Tag Archives: physiotherapy

Low Back Pain

Low Back Pain

Low Back Pain

Low back pain is the most common injury that physiotherapists and massage therapists treat. In fact it is said that up to 80 % of us will have low back pain at some point in our lives.It is pain severe enough that we will miss time from work and/or taking care of loved ones. As always, the best medicine is to prevent pain. When it comes to low back pain there are many things that can be done to prevent Low Back Pain. This includes using the proper lifting techniques, proper posture and ergonomics at work, yoga – the list goes on. But the one I would like to talk about today is strengthening.
First, let me debunk a myth. Sit ups and crunches will not help prevent low back pain. Weighted extensions and dead lifts will not help prevent low back pain. Although these are important muscles of the trunk, these muscles produce movement and power not stability. It is very rare to find a low back injury that is caused by not enough movement or poor power. Most low back pain is caused by disc injury, joint stress and postural issues. To prevent these injuries, stability exercises must be done.
The stability or deep core muscles lay deeper in the body and create a cylinder around the spine to support it and reduce joint stress. This layer of muscles can be strengthened by completing planks. Planks can take on many forms depending on the muscles strength you already have. Beginners should start on their elbows and knees, while the more advanced person can complete complex patterns of movement including commando crawling. Side planks are also an important option. For variety, working with a half or full ball can add a core element to your workout. Simple exercises include bridging or completing extensions on a ball. Choosing where to begin depends on your current strength and if you are in any pain. Physiotherapists are expert at prescribing exercises, just ask and we will be glad to get you started.

ACL Tear

ACL Tear

ACL tear

Do you have an ACL tear?  Should you have surgery to repair your ACL tear? This is one of the most common knee injuries. It is typical that if you have only a partial ACL tear- no surgery is recommended. Even if you have suffered a full ACL tear – the decision to have surgery is not always clear.

ACL tear

Factors to consider include: are you a competitive athlete in the prime of your life and do you plan to continue competing in your sport of choice? If the answer is yes, then more than likely, you are going to be advised to proceed with an ACL surgical repair.

ACL Tears

If you have a full ACL tear, but are not a competitive athlete, then the decision to proceed with a surgical approach becomes less certain. For many people, treatment with a skilled physiotherapist can help you to strengthen your muscles around the knee joint. This will support the knee for everyday activities without the use of a brace. You can then continue to participate in sporting activities with the use of a brace.

Braces are now available in lightweight comfortable materials that are reasonably unobtrusive and effective at protecting your knee from further injury. Bledsoe custom knee bracing is on the leading edge of sports injury bracing and can be purchased through our office.

If you decide to proceed with the surgery, be advised that the surgery is significant and the recovery typically takes between 6 to 12 months with the close supervision of a trained Registered Physiotherapist. Check out this link to consider if surgery is the right decision for you.

Surgery does not guarantee a perfect outcome – it always comes with the possibility of unintended consequences. A proper Physiotherapy rehabilitation program can mitigate these factors and assist you with your recovery! We have Sports Physiotherapists trained to do the post-surgical rehabilitation program at our offices.

Call today to book a pre surgical consult with one of our skilled physiotherapists or to get fitted for a custom knee brace. We can facilitate the decision making process if you wish. Call PhysioNow today to get started!

Headaches : Neck Pain

Headaches : Neck Pain

Have you ever suffered from Headaches : Neck Pain in the past?

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Have you ever considered that the two might be related? Is it possible that your neck pain might be causing your headaches? It just might be that you are right! If your neck is “stuck” in one place, it can cause muscle spasm and long lasting pain that can shoot right up into your head causing chronic Headaches: Neck Pain.

Check out this link for further information about headaches.

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Is your computer set off to the side so that you have to always look one way to work?
Do you sleep on your tummy? Do you hold the phone between your ear and your shoulder?

All of these can cause problems with your neck! The good news is that a physiotherapist can often help with this problem. Restoring the natural movement in your neck just might solve your headache problems too!

A registered physiotherapist is trained to fully assess your neck movement and look for areas that are not moving properly. Call today to see if your Headaches : Neck Pain can be solved by a physiotherapist. In one visit it is possible to identify if your Headaches : Neck Pain may be related. Treatment starts on the first day. Pain relief may be one visit away!

How Can Registered Physiotherapy Help?

Registered Physiotherapy can help to solve the problem very easily by using gentle machines to reduce the pain from Headaches: Neck Pain. Treatment usually includes some gentle hands on massage and stretching to help your neck to move better again. This comfortably takes the pain away and lets you get back to your life!

The last important part of physiotherapy is to teach you some simple stretches that will help to keep the pain away. As a final step, we talk about how to avoid having the headaches and neck pain come back.
Call PhysioNow today to get started!