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Benefits of Massage Therapy

September 30,2021 Sharon Tierney Leave a comment

What is Massage Therapy?

Massage therapy offers many benefits for recovery. This type of treatment involves the hands-on manipulation of the soft tissues of the body. These tissues include:

Muscles
Tendons
Connective tissues
Ligaments

What is the purpose of massage therapy?

The purpose of massage therapy is to help improve the physical condition of the body. This is achieved through by improving:

Tissue flexibility
Joint movement
Circulation
Stress

Are there different types of massage therapy?

Swedish Massage
- Most common type of massage therapy
- It involves soft, long and kneading strokes of the muscles
- This type of treatment may also include joint movement and stretches
- The focus of Swedish massage is the relaxation of the muscles
Deep tissue Massage
- This type of massage aims to get into deeper layers of the soft tissues
- It uses deeper pressure and may be more painful than a Swedish massage but can be helpful in releasing tension coming from deeper structures
Sports Massage
- The focus of sports massage therapy is to help athletes while they are training before, during or after their particular sport
- It helps to maintain optimal muscle flexibility and function and prevent injuries
Lymphatic Drainage
- This is a very gentle pressure massage that helps to improve the circulation of the body
- It specifically targets the lymphatic vessels in the body, which carry lymphatic fluid
- The lymphatic fluid carries
Prenatal Massage
- This type of massage is aimed to specifically for women who are pregnant
- It is usually more gentle and utilizes the side-lying or back lying position to provide pain relief or muscle relaxation

Does PhysioNow offer Registered Massage Therapy?

Yes! PhysioNow offers Registered Massage Therapy as part of our services. More specifically, all of our massage therapists have many years of experience and are able to help our patients recover from their injuries. Additionally, all of our therapists have different areas of specialties and our administrators can assist you in choosing a therapist who is right for you.

What type of injuries can massage therapy help with?

Massage therapy is a great treatment option for most types of injuries. For example, some of the conditions that respond well with massage therapy include:

Muscle sprains and strains

- Muscle sprains or strains can happen anywhere in the body
- Usually, symptoms include pain, restricted range of motion and weakness
- Massage therapy can really help alleviate the muscle tension in and around the strained muscle to help with the recovery

Joint stiffness

- Joints can become stiff with injuries or due to a sedentary lifestyle
- Massage therapy can help improve the joint movement by releasing the tension in the soft tissue structures surrounding the joint

Headaches

- There are many sources of headaches and some of them cannot be helped with manual therapy
- However, tension headaches or those caused by stiffness in the neck respond very well to massage therapy treatment

Arthritis conditions

- Arthritis results in pain and stiffness and massage therapy is a great option for helping to relieve these symptoms
- The treatment will help improve the flexibility of tissues and joints

Motor vehicle accidents

- The whole body experiences trauma after a car accident
- More specifically, most people have stiffness through the neck, middle back and low back
- Massage therapy can help manage these early symptoms after a car accident

Rotator cuff tendinopathies

- Problems with the rotator cuff can cause pain, restricted range of motion, loss of strength and stiffness
- The shoulder is one of the most complex joints of the body because there is so much interconnectedness between the neck, chest, shoulder blade and upper back
- Massage therapy can really help relieve the tensions through all these tissues and provide relief

Low back pain

- Low back pain has been a common problem during the pandemic
- For example, working long hours from home and being generally less active has caused an increase in back pain conditions

Pregnancy

- Pregnancy causes a lot of changes to a woman’s body due to all the hormonal changes
- As the pregnancy progresses, women may continue to experience pain through the neck and back as their body mechanics change to accommodate the growing baby
- Regular massages can help manage these symptoms

Chronic pain conditions

- Many people struggle with chronic pain conditions that really impact their overall well-being
- An example of a chronic pain condition is fibromyalgia
- Massage therapy treatment using gentle pressure can really help manage the pain from these types of conditions

Lymphedema

- Lymphedema is a condition where there is swelling in a limb due to an accumulation of lymphatic fluid.
- The swelling can range from mild to very severe
- The most common cause of lymphedema is breast cancer treatment
- Lymphatic drainage massage can be beneficial in helping manage and reduce the swelling

Why should you choose PhysioNow for Massage Therapy?

PhysioNow is a well-established company and has been serving the Mississauga community since 2004. The company has continued to grow and now consists of 5 locations across Mississauga, Etobicoke and Oakville.

PhysioNow has an amazing team of Registered Massage Therapists with many years of experience. They are able to work with all types of injuries and patients of all ages. We offer Registered Massage Therapy Monday through Saturday and will try out best to find an appointment time that works best with your schedule. PhysioNow offers early morning and evening appointments. Additionally, a lot of our patients do both Massage Therapy and Physiotherapy, since the two services work well together. Both the Physiotherapists and Massage Therapists often collaborate with each other so that the patient is getting the best possible care to help them with their recovery. In fact, we try our best to book both appointments on the same day so that patients can finish their treatments in a timely manner.

Additionally, at PhysioNow we have put into place all the required Covid-19 precautions so that you can feel safe while being in our clinic. Our staff are very focused on keeping the clinic environment sanitized and clean and everyone who enters the clinic has to wear a fresh mask so that everyone is protected.

Do not hesitate! Call PhysioNow today to book your first appointment!

General Category

What is arthritis?

September 22,2021 Sharon Tierney Leave a comment

What is arthritis?

arthritis

The medical and rehabilitation world uses the term ‘arthritis’ all the time. However, what exactly does it mean to have this condition? Simply put, arthritis refers to painful joints or joint disease. However, this is a very simplistic definition of the term. More specifically, there are over 100 different types of this condition. Arthritis affects millions of people around the world, including men and women and people of all ages and ethnicities. Additionally, because it affects the joints of the body, it is a leading cause of disability and affects a lot of the most basic day to day tasks. Individuals who have severe forms of the disease have a significant loss in their quality of life.

What are some important statistics?

A good resource for information on arthritis is the Arthritis Society website. According to their website, about 6 million people across Canada have arthritis. That works out to about 1 in 5 people. The impact of this condition on a person’s life can be substantial:

Someone with arthritis is 4 times more likely to feel that their health is not good
Suffering with arthritis may make someone 2 times as likely to suffer from mental health concerns
40% of those with arthritis have pain that affects their ability to participate in activities
Those with arthritis are 5 times more likely to struggle with their mobility
Having arthritis may make someone two times as likely to be out of work

What are the signs and symptoms of arthritis?

The symptoms of this condition will vary depending on the specific diagnosis. However, in general they include:

Swelling
Pain
Stiffness
Decreased range of motion

Are there different categories of this condition?

There are so many different types of arthritis and arthritis-related conditions that it would be too hard to describe them all in a single blog. However, there are two main types: Degenerative and Inflammatory

Degenerative Arthritis

Another term for Degenerative Arthritis is Osteoarthritis (OA). Furthermore, according to the Arthritis Society of Canada, osteoarthritis is the most common type. Consequently, it affects more people in Canada than all the other forms of the disease combined.

Osteoarthritis is commonly described using the term ‘wear-and-tear’
However, the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) more recently defined it as the body’s inability to properly repair damaged joint tissues.
The damage to the joints can develop from changes related to aging or from injuries.
Osteoarthritis damages the cartilage covering the joint surfaces.
- Cartilage is a tough elastic material that covers and protects the ends of bones.
- Severe damage to the cartilage leads to exposure of the boney surfaces
- This creates pain, stiffness and reduced range of motion.
The most commonly affected joints are the knees, hips, hands and spine

What are some risk factors for osteoarthritis?

There are some factors that contribute to the development of OA including:

- Age
- Obesity
- Sex
- Occupation
- Participation in certain sports
- History of joint injury or surgery
- Genetics

Inflammatory Arthritis

Inflammatory arthritis includes every other form of arthritis except osteoarthritis.
This category of the condition is very different from osteoarthritis because the joint damage comes from the process of inflammation.
In most cases, the inflammation is caused by an autoimmune disease, which is when the immune system mistakenly attacks the normal tissues of the body.
More specifically for inflammatory arthritis, the immune system attacks the joint tissues.
The inflammation can result in pain, stiffness, restricted mobility, fatigue and damage to joints and other tissues.
Furthermore, the damage can change the shape of the joints and deformities can develop.
Some forms of inflammatory arthritis are considered systemic because they can affect the whole body.

What are some common types of inflammatory arthritis?

- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Juvenile idiopathic arthritis
- Lupus
- Gout

How is this condition diagnosed?

The diagnosis of arthritis is made using symptom presentations and physical examinations
Some doctors may order an X-ray to visualize the potential damage of a joint
It is important to understand that quite often the symptoms of osteoarthritis do not always match what is shown on x-rays.
- For example, the x-ray may show significant joint changes but the symptoms may not be severe
- However, the reverse may also be true
A medical history and physical examinations are required to diagnose inflammatory arthritis
- Unlike with osteoarthritis, inflammatory arthritis usually requires diagnostic tests such as blood tests and x-rays to confirm the diagnosis

What are the treatment options for osteoarthritis?

Unfortunately, osteoarthritis creates irreversible joint changes. However, the good news is that the symptoms can be relieved or significantly improved with several management strategies. Specifically, the main goal of any treatment is to manage pain and improve function instead of curing the condition.

Medications

- Medication is usually required on an as-needed basis when symptoms come and go
- For people who have more severe or constant symptoms, medications may have to be used daily to manage the symptoms, especially for inflammatory conditions

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is a form of rehabilitation that helps to decrease pain, increase range of motion and improve strength and function
The Registered Physiotherapists at PhysioNow will use a wide range of treatment techniques to help improve a patient’s condition
More specifically, physiotherapy treatment at PhysioNow may include the following types of treatments:
- Modalities to help manage pain and inflammation
  - Examples may include interferential current (IFC), ultrasound, laser and acupuncture
- Manual techniques to reduce tissue and joint stiffness
  - At PhysioNow, the physiotherapists have expertise in soft tissue work, joint mobilizations and stretching techniques that will help alleviate pain and stiffness
- Exercises that will help improve flexibility and overall strength of the affected areas
  - The exercises prescribed by our therapists will help our patients regain their strength and function and get back to doing the important things in life
  - A lot of elderly patients with arthritis conditions may stop being active and lose their strength and overall function
  - This will place them at increased risk of falling, which can cause serious injury
  - The physiotherapists at PhysioNow can implement a Falls Prevention Program that will help rebuild strength, endurance and reduce the risk of falls
- Education to help the patient manage their symptoms at home and continue with their activity

Surgery

The most common types of surgical procedures are total joint replacements, especially for the hip and knee
More specifically, joint replacement surgery involves removing the damaged joint and replacing it with a prosthesis.
However, the first line of defense should always be conservative treatments such as medication and physiotherapy
Surgery is considered when there is no response to conservative treatments

What are the treatment options for inflammatory arthritis?

Medications are a large part of the treatment for inflammatory arthritis as well
The medications are dependent on the specific diagnosis, but their overall aim is to control the inflammation that is causing the joint damage
The different classes of medications available for treatment of the various conditions include:
- Biologic
- Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drug (DMARD)
- Corticosteroids
Additionally, inflammatory arthritis also results in pain, joint stiffness and loss of function
Similar to osteoarthritis, a Registered Physiotherapist can help develop a treatment plan that will help address these issues and improve patients’ quality of life
More specifically, movement and exercise is an important part of managing inflammatory arthritis

To sum up, leaving arthritis untreated can have debilitating effects on your quality of life. More specifically, people will live their life with pain, limited strength and mobility as a result. Therefore, to prevent the loss of your quality of life, it is important to get help with management as soon as possible. Start your recovery with the experts at PhysioNow. Call PhysioNow today to book your appointment with a Registered Physiotherapist!

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Fibromyalgia

January 14,2021 Sharon Tierney Leave a comment

FIBROMYALGIA

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition. It is often associated with widespread symptoms including fatigue, pain and sleep disturbances.

Causes and Risk Factors

It is unclear as to what causes fibromyalgia. However, there are some causes which might be increasing your risk of getting fibromyalgia:

Genetics-

You could be ay a higher risk for fibromyalgia if it runs in your family

Stress-

Emotional or physical stresses have been known to aggravate or cause this condition

Age-

Women have been found to be at a higher risk

Symptoms of Fibromyalgia:

The symptoms may vary from individual to individual but, following are some of the commonest symptoms-

Fatigue-

One of the commonest symptom is fatigue

Pain-

Pain that lasts > 3 months and widespread pain at several sites in the body

Sleep disturbances-

You could have sleep disturbances or non restorative sleep (sleeping for long but not feeling rested)

Reduced exercise tolerance and morning stiffness.

Other symptoms include trouble with concentration/memory. It is also called ‘fibro fog’ or ‘brain fog’. Headaches and depression are also common. It is common to have fluctuations in the symptoms. You may experience pain that may range from a mild discomfort/ache to an unbearable pain.

Although it may mimic more like an arthritis/ bone related pain, it actually comes from the soft tissues. Fibromyalgia can start at any age. However, mostly it is by early to middle adulthood that people start feeling it.

Diagnosis:

Your doctor will take a detailed history to understand all of your symptoms. There is no definitive test to diagnose this condition. However, the doctors may prescribe you to do other tests like blood work or X-rays to rule out other conditions that show similar symptoms.

How do you treat it?

Drugs-

The treatment is usually focused on relieving the symptoms. For instance, your doctor may prescribe muscle relaxants, pain killers, anti-depressants or sleep medications,

Acupuncture-

To help relieve pain

Fibromyalgia. Acupuncture

Cognitive Behavior Therapy-

Cognitive Behavior Therapy can help to reduce stress. Can be individual or group therapy.

Nutrition-

A healthy balanced diet is good because it helps to keep your body healthy and keep the energy levels high.

Massage therapy-

Helps in relaxing the muscles and relieve pain

Activity pacing-

There may be good and bad days in this condition. Thus, it is important to make sure you prioritize your activities for the day. This is helpful in order to reduce excessive fatigue.

Physiotherapy-

Physiotherapy can help to firstly, reduce your pain. Secondly, they can give guidance on modifying activities and finally, prescribe exercises. In addition, aerobic fitness and strengthening exercises help in this condition.

Physiotherapy for fibromyalgia

How can we help?

Our physiotherapists will take a detailed history followed by a thorough evaluation of all your symptoms and problem areas. Then, they will formulate and discuss a treatment plan for you. Also, we have massage therapists and therapists who do acupuncture. Thus, if you are having fibromyalgia or know anyone who needs help with the same, contact us today at PhysioNow!

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Posture

December 22,2020 Sharon Tierney Leave a comment

IS POOR POSTURE THE CAUSE OF YOUR PAIN?

Did you know that current research suggests 80% individuals will experience back pain at some time in their lives? There are several causes that can lead to back pain-degenerative changes, herniated discs, poor posture, pulled/torn muscle /ligament around the spine, kidney stones or many other pathological causes. Of all these various causes, there is one thing that can be controlled and taken care of by you-POSTURE!

WHAT EXACTLY IS A POOR POSTURE?

Any position that places our spine in unnatural curves (most often a C shape) instead of the normal S shape curve is a poor posture (see picture below). S shaped curve allows for equal weight distribution as well as flexibility of the spine. Poor posture is known to affect not just the spine but also the surrounding ligaments and muscles. Prolonged poor postures lead to a lot of pressure on these surrounding tissues thus increasing the damage and pain.

Good-Posture-vs-Poor-Posture

FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO POOR POSTURE:

Improper workstation design :

Could be a wrong chair, monitor height or distance of yourself and the monitor. Lack of enough breaks specially in a desk job also contribute to poor posture in the long run.

Repetitive movements/postures as a part of work/occupation:

Bending repeatedly and working.

Lifestyle:

Current technology has made people to bend down and look into their electronic devices for several hours every day. High heels, sitting with the wallet in the back pocket and heavy bags/purses also lead to malalignment of the spine.

Muscle imbalance:

Due to certain sports that we play or our basic posture leading to weakness in some groups and tightness in others thus affecting the curve.

Poor core stability and strength

Age:

As age advances, it leads to lesser flexibility and strength. If we keep thinking that doing exercises will cause more discomfort than what we currently have, the muscles become weaker and weaker and without enough muscle strength, the spine cannot stand erect

Habit:

The habit of poor posture is very difficult to change like sitting slouched on a couch for several hours or just slouch sitting or standing in day to day activities. Sure, everyone loves to sit in a relaxed position but, if you do not make the effort of trying to change it, it will keep creating more and more problems for the body.

EFFECTS OF BAD POSTURE:

Since childhood we have been asked to sit straight or stand tall and not slouch. Mostly everyone did that as a compulsion and rather grudgingly. However, it has many important reasons instead of it just being better for our appearance!

Back pain:

That is the most obvious one! Poor posture leads to stretching of the muscles of the back and the surrounding structures thus making them weak which in turn reduces the support it gives to the spine – taking us back to poor posture! As it becomes more of a chronic habit, you then have to take care of your posture and make your muscles stronger as well.

Neck pain, headaches and jaw pain:

Sometimes when there is no trauma or injury to your jaw and it starts clicking, popping, paining or going into spasm. There is a possibility it might be coming due to malalignment of the neck. A forward head posture has been known to cause jaw pain and headaches.

Hip, knee and foot pain:

Yes, the body is a closely connected structure. Any malalignment or change at one point like the foot or knee does affect the spine and leads to pain and vice versa.

Gastrointestinal system problems:

A slouched position/poor posture may compress the internal organs of the abdomen. It also affects the movement of the intestines thus leading to numerous gastrointestinal troubles like acid reflux or constipation. Over time it can also affect the metabolism and the way food is processed in the body.

Psychosocial impact:

In general, a person with a good upright posture seems more approachable and confident compared to the one who is slouching. This in turn leads to less motivation or mood issues in social situations. It has also been known to cause more fatigue and sleep problems as the body has to work harder and spend more energy to maintain itself when it is clearly not aligned well.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO FIX A BAD POSTURE?

Avoid prolonged sustained positions. Make sure you take frequent breaks, if possible, try getting up from your chair after every 30-45 minutes .
Get into the habit of sitting well- always sit with your buttocks touching the back of the chair. This, in turn, will promote an erect posture and your back will get enough support
While you are standing try to distribute your weight evenly on both legs and do not lean on one side.
Use a backpack instead of a one sided bag if it is heavy so there is equal weight distribution on the shoulders. While sitting remove the wallet from the back pocket
Do a chin tuck- if you have a poking chin and rounded shoulders, straighten your upper back and do a chin tuck and repeat it 10 times. You should also stretch your chest muscles if you have rounded shoulders
If you have to use the phone for a long time, try holding it with your hand. You can also use a hands-free device instead of cradling it with your shoulder

HOW DOES PHYSIOTHERAPY HELP TO SOLVE POSTURE RELATED PROBLEMS?

Physiotherapists can help you by assessing exactly where your problem begins and then helping you to understand and modify habits that lead to bad posture. There are also various other treatments like manual therapy, taping and exercises that are aimed at stretching the tight muscles and strengthening the weaker muscles around the spine. They can also advice you regarding your work station modifications, if required.

PhysioNow

If you or anyone you know has posture related aches and pains or wants to get an assessment done to find out more about how you can improve your posture, call us today for an appointment!

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Neck related dizziness

December 8,2020 Sharon Tierney Leave a comment

Neck related dizziness

Neck related or cervicogenic dizziness is one of the common causes of dizziness and affects 45-80% population. However, while treating the symptoms of being dizzy/light-headed, this diagnosis is commonly missed.

How can it come from the neck?

Nerves from the upper part of the neck connect with the vestibular system(area of the brain responsible for balance). As a result, any injury or impairment in the upper neck like car accident (whiplash), abnormal posture or any inflammatory condition could eventually lead to disturbance in the vestibular system. This, in turn, leads to dizziness.

How to know if your dizziness is related to your neck?

If you are experiencing lightheadedness, unsteadiness, feeling imbalanced and above all, feeling like your external environment is spinning
Moreover, if your symptoms comes with moving the head quickly in any direction, during sitting or standing up
Further, if you are experiencing headache and neck pain
In addition, you have a history of neck injury due to a car accident or neck pain due to abnormal posture

Diagnosis:

There is no specific test with good evidence for cervicogenic dizziness. However, there are tests that will help you rule out other causes of dizziness. This, in turn will help in concluding that cervical spine is the cause for your symptoms.

How could physiotherapy help you with dizziness?

First of all, there will be a comprehensive assessment of your symptoms. Then, the physiotherapist designs a treatment plan incorporating manual therapy , exercises, education and other modalities like acupuncture. Consequently, it will help treat the neck as well as the vestibular system.

Neck related dizziness

Prognosis:

Cervicogenic dizziness usually has good prognosis. It usually resolves with the treatment of neck and the vestibular system. About 75% of patients have reported significant improvement in their symptoms.

Are you experiencing any of these symptoms? Our Vestibular physiotherapists specialize in treating this. Book an appointment today at one of our clinics! We will do an assessment and help you get better.

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Physiotherapy Mississauga

November 12,2020 Sharon Tierney Leave a comment

Physiotherapy Mississauga

Why choose PhysioNow for Physiotherapy Mississauga?

• Over 16 years of providing top rated Physiotherapy Mississauga
There are 4 convenient locations- Erin Mills, Applewood, Lorne Park and Long Branch

• Awards/nominations? PhysioNow: nominated for a Top Choice Award in 2020.

• A team of highly qualified physiotherapists and massage therapists

All of our physiotherapists and massage therapists have several years of experience in their field and are registered in good standing with the College of Physiotherapy and Massage Therapy.

• Services we offer

Services are provided for all ages and for a variety of conditions. For instance, our therapists are specialized in several areas including manual therapy, acupuncture, vestibular rehabilitation, concussion , sports injuries, pelvic health and soft tissue techniques.

Lower Back Pain Treatments

Donjoy Defiance ACL Repair Brace

Return To Sport After ACL Ligament Repair

In addition, we do custom orthotics and braces. For your convenience, we are currently also offering our physiotherapy services virtually .

• Direct billing available

In addition, Direct billing is available to most of the insurance companies so it is convenient for you. For instance, we also deal with third party insurers like MVA and WSIB.

• Flexible hours and free parking available

Above all, we are open for extended hours ( ) to help you at a time that is best for you.

What to expect at Physiotherapy Mississauga?

First, you have an assessment with our physiotherapist. They will do a full check up of the problem area .

Next, the physiotherapist will then prescribe a treatment plan especially for you.

Further, they can also help you understand more about your condition.

We will answer your questions .

Lastly, changes may be made in your daily routine.

As a result, this will help you to get better faster.

COVID considerations: We take excellent precautions!

• Providing a face mask and use of 70% alcohol hand sanitizer for each patient upon arrival into the clinic

• Installation of sneeze guards at the front desk

• In addition, Sanitization of treatment beds after before each patient use

• Disinfecting commonly touched surfaces between every patient

• Switching out pillowcases with each patient use

• All staff will wear a gown and mask and wash hands between each patient contact

Social distancing throughout the clinic.
Lastly, no visitors are sitting in reception

If you are in need of Physiotherapy or Massage Therapy, Contact PhysioNow today.

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Physiotherapy for Neck Pain

April 20,2019 Sharon Tierney Leave a comment

Physiotherapy for Neck Pain

Neck pain is a common problem for a lot of people. Physiotherapy for Neck Pain is one of the top 5 reasons why people go for physiotherapy treatment. People can get neck pain after many different types of activities. Some of the most reported examples are:

Getting a kink in the neck after a bad night’s sleep
Feeling pain in the neck and shoulder area after doing some heavy lifting at home or at the gym
Feeling pain in the neck when using the computer for long periods of time
Feeling pain in the neck after an accident, such as a fall or motor vehicle accident

Assessment for Neck Pain

Signs and Symptoms

There are many obvious signs and symptoms of a neck injury. Some of these include:

Pain in the neck
Restricted movement of the neck
Sensations of tightness or stiffness in the neck

There are also some not so obvious signs and symptoms of a neck injury:

Pain in the arm
Headache
Pins & needles in the arm
Numbness in the arm
Weakness in the arm and/or hand

Patients who experience these symptoms may think that they have an injury to their arm. They may get worried because of the unusual pins and needles or numbness they are feeling. However, most of the time these symptoms are coming from the neck. An experienced physiotherapist will be able to make the connection between a patient’s arm symptoms and their neck pain.

Treatment for Neck Pain

The treatment for neck pain will vary depending on the nature of the injury. Your Physiotherapist will first start with an assessment to figure out what the problem is. During the assessment, they will ask some questions about how the pain started. They will also get details on how the symptoms behave. Some examples of these questions include:

How long have you been feeling your pain?
How intense is your pain on a scale from 0 to 10?
Was there an incident that started the pain?
Where exactly do you feel your symptoms?
What kind of symptoms do you feel?
What kind of activities make your pain feel worse or better?

In conclusion, answers to these questions will allow your Physiotherapist to understand the nature of your injury. They will then perform a physical assessment. Finally, certain physiotherapy tests that will help them further understand your injury.

Physiotherapy Tests for Neck Pain

Movement of the neck and arm
Tenderness of the muscles around the neck
Sensation of the arm
Strength of different muscles in the arm
Reflexes of the arm

In conclusion, once your Physiotherapist is done gathering all the information, they can come up with a diagnosis for your neck pain.

Treatment for Neck Pain

Treatment for Neck Pain

Using the information from the assessment your Physiotherapist will develop a treatment plan for you. The treatment plan will include different methods to reduce your pain and improve your function. For example, some common Physiotherapy treatment tools at PhysioNow include:

Interferential Current (IFC)

This is electrical stimulation that helps with pain management
- There are 4 pads that are placed around the painful areas of the neck
- Moreover, the strength of the current is dependent on your comfort level – stronger does not mean better
- We ask you to indicate when you feel a strong, but comfortable amount of sensation
- In summary, IFC distracts the body’s pain signals to give relief of pain
- Lastly, this electrical modality is usually applied for 15 minutes
- If you are interested in knowing more about Interferential Current Treatment, please check out this article .

Heat therapy

Heat is used as another pain management tool
- As a result, it is usually combined with the IFC so that you can have both at the same time
- At PhysioNow, our therapists use moist heat packs for heat therapy
- As a result, moist heat is the most effective form of heat because it allows the heat to get deeper into the tissues
- In summary, Heat therapy increases circulation, relaxes soft tissues and reduces pain and stiffness
- In conclusion, heat is usually applied for 15 minutes

Manual Therapy

Manual therapy involves “hands-on” treatment by the Physiotherapist
- As an Example, the most common forms of manual therapy involve soft tissue work, mobilizations and passive stretching
- Moreover, soft tissue work helps reduce tissue tension and improves circulation in the area
  - There are a lot of muscles around the neck and when there is injury or pain these muscles become tight and stiff
  - This Soft tissue work around the neck is gentle to generally loosen these tissues
  - In addition, soft tissue work can also be very deep to work out specific tissue knots
  - In conclusion, your Physiotherapist will always consider your comfort for these types of treatment

Mobilizations

Mobilizations help decrease the stiffness in the joint
- In short, there are 7 vertebrae in the neck and stiffness can develop at any level
  - Your Physiotherapist can apply different levels of gentle pressure to get the joints of the neck moving

Passive Stretching

Passive Stretching helps lengthen tightened muscles
- For example, some muscles that most often get tight in the neck include the scalenes, upper trapezius, sternocleidomastoid and levator scapula
  - Your Physiotherapist will be able to determine which muscles are tight
  - The stretches are usually held for about 20-30 seconds and repeated 2-3 times

Exercise prescription

Exercise prescription
- In addition, Exercises are an important part of any Physiotherapy treatment
- Special Exercises that will be given to you depending on your specific neck injury
- The exercises can help get your joints moving, stretch the soft tissues and strengthen the muscles around the neck
- Moreover, these exercises will allow you to keep treating yourself on a outside of your Physiotherapy appointments. This speeds up your recovery
- As a result, we know that patients who perform their exercises on a regular and consistent basis will have the fastest results with their Physiotherapy treatment

Education

Education
- In addition, Education is another important part of Physiotherapy treatment for neck pain
- If you have a good understanding of your condition and treatment, you will have the best results with your recovery
- Lastly, an experienced Physiotherapist should be a great teacher
- For example, your Physiotherapist may suggest that you use a specific pillow for improved sleep, or suggest ways to maintain good posture during work hours

Massage Therapy for Neck Pain

We know that Registered Massage Therapy can also be a very effective treatment for Neck Pain. At PhysioNow, we have many excellent Registered Massage Therapists at all of our clinics.

In conclusion, using these Physiotherapy treatment options produces great results for neck pain. Your Physiotherapist will work with you to help you achieve the best recovery possible and get back to doing the things you love.

If you or anyone you know is experiencing neck pain, please call today! At PhysioNow, we are ready to help!

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The Mysterious Pelvic Floor

January 8,2019 Sharon Tierney Leave a comment

The Mysterious Pelvic Floor

What is The Mysterious Pelvic Floor??

The Pelvic Floor. Perhaps you have heard this referenced before but did not have a definitive idea of what it was. Is it just a region in the body? A single muscle? Let us explore this very important topic.

The Pelvic floor is a group of extremely important muscles located on the inside of the pelvis with a hammock like orientation. They attach to the tailbone (coccyx) at the back, the pubic bone in the front and span side to side.

Functions:

These muscles are involved in several complex functions but are often overlooked in their contribution due to their “out of sight, out of mind” presence. These functions include:

1. Bowel and Bladder Function and Support

Assists in control of the bladder and bowel (helping to prevent incontinence) in males and females. In females, the pelvic floor supports the uterus and other organs located in the pelvic cavity. This helps to prevent prolapse. Prolapse is the lowering down of a pelvic organ from its normal position.

Contribution to our Core Muscles?

The pelvic floor acts as the base of our core together with the deep back muscles and diaphragm. Core muscles help to provide strength and stability of the spine.

Involvement in Sexual Function

The pelvic floor plays a role in sensation during sexual intercourse. As a result, dysfunction of these muscles may lead to painful intercourse. In addition, it can lead to decreased sensation, and reduced erectile function amongst other symptoms.

Involvement in pregnancy and delivery

The strength of the pelvic floor muscles is very important during pregnancy. They help to support the extra weight of pregnancy. This can reduce certain symptoms of discomfort. They can also help to decrease the incidence of incontinence (bladder leakage), and prolapse. Additionally, they play a large role during delivery in guiding the baby’s head down the birth canal.

Symptoms of Dysfunction?

When the pelvic floor is working in harmony, it plays a big role in a variety of our functions. What happens when something is not quite balanced in the pelvic floor? Symptoms may arise. For example, they can be as a result of one of two scenarios: weakness in the pelvic floor or increased tension in the pelvic floor.

What about Kegels?

It is common to assume that any pelvic floor concerns are automatically as a result of weakness. Many people think that kegels should immediately be practiced. However, kegels are NOT always the answer! If the primary problem in the pelvic floor is tension, kegels can in fact do more harm than good. The Mysterious Pelvic Floor issues can be solved with a little Pelvic Physiotherapy!

So, what are some of the symptoms associated with pelvic floor dysfunction?

Urinary issues, such as the urge to urinate, incontinence (bladder leakage), urinary frequency and painful urination.
Bowel concerns such as constipation and incontinence
Lower back pain
Pain in the pelvic region, genitals, or rectum.
Discomfort during sexual intercourse for women.
Pressure in the pelvic region or rectum.
Muscle spasms in the pelvis.

What are some of the Risk Factors for issues with The Mysterious Pelvic Floor ?

A history of back pain
Previous trauma to the pelvic region such as a fall or pelvic radiotherapy
Ongoing constipation (i.e. for example, regularly straining to empty your bowels)
A chronic cough or sneeze (e.g. due to asthma, smoking or hayfever)
Being overweight, or having a body mass index above 25, and
Heavy lifting on a regular basis – either at work or at the gym most commonly
During pregnancy and post-partum, some factors may arise
Women who are going through, or have been through, menopause
Women who have had gynaecological surgery (e.g. hysterectomy)
Men who have had prostate surgery
Elite athletes such as gymnasts, runners or trampolinists.

What is a Pelvic Physiotherapist and How Can We Help?

A Pelvic Physiotherapist has advanced training . They assess and treat the pelvic floor through a combination of external and internal examinations. This treatment is for both males and females. Internal examination allows the Physiotherapist, to evaluate the pelvic floor directly. As a result, this will help to identify contributing factors to your concern.

Typically, tension or weakness are underlying imbalances in the pelvic floor. The Mysterious Pelvic Floor issues are usually treatable!

Although this is an area less known for its muscle contribution, the parallel of a shoulder injury should be drawn here, for example. In order to help treat a shoulder problem, a Physiotherapist would still have to evaluate all the muscles around it. We would check to see where the problem lies. Once found, these same muscles would be treated directly.

This is the same principle to keep in mind when trying to understand pelvic floor problems and treatment.

Treatment of The Mysterious Pelvic Floor?

Once a full examination has been completed, the Pelvic Physiotherapist discusses the results with you. Together, they will develop a treatment plan with you. Pelvic Physiotherapy treatments vary, however, some of the methods often used can include:

Postural training
Release and mobilizations , (often the low back, hips, etc. are involved).
Connective tissue release. Connective tissue is the thin layer found above our muscles. Sometimes, it can cause tension pulls and compression in areas. As a result, this causes pain and poor function.
Dilator work
Internal techniques to release areas of tension. We teach contraction exercises AND relaxation techniques. These are often overlooked
Exercises: These are positional to alleviate pain and pressure. They strengthen, stretch, and activate muscles. As a result, they help to build endurance, and improve coordination.
Breathing techniques

In cases where internal assessment or treatment may be painful, external treatment can be started first. This can often reduce the tension causing the internal discomfort. Improvements can be made to achieve your ultimate goals.

It is also important to note that Physiotherapists are primary health care providers. Therefore, you can see a Physiotherapist without a doctor’s referral. However, if your Physiotherapist feels that you may benefit from further testing, we will reach out to your doctor of choice.

Summary of The Mysterious Pelvic Floor

The Mysterious Pelvic Floor doesn’t need to be so mysterious!

Two of the most common phrases that I hear patient’s mention during or after a pelvic physiotherapy assessment are:

“I didn’t even know that this type of Physiotherapy existed” and

“I wish I knew about this sooner”

These phrases are often derived from patients who have a pelvic concern. In most cases, it has significantly affected their function. It has resulted from the belief that nothing could be done, besides “living with it.”

My hope is that Pelvic Physiotherapy becomes well known! My hope is that you seek treatment as often as our rotator cuff friends. Afterall, they both involve muscles that can be easily treated. Take care of your pelvic floor, it is literally of foundational importance!

If you or someone you know suffers from Pelvic Floor issues, PhysioNow can help! We have specially trained Pelvic Floor Physiotherapists available at all of our clinics to help. Call today to get started on your treatment!

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Acute Ankle Sprains

December 2,2018 Sharon Tierney Leave a comment

Acute Ankle Sprains

How do Acute Ankle Sprains happen?

Acute Ankle sprains are common injuries in people of all ages. They can happen in many different circumstances. However, they always involve some type of fall or twisting movement to the ankle. For example:

Going downstairs and missing the last step resulting in twisting the ankle
Landing on the ankle in a twisted position after coming down from a lay-up in basketball or in a Sports Injury
Slipping on an icy street while walking

In all of these situations, the ankle gets a sudden movement and/or trauma that causes it to twist more than its normal range of movement allows.

Acute Ankle Sprains

What structure gets injured with an acute ankle sprain?

The structures that are injured with acute ankle sprains are the ligaments around the ankle joint. Ligaments are soft tissue structures that connect two bones together. Their function is to prevent the bones from moving too far away from each other. Ligaments help maintain normal movement between the bones.

With ankle sprains, the ligaments get over-stretched beyond what they can tolerate which causes tears in their fibres. The ligaments that are involved in acute ankle sprains are present on the outside (lateral), inside (medial), and top of the ankle.

Are there different types of acute ankle sprains?

There are three main types of ankle sprains:

Inversion
Eversion
High Ankle Sprain

The terms relate to the direction of ankle movement that caused the injury to occur.

INVERSION ANKLE SPRAIN

An inversion sprain occurs when the ankle is forcefully turned inwards.
- This type of acute ankle sprain is the most commonly occurring of the three because the ligaments on the outside of the ankle are generally weaker than the rest.
- Another name for an inversion ankle sprain is lateral ankle sprain
- A lateral ankle sprain injures the ligaments on the outside of the ankle.

EVERSION ANKLE SPRAIN

An eversion sprain occurs when the ankle is forcefully turned outwards.
- This type of force injures the ligaments on the inside of the ankle.
- The ligaments on the inside of the ankle are called the deltoid ligament
- An eversion ankle sprain is also called a medial ankle sprain

HIGH ANKLE SPRAIN

A high ankle sprain is the rarest of the three types and it occurs when there is excessive twisting of the shin.
- The ligaments that are injured with this type of injury are located above the ankle.
- The location of the ligaments is why this injury is called a ‘high’ ankle sprain.

Are some people more at risk for Acute Ankle Sprains than others?

There are certain risk factors that may make ankle sprains more likely to happen. However, the research is a little inconclusive on why this is so. Some of these possible factors include:

Poor muscle strength/fitness
Increased weight
Decreased muscle-reaction time
Previous history of ankle sprains resulting in poor balance

Can there be different severities of Acute Ankle Sprains?

The severity of the ankle sprain depends on how much the ligament was overstretched in the process of the injury. Sprains are classified by different grades to explain the severity:

Grade I: mild stretching or tear of the ligament, with little or no instability at the joint
Grade II: incomplete tear of the ligament, with some instability in the joint
A Grade III: ligament is completely torn or ruptured and there is no stability in the ankle

Ligaments affected in Ankle Sprains

What should you do if you think you have sprained your ankle?

In all three types of Acute Ankle Sprains, it is important that you see a health care provider. The health care provider, whether it is a doctor or a Registered Physiotherapist, will first rule out the possibility of fracture. There is always the possibility of a fracture with Acute Ankle Sprains. The ligaments attach onto a bony area and if the twist is severe enough, it can pull off a chunk of the bone. When this happens, it can cause a fracture. Signs and symptoms of a potential fracture include:

Lots of swelling
Increased bruising
Increased tenderness over specific areas of the ankle
Difficulty or inability to put weight through the injured ankle

When the signs and symptoms are suspicious of a fracture, then an X-ray must be completed. If there is no evidence of fracture, then your doctor may send you for an ultrasound. In the end, they should refer you for Physiotherapy treatment. So ask your doctor to send you to Physiotherapy if they don’t think to recommend it themselves.

What will happen during my first Physiotherapy appointment?

During the Physiotherapy assessment, your Registered Physiotherapist will assess everything to do with your Acute Ankle injury, including:

Pain intensity and location
Swelling
Sensation
Range of motion
Ankle stability
Strength
Balance

This will provide some baseline information for your Physiotherapist.

How can Registered Physiotherapy help treat Acute Ankle Sprains?

The treatment for acute ankle sprains depends on the type of sprain as well as the severity of the injury.

Immobilization

Because of their affect on ankle stability, a Grade II or III injury will require some immobilization. This is usually done through a removable walking cast.
The purpose of the immobilization is to protect your injured ligaments from movement and external stressors, so that they can heal.
The period of immobilization will depend on the injury and your health care provider will provide specific instructions.
A grade I sprain will not require any immobilization because the stability of the ankle is still intact. However, your Physiotherapist will recommend activity modification to help with the healing process.

Physiotherapy Treatment in the acute phase?

In the initial phase of the treatment, the Physiotherapist may focus on pain relieving modalities
Electrical modalities like IFC and Ultrasound can help relieve pain and swelling
The Physiotherapist will also prescribe gentle mobility exercises to help improve or maintain movement through the ankle
The length of the acute phase depends on the severity of the sprain

Registered Physiotherapy for Acute Ankle Injuries

Ankle Rotations for movement Recovery

Treatment in the later stages of Acute Ankle Sprains

Once the ligament healing is underway and the patient feels a little better with their pain, the treatment will get more progressive
It will focus on regaining mobility, strength and function through the ankle
Your Physiotherapist will prescribe exercises that are going to help regain the lost range of motion and strength.
Over several weeks, the exercises will be progressed as you improve.
Another important aspect of treating an ankle sprain is including balance re-training in the program.
Balance is very much affected after an ankle sprain and it is something that must be improved with specific exercises. This is very important no matter whether you are returning to Sports or just everyday living! Balance Retraining is key to Falls Prevention!
We use our balance ability on a regular basis with walking on uneven surfaces or when trying to recover from a stumble. Therefore, it is important to improve balance ability to prevent any possible re-injury of the ankle.
If you have had an acute ankle sprain before, and DID NOT attend Physiotherapy, it is likely that you are at increased risk of reinjuring your ankle or falling again!

Physiotherapy Mobilizations

Do I need to get Physiotherapy treatment after Acute Ankle Sprains?

There are some people who have sprained their ankle multiple times and never sought out treatment for the injury. They usually give themselves some time for the pain to get better and then go about their usual activities.

This type of management is not usually recommended because multiple ankle sprains can affect the stability of your ankle. As a result, this may create problems in the future. Also, the reduced stability in your ankle may cause compensations in your knees and hips. This can complicate the picture and make your injury more complex.

It is therefore recommended that you seek out proper Registered Physiotherapy care to address an ankle sprain soon after it occurs. This ensures that your acute ankle sprain heals in a timely manner without added complications. The most important part of treatment is regaining your balance. If you do not do this, another injury in quite likely.

To get started on your Acute Ankle Sprain Treatment, Give PhysioNow a call Today!

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Shoulder Injuries

December 2,2018 Sharon Tierney Leave a comment

Shoulder Injuries

Shoulder injuries are a common problem for many people. It can happen to people of all ages from children to the elderly. The pain from shoulder injuries can be very severe and cause a lot of limitations with work and activity. Shoulder pain is one of the top 5 reasons why people seek out Physiotherapy and Registered Massage Therapy treatments.

What Causes Shoulder Pain?

There are several reasons why people suffer from shoulder pain.

Trauma

– any type of direct or indirect trauma can produce shoulder pain if the arm and/or shoulder is involved
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Falls
- Sports injuries
- Violent incidents

Poor workplace ergonomics

– For people who work in offices, they may spend the majority of their time sitting in front of a computer. If the desk set up is not properly, then this may start to produce stress and pain into the shoulder. For example, poor ergonomics can include:
poor desk and screen height
improper positioning of the keyboard and mouse
inadequate chair height and support

Proper desk ergonomics

Poor posture

– Many people have developed poor body postures over time. For some it starts young with spending a lot of time studying. It can also happen after carrying a heavy backpack or playing a lot of video/computer games. For others it starts later in life with workplace demands and poor office set up.
Good-Posture-vs-Poor-Posture
Repetitive activities

– Some people perform tasks that are repetitive at work and/or home. If the shoulder is not strong enough to support the work that it’s having to do, then injury may occur. For example,this can include:
Overhead lifting
Sorting things on a belt
Operating heavy machinery
Typing

Congenital or Developmental changes –
Some people are born with a unique bone structure that may place them at increased risk of injury. For example, the acromion of the shoulder blade can have 4 different shapes. For instance, if you have a hooked shape, there is more potential for rotator cuff injury.

Some Basic Shoulder Anatomy

Having some knowledge of basic shoulder anatomy will help with understanding why shoulder pain develops. The shoulder joint is quite complex. There are a lot of structures that attach to or around the shoulder. The shoulder allows for a lot of movement . As a result, there is less stability through the area. It’s a joint that is held together by soft tissues. Therefore, there is not a lot of bony protection. The shoulder is made of 4 separate joints that work together to allow function:

Shoulder Anatomy

Glenohumeral (GH) joint – this is a ball and socket joint and is where majority of our arm movement happens. The socket is made up by part of the shoulder blade and the ball is made up of the humerus, which is the long bone of the upper arm.
Acromioclavicular (AC) joint – joint between the acromion of the shoulder blade and the collar bone.
Sternoclavicular (SC) joint – joint between chest bone and the collar bone.
Scapulothoracic joint – the joint between the shoulder blade and the ribs at the back of the chest.

The Soft Tissues around the Shoulder Joint

We know that the shoulder is held together by many soft tissues including ligaments, muscles and tendons. Other important structures include the joint capsule surrounding the ball and socket joint. Lastly, your shoulder has subacromial and subdeltoid bursae. The function of the joint capsule is to protect the joint and produce a lubricating fluid. Shoulder bursae are small fluid-filled sacs that act as a cushion between the bone and other moving parts.

Bursae of the shoulder joint

What are some of the types of injuries that can happen to the shoulder?

Sprains/Strains of any of the muscles, tendons and ligaments
Tears/Ruptures of any of the muscles, tendons and ligaments
Rotator Cuff Tear
Rotator Cuff Tendonitis
Tendonitis/Tendinosis
Fractures
Bursitis
Dislocations
Adhesive Capsulitis or Frozen Shoulder
Osteoarthritis
Nerve entrapments/injuries

Signs and Symptoms of Shoulder Injuries

Pain
Swelling
Restricted movement
Weakness
Instability
Bony deformities

Healing Times for Shoulder Injuries

The healing time for shoulder injuries will vary depending on the injury. Most simple sprains/strains will likely take anywhere from 6-8 weeks to get better.

Fractures of the Shoulder can take 6-8 weeks to heal the fracture. After the fracture is healed, the soft tissues may require up to 4-5 months to heal fully with proper Physiotherapy.

However, frozen shoulders can take over 1 year to improve. There are also a lot of individual differences in healing time amongst different people, even for similar injuries. For example, some of these factors can include:

Age
Severity of Injury
Was surgery required ?
Level of fitness and/or mobility
Commitment to treatment
Ability to modify workplace or home environment to allow for best treatment response
Presence of other injuries
Amount of time that the injury/pain has been present

Physiotherapy/Massage Treatment for Shoulder Injuries

Treatment for shoulder pain will depend on the type of injury. It will also depend on the area that has been injured.

However, since the shoulder is made up of 4 joints, treatments should target the whole shoulder and not just the individual area injured. This will allow the shoulder to return to its full function. It will also reduce the risk of re-injury.

In sum, the main goals of any shoulder pain treatment will be to:

Decrease pain
Regain full movement
Recover strength and stability
Return to pre-injury activities

Registered Physiotherapy for Shoulder Injuries

A Registered Physiotherapist will start with a full assessment so that we can identify the source of the shoulder pain. This will allow us to provide the best treatment for you. Treatment can typically include:

Manual therapy
- soft tissue work
- mobilizations
- assisted stretching of the shoulder and nearby areas
Modalities – these are usually used in the early phase for pain relief
- Ultrasound
- Laser
- IFC or TENS
- Heat/Ice
Exercise prescription
- Movement and strengthening exercises that are specific to the injury
- So, it is important that you complete the prescribed exercises on a regular basis at home.
- In short, this will ensure that you are continually providing treatment to the shoulder even when you are not physically present in the clinic.

Education
- Explanation of the condition
- Rationale for the treatment choices
- In essence, Do’s and don’ts to help the injury along

Registered Massage Therapy for Shoulder Injuries

Registered Massage Therapy can be very helpful to release tight muscles around the upper back, neck and shoulder blades
Registered Massage therapy for shoulder injuries

Shoulder injuries can be quite debilitating, and it is important to seek out a Registered Physiotherapist for assessment and treatment sooner rather than later. Like most other injuries, the longer an injury is left untreated, the more chronic it becomes. As a result, it makes it more difficult to resolve in a timely manner.

Call PhysioNow today to get treatment for your shoulder injury!