Tag Archives: Erin Mills PhysioNow

Trochantric bursitis


Trochanteric bursitis

 

The Trochanteric Bursa is a fluid filled sac near the hip joint. It cushions between the bones and the muscle and acts as a shock absorber. Trochanteric bursitis is the inflammation of the bursa which is at the outside of the hip.

When this bursa is irritated it causes pain on the outside of the hip and thigh.  Sometimes you may feel the pain down to the knee on the same side.  Another symptom is pain which will stop you from lying on your painful side.  It will be painful when you press on a specific spot on the outside of the hip.  The pain gets worse when climbing stairs, getting up from a low chair getting out of a car.  Sitting with crossed legs hurts.  Both  walking and running may also cause increased pain.

Causes of Trochanteric Bursitis

  • Any direct Injury to the outside of the hip like falling, or bumping into an object.
  • Incorrect posture due to muscle imbalance
  • Leg length difference.
  • Stress of soft tissues surrounding the hip due to hip Osteoarthritis
  • Friction of the ITB (Ilio Tibial Band: a muscle along the side of the hip)
  • Overuse injuries like standing for long periods of time
  • Other diseases which affect the hip like Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Previous surgeries around the hip
  • Very rarely infection of the bursa

Registered Physiotherapy Treatment

Your Registered Physiotherapist can help you to reduce the pain and inflammation.  They will use electrotherapy modalities, taping, or acupuncture.  They will give you  advice on activity limitations in the early stages.

Later the treatment is focussed towards increasing the flexibility and strength in the muscles.  Your Physiotherapist will  increase the hip joint range of movement and correct your hip joint mechanics.

Trochanteric bursitis

Trochanteric bursitisTrochanteric bursitis

Finally the focus is towards preventing it from happening again.

General Advice on prevention

Your Registered Physiotherapist will look at your posture, hip stability, and core strength.  They will look to see if you  need Orthotics to address any problems with your legs or feet.

 Tips for prevention of Trochanteric Bursitis:

  • Whenever you start a new activity, try to take it slow and build up your activity level gradually.
  • Start with  less force or resistance, less repetitions and progress gradually.
  • Avoid or modify repetitive activities if it is putting any stress on the hip joint
  • Your footwear should be comfortable
  • Maintain flexibility and strength in your lower extremity muscles
  • Improve your core muscle strength

If you or someone you know may have Trochanteric bursitis, call PhysioNow Today!  We would be happy to get you started on your treatment and back to enjoying all the things you love to do!

 

Vertigo

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo(BPPV)

Vertigo

Vestibular Systems
• Comprises five sensory organs that provide your brain with information about head position and movements including head rotation, linear movements and static positions of the head relative to gravity
• Five sensory organs including 3 semicircular canals and 2 otoliths

 

BPPV is a mechanical problem in the inner ear. It occurs when some of the  crystals that are normally embaded in gel in the ear become dislodged.  They then can move into one or more of the 3-fluid filled semicircular canals.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo(BPPV) is  one  of the most common causes of vertigo. It creates a false sensation of spinning.
• Benign: it is not life threatening
• Paroxysmal: it comes in sudden, brief spells
• Positional: it gets triggered by certain head positions or movements
• Vertigo: a false sensation of rotational movement

 

Symptoms
a)      Dizziness
b)      Vertigo (sensation of spinning)
c)       Nausea
d)      Sense of imbalance or unsteadiness
e)      Poor gaze stability
f)       Vision disturbance

Visual Coordination screening

 

Diagnosis

• The relationship between the inner ears and the eye muscles are what normally allows us to stay focused on our environment while the head is moving.  The dislodged crystals make the brain think you are moving when  you are not. This mistakenly causes the eyes to move, which makes it look like the room is spinning. This is called Nystagmus.

• The Nystagmus will have different characteristics that allow the practitioner to identify which ear the displaced crystals are in and which canal is involved.
• The most common tests are DIX hall pike and Roll test.
• There are two types of  BBPV.  One type, where the loose crystals can move freely in the fluid of the canal(canalithiasis). The more rare type is one where the crystals are thought to be hung up on the bundle of nerves that sense the fluid movement(cupulolithiasis).

Physiotherapy Treatment
• One maneuver that is used for the most common location and type of BPPV is called the Epley maneuver. However , that will not work for all people . Often people have tried the Epley maneuver themselves or had it performed on them without success.
• In the vast majority cases, BPPV can be corrected mechanically by a Registered Physiotherapist. Once your  provider knows which canal is involved and what type it is , we can take you through the appropriate treatment maneuver.

Check out this video for an example of the  Epley Maneuver.  Please do not attempt this yourself until you have been properly assessed and screened by one of our Registered Physiotherapists to see if this maneuver will be appropriate for your condition!

If you have any further questions, please call PhysioNow today! Our experienced Vestibular Physiotherapists would be happy to help you.

Baseline Testing Concussions

Baseline Testing

Why is baseline testing Concussions important?

There are no  special tests to diagnose and gauge the severity of concussions.  Athletes are recommended to undergo baseline testing before the beginning of the sports season. Baseline test results are helpful  for most healthcare professionals  involved in an athlete’s concussion care. This includes Physiotherapists, Physicians, Concussion Specialists, and Vision Therapists.  Baseline tests let the Physiotherapist compare the before injury  function to the results of post concussion baseline testing. It’s a great tool  to measure the severity of concussions.  It helps therapists to make  treatment goals.  Safe return to sports following concussions can be determined with this tool.

 

Components of Baseline testing  Concussions

 

  • Impact Test, This is the gold standard test.  It  looks at different functions of your brain before and after concussion. It is a computer based test. It usually takes about 30 minutes. The test assesses your ability to process information, and remember things.  It also tests how quickly you can follow  instructions/tasks. It’s the most scientifically validated test and recently got approved by the FDA.

 

  • Visual Coordination screening 
    Visual Coordination screening
     Following concussion, functioning of the visual system  is greatly affected. This involves the eyes and part of the brain that processes visual information.   Correct vision and clarity of  vision is not affected. However, the ability of your eyes to move together is affected. This usually leads to symptoms like dizziness, difficulty focussing,  and headaches. Testing the visual system before the sports season provides valuable information about the function of the visual system.  It allows for treatment of any problems.

 

  • Balance and Postural stability– With Post-concussive injury, both static and dynamic balance is affected. You can feel dizzy with standing, change in position or with certain movements. Most sports require an intact balance system to improve performance.

 

Registered Physiotherapists at PhysioNow are trained to conduct baseline testing before the beginning of  the sports season and following concussive injury. Registered Physiotherapists at Mississauga are skilled to assess any deficits in your baseline testing and treat them. Visual coordination exercises  will be done to help you  return to sports faster .

Please call today to get your baseline testing done or to treat your concussion.

Prostatitis

Prostatitis

Prostatitis

Prostatitis or Prostatodynia Physiotherapy

Prostatodynia or Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS) is a pelvic pain condition in men. This means ‘inflammation of the prostate’. There are two basic types of prostatitis, acute and chronic.

Acute Bacterial Prostatitis

Acute Bacterial Prostatitis is an infection of the prostate. This type of Prostatitis causes chills and fever. In this case, you need your Doctor’s attention promptly!

Nonbacterial or Chronic Prostatitis

The other is Nonbacterial or Chronic Prostatitis. This can be treated with alternative treatments such as Pelvic physiotherapy, exercises, lifestyle modifications etc. Investigations in this case show that bacteria and yeast are negative. The physical examination does not usually show anything unusual. However, the prostate may be swollen. What can make the problem even more confusing is that often young, otherwise healthy men develop this condition. Antibiotics, pain-killers, and medications prescribed are often not effective. Many men have been told that they must learn to live with the symptoms because a cure is not available.

Symptoms may include a few or all of the following:

• Pain in the testicles, or tip, shaft or base of the penis
• Pain at the perineum (the area between the testicles and penis)
• Urination Causes Pain
• Increased pain in sitting
• Pain or discomfort with sexual arousal, or during or after ejaculation
• You May notice Pain or discomfort above the pubic bone
• Urinary frequency
• Urinary urgency
• Pain before, during or after a bowel movement
• Decreased interest in sex

Treatment

The Pelvic Health Physiotherapist creates an individualized treatment program. Treatment is based on pelvic floor dysfunction, symptoms, and response to the treatments.

The following treatment programs and techniques may be involved in Pelvic Physiotherapy for Prostatitis:

Trigger point release therapy

Trigger point release therapy is also known as myofascial trigger point release. Trigger point release therapy is an alternative treatment for chronic prostatitis. It is often helpful for treating CP/CPPS symptoms that are associated with stress and tension of the pelvic floor muscles.

Trigger point release therapy is often combined with paradoxical relaxation therapy. This exercise method involves autonomic self-regulation. This decreases pelvic floor muscle tension. It teaches you how to release this tension. Paradoxical relaxation involves a specific breathing technique to help relieve anxiety.

Total body

Total body (exercise, chronic stress management, lifestyle) changes help relieve pain. It is important to know which foods make the symptoms worse. Try to avoid those foods. The most common foods that have been found to trigger symptoms include:

• Spicy foods
• Hot peppers
• Alcoholic beverages
• Acidic foods
• Wheat
• Gluten
• Caffeine

Check out this patient’s experience.

Please call PhysioNow today to get started on your recovery from Prostatitis.

Golfers elbow

Golfers elbow

Golfers elbow

Golfers elbow is the overuse injury to the wrist flexor muscles. The muscles travel from the inside of the elbow leading to pain with resisted wrist flexion and resisted pronation of the forearm. The cause of the Golfers elbow is repeated wrist bending, improper lifting, throwing and swinging movements. People involved in racquet sports, using tools as screwdrivers and working on computers are usually affected.

Symptoms

Symptoms include pain and tenderness around the inside of the elbow. They often also include pain with making a fist, stiffness of the elbow, and a weakened grip with downward movement of the forearm. Pain typically gets worse with a tight fist and picking things up with the wrist in a bent position.

Check out this article for more information about Golfers elbow.
Diagnosis

The condition is usually diagnosed through special tests such as wrist flexion against resistance. Differential diagnosis from other conditions such as cervical radiculopathy, ulnar neuritis, strain of flexor-pronator muscles is usually done by the physiotherapist.

Management

Early management helps to prevent loss of grip strength and mobility of the elbow. Management includes physiotherapy treatment and in rare cases surgery depending upon the severity of the condition. Your Physiotherapist at PhysioNow will work to stretch the common flexors of the wrist, do deep friction massage to break the scar tissue, and mobilize your elbow joint or cervical spine if pain is referred from the neck. They will also plan grip strengthening exercises, do tapping and educate you regarding the precautions to help in quicker healing. This will help to prevent any recurrence of Golfer’s Elbow. In many instances, a golfer’s elbow brace is beneficial. We carry these braces at all PhysioNow locations. Lastly, Golfer's Elbow may also be beneficial as a treatment for Golfers elbow.

In addition, the use of Laser therapy,application of a ‘Hawk tool’ and cupping can be used to reduce pain and promote healing. Your physiotherapist will educate you regarding these physiotherapy treatment options. So, don’t wait, book your appointment at PhysioNow today to get started on your treatment!

Foot Pain Treatment Mississauga

strong>Foot Pain Treatment Mississauga
Trending Now: Blue Jays’ Jose Batista on 15 day disabled list

Foot Pain Treatment Mississauga

Blue Jays’ Jose Batista hurt his big toe during a June 16 game against Philadelphia. After running into the outfield wall, Bautista had to leave the game early because of pain. An MRI showed that he had suffered a sprain of his left big toe. He had to be in a walking boot for the time being. It may seem like it’s an excessive treatment plan for just a simple sprain. In reality sprains can sometimes be more complicated than a fracture.

What is a Ligament?

A ligament is a soft tissue structure that connects two bones together. Ligaments do not receive a good blood supply like muscles or tendons and as a result, they cannot heal as well.

Types of Sprains

A sprain is defined as a stretch or tear of a ligament.
Furthermore, sprains can be classified into three groups based on the severity of injury. A grade I sprain means that there is mild damage to the ligament and the joint is stable. A grade II sprain means that there is a partial tear in the ligament and the joint is overall less stable or loose. The most severe type of sprain is classified as grade III and it means that the ligament has completely torn or ruptured and the joint has lost stability.

How can a Registered Physiotherapist help with Foot Pain treatment Mississauga?

A Registered Physiotherapist helps with all three types of sprains. The treatment for sprains starts with rest and reducing inflammation. Depending on the type of sprain, it may be necessary for immobilization in order for this to occur. For example a grade II sprain you can get a removable walking boot. A grade III sprain you can get a cast. Once inflammation is reduced and pain is better, treatment seeks to improve range of motion and strength and a return to activity or sport.

Since Jose Batista has been wearing a walking boot, it seems that his injury is at least a grade II. Considering the poor blood supply of ligaments and the severity of his particular sprain it is definitely best for him to be out of the game for at least 2 weeks. Proper foot pain treatment Mississauga in the early phase of injury is very important so that the ligament is well protected and given the best chance for healing. Once the walking boot comes off, his injury will be re-evaluated and the Blue Jays’ medical team will decide on his further treatment plan and eventual return to play.

Jose Bautista’s toe injury improving

If you have been injured, call PhysioNow today! They can help with Foot Pain treatment Mississauga!

Physiotherapy : Total Hip Replacement

Physiotherapy : Total Hip Replacement – Do I really need it?
Physiotherapy: total Hip Replacement

Surgeons often recommend that patients seek out community Physiotherapy

Surgeons often recommend that patients seek out community Physiotherapy : Total Hip Replacement services to continue with your recovery after you have had a total hip replacement (THR). You may wonder how doing extra treatment would help? – isn’t the surgery enough to correct your hip pain?

What is important to remember is that the surgery does take care of the affected joint. However, there is still work to be done to get you back on your feet and back to your desired activities. The surgery involves a cut through the muscles that stabilize the hip. Also, the body has to relearn how to move and function with a new joint.

Normally, the usual process for Physiotherapy: Total Hip Replacement surgery involves:

• Receiving Physiotherapy : Total Hip Replacement as an in-patient for 3-4 days for learning to walk with a walker, using the stairs and initiation of strengthening exercises for the hip
• You also receive education with respect to their precautions and how to ensure you are protecting your new joint and preventing dislocation
• Once you are safe to return home, you will be discharged
• At home, you are usually entitled to receive home care physiotherapy sessions for a few sessions.
During these sessions, the physiotherapist will re-assess your ability to move and progress your exercises as able.

After receiving homecare treatments, it’s then usually up to you to continue with your exercises. This includes progressing your strengthening and conditioning. However, a lot of people have difficulty doing this on their own and need help to further progress. It can be difficult to assess your own strength and safely progress your exercises. Seeking help from a Registered Physiotherapist will help with this process. It will get you back to your optimal function. The physiotherapist can assess where there are still remaining limitations. They will prescribe the necessary treatments to address the issues.
Please check out this link for further information regarding Physiotherapy: Total Hip Replacement.

In addition, we often see patients that have had a Total Hip Replacement, develop Low Back Pain. This happens because the muscles in the hip get very tight after surgery, and tend to tighten up into the Low Back. It is also caused by increased sitting during the recovery process. The good news is that we can help! Registered Physiotherapy and Registered Massage Therapy will help these symptoms to go away.

At PhysioNow, we have well trained Registered Physiotherapists and Registered Massage Therapists available to help you with your recovery. We will help to find the areas that you need in order to walk properly without an aid and get back to all the things you like to do. Call today to get started on your full recovery!

Pelvic Health Physiotherapy

Pelvic Health Physiotherapy
Pelvic Health Physiotherapy

What is pelvic health physiotherapy?

Pelvic floor muscles form the ‘bowl’ or ‘hammock’ that supports our lower back and pelvic organs (bladder, uterus/prostate and rectum).
Pelvic health physiotherapists have taken courses allowing them to perform an internal evaluation in order to assess the tension and strength of these muscles. Often there is too much tone of the pelvic floor leading to weakness.

What are common symptoms of pelvic health dysfunction?

• Leakage of urine with coughing, sneezing, laughing and exercise
• Urgent need to urinate or leaking before you get to the washroom
• Constipation/straining with bowel movements
• Heavy feeling or bulge in the vagina
• Pain in the pelvic or low back or genital area
• Pain with intercourse
Check out this link for more information.

Some benefits of Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy

• Leave your house without worrying about your bladder
• Exercise without worrying
• Sleep through the night
• Learn to control urgency

What can I expect on my first Visit for Pelvic Health physiotherapy?

A medical history will be taken with a discussion of your concerns. Questions will be asked to further understand your symptoms. Your posture, muscles of your hip, low back and abdominal will be assessed for contributing factors such as weakness or tightness. In addition to the external exam, an internal exam of your pelvic floor (vaginally and rectally) may be included to assess imbalances and dysfunction of the muscles and soft tissues.
Based on the assessment findings and your goals, the physiotherapist will put together a treatment plan.

What can I expect for treatment with Pelvic health physiotherapy?

Pelvic Health Physiotherapy Treatments Typically include,

• Correcting postural dysfunction
• Manual therapy
• Connective tissue release
• Pelvic floor muscle facilitation with breathing techniques
• Exercises for other core muscles
• Training for healthy bladder and bowel habits
• Education such as behavioural therapy/stress management

We have fully trained Pelvic Health Physiotherapists at each of our clinics ready to help you. If you have any questions, or would like to book an appointment, please contact the clinic .

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal tunnel is the entrapment of median nerve at the wrist. Carpal tunnel syndrome leads to pain, numbness and tingling in first three fingers of the hand sparing the palm, weakness of thumb, loss of grip strength and dexterity.

Symptoms are usually worse at night and are eased by shaking the hand. Anything that irritates the median nerve at the wrist can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome. This can include a fracture around the wrist, swelling due to inflammatory conditions such as Rheumatoid arthritis, changes in the balance of body fluids as in pregnancy and menopause. It can also include workplace factors such as vibrating tools, poor position of the hand, obesity, diabetes mellitus or double crush syndrome.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome needs to be differentiated from wrist tendonitis, cervical radiculopathy, cervical derangement and thoracic outlet syndrome leading to similar types of symptoms. If not treated at the right time, it can lead to varying degrees of functional loss.

Treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

There are two general approaches for treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome – conservative treatment and surgical treatment.
Your Registered Physiotherapist will address the following strategies to help you with your symptom management and treatment:

• Education: It is important to maintain healthy weight, exercise and manage any health problem such as diabetes.
• Proper body mechanics: Keeping your wrist neutral,
avoiding repetitive wrist flexion movements, tight pinching and gripping
An Ergonomic assessment of your workplace can help to prevent recurrence.
• Decompressing the nerve: Mobilisation of certain carpal bones such as the capitate helps to create more space for the median nerve and hence decompress the nerve.
Stretching the retinaculum and improving the flexibility of the muscles around the wrist will also help. Nerve and tendon gliding exercises will ensure the unrestricted motion of the nerve.
• Grip strengthening exercises, fine motor and hand dexterity exercises and postural correction.
• Treat the spine if your symptoms are related to double crush syndrome.
• Taping the wrist or using a Wrist splint.
Check out this link for more information.

The earlier the carpal tunnel syndrome is treated, the less likely are the chances for symptoms to return.Carpal tunnel syndrome Resolution of the symptoms after surgery can be more temporary if the symptoms originate from elsewhere. Our experienced Registered Physiotherapists at PhysioNow will assess you to find out the actual cause of your symptoms and will help you to get rid of your symptoms. Call today!

Endometriosis Physiotherapy

Endometriosis Physiotherapy

Endometriosis is the abnormal growth of cells (endometrial cells) similar to those that form the inside of the uterus, but in a location outside of the uterus. Endometriosis Physiotherapy: fortunately there is something that you can do about this!
Endometriosis Physiotherapy

Cause of Endometriosis

The cause of endometriosis is unknown. One theory is that the endometrial tissue is deposited in unusual locations by the retrograde flow of menstrual debris through the Fallopian tubes into the pelvic and abdominal cavities. The cause of this retrograde menstruation is not clearly understood. These lesions are most commonly found on the ovaries, the Fallopian tubes, the surface of the uterus, the bowel, and on the membrane lining of the pelvic cavity (i.e. the peritoneum).
It is also likely the direct transfer of endometrial tissues at the time of surgery may be responsible for the endometriosis implants occasionally found in surgical scars (for example, episiotomy or Cesarean section scars).
Finally, there is evidence that some women with endometriosis have an altered immune response. They are less commonly found to involve the vagina, cervix, and bladder.

Signs and symptoms of Endometriosis Physiotherapy

Some women experience mild symptoms, but others can have moderate to severe symptoms. Pelvic pain is the most common symptom of endometriosis. You may also have the following symptoms:
• painful periods
• pain in the lower abdomen before and during menstruation
• cramps one or two weeks around menstruation
• heavy menstrual bleeding or bleeding between periods
• infertility
• pain following sexual intercourse
• discomfort with bowel movements
• lower back pain that may occur at any time during your menstrual cycle
• bloating and distention

Endometriosis Physiotherapy Treatments

A Pelvic health Physiotherapist will evaluate the alignment, musculature, fascial systems, and movement patterns in the pelvis and body for issues that activate your pain and decrease your quality of life.
They develop a treatment programme according to your specific needs. Registered Physiotherapists can help to manage the symptoms of endometriosis such as painful menstrual cramping, abdominal discomfort, pelvic floor pain, and painful intercourse by:
• treating connective tissue dysfunction
• treating myofascial trigger points
• “Visceral manipulation therapy” mobilizing viscera (gentle manual therapy techniques aimed at releasing adhesions and restoring the proper mobility of the internal organs, such as the uterus, bladder, colon and small intestine)
• correcting postural and movement dysfunction (often when we are in pain not only does it change our muscle tone but it causes us to move and posture ourselves differently than we typically would.
• providing patients, the correct postural techniques.
Registered Massage Therapy may also be beneficial in the treatment of Endometriosis, especially if you are suffering from Low Back Pain. If you are interested in booking a massage, give us a call today!
Check out this link to the Mayo Clinic for a bit more information .

At PhysioNow, we have specially trained Pelvic Health Physiotherapists standing by to help Now! Call today to get started on your recovery from Endometriosis!