Physiotherapy Blog

Low back pain is one of the most common reasons people visit a Physiotherapist. It can happen to anyone, at any age, and it often shows up without warning. However, the good news is that there are ways to relieve your pain and minimize the chances of it coming back. In this blog, we will explore what causes this type of pain, how to treat it, and how to keep it from becoming a regular problem. What causes low back pain? Infographic demonstrating a proper and improper lifting position for the back There are many reasons why you might have…

A hip replacement can be daunting but with the right information and preparation, you can make the recovery very smooth. In this blog we’ll describe the essentials you should know before, during, and after your surgery, and the importance of Physiotherapy Treatment throughout the process. If you are worried about your upcoming surgery, read on to ease your fears! What is a hip replacement? A total hip replacement, or Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA), is a procedure that replaces damaged bone and cartilage and replaces it with prosthetic components. Specifically, there are two techniques. Cemented: For more elderly populations or patients…

What is DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis? Diagram showing the 2 inflamed tendons (extensor pollicis brevis and extensor pollicis longus) DeQuervain’s tenosynovitis is inflammation involving 2 of the tendons in the thumb and along the side of the wrist. The names of these 2 muscles are the extensor pollicis brevis and the extensor pollicis longus, as depicted above. First, to break down the naming, the Latin name of the thumb is pollex, hence pollicis, while the “extensor” refers to the movement that the muscles create at the thumb, extension! Lastly, brevis and longus refers to how short (or brief!) or long the muscle…

According to the Ministry of Transportation, 2023 saw a total of 49 106 drivers involved in collisions. Of these thousands, it is estimated that up to 83% of individuals will develop whiplash after a car accident. Unfortunately, this makes whiplash the most common injury developed after a car accident and something Physiotherapists see all the time in practice. If you have had a recent car accident and are experiencing neck pain, read on to find out more about whiplash. What is Whiplash? Whiplash injuries, also known as Whiplash Associated Disorder or WAD, is an injury of the neck’s soft tissues.…

Feelings of dizziness can significantly interfere with your life and limit you from doing many of your normal activities. Many people are unaware of Vestibular Physiotherapy, and how it can help treat dizziness, sometimes immediately! Currently, most people when experiencing dizziness will go to seek medical attention. Unfortunately, one study showed only 8% of individuals received effective treatment in this route. In this blog, we will discuss Vestibular Physiotherapy, a lesser known specialty of Physiotherapy. Vestibular System and Dizziness Our vestibular systems, composed of the inner ear and the brain, are responsible for our awareness of head and eye movements…

Is there treatment available after a Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA)? Yes, treatments provided by Registered Physiotherapists are available to help you manage your pain and impairments after the accident. Usually, this process starts by contacting your insurance company and reporting the incident. In Ontario, individuals are entitled to $3500 of treatment which usually covers 4-5 months of treatment. Additionally, coverage may be extended more depending on the severity and extent of the injuries. Not every Physiotherapy clinic accepts MVA referrals, but PhysioNow is one of the leading providers of MVA rehabilitation across the GTA! What is MVA rehabilitation? Car accidents…

What are Tension Type Headaches? Tension type headaches (TTH) are one of the most prevalent types of headache. Unfortunately, they affect a significant portion of the population globally. When experienced, they feel like a dull, aching, type of headache that may wrap around the head. In fact, some patients describe it feeling like a tight band is compressing their skull. Unlike migraines that have symptoms like nausea, noise or light sensitivity, and visual manifestations, tension headaches do not have additional symptoms other than pain. Overall, frequent tension headaches could decrease one’s quality of life. What causes them? Tension Type Headaches…

At PhysioNow, we receive many inquiries from our patients about our direct billing services. If it is your first time using your insurance and are unsure about the whole process, this article should help you out. Additionally, you are free to reach out to us for more personal questions and our team of experienced administrative staff would be more than happy to help you out. What is direct billing? Direct billing means that the clinic can submit the claims on your behalf to your insurance provider. Ultimately, this results in a streamlined process for our patients as you no longer…

What is trigger finger? Trigger finger is a hand condition where the finger can get stuck in a bent position. Afterwards, it may straighten suddenly with a snap. Usually, the fingers most often affected are the ring finger and the thumb, but the condition can affect any finger. Depending on the severity, the locking and popping open of the finger may be quite painful. Why does it happen? The tendon sheathe becomes swollen and blocks movement. Trigger finger happens when the tendon that controls that finger can’t glide smoothly in the sheath that surrounds it. This may occur if part…

Anatomy of the 1st CMC Joint The 1st Carpo-meta-carpal (CMC) joint is more commonly referred to as the thumb joint. It is located at the base of the thumb between the carpal bones and the metacarpal bones. It is classified as a saddle joint, meaning it allows the thumb to move freely in many directions. As a result of this mobility, you can perform a wide variety of complicated tasks such as opening a jar, pinching an object, writing, and holding differently shape objects. What is Thumb Arthritis? Arthritis is a general condition that can affect any joint in the…