s Palsy? Bell’s palsy is the most common form of facial paralysis worldwide. While the sudden onset of facial weakness can be alarming, the condition is usually temporary and, with appropriate care, highly treatable. Bell’s palsy is an acute, often temporary paralysis of the facial nerve, also known as the 7th cranial nerve. This nerve controls the muscles responsible for facial expression, including smiling, blinking, and closing the eyes. When the facial nerve becomes inflamed or compressed, it can result in: Pain or discomfort on one side of the face Sudden facial weakness or paralysis Difficulty performing everyday…

The holiday season is full of joy, but it also brings a fair share of stress. Shopping, planning, travel, and the pressure to find the perfect holiday gift. If you want to give something thoughtful, practical, and genuinely appreciated, PhysioNow has got you covered. Give the gift of a massage this season and your loved ones will thank you! Massage therapy is more than a luxury. It provides physical, mental, and emotional benefits that support well-being long after the holidays are over. Whether you’re shopping for a busy parent, an active athlete, or someone who simply needs a break, a…

When knee pain shows up, it can impact everything from walking, climbing stairs, playing sports, even just sitting comfortably. One of the most common reasons people feel that sharp or nagging pain inside the knee is a meniscus strain. The good news? Many meniscus injuries heal well with the right care and guidance. Let’s break down what the meniscus does, how strains happen, and how physiotherapy helps you get back to moving confidently. What is the meniscus? The menisci are optimally located between the 2 bones to provide support and cushioning. The meniscus is a C-shaped piece of cartilage inside…

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide, particularly those who perform repetitive hand movements. It occurs when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the palm of the hand, becomes compressed at the wrist. This can result in numbness, tingling, weakness, and pain. Ultimately, these can affect your ability to perform daily tasks including grasping, eating, typing and more. Where is the carpal tunnel? The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway located on the palm side of your wrist, surrounded by bones and ligaments. Within this tunnel, several tendons and the…

Unfortunately, Tech Neck, or neck and shoulder pain due to devices, have quietly become one of the most common complaints we see in our PhysioNow clinics today. With the rise of remote work, longer hours on laptops, back-to-back virtual meetings, and constant phone use, many people are experiencing a new kind of discomfort known as Tech Neck. This condition is more than just stiffness, it affects posture, sleep, concentration, and overall well-being. What is tech neck? Tech Neck describes pain and tightness caused by prolonged screen time in everyday life. The human body is not designed to spend hours leaning…

What is a distal humerus fracture? A distal humerus fracture is a break near the elbow end of the upper arm bone (the humerus). It is one of the more complex types of broken arm injuries because it affects the elbow joint, which is a highly mobile and delicate structure. When this area fractures, it often involves the joint surface, making the injury more complicated than a mid-shaft arm fracture. Fractures can range from simple cracks to severe, multi-fragment breaks, and this will affect healing time and the need for surgical treatment. Recovery from a humerus fracture requires proper fracture…