Physiotherapy Blog

As our children head back to school, the backpack becomes a source of many complaints. Filled to the brim with textbooks, water bottles, laptops, and lunches, backpacks can put a lot of stress on the neck, shoulders and back. As Physiotherapists, it is a common issue we see causing postural fatigue and spinal strain. Thankfully, it can easily be alleviated through treatment and some modifications. Here’s what you and your child should know about backpacks and how to resolve their pain. Can backpacks affect their posture? An example of forward head posture. While our children are still growing and their…

If you’ve ever felt a sharp, catching pain at the base of your thumb or along the side of your wrist when gripping your water bottle, holding a newborn, or lifting weights, you might be dealing with De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis, or some call it DQ for short. This wrist condition is exceptionally common among athletes, manual laborers, new parents, and anyone who uses their hands repetitively. Let’s look at what’s happening inside your wrist, how to test for it, and how physical therapy can help you get back to normal. What is DeQuervain’s? A quick anatomy lesson first. De Quervain’s…

Each day, more and more Physiotherapists are using acupuncture and needling techniques alongside the usual treatments to create the best outcomes for their patients. Maybe you are struggling with some persistent pain and the usual techniques don’t seem to be working, acupuncture or dry needling might be worth a shot! For some people, the idea of using needles to treat pain sounds counterintuitive. How can such small needles help pain? In this blog, we’ll discuss the science behind needling techniques and how Physiotherapists use it in their practice. If you’re worried, we’ll walk you through the process to help you…

It can be a nagging pain, an ache, or a sharp sensation at the back of your heel. The Achilles tendon and it’s associated injuries is one of the most common running injuries, especially in men. Our Achilles is the strongest tendon in our body, giving us the ability to store and release injury during runs, jumps and all kinds of athletic activities. Due to these high amounts of forces our Achilles must undergo, it makes it prone to overuse. In this blog we’ll cover the basics from what Achilles tendonosis is, how to treat it, and training + shoe…

Whether you’re a long time runner, or just getting into it now, you may have experienced the frustration of a pain in your shins. Shin splints are a common overuse injury in the running community, usually due to a new or a change in the training routine. Shin splints can be very frustrating to deal with as they can quickly ramp up in severity if ignored, and take you away from your normal routine to recover. In this blog, we’ll discuss the difference between shin splints and stress fractures in the bone, how to identify which one you have, and…

Some of PhysioNow’s own Physiotherapists are HYROX competitors! Pictured above are Gary and Kieran It’s been all over social media and people can’t stop talking about it! HYROX has been called the ultimate test of fitness as it combines 8km of running with 8 different exercises to create a punishing, but rewarding workout! Completing a HYROX event is a big accomplishment, pushing athletes to their power, strength, and endurance maximums. However, this type of training puts the body under an incredible load and recently, us Physiotherapists have seen a huge increase in overuse related injuries with HYROX athletes. What kind…

Have you been experiencing pain on the outside of your hip recently? Or maybe you notice a sharp twinge every time you climb the stairs, step out of the car, or try to lie on your side at night? If this sounds familiar, you aren’t alone. Outer hip pain is incredibly common, and very often, the main culprit is a condition called gluteal tendinopathy. Oftentimes, this can be accompanied by a bursitis and is generally classified as Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (GTPS). Either way, the condition and pain is very treatable with Physiotherapy and we’ll go over how today. What…

Diastasis recti is a common condition that affects many individuals, particularly during and after pregnancy. While it’s often discussed in postpartum recovery, it can also occur in men and individuals with increased abdominal pressure. Understanding this condition and how physiotherapy can help is key to a safe and effective recovery. What is diastasis recti? Diastasis recti refers to the partial or complete separation of the left and right sides of the rectus abdominis (think of your classic six pack) muscle. This occurs when the connective tissue between them, called the linea alba, becomes stretched, thinned and weakened. This separation can lead to: A visible bulge in the abdomen at, above or below your umbilicus Coning or doming of the abdomen during activities like crunches Core weakness Poor posture Lower back pain Pelvic instability While diastasis recti is painless, it can lead to functional issues and a change in physical appearance…

Is your kid complaining about a persistent knee pain under their knee? Does it bother them the most after physical activity, especially basketball, volleyball, soccer player or other sport? If so, they might be dealing with a condition called Osgood Schlatter’s Disease. Dont’ worry, it sounds scary but it’s very common and manageable with Physiotherapy! What is Osgood Schlatter’s? To put it in simple terms, Osgoode Schlatter’s is the inflammation of a part of the tibia (shin bone), right where the tendon attaches. Repetitive and high force contraction of the tendon puts pressure on the growth plate, causing irritation over…

It’s a dull, aching pain around your kneecap that you can’t quite touch. Runner’s knee, or clinically known as patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS), is a very common cause of knee pain. The good news is, it us very treatable especially if you catch it early. In this blog, we’ll break down what runner’s knee is, how it happens, and tips to avoid it whether you’re gearing up for a marathon of just getting into running. What is runner’s knee? Runner’s knee isn’t as specific of a diagnosis as say, a hamstring strain. It is an umbrella term for pain where…