Tag Archives: Physiotherapy Etobicoke

Physiotherapy Mississauga

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.

Physiotherapy Mississauga

Lower Back Pain Treatments

Physiotherapy Mississauga

Donjoy Defiance ACL Repair Brace

Physiotherapy Mississauga

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.

Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant

What happened to Kevin Durant?

Kevin Durant originally injured his calf in early May during the second round of playoff games.  The injury had been labeled a ‘calf injury’ and Durant has not been able to play for over 30 days.  After doing a shoot around with the team, the Warriors made the decision to allow Durant to play for Game 5.  Durant came out strong, scoring 11 points in 12 minutes of play. But things changed as he tried to do a crossover move and had to fall to the floor on the sidelines.  He was grabbing onto his lower right calf, more towards his Achilles tendon. In conclusion, from the replays, it looked like he may have torn his Achilles tendon.

What is the difference between a calf strain and an Achilles tendon tear?

Calf Strain : Did Kevin Durant have this injury?

It is possible that Kevin Durant had a calf strain to start.

The bulk of the calf is made up of 9 different muscles.  Three muscles work together to produce a downward movement of the foot. These 3 muscles attach themselves into the heel bone:

  • Gastrocnemius
  • Soleus
  • Plantaris

Other Muscles of the calf/ foot

The other 6 muscles cause knee, toe and foot movements in different directions.  These muscles are located deeper in the calf area. However, these muscles travel around the sides of the ankle and attach to different parts of the foot and toes.  These muscles are:

  • Popliteus
  • Flexor digitorum longus
  • Flexor hallucis longus
  • Tibialis posterior
  • Peroneal longus
  • Peroneal brevis

Sometimes injuries are labelled incorrectly.  Pain in the calf region is attributed to the first three muscles.  However, a calf strain could involve any one of the 9 muscles mentioned above.  As a result, it is up to the health professional to correctly identify which of the muscles are involved in the strain.

Severity of Calf Strain: What Grade did Kevin Durant have?

In general, a calf strain is caused by overstretching or tearing of the calf muscles.  This type of injury can occur suddenly or over time. The severity of the strain is graded by the amount of muscle damage that has occurred:

  • Grade 1
    • Mild or partial stretch or tearing of a few muscle fibres
    • The muscle may be tender and painful
    • Strength and function are maintained
  • Grade 2
    • Moderate stretching or tearing of a greater percentage of muscle fibres
    • A snapping or pulling sensation may be felt at the time of the injury
    • More tenderness and pain
    • There may be some visible bruising
    • Loss of strength and function
  • Lastly, Grade 3
    • Severe tear of the muscle fibres, commonly a complete rupture
    • A ‘popping’ sound may be heard of felt at the time of the injury
    • There is definite bruising and sometimes there is a visible ‘dent’ in the muscle
    • Severe loss of strength and function

Signs and Symptoms of a Calf Strain

  • A snap, pull or “pop” felt or heard at the time of injury
  • Pain and weakness in the calf area
  • Swelling in the calf area
  • Tightness
  • Bruising
  • Weakness in the calf when doing any weight bearing activities
  • Limping when walking

What is the usual Physiotherapy treatment for a calf strain?

Treatment for a calf strain is like that of any other muscle in the body.  The goals of the treatment include:

  • Reducing pain
  • Improving range of motion of the knee and ankle
  • Improving the strength
  • Speeding up recovery time
  • Returning to activities
  • Preventing re-injury

How long does it take to recover from a calf strain?

The length of time for recovery from a calf strain injury depends on the severity of the injury.  On average:

  • Grade 1: 10-12 days
  • Grade 2: 4-6 weeks
  • Lastly, Grade 3: 6 months after surgery

Achilles Tendon Rupture : Kevin Durant’s final injury

The gastrocnemius, soleus and plantaris muscles unite to form the Achilles tendon.  The tendon is a tough band of tissue that connects these three calf muscles to the heel bone.  When the calf muscles contract, the Achilles tendon is tightened and pulls the heel. As a result, the action allows the foot to be pointed down.  A complete tear of this tendon is called an Achilles tendon rupture.

Signs and symptoms of Achilles Tendon Rupture

  • Sudden and severe pain at the back of the ankle or calf
  • Sound of a loud pop or snap
  • Immediate swelling and weakness
  • Visible bruising and possible denting in the tendon

Treatment options for Kevin Durant’s Achilles Tendon Rupture

  • Non-surgical treatment
    • Rest
    • Crutches
    • Ice
    • Pain medication
    • Immobilisation for the first few weeks with a walking boot and heel wedges
    • Recovery may take longer but risks of surgery are avoided
  • Surgical Treatment

The choice between surgical or non-surgical treatment depends on different factors. A patient’s age, activity level and severity of the injury all play a factor.  In general, younger and more active people, especially athletes, choose surgical repair. In contrast, older and more sedentary individuals usually choose the non-surgical pathway.  In either option, rehabilitation is a lengthy and difficult process to make sure full function is returned.

So, what happened to Kevin Durant?

The Kevin Durant was out for over a month with an initial calf strain.  Due to the amount of time that he was out of the game, it’s likely that he had a grade II strain of his calf.  As a result, his return to the game resulted in a complete Achilles tendon rupture. In review, it makes you wonder whether he was physically able to return to play.  Did he have enough time for recovery from his initial injury to withstand the demands of the game?

Basketball is a sport that has a lot of pivoting, stop and go movements and bursts of high intensity activity.  In conclusion, it is possible to say that judging from how soon into the game the injury happened, that Kevin Durant was likely not fully recovered.

Professional Sports: Decisions for return to play. Should Kevin Durant have returned to play in Game 5?

However, in professional sports, there is a lot of pressure from all fronts to get a star player back in the game.  The team was down 3-1 and having Durant back in the game boosted their confidence and morale. As a result, the fans wanted the Warriors to win.  The organization wanted the team to hold on to their title again. In addition, Kevin Durant himself probably felt terrible that he wasn’t able to play and support his team.  As a result, all of these pressures likely led to the decision for him to play.

Unfortunately, our bodies are not always able to function like we want them to. In Durant’s case, his return to the game led to an even more serious injury, which required surgery.  In conclusion, after surgery he will have to endure a lengthy process of physical therapy and will likely be out for the entire next season.

Return to Play Decisions

This is an excellent example of the importance of return to play decisions.  Regardless of the sport and regardless of the injury, it is vital that the health and well being of the athlete is the top priority.  In conclusion, returning to play too soon isn’t worth risking a more serious injury. Lastly, a more serious injury can affect the athlete’s future participation in the sport.

Physiotherapy Treatment options for Achilles Rupture

If you or someone you know has experienced calf pain or an achilles rupture, our Physiotherapists at PhysioNow are here to help! We have treated many patients with exactly these injuries. Call today to get started on your treatment and get back in the game!

Physiotherapy

Knee Replacement Physio

Knee Replacement Physio
Knee Replacement Physio

What about Knee Replacement Physio?


Knee Replacement Physio is necessary after having surgery. People get knee replacement surgeries because they have a lot of pain and limitations with their knee.  These surgeries are usually for people who have advanced arthritis.    Its important to do proper Knee replacement physio after the surgery to get your knee to a good functional level. 

Check out this video for a bit more information about Knee replacement surgery>https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/247500.php

What happens after the surgery?

You will receive in-patient Physiotherapy at the hospital. You will work on regaining your knee movement. In addition, you will also start with some gentle strengthening exercises.  Physiotherapists at the hospital will teach you how to walk with a walker and go up and down stairs before you are sent home.

What Happens after you go home?

Once at home, you should have homecare Knee replacement physio services that are provided. Usually, a Physiotherapist will visit your home once a week. They will help you to work on progressing your exercises.  However, once all this is completed, there will still be some remaining pain, limitations of movement and strength deficits.

Therefore, it is important to seek out private
Knee replacement physio in the community. This will allow you to continue working on the remaining issues. As a result, this extra Physiotherapy treatment will allow you to achieve full recovery. Our goal is to get you back to all of the things you like to do!

Frequently Asked Questions about
Knee replacement physio

There are usually a lot of questions regarding seeking out additional Physiotherapy services.  It can seem quite challenging to find the right clinic to work with you. However, having all the necessary information will certainly make things a little bit easier!  Here are some of our Frequently Asked Questions:


Do I need a doctor’s referral to see a Physiotherapist in the community?


Registered Physiotherapists are considered to be primary care providers and therefore you do not need a doctor’s referral to receive care.  However, if you have any extended health care (EHC) insurance that covers Physiotherapy treatments, your insurer may need a doctor’s referral to approve the coverage.  If you do have any EHC, then it may be worthwhile to call the company and find out the details of the coverage prior to coming in for your initial appointment. 


Will the treatments be covered by OHIP?

Will the treatments be covered by OHIP?

PhysioNow is a private practice and therefore our services are not covered by OHIP.  We do however accept extended health care insurance. We can bill electronically on your behalf if your plan allows us to do so.  If you do not have any EHC, we can offer a reduced fee to reduce some of the financial stress of receiving treatment.  Please give us a call to discuss this if this applies to you:)

Am I eligible for OHIP Physiotherapy?

To receive physiotherapy services covered by OHIP, you have to attend an OHIP-licensed clinic and you have to meet certain eligibility criteria.

  • 65 years of age and older;
  • 19 years of age and younger; or
  • Recently discharged as an inpatient from a hospital and in need of physiotherapy services. These must be directly connected to the condition, illness or injury for which you were admitted to the hospital.

Our administrative staff can certainly help you with any further questions that you might have.


How fast can I book an appointment at PhysioNow?

Since we have 3 locations in Mississauga, and 1 location in Etobicoke, we can get you in for treatment same day if needed.  We try our hardest to work with your availability.


What should I wear for the appointment?

Since we are assessing your knee, you should bring a pair of shorts so that the knee is easily visible and accessible. 

How long will the first visit take?

The first visit usually takes about 1 hour to complete.  During this visit, your Physiotherapist will meet with you and go through an assessment. As a result, they can fully understand the limitations and restrictions that require treatment.  In addition, your Physiotherapist will also provide treatment that same day. This will include some modalities, hands on therapy, exercise prescription and education.


How long do follow-up visits take?

How long do follow-up visits take?

Your follow-up visits usually range between 45 mins to 1 hour. This depends on how far along you are with your treatment.  Your Physiotherapist will re-assess you after every couple of visits to track any changes. This will allow them to progress your treatment.

How many visits will it take before I am fully recovered?

The number of visits needed to fully recover is different for every patient.  Everyone heals at a different rate. As a result, it is difficult to set out a firm timeline.  In general, the majority of people complete about 8-12 weeks of treatment. As they improve, more and more of the treatment can be completed independently at home.


I know there are 4 different locations of PhysioNow.  Can I book an assessment at one office and then a follow-up at a different office if necessary? ?


Yes, you can definitely have your assessment at one office and your follow up at another office if necessary.  Firstly, we will try our best to book appointments that work best for you. Secondly, if one location works better than another, there is no issue with changing locations.  Lastly, we can send over your treatment file to the other office. As a result, the Physiotherapist seeing you has all the information. In conclusion, we can provide ongoing treatment at any location.

We hope that these FAQs provide you with the information that you are looking for. We hope that you will feel comfortable to choose PhysioNow for your physiotherapy care!

PhysioNow

Lastly, if you or someone you know is planning to have a Knee replacement, we at PhysioNow are happy to help! We have many highly trained Physiotherapists at all of our clinics. Call today to get started! https://www.physionow.ca/

Physio for Car Accidents


Treatment after Car Accidents

Physio for Car Accidents
Physio for Car Accidents

Car accidents are events that no one wants to be in.  Unfortunately, traffic, weather conditions and bad driving result in hundreds of car accidents. These accidents occur daily, such as in Mississauga, Etobicoke and Oakville.  These accidents can range from minor to horrible accidents. As a result, these terrible accidents can cause serious injuries. Thankfully, many of the accidents have few long lasting effects on your health.  However, any accident can really affect your life. Physio for car accidents can help restore your health.

Role of your Car Insurance

There many things you need to do after a car accident. Firstly, you will need to tell your car insurance about the accident. Secondly, you will need to deal with the damages of the vehicle.

Above all, you need to recover from your injuries.  It is important to report the accident as quickly as possible.  As a result, it makes dealing with the car insurance a lot easier. If there are injuries , you can use the car insurance benefits to get physio for car accidents.

You will be assigned an adjuster from your car insurance to help you with your claim. As a result of the injuries, your adjuster will suggest Physio for car accidents.

The adjuster has a list of preferred clinics that provide Physio for car accidents. Many of these clinics will be located in Mississauga, Etobicoke and Oakville.  PhysioNow is a preferred car insurance provider that will be included on the list from your adjuster. 

What to expect at your assessment?

PhysioNow has 4 locations across Mississauga, Etobicoke and Oakville. We receive many referrals from people involved in car accidents. Our front desk staff will call you to book your initial Physio appointment.  When you come in for the assessment, firstly we will get a bit of information about you and the accident.  The role of the clinic administrator is to simplify the process of booking and billing. 

Physio for Car Accidents Plan

Secondly, you will meet with the Registered Physiotherapist. The Physiotherapist will ask about the accident and assess your painful areas.  Once the Physiotherapist has all of the information, they will complete your treatment plan. We will submit this to the car insurance adjuster on your behalf.  This document will outline your injuries, and any medical history. It will also include the number and type of treatments that the Physiotherapist is recommending for you.

Car Accident Physio Options

Your Physiotherapist may also recommend massage therapy or other products to help you get better faster.  The exact timeline of the treatment plan and how many visits are allowed will be dependent on whether the injuries are considered “minor” or “major” by the car insurance company.  The Physiotherapist will be able to decide which treatment guideline that applies to you and they will discuss this with you.  Once the forms are completed, the Physiotherapist will review the contents of the plan with you.

Follow-up Car Accident Physio Appointments

Follow-up appointments will focus on treatment and helping you to get better.  The type of treatment received depends on the injuries. Normally, treatments will be as follows:

Firstly, you will get machines put on that reduce pain.

Secondly, hands on treatment techniques and lastly, exercises for home. 

Recovery from a car accident can take time. The body takes in a lot of stress from the accident. Therefore, these injuries take a long time to heal.  As a result, it is important to stay consistent with your treatment. In this way, the body can benefit the most.  The goal is to help you to return to all of the activities that you were able to do before the accident.


FEES for Physiotherapy/ Massage Therapy after a Car Accident

All fees should be covered for the treatment you receive after a car accident. By law, your Physiotherapy clinic is required to first bill any extended health insurance (EHC) that you may have. Anything that is not covered by your EHC insurance is then passed on to your car insurance. You should never be out of pocket for treatment received for Physio after Car Accidents.

Our Physio clinic administrators will try to take the work out of the billing and paperwork for you! If you or someone you know has been involved in a car accident, Please give us at 289-724-0528. At PhysioNow we are ready to help! Same day appointments are often available. We have highly trained Physiotherapists and Massage Therapists at all of our locations.

Physiotherapy for Neck Pain

Physiotherapy for Neck Pain

Physiotherapy for Neck Pain
Neck Pain

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!