Tag Archives: Wellness

Exercise, General Category, Health and Wellness, Pelvic Health, Pelvic Health Physiotherapists, Physiotherapy, Registered Physiotherapist Mississauga, Registered Physiotherapy Mississauga, Urinary Incontinence

Female & Male Pelvic Pain

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Female & Male Pelvic Pain Female & Male pelvic pain

There are various conditions which are treatable under male and female pelvic pain.

Vulvodynia

Pain that affects the entire vulva
Symptoms
• Burning
• Stabbing
• Stinging
• Itching
• Sensitive to touch and pressure
• Functional limitation (Sex/ tampon/clothes)

Vestibulodynia

The vestibule is where the vulva (area of the skin on the outside) meets with the vagina. It is an extremely sensitive part of your body.
Symptoms:
Hypersensitivity on light touch, such as during intercourse and on insertion of tampons.Some women have pain but are able to tolerate penetrative sex. They may have soreness and tenderness. This may include soreness with tight clothes and even light touch to the area.

Dyspareunia, Vaginismus, Dysmenorrhea, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Endometriosis

Endometriosis

Vaginismus: Inability to penetrate due to spasm of the muscles
Dyspareunia: Painful vaginal penetration in the absence of disease
Dysmenorrhea:
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Abdominal Pain or discomfort, At least 3 days per month in the last 3 months.

Irritable Bowel Syndromes

Pain is associated with 2 or more symptoms:
– Improvement with defecation
– Onset associated with a change in stool frequency
– Onset associated with a change in stool form

Anal Disorders

Men have pelvic pain!

• Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome
• Interstitial Cysts
• Bladder Pain Syndrome
• Levator Ani Syndrome
• Urethral Syndrome
• Coccydynia
• Pudendal Neuralgia
• Anal fissures

Physiotherapy Treatments for Female & Male Pelvic Pain

Kegel Exercise

Connective tissue massage

Dermoneuromodulation or non?nociceptive input
Improve mobility of affected areas
Down regulate the sympathetic nervous system (nervous system restore and relax)
Nutrition
Behavioural techniques (manage stress)
Movement Therapies
Kegel exercises depending on the type of muscle tone and condition.
Contract relax and Reciprocal inhibition techniques
Add mobilizations–? massage with movement

As you can see, there are many things that can be done to help with Female & Male Pelvic Pain. PhysioNow can Help! We have fully trained Pelvic Health Physiotherapists to help with all of these conditions. Call today to book an appointment!

General Category, Health and Wellness, Pelvic Health, Pelvic Health Physiotherapists, Physiotherapy, Registered Physiotherapist Mississauga, Registered Physiotherapy Mississauga, Seniors, Urinary Incontinence

Urinary Tract Infections

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Urinary Tract Infections

Urinary tract infections

Urinary tract infections typically occur when bacteria enter the urinary tract through the urethra. Bacteria then begin to multiply in the bladder. The most common UTIs occur mainly in women and affect the bladder and urethra.
• Infection of the bladder (cystitis).
• Infection of the urethra (urethritis)

Symptoms

• A strong, persistent urge to urinate
• A burning sensation when urinating
• Passing frequent, small amounts of urine
• Urine that appears cloudy
• Urine that appears red, bright pink or cola-colored — a sign of blood in the urine
• Strong-smelling urine
• Pelvic pain, in women — especially in the center of the pelvis and around the area of the pubic bone

Check out this video for more information: http://www.webmd.com/women/guide/your-guide-urinary-tract-infections#1

Lifestyle changes:

Urinary tract infections can be painful. You can take steps to ease your discomfort until antibiotics treat the infection. Follow these tips:
• Drink plenty of water. Water helps to dilute your urine and flush out bacteria.
• Avoid drinks that may irritate your bladder. Avoid coffee, alcohol, and soft drinks containing citrus juices or caffeine until your infection has cleared. They can irritate your
bladder. These drinks tend to aggravate your frequent or urgent need to urinate.
• Use a heating pad. Apply a warm, but not hot, heating pad to your abdomen to minimize bladder pressure or discomfort.
• Wear cotton underwear on a daily basis. Cotton underwear allows more air movement to occur. This keeps the urethra dry.
• Do NOT wear thongs. They track bacteria from your anus forward to your vagina (to the underwear section).

Physiotherapy Treatment

Physiotherapists that are trained in pelvic floor dysfunction can greatly improve a UTI patient’s quality of life. A typical approach includes training pelvic floor musculature, manipulative techniques and local heat. It also includes breathing and relaxation techniques. Lastly, treatment includes postural education, muscle coordination reeducation, and behavioral therapy.

• Reverse Kegel Down training
• Dynamic ROM program including dynamic stretching and core exercises
• Pain education
• Internal pelvic muscle work including trigger point release techniques
• Connective tissue mobilization

If you suffer from urinary tract infections, consider getting a consultation from one of our pelvic health physiotherapists today. They can help! Please call Physionow to book an appointment and get back to living a comfortable life!

General Category, Health and Wellness, Pelvic Health, Pelvic Health Physiotherapists, Pelvic Organ Prolapse, Registered Physiotherapist Mississauga, Registered Physiotherapy Mississauga

Pelvic organ Prolapse

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Pelvic organ Prolapse

Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Pelvic organ prolapse is a very annoying problem. Pelvic organs, such as the uterus, cervix, bladder or bowel, may protrude into the vagina because of weakness in the tissues that normally support them. It is a disorder described as a protrusion at or near the vaginal opening. This may or may not cause perineal pressure. This condition is aggravated by standing and relieved by lying down.

Causes of Pelvic Organ Prolapse:

Vaginal child birth
Advancing age
Increased body weight
Hysterectomy
Chronic straining
Abnormalities of connective tissue
Connective tissue repair causes some women to have disruption, stretching, or dysfunction of the connective-tissue attachments of the vagina, or both. This can result in prolapse.

Symptoms of Pelvic Organ prolapse:

The symptoms can vary, depending on the type of prolapse. Generally, people have several complaints. These include bladder, bowel, and pelvic symptoms. Symptoms can include Urinary retention. They can also include changes in bowel function. Many women with pelvic organ prolapse have no symptoms, and do not need treatment. When pelvic organ prolapse causes symptoms, options include observation, conservative pelvic health physiotherapy treatment, and surgery. You can also use a pessary. A vaginal pessary is a removable device placed into the vagina. It is designed to support areas of pelvic organ prolapse.
http://www.webmd.com/urinary-incontinence-oab/placement-of-a-pessary

Treatment for pelvic organ prolapse:

NO effective prevention strategies for prolapse have been identified. However, options include weight loss, and reduction of heavy lifting. There are also various treatments used for constipation. These options can be discussed with your pelvic health physiotherapist. Other treatments include surgery, mechanical devices and pelvic floor exercises.

Conservative management approaches include giving lifestyle advice and delivering Kegel exercises. Kegel exercises are often used in cases of mild to moderate pelvic organ prolapse. Simple instructions are not considered adequate training for a Kegel exercise program (Bump et al 1991). The Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada recommends that proper performance of Kegel exercises should be confirmed by digital vaginal examination or biofeedback. This can be done by a skilled Pelvic Health Physiotherapist. PhysioNow has the ability to do this type of treatment at all of our Physiotherapy clinics in Mississauga.
Electrical stimulation with sensor probes can also be used for pelvic floor muscle strengthening.
Kegel Exercises

Finally, it is IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND that pelvic organ prolapse is not a gynecological disease but a FUNCTIONAL problem. Pelvic health Physiotherapy can Help! Call PhysioNow today!

Exercise, General Category, Health and Wellness, Physiotherapy, Seniors

Osteoporosis: The Breakdown Of Bone Tissue

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Osteoporosis

This is a condition that causes the breakdown of bone tissue. This leads to a decrease in bone density. This bone loss leads to an increased risk of bone fragility and fractures. The bones of the hips, spine, wrist and shoulder are most likely to suffer such fractures. According to Osteoporosis Canada, the number of fractures from osteoporosis is more than heart attacks, strokes and breast cancer combined.

The diagnosis is made using a bone scan test. The individual’s bone mineral density result is compared to that of an average young adult. A score is calculated. The score tells the individual how much their bone mineral density differs from the average young person. The World Health Organization uses the scores to categorize the condition. As the score decreases, the risk of fractures increases.

  • Normal: > -1.0
  • Osteopenia: Between -1.0 and -2.5
  • Osteoporosis: <-2.5
  • Severe Osteoporosis: <-2.5 and fragility fracture (fracture that is caused by an injury that would normally not fracture bone)

Treatment focuses on maintaining bone mineral density. The goal is to decrease fracture risk. Registered Physiotherapists Mississauga can play a very important role. They can educate individuals on how to live safely with their condition. A Registered Physiotherapist can provide several strategies to reduce risk. They can suggest adaptive equipment such as using reachers and other long handled devices. This causes less stress on the spine.

Facts About Osteoporosis

Modifications of the environment, such as changing the height of shelves and moving those items used more frequently to waist or shoulder level are also recommended. Activity and movement modifications may involve using lighter weights. Selecting different footwear and advice on what positions to avoid can be helpful. Lastly, an exercise program designed specifically for each person’s impairments is also very important in reducing the risk of fractures. Lifting weights can help to increase bone density. This would help to reduce the risk of fracture.

Registered Physiotherapists Mississauga can help to set up a program of light weight lifting. Weight lifting should be done at least three times per week. This will help to increase bone density. This can be a challenging condition to live with. It can really have a negative impact on quality of life.

The good news is that it certainly does not have to. A Registered Physiotherapist Mississauga can help with management strategies. We can help you to continue to lead an active life! The goals of treatment are: to reduce fracture risk, increase activity, and maintain your healthy lifestyle!

Call today to book an appointment with our highly trained Registered Physiotherapists Mississauga at 289-724-0448! Get started today!

Falls Prevention

Falls Prevention

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Falls Prevention

Seniors are one of the most at risk groups of people for falls. This can be due to many different factors. Some of the most widely recognized are poor health, decreased strength, poor balance, poor vision and altered mental state. Any one of these factors can result in a fall. In most cases it’s a combination of several of these factors that puts seniors at most risk. A fall can lead to a whole range of different injuries. This includes sprains and strains. It also includes more serious injuries such as dislocations, or fractures. Falls can exacerbate pre-existing health conditions. This could lead to heart attacks or strokes from the trauma. Previous falls can also lead to substantial fear of falling. This can prevent people from venturing outside the home and being active. This in turn, can lead to a poor quality of life.

Preventing Falls

Falls prevention is a very important type of rehabilitation that can be provided by a Registered Physiotherapist. The major parts of this Registered Physiotherapy program would include: education and an exercise program. The program would work to increase overall strength and improve balance for those at risk. Education needs to bring awareness about specific risk factors and how to minimize them.

Falls Prevention

The Physiotherapist would also assess balance and look for the presence of Vertigo. In the case of poor balance, a gait aid, such as a cane or walker may be recommended. Special exercises for vertigo may be given if it is present. Footwear may also be assessed.
Lastly, the type of home, the number of stairs, the presence of area rugs and any other types of clutter would be addressed to make the home a safer place. The physiotherapist would design a specific strengthening program. This would aim to improve endurance, function and mobility. It would also work to improve balance so that an individual is less likely to fall.

All of our qualified physiotherapists at PhysioNow can provide falls prevention Physiotherapy and prevent serious injury. This can really improve the overall wellness and quality of life for seniors. Our goal for you is to keep you doing all of the things that you enjoy doing! Call today for your Falls Prevention Assessment 289-724-0448.

acupuncture, Exercise, General Category, Health and Wellness, Sports Injuries, Sports Physiotherapy, Wrist pain

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

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CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME:

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is compression of the median nerve as it passes into the hand. The median nerve is located on the palm side of the hand (also called the carpal tunnel). It provides sensation (ability to feel) to your thumb, index finger, long finger, and part of the ring finger. Compression of the nerve produces numbness, tingling and, eventually, hand weakness. Proper Physiotherapy treatment can relieve the tingling and numbness and restore wrist and hand function.

Causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome can be made worse if the wrist is overextended repeatedly
• Repeated motions of your wrist contribute to swelling and compression of the median nerve
• Poor positioning of your wrists while using a keyboard or mouse
• Prolonged exposure to vibrations from using hand tools or power tools
• Any repeated movement that overextends your wrist, such as playing the piano or typing
• Gripping frequently, even an iPad or book for long periods of time
• Lifting free weights
• Gripping weight machines at the gym or home
• Resting your head on your hand with your wrist in a bent position

Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome include:

• Numbness, tingling, and pain in the thumb and first three fingers of the hand
• Pain and burning that can travel up the forearm
• Wrist pain at night that interferes with sleep
• Weakness in the muscles of the hand

Physiotherapy Treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome:

• Wrist splints that hold your hand in a neutral position, especially at night
• Avoiding activities that put your wrist into extreme positions up or down
• Ultrasound and Interferential current can help to reduce the swelling in the Carpal Tunnel
• Proper posture for work and home while reading, working on the computer, etc.
• Exercises done in physical therapy may also be helpful
• Acupuncture may help to stimulate the median nerve and relieve pain

Overall, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a very uncomfortable condition. It can interrupt your life and your sleep. Getting the proper Physiotherapy Treatment Program is very helpful! PhysioNow has fully trained Registered Physiotherapists standing ready to help you Now! Please call today to get started on relieving your pain!

Custom orthotics, Exercise, General Category, Hawk Tool, Health and Wellness, Manual Therapy, Physiotherapy, Plantar fasciitis

Plantar Fasciitis

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Plantar fasciitis

Plantar Fasciitis

The plantar fascia is the band of tissue (ligament) that connects your heel bone to your toes. The main function of this Fascia is to support the arch of your foot. Any strain to the plantar fascia will make it weak, swollen, and irritated. This results in the bottom of your foot hurting when you stand or walk. Some of the causes of plantar fasciitis are: high arches or flat feet, prolonged walking, standing, or running for long periods of time, especially on hard surfaces. Plantar fasciitis can also be caused by shoes that don’t fit well, tight calf muscles or being overweight. Plantar fasciitis is also common with athletes.

Treatment recommended:

In order to decrease these symptoms, try to give the feet adequate rest by reducing the activities that cause your foot to hurt. Walking on hard surfaces should be avoided. Talk to your physiotherapist today. They can help you with various treatment approaches.

To reduce pain and swelling, try putting ice on your heel especially when you first get up in the morning. Get a new pair of shoes. Pick shoes with good arch support and a cushioned sole. Plantar fasciitis most often occurs because of injuries that have happened over time. It may take time for the pain to go away completely.

Stay with your treatment. There may be constant pain when you stand or walk. The sooner you start treatment,the better. Physiotherapy treatment will prevent the injury from being aggravated further.

PhysioNow treatment

Here at PhysioNow we can help you to treat Plantar fasciitis with modalities like Laser, ultrasound and manual physiotherapy. Physiotherapy treatment would include stretches and strengthening exercises. We have a special tool called a “HAWK” that we love to use for Plantar fasciitis to strip out the scar tissue. It speeds up the healing of plantar fasciitis immensely. Custom orthotics may also be useful to support flat feet.
Give us a call today to start feeling better! We can help!

General Category, Massage Therapy, Physiotherapy

Low Back Pain : Massage Therapy

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Low Back Pain

Low Back Pain

Low Back Pain: Massage Therapy
As physiotherapists and registered massage therapists we treat low back pain – a lot. It is by far the most common injury that we see. Stats suggest that almost all of us will have back pain at some point in our lives. It is also the most common cause for missed days at work. But what causes low back pain?

Low Back Pain

The lumbar spine is very complex, therefore what causes low back pain cannot be answered easily. It is critical to have the spine assessed by someone who is trained to determine what structure is sore, and more importantly why. I have listed some of the most common causes of low back pain.

Common Causes of Low Back Pain

1. Disc herniation or bulge: The disc is a shock absorbing structure that sits between each vertebrae or bone of the back. The disc has a hard outside ring around a soft jelly middle. It is often compared to a jelly donut. Pain is produced when this jelly is pushed through the firm outer shell causing a bump in the circular shape. Sciatica or pain radiating down the leg is caused if this bulge hits a nerve.

2. Joint Stiffness: Each of the vertebrae have a joint connecting them to the bone above and below. Like many of the other joints of the body – the ankle, the knee – these joints will swell and become irritated if they are stretched too far or too much work is demanded of them.

3. Muscle Spasm: Often to protect the back, the muscles that run beside the spine will go into spasm. The purpose of this is to splint the back to allow the irritated area to rest. However, often the spasm can be much worse and more limiting than the initial low back pain. Massage Therapy can be very effective at releasing the muscle spasm and helping you to decrease pain.

These are just a few of the causes, and there are many more. If you would like to know the reason for your low back pain and perhaps more importantly how to treat it, call for an appointment with a Physiotherapist or Massage Therapist today!

Exercise, General Category, Health and Wellness, Physiotherapy

Exercise: Disease Prevention and tips to include Daily exercise

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Dr. Mike Evans is a family doctor who works for University of Toronto and St Michael’s Hospital. He also works for the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute. This institute presents medical information in an understandable way via you tube. A few years ago, Dr. Evans decided to find the most important single thing that someone could do to improve their health and prevent disease. His answer? Exercise. He created a video called “23 and half hours”, in which, he asks you to be at rest only 23 and ½ hours a day. You can see this engaging video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUaInS6HIGo.

Athlete

Stretching before a walk or run


For many of our clients it is difficult to be active for even 30 minutes a day. And although we have to recognize the difficult pressures of work and family, these clients find it difficult to exercise due to pain and injury. So, although they know that exercise may help, they get in a cycle of exercising causing pain, forcing them to rest, which causes more pain…. It is a difficult cycle to be caught in, but there are strategies to break the pattern and get moving.
When starting to exercise, one of the most common mistakes is that people do too much too soon. Remember that any increase in activity will benefit you. This may be taking the stairs versus the elevator, parking at the back of the parking lot and walking to the mall, or even marching on the spot. Start with a level that is comfortable without increasing discomfort. As you continue to do this exercise, it will get easier and this is when you increase intensity. Gym memberships and community programs can be expensive, especially if you are dealing with the costs of chronic illness. Activity can be less expensive. Look into walking in your neighbourhood, or mall walking when the weather is poor. Finally, remember that every little bit helps. If you can only tolerate 5 to 10 minutes of exercise at a time, start there but do it a few times a day.
Shoulder Exercise
If you are uncertain where to start, seek out a physiotherapist to assist you. They are trained in exercise and particularly, exercise for people in pain or with illness and injury. Simple steps can be taken to get you moving again.

General Category, Health and Wellness, Massage Therapy, Motor Vehicle Accidents, Sports Injuries, Sports Physiotherapy

Registered Massage Therapy Mississauga – Benefits?

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Registered Massage therapy can be an effective part of any wellness program. Whether it is used for injury rehabilitation, pain relief, relaxation, general body maintenance, improved sleep, reduced stress, or anxiety/ depression, there are many good reasons to get a registered massage therapy treatment.

Massage Therapy

Benefits Of Registered Massage Therapy Mississauga

Many of the techniques that have been developed are used to improve the use of muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, fascia, joints, bones, blood circulation, and the lymphatic system. Massage therapy also helps the nervous system to release hormones that promote healing, reduce pain, and increase relaxation. Some of the conditions massage therapy has been shown to benefit include:

  • Arthritis
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Headaches
  • Lower back pain
  • Sprains and strains
  • Tendonitis
  • Repetitive strain injuries
  • Pregnancy support
  •  Scoliosis and Kyphosis
  • Pain that comes from poor posture

Many people have aches and pains that they suffer with on a daily basis. Sometimes these pains will  go away, but other times they can linger for quite a while. Registered Massage therapy can help nip these problems in the bud before they become long term issues.

Massage Therapy Treatment

Stress is another issue that affects us all. It can cause health problems such as headaches, heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Chronic stress can decrease your immune system making it easier for you to suffer from disease or infections.  It can also increase the time it takes you to recover from an illness or injury. Stress can affect your mood by making you anxious, irritable, or depressed. A massage therapy treatment can help you to manage your stress and improve your sense of well being.

There are many good reasons to get a massage therapy treatment. Whatever your reason is, mind, body, or both, book a treatment today with a registered massage therapist and feel the difference massage therapy can make for you. PhysioNow has Massage Therapists standing by to help you.