Recently Sustained a Sprain or Strain? We Can Help
Recently Sustained a Sprain or Strain? We Can Help Home Blog Find Relief Today! There you are, walking through the park on a sunny summer day when you unexpectedly find a hole with your foot. Before you know it, you are in agony, slumped in a crumpled heap, hoping that no one saw you slide with a strain or sprain. So, what do you do from here? How do you know if the injury is going to go away on its own, and when do you call a physiotherapist? The best way to find out is to contact us today to find out whether further treatment is needed for your sprain, strain, or ankle pain. What’s the difference between a sprain and a strain? This is one of the most often asked questions of a physiotherapist when it comes to ankles. It’s really a lot easier to distinguish between the two than you would expect. But before we can speak about the difference between a sprain and the strain, you need to know the difference between the tendon and the ligament. Tendons are solid, fibrous tissue that attaches bone to muscle. Ligaments are related forms of strong connective tissue that link one bone to another bone. Sprains occur when the ligaments of the joint (ankle, knee, wrist, elbow, etc.) are bent so violently that the solid connective tissues are strained or partially broken. Usually, the joint stays in place with a sprain. Sprains can be mild, resulting in just a few minutes or hours of discomfort, or maybe more severe, requiring physiotherapy or even surgery. A strain occurs when the tendons that link the muscle to the bone are stretched or slightly broken. There are two kinds of strains—acute and chronic. Acute strains arise as a result of injury. You can slip on the ice and fall, straining the muscle in your leg when you’re trying to steady yourself. Chronic strains happen when you perform the same motion over and over. Gymnasts, tennis players, golfers, and other athletes are likely to experience strains when they are not adequately trained or stretched, or if they are not using the correct equipment. What can physiotherapy do for me? Interestingly enough, working with a physiotherapist has more advantages than just regaining your strength after the accident. These medical professionals are highly trained movement specialists who can not only help you heal from a sprain or strain, they can help you avoid injury in the future. Physiotherapists also provide drug-free pain relief that keeps you mobile and strengthens your body. Physiotherapy for a sprain or strain usually follows 3 phases. In the acute phase of injury, pain management is one of the main objectives. Extreme sprains and strains are also painful. If surgery is required to reconnect a ligament or tendon or repair a muscle, pain control can also make a difference between a patient who works hard in therapy and someone who does not. Your physiotherapist can offer several pain management techniques—ice, heat, ultrasound, TENS, massage, and stretching. They will also show you how to perform some exercises and stretches on their own. Your physiotherapist works on repairing your injury in the second phase of physiotherapy. Usually, the first two phases go hand-in-hand while your physiotherapist works to help you recover mobility in the joint where the sprain or sprain occurred. Once the injury is healed, your physiotherapist can go on to help you avoid further injury. If you’ve sprained a joint, you’re more likely to do it again without proper therapy. It’s the same for strains. Strengthening muscles around the affected area will also protect you from having complications in the future. So, what else should I know about sprains and strains? As stated by Medline, “A sprain is a stretched or torn ligament. Ligaments are tissues that connect bones at a joint. Falling, twisting, or getting hit can all cause a sprain. Ankle and wrist sprains are common. Symptoms include pain, swelling, bruising, and being unable to move your joint. You might feel a pop or tear when the injury happens. A strain is a stretched or torn muscle or tendon. Tendons are tissues that connect muscle to bone. Twisting or pulling these tissues can cause a strain. Strains can happen suddenly or develop over time. Back and hamstring muscle strains are common. Many people get strains playing sports. Symptoms include pain, muscle spasms, swelling, and trouble moving the muscle. At first, treatment of both sprains and strains usually involves resting the injured area, icing it, wearing a bandage or device that compresses the area, and medicines. Later treatment might include exercise and physiotherapy.” If you think you may be in need of physiotherapy intervention for your sprain or strain, don’t hesitate to contact us. One of our physiotherapists will evaluate the injured area to determine the best course of treatment for your needs. Discover fast relief today For more guidance or to learn more about the impact of physiotherapy on sprains and strains, please contact us today. Table of Contents
Living with Sciatica? 3 Reasons to Turn to Physiotherapy
If You’re Living with Arthritis, There’s Hope – Find Relief with PT Home Blog Don’t Live in Pain! Find Relief with PT Your sciatic nerve runs down to each of your legs from either side of your lower back. That’s why a classic symptom of sciatica is that there’s just one side of shooting pain. Although compression of one of your sciatic nerves can literally be a “pain in the butt,” it does not always necessarily require medical attention. However, physiotherapy is usually the best bet if you’re looking to banish the effects of sciatica. The question, then, is how do you know when to go about home remedy treatments alone, and when to call a physiotherapist? The guidelines below will clarify precisely what sciatica is and when physiotherapy will is the best call to help you find relief. 1. When taking action into your own hands hasn’t worked There are plenty of things you can do at home to ease a mild sciatica flare-up. Alternating with cold and heat is a classic treatment for sciatica symptoms. Use an ice pack, followed by a heating pad, for about 15 minutes per application. Sleeping with a pillow between your knees can also help. If you can’t get comfortable during the day or at night, try a reclining chair to redirect the pressure from your lower back. Going for walks often helps ease sciatica pain, because “babying” your condition can actually make it worse. Yet while these methods may help with mild sciatica, there are times when a physiotherapy session is a far better strategy. One sign that you should consult a physiotherapist is if your home treatments are having little or no effect in reducing the pain and restricted motion. Another is if the symptoms persist for at least a week. Of course, the worsening of pain is the most important sign that physiotherapy is needed. 2. When the effects of your condition begin to worsen If your sciatic nerve becomes seriously compressed, the resulting symptoms can go from uncomfortable to quite painful – and even embarrassing. You may become weak and numb on one side. Sometimes, even getting your leg or foot to move becomes impossible. If the pain hits you suddenly, and with great intensity, it’s probably time to visit a physiotherapist to begin easing the pain. Another telltale sign? The sciatic nerve can become compressed in the area that controls bladder and/or bowel function. If you lose control of either or both of these functions, you’ll obviously want to get professional help. Visit a doctor to rule out other problems. She will likely run tests, as well as refer you to a physiotherapist. 3. When discomfort follows an injury Mild sciatica can build up over time, and it may even go away on its own. But when you have an onset of classic sciatica symptoms following a car accident, serious fall or sports injury, contact a doctor and a physiotherapist. The symptoms are more likely to be severe because of the greater impact on the area surrounding the sciatic nerve. It’s important to determine the severity of nerve damage. Your medical team needs to evaluate the need for surgery, steroid injections or prescription drugs. Of course, even if your injury requires more aggressive treatment, physiotherapy is often recommended as part of the recovery plan. Your physiotherapist can help you with surgery rehab. He or She can also focus on extending the benefits of your injections and sciatica medication. For many people with persistent or severe sciatica, physiotherapy can be a lifeline. You’ll be taught targeted moves that strengthen your lower back. Strong muscles support the area around your sciatic nerve and can prevent future injuries. You’ll also work on improving your posture to keep sciatica symptoms at bay. Increasing range of motion is also part of physiotherapy for sciatica. So, what else should I know about sciatica? As stated by Move Forward Physical Therapy, “Lumbar radiculopathy (also known as sciatica or radiculitis) is a condition that occurs when a nerve in your low back is injured, pinched, or compressed, causing pain or other symptoms that can extend from the low back to the hip, leg, or foot. Lumbar radiculopathy can be caused by sudden trauma or by long-term stress affecting structures in the back. It most often affects people aged 30 to 50 years. Risk factors for lumbar radiculopathy include repeated lifting, participating in weight-bearing sports, obesity, smoking, sedentary lifestyles, and poor posture. The majority of lumbar radiculopathy and sciatica cases recover without surgery, and respond well to physiotherapy. Physiotherapists design individualized treatment programs to help people with lumbar radiculopathy reduce their pain, regain normal movement, and get back to their normal activities.” To learn more about how to recognize when your sciatica is in need of physiotherapy intervention, continue reading below. Find the relief you’re looking for today Contact us today to talk to an expert physiotherapist about how to treat – and even banish – debilitating sciatica flare-ups! Table of Contents
If You’re Living with Arthritis, There’s Hope – Find Relief with PT
If You’re Living with Arthritis, There’s Hope – Find Relief with PT Home Blog You Don’t Have to Live in Pain! Have you ever experienced pain in your lower back, knees, wrists, hips, or joints? Arthritis may be the culprit. Arthritis is a joint condition that causes discomfort, stiffness, swelling, and inflammation. In the event that only one joint is inflamed, the condition is known as monoarthritis. If two or three joints are involved, they are referred to as oligoarthritis. Many people with arthritis suffer a lack of mobility or a decline in their range of motion, since their joints are simply too swollen to move. If you are dealing with joint pain or arthritis, you may appear to lean on over-the-counter medications, but this is just temporary. What you need is a healthy, natural, long-lasting relief of pain. Physiotherapy will help you with this! Contact our office today to learn more about physiotherapy and how a personalized care plan could be the solution you’ve been looking for. How can physiotherapy benefit me? Physiotherapy is all about engaging in physical activity and exercise in order to improve your overall health. Regular physical activity is essential for achieving the highest levels of physical and mental health, and it is critical to the management of pain. Your physiotherapist may develop a recovery regimen that covers all parts of the body. For example, if you have pain in your knee, your workout program will target your lower back, hip, and ankle, in addition to your knee. This is because all of these areas contribute to proper mobility of the knee. Proper lifting and squatting exercises will also be part of the recovery plan, as well as moving large items in the right way so that you can learn how to minimize undue pressure on your back. Physiotherapy can also involve manual therapy with soft tissue mobilization, deep tissue massage, TENS, ice packs, and heat therapy. All these therapies are passive approaches that reduce inflammation, increase blood circulation, reduce pain, increase mobility, and enhance range of motion. Physiotherapy is a healthy, natural, and non-invasive treatment for pain. What happens after I get diagnosed with arthritis? When you first see your physiotherapist, he or she will inspect your joints for deformity and inflammation, check for signs of illness, and review your history of symptoms. They can also order blood or urine tests, x-rays, or joint fluid tests as needed. The sooner your arthritis is caught and diagnosed, the greater chance you have of maintaining your strength and mobility later in life. Early diagnosis can prevent impairment and irreversible harm. Your physiotherapist will suggest certain workout plans, supplements, and rest. It’s crucial that you perform your exercises safely and properly in order to prevent injury, so make sure you listen when your physiotherapist gives you tips! Do you have any of these common types of arthritis? There are over 100 types of arthritis. Below is a list of some of the most common ones and what part of the body they affect the most. Rheumatoid arthritis. This results from an overactive immune system. It affects the hands, feet, elbows, wrists, knees, and ankles. Osteoarthritis. This condition occurs due to wear and tear of the cartilage. It typically affects the spine, hands, knees, and hips. Gout. This condition is extremely painful and occurs when there is an increased level of uric acid in your bloodstream. Psoriatic arthritis. Psoriatic arthritis typically affects large joints, causing inflammation in the places where tendons and ligaments connect to bone. Arthritis is the most common chronic illness in the nation. According to Arthritis.org, “More than 50 million adults and 300,000 children have some type of pain. It is most common among women and occurs more frequently as people get older.” This is most likely why there is a misconception that arthritis only affects the elderly. Arthritis can render people unable to work, and many suffering from it are forced to go on disability. Arthritic pain can seriously interrupt a person’s routine, quality of life, and overall mobility. Physiotherapy for arthritic pain has been proven by research to be highly effective. If you suffer from arthritic pain be sure to call us to schedule an appointment with one of our skilled physiotherapists. Discover arthritis relief today Arthritis pain can be exhausting, miserable, and crippling for those who suffer from it. Worse yet, as of now there is no fix for it. Fortunately, however, physiotherapy is an option, which is a safe, natural, and non-invasive method for arthritis pain. Physiotherapy can tailor a therapeutic treatment routine to enhance mobility and strength. If you have arthritis pain, be sure to make an appointment with one of our licensed physiotherapists. We are 100% committed to your success. Our research-driven therapies will help you resolve your pain quickly and get your life back on track! Source: https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/about-arthritis/understanding-arthritis/what-is-arthritis Table of Contents
Stress-Related Headaches Getting You Down? Relieve Them with PT!
Stress-Related Headaches Getting You Down? Relieve Them with PT! Home Blog You Don’t Have to Deal with Day-to-Day Pain Most people feel that they have to spend hours a day working out or attending the gym in order to keep fit. That’s why many of us find ourselves saying we don’t have time to exercise! However, it doesn’t take hours out of your day to workout and remain physically fit. There are a few simple elements you can integrate into your everyday routine that will lead to a better, more active lifestyle. Get in touch with our office today to learn more tips and tricks to become a healthier you! Common methods of pain relief Each individual’s treatment strategy is different, but many physiotherapists use many of the same approaches. Examples include soft tissue mobilization, heat or ice compression, muscle release, cervical traction, body mobilization, stretching, strengthening, muscle energy techniques, and McKenzie-based spine diagnosis and therapy. With all treatment plans, you should expect to obtain details that will support your in-office experience. 3 ways PT can help with headaches Although the end goal of physiotherapy is pain relief, there are some critical things along the way that your physiotherapist will help you address so that you can achieve a decrease in pain. 3 common PT methods include: Improved strength and muscle ability. You’ll learn exercises to help strengthen the muscles that control your upper back and neck. This way your posture will improve, and you’ll be able to sit or stand for long periods without experiencing pain and discomfort. Adjusting the way your neck moves. Your physiotherapist can use manual therapy to stretch muscles in your neck to relieve pain and increase range of motion. Posture improvement. How your posture is held during the day significantly impacts your pain levels and the likelihood of experiencing a stress-related headache. Your physiotherapist will teach you how to improve your posture for a greater quality of life. How will physiotherapy help relieve my headaches? A licensed physiotherapist can conduct a complete physical exam of your body and condition, as well as ask you the appropriate questions regarding your health history. He or she will be able to figure out what type of headache you’re experiencing and determine the best way to combat it and bring much-needed pain relief. During your first visit, you can expect most of the following: Measurements regarding the range of motion of your shoulders, neck and other relevant parts of the body Questions about the types of pain symptoms experienced Questions regarding previous injuries to your back, jaw, and head areas Tests of your muscle strength Examination of your posture while engaged in different activities Manual therapy to ascertain the mobility of joints and muscles in your neck Depending on whether your physiotherapist determines that you’re dealing with stress-related headaches, you will begin to work together to create a care plan that will successfully meet your physical health goals. If your physiotherapist’s evaluation determines a different type of headache, he or she will likely refer you to a different type of healthcare professional for treatment. Tension headaches, defined Tension headaches often occur as a result of high stress, poor posture, problems with the neck or jaw, fatigue, or arthritis. They can also be encountered when you feel nervous or depressed. Tension headaches occur when the neck and scalp muscles contract or become tense, and people can start experiencing them at any age, although they’re the most common type of headache in adults and older teens. Stress-related headaches usually begin at the back of the head and travel to the top of the head and eyes. You can also feel pressure on your face around your jaw and cheeks when you experience this kind of headache. Many people have related this kind of pain to wearing a tight hat, their hair being tightly pulled back, or a squeezing sensation in the head. What other types of headaches are there? Most people experience headaches as they grow older. Many headaches go away on their own and don’t need medical intervention. However, severe headaches that recur frequently and interfere with quality of life often demand attention from a professional. First, you must identify the type of headache you’re experiencing. Then from there, a comprehensive treatment plan can be created according to your specific needs for pain relief. Physiotherapists are skilled at diagnosing different types of headaches and can develop simple strategies for pain relief from stress-related headaches. Below are 10 common types of headaches, according to Healthline: Hypertension Rebound Exertion Post-traumatic Stress (tension) Migraine or sinus Caffeine Hormone Cluster If you’re unsure what kind of headache you’re experiencing, no problem! Your physiotherapist will be able to diagnose and treat it accordingly. Contact us for relief! There is no justification why you need to continue living in constant pain and discomfort with so many care options open to you. Contact our office today to experience long-lasting pain relief from stress-related headaches and boost your quality of life! Source: http://www.ihs-headache.org/ https://www.healthline.com/health/headache/types-of-headaches Table of Contents
Achy Joints Can be a Thing of the Past with Physiotherapy
Achy Joints Can be a Thing of the Past with Physiotherapy Home Blog Pain Relief is Right Around the Corner! Do you wake up feeling rigid and aching in the morning? You may think, “Did I sleep wrong on my neck? Do I have to upgrade my mattress? ” It’s only natural for us to feel a little off from time to time when our day begins! However, if you notice that you are regularly waking up in pain, it may be time to go to a physiotherapist. Aching, stiff joints can be a problem that is easily solved, but in some situations, your doctor may diagnose you with a disorder that requires referral to a physiotherapist for further treatment. Our clinic has worked with hundreds of people struggling with aches and pains in their joints, so please contact us today to learn more. We are 100% dedicated to helping you achieve a better quality of life! 3 solutions for achy joint relief Your physiotherapy treatment plan will largely depend on the specific symptoms or diagnosis you have received. There are several recommendations that work hand-in-hand with physiotherapy. Here are some tips that your physiotherapist may share with you on your recovery journey! Posture improvement. It’s important to get up every half hour for stretches if you work at a job that requires you to stay pretty sedentary all day. Moving around keeps your circulations going, and can help relieve joint pain. Having good posture during the day also helps your joints to function properly. When we slouch or don’t practice good posture, it causes unnecessary strain on parts of the body that shouldn’t be stressed. Sleep, sleep, sleep. Sleep can help you stay fit — pretty cool, huh? Getting enough sleep at night creates a circular benefit with physiotherapy exercises, because when you get enough sleep, it increases your ability to exercise effectively. When you exercise regularly, it helps you to get better sleep. Better sleep habits and physical exercise are a powerful duo for keeping aches and stiffness away. Nutritious diet. According to Healthline, “A plant-based diet provides antioxidants, which can help reduce inflammation by eliminating free radicals from the body.” Having a well-rounded diet is key to relieving joint pain. Be sure to consume lots of brightly colored fruits and vegetables. These healthy foods contain many antioxidants and vitamins, which help to fight the swelling and inflammation that can lead to joint pain. A better diet also helps your body reap more benefits from exercise, and helps you to get better sleep! What should I do if my condition is serious? Sometimes it’s not as simple as consuming enough fluids throughout the day to ease your aching joints. If your doctor has diagnosed you with a more serious medical condition that impacts your joints and tissues, physiotherapy can be a great option for ultimate pain relief or elimination. Here are some of the most common ailments that can be relieved with the guidance of a physiotherapist: Osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis. Gout. Bursitis. Lupus. Unfortunately, all of these conditions can cause aching, stiffness, and joint pain. A physiotherapist will work with you to help you gain your strength back, achieve a greater range of motion with the affected joints or limbs, and relieve the pain so you can enjoy a better quality of life. Waking up achy? This could be the reason! Your joint tissues get irritated during the day. When you’re exhausted and ready to go to bed, there’s a fair chance that you won’t even notice it. Much of the time, when you fall asleep, you stay immobile overnight. This causes the inflammation to make the joints thicker and more irritated. You may already know what the result is: you wake up in the morning and find that your joints are sore and aching. However, typically after you start moving around the inflammation becomes more fluid-like and the discomfort decreases or ceases altogether. Your physiotherapist is likely to suggest a very standard solution for this, which is that you remain well hydrated during the day. Drinking enough water and staying hydrated allows your body’s tissues to function at their normal rate, while dehydration slows down your chemical processes and has the opposite effect. Ready to get started? Some people assume that you have to be a professional athlete or bodybuilder to work with a physiotherapist on a regular basis, but this is far from the facts. Many of the exercises and stretches that our physiotherapists teach and recommend are very simple and easy to do on your own. Additionally, they do not require special tools or equipment. Not to mention, most of our patients are ordinary people, not Olympic champions. If you have joint pain, it’s time to ease the discomfort. Contact our office today to learn more about how physiotherapy will help you and alleviate your pain. We can arrange a detailed evaluation for you to meet with one of our movement specialists. He or she will be able to determine your condition and develop a personalized care plan to fit your exact needs. So, get started today! Pain relief is just a phone call away! Source: https://www.healthline.com/health/osteoarthritis/arthritis-natural-relief#fatty-acids Table of Contents
Ready to Improve Your Health? You Can Do So With These 7 Tips
Ready to Improve Your Health? You Can Do So With These 7 Tips Home Blog Enhance Your Health and Wellness with These Easy Steps! Most people feel that they have to spend hours a day working out or attending the gym in order to keep fit. That’s why many of us find ourselves saying we don’t have time to exercise! However, it doesn’t take hours out of your day to workout and remain physically fit. There are a few simple elements you can integrate into your everyday routine that will lead to a better, more active lifestyle. Get in touch with our office today to learn more tips and tricks to become a healthier you! 1. Consider physiotherapy! According to The National Institute of Health, being active has been shown to have many health benefits, both physically and mentally. It may even help you live longer. If you find yourself avoiding physical activity because you’re in pain, know that there’s help out there for you. Physiotherapy can address your various aches and pains that are keeping you from getting the right amount of exercise you need. Many physiotherapist sessions are considered a work out themselves because of all the stretches and exercise your therapist will have you complete. This can also help you meet your weekly cardio or endurance goals. Your physiotherapist will also give you daily tips for changing up your everyday habits for a healthier, more active lifestyle. He or she will review your normal routine and offer advice on how you can incorporate more fitness activities and exercise into it. If you suffer from chronic pain, your PT can show you how moving in certain ways can reduce or even eliminate your physical challenges. 2. Keep any workout equipment in your line of sight Put your yoga mat or your 5-pound weights under your bed or in an area you walk into often. Hang your resistance bands on a hook in your kitchen or laundry room. This way you’ll see them when you walk into that room and you’ll be more likely to do a few reps and exercises while watching TV or waiting for your food to cook! 3. Trick yourself into exercising You can trick yourself into getting up and moving around. Use a smaller glass for water or a smaller mug for tea. This way you will most likely have to return to your kitchen more often for a refill. You can also make a point to go down the hall to ask a coworker for office supplies or make a trip upstairs in your building to talk to someone in HR about your vacation hours. Trying out fitness technology can be really motivating as well – if our Fitbits have taught us anything, it’s that a hundred extra steps here and there really do add up over the course of the day! 4. No time? Use chores as a workout! Did you know that 20 or 30 minutes of chores a day equates to a much cleaner, organized space? You can get a ton of dishes done in that time, not to mention sweeping, vacuuming, mopping, or weeding your garden! These tasks can be dreaded however, if you remember that doing them also burns calories and strengthens your core, it might help you feel more eager to attack them! 5. Stand while you work You might be thinking “A standing desk? But don’t all desks stand?” A standing desk is a desk that allows you to stand up while you’re working! It’s much healthier to stand in place and work than it is to sit for 8 hours a day in front of your computer. You burn more calories, you hunch less (eliminating shoulder and neck pain), and your fitness levels are boosted significantly. This is because your blood sugar will remain more steady after a meal, which encourages more movement. There are tons of brands out there that sell standing desks as well as collapsible extensions you can place on your regular desk when you’d like to take a break from sitting all day. 6. Walk to lunch If you’re at work, choosing a healthy restaurant or marketplace for lunch instead of going to the cafeteria is a great option. Pack your lunch? No problem. If there aren’t any eateries around, go on a short 15-20 minute walk before you return to your brown-bag lunch. For those of you working from home or retired, taking a walk around your neighborhood or to a local grocery store to gather ingredients for lunch is fine too. Living out in the country or the suburbs? Pretend that your daily walk is the “fee” you have to pay in order to get into your kitchen and make that sandwich. 7. Take the longer route We know – taking the shortest, fastest route typically makes your day way faster and easier. However, ask yourself if the time you saved by parking a few spaces away from the front of the store really added any value to your health. See if you can make a game out of parking as far away as possible (preferably the end of the parking lot!) so that you have to push your shopping cart or carry your bag a greater distance. When you’re at work, unless you’re seriously late for a meeting, take the stairs instead of the elevator! Looking for more assistance with your health? It doesn’t have to be complicated to incorporate more activity into your life. Contact our office today to see how physiotherapy will help you live a more healthy, pain-free life! Get started today! Say goodbye to harmful medication. Contact us today to get on the road to recovery from arthritis pain! Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23630504 Table of Contents
Do You Have Any Of These 3 Types of Arthritis? Try Physiotherapy
Do You Have Any Of These 3 Types of Arthritis? Try Physiotherapy Home Blog Relieve Your Pain Without Harmful Medications! Arthritis is a common term used to describe over 100 different forms of joint pain and disease. Many people believe that arthritis affects only the aged, but this is far from reality. According to Healthline, “the symptoms of arthritis usually develop over time, but they may also appear suddenly. Arthritis is most commonly seen in adults over the age of 65, but it can also develop in children, teens, and younger adults. Arthritis is more common in women than men and in people who are overweight.” According to a report published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine, around 30 percent of male athletes who frequently participate in contact sports such as football, basketball or soccer will experience arthritis in their knees and hips at some point. Many people try to relieve their pain with counter-medications, but sadly, they can cause some unpleasant, long-lasting side effects. Don’t worry though – if you’re looking for natural and safe treatment for arthritis pain, physiotherapy is a great choice! Get in contact with our office today to learn how you can kick the pain management drugs while also alleviating your arthritis pain. How can physiotherapy help with arthritis relief? You no longer have to live in pain. If your arthritis is in your hands, knees, or feet, or if it’s induced by age or playing sports, a physiotherapist can help! Bear in mind that every treatment regimen is different depending on the needs of the patient and their specific form of arthritis. The easiest way to start med-free care with physiotherapy is to call and arrange an appointment with one of our therapists. He or she will analyze your condition, determine the cause of your discomfort, ask you some health-related questions, and establish a specialized care plan specifically tailored to you and your needs. What can I expect from physiotherapy treatments? Physiotherapy is a 100% safe, natural, and effective method of pain management. Your physiotherapist will be trained and licensed to handle your condition with care. When you work with a physiotherapist to manage arthritis pain, the ultimate goals will include preserving or restoring your normal range of motion, increasing muscle strength to reduce stress on the joints, and other natural treatment options. Here are some of the benefits of working with our physiotherapists: Improved posture: A physiotherapist can help you to improve your posture, which will also help to reduce stress on your joints. Sitting and standing up straight does wonders for your pain! Weight control: Your physiotherapist will work with you to control your weight through exercise and diet. Watching your weight prevents added stress on your joints, which is a leading cause of arthritis symptoms. Better sleep schedule: Your physiotherapist will also recommend setting a solid schedule for rest and sleep to complement your exercises. Resting helps the body to heal faster and decrease arthritis inflammation and pain. Learn new exercises and stretches: Physiotherapy treatment typically includes light exercises and stretching to help restore and increase range of motion in the affected painful areas. The risks of arthritis medications It is very normal for physicians to prescribe NSAID pain relief to patients with arthritis, such as Advil, ibuprofen, antibiotics, corticosteroids, or anti-rheumatic medicines. While they can provide immediate relief for pain, they all hold the risk of side effects, some of which may be very severe. NSAIDs can increase the risk of developing a blood clot, having a stroke, or having a heart attack. Corticosteroids are not much better—they lead to elevated blood sugar levels, cataracts, and even bone loss, which is the last thing an arthritis patient wants! Are you living with one of these types of arthritis? Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. This particular condition is caused by a reduction in joint cartilage as it wears away over time. This degeneration causes bones to rub together, which leads to pain and swelling. Physiotherapy can often help to reduce osteoarthritis pain without medication, especially if the arthritis is mild to moderate. Inflammatory Arthritis: With some cases of arthritis, the body’s immune system will attack joint tissues and cause intense inflammation. Rheumatoid arthritis is one example of this type of condition. Inflammatory arthritis often stems from a genetic cause, and it is usually treated with heavy doses of drugs and over-the-counter medications. However, depending on the severity of symptoms, physiotherapy may be recommended for treatment as well. Metabolic Arthritis: This kind of arthritis is typically caused by reduced kidney function. The most common type of metabolic arthritis is gout, a condition caused by uric acid crystals building up in the joints of the extremities, especially the feet. Physiotherapy can help gout patients restore range of motion in the affected area and even reduce the buildup of the acidic crystals that accumulate in the joints. Get started today! Say goodbye to harmful medication. Contact us today to get on the road to recovery from arthritis pain! Source: https://www.healthline.com/health/arthritis#symptoms Table of Contents
Ready to Say Goodbye to Lower Back Pain?
Hip and Knee Pain Getting You Down? Physiotherapy Can Help Home Blog Find The Relief You’ve Been Looking for with Physiotherapy Hip and knee pain can be difficult to live with. According to the Choosing Wisely Canada site, “Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, affecting 1 in 10 Canadian adults The knee is one of the most common and most symptomatically affected joints, causing knee pain in many people. They often try over-the-counter remedies to help the pain, and to avoid knee surgery.” Are you struggling with debilitating or uncomfortable pain in your knees or hips? If so, physiotherapy can help. The knees and hips are important, complex areas of the body. There are several tendons, joints, and muscles that are joined together in these parts of your body, and they help you to move in normal ways. However, if these areas are damaged at all, or if you’re feeling pain in them, it can become very difficult to do the things you normally do. Thankfully, physiotherapy can help relieve knee and hip pain! Call our office to learn more about how a trained physiotherapist can help give you the long-lasting pain relief you deserve. How will physiotherapy benefit me? Your pain might feel overwhelming, but no matter what condition you’re suffering from, a physiotherapist can help relieve your pain. Your movement specialist will assess your condition, medical history, and pain levels to create a specialized program that meets your exact needs. Read on to learn more about treatment methods a physiotherapist might use to reduce and relieve hip and knee pain. At-Home Exercises – Did you know you don’t always have to be in a clinical setting to do physiotherapy exercises? It’s true! Physiotherapy techniques can be incorporated into a home exercise program that can become part of your daily routine. Ice & Heat – A physiotherapist may use ice packs to reduce swelling and inflammation. Heat is also commonly used during physiotherapy to help increase mobility and reduce pain. Manual Physiotherapy – Hands-on techniques are used often in physiotherapy to reduce pain in your hips and knees. This could include stretching exercises or a variety of massage techniques. Laser Therapy – Laser therapy has become much more popular in physiotherapy for pain management. It can help improve the growth and reproduction of cells, increase circulation, and also reduce inflammation. Ultrasound Therapy – Ultrasound therapy can be used in physiotherapy to provide soothing heat to deep tissues. A licensed physiotherapist can also utilize ultrasound technology to easily identify specific areas o Do you have one of these conditions? There are many kinds of conditions that can negatively affect the movement of your knees and hips. These issues occur because of traumatic injury, chronic disease, or repetitive motions you do with a job, sport, or hobby. Arthritis – Arthritis, or “osteoarthritis” is a condition where tissues around the joints become inflamed and irritated. i This condition can cause pain in a number of places all over your body, including your hands, knees, and hips. A physiotherapist can teach you correct posture and proper movement techniques to protect your joints and prevent your arthritis from taking over your normal day-to-day activities. Bursitis – Bursitis occurs when a small sac of fluid known as the “bursa” becomes painfully inflamed. This is brought on by overuse or repetitive injuries, similar to many other conditions. Bursitis can occur in a variety of locations in the body including the elbows, knees, and hips. Physiotherapy reduces pain with bursitis and helps with speedy recovery timelines. Strains and sprains – Strains and sprains are common injuries, but come about in different ways. Strains happen when a muscle or tendon is overstretched or torn. A sprain is a stretched or torn ligament. Ligaments can even rupture, which results in bruising, limited mobility, and pain. A physiotherapist can show you exercises to help you recover more quickly. They can also teach you ways to move in order to reduce further pain or injuries. Tears in the meniscus – Unfortunately, meniscus tears are one of the more common knee injuries people experience. This injury causes swelling, stiffness, and varying degrees of pain. You’re also at a higher risk of receiving this energy if you’re engaging in aggressive pivoting and twisting of your legs. Athletes experience tears often because of this. A physiotherapist can provide safe and effective treatment for a torn meniscus – without surgery! Don’t let yourself live in pain any longer! Ready to get started on the path toward relief? Find out today how physiotherapy can reduce or even eliminate your knee or hip pain. Your physiotherapist can conduct a thorough examination of your body, pinpoint the areas in your hips and knees where you’re struggling with pain, and create a customized program to treat your particular condition. You deserve to get back to the activities you love without feeling as if your hips and knees will limit you. You can find relief with one of our highly experienced physiotherapists, so what are you waiting for? Contact our office to schedule your one-on-one evaluation today, and get back on the road to recovery. Source: https://choosingwiselycanada.org/treating-osteoarthritis-knee/ Table of Contents
Hip and Knee Pain Getting You Down? Physiotherapy Can Help
Ready to Say Goodbye to Lower Back Pain? Home Blog Move with Ease Once Again! Many people suffer from lower back pain and have no idea how to find permanent relief. Dealing with this kind of pain impacts daily life and can take away the time you normally use to relax, work, and spend time with your family. Essentially, back pain can make it difficult to enjoy life as a whole. Not to mention that it can keep a person feeling highly irritable, depressed, and can contribute to a number of other health problems. Lower back pain is the leading cause of activity limitation and work absence in most of the world, placing a high economic burden on people, households, communities, industry, and governments. If you’re struggling with this kind of discomfort, there’s no doubt that you want help, and now you can have it! A licensed physiotherapist will help direct you through the appropriate therapy treatments to get back to your everyday life without any discomfort. Please contact our office today to learn more! How can physiotherapy help with lower back pain? Upon your first visit to our office, your physiotherapist will ask you a variety of health related questions about your medical history and lower back pain. Providing them with this knowledge will help your physiotherapist provide you with the right recovery plan so that you can experience long-lasting benefits. Your physiotherapist will also perform a comprehensive examination of your body. Depending on your symptoms, your physiotherapist may evaluate your flexibility, strength, balance, posture, coordination, blood pressure, and heart and breathing rates. They can also use their hands to examine and assess your back and surrounding areas to check for tightness.They can also visually test your mobility. During your treatment plan, your physiotherapist can also provide you with special exercises to do at home so that you can relieve discomfort, prevent re-injury, alleviate strain, and speed up your recovery time. They can also prescribe various devices or equipment that may help you heal, and spend time educating you on where the source of pain comes from, as well as pain relief techniques. How can I benefit from PT treatments? Active physiotherapy is distinct from passive therapy, as it requires activities that the patient must do instead of treatments that the therapist performs on the patient. These exercises are typically used later in therapy, after the lower back pain has been reduced enough for you to perform exercises and stretches without feeling too much discomfort. There are lots of exercises that your physiotherapist can suggest. Many of them include targeted stretching, stability exercises, flexibility training, and strength training. Some of these exercises will boost your range of motion, and others will build up and restore muscles around affected areas to provide proper support for those parts of the body. What can I expect from passive physiotherapy? Lower back pain can be so debilitating that you can’t be as active as you normally are. It can get in the way of literally everything! Because of this, it is imperative for a physiotherapist to decrease your pain as much as possible so that you can start participating in your treatment. These techniques and tools are commonly referred to as passive therapy because they are done to a patient by a physiotherapist. Hydrotherapy Dry needling Iontophoresis Ultrasound Heat/ice packs Electrical stimulation, such as TENS Units Massage Manual therapies Some of these methods (such as hot/cold packs and massage therapy) are used to improve blood flow and restore circulation to the affected area, thereby reducing pain and inflammation. Physiotherapists also often use electrical stimulation therapy. This is a non-invasive, painless treatment that delivers electrical waves through your nervous system to reduce muscle spasms, and encourage your body to produce pain-relieving hormones. Physiotherapy also includes hydrotherapy treatment. This kind of treatment involves performing low-intensity movements in water to relieve pressure on muscles. Water allows you to move your joints without discomfort. What else can I expect? Physiotherapy is a particular form of treatment for the management of disabilities and injuries. Your physiotherapist is capable of alleviating all forms of pain, including back pain. Physiotherapy facilitates recovery and is a perfect therapeutic choice for restoring range of motion and functional mobility. Our physiotherapists are trained and experienced in conservative treatment strategies, including recovery of patients with neurological, cardiovascular, and orthopedic conditions. Usually there are two key parts of each physiotherapy program—passive physiotherapy and active physiotherapy—even though each patient receives a personalized treatment plan unique to their condition. Passive physiotherapy lowers the pain levels of the patient and makes them more manageable. Active physiotherapy requires exercises that patients undergo individually. Contact us to get started If you’re ready to alleviate (or even eliminate!) your pain, contact our office to learn more about how physiotherapy can help you live a pain-free life. Source: https://www.webmd.com/back-pain/guide/electrothermal-therapy Table of Contents
Physiotherapy Can Help Relieve Joint Pain
Physiotherapy Can Help Relieve Joint Pain Home Blog Improve Your Mobility and Get Moving Again With Physiotherapy Achy joints can be difficult to live with, and unfortunately, many people experience this type of pain. Let’s face it, your joints just aren’t treating you the way they used to. You might be dealing with the aftermath of an injury that has made it hard for you to get around the way you’re used to. Or maybe you’re just suffering from age-related arthritis, and everything is starting to hurt! One thing is for sure, taking excessive amounts of over-the-counter painkillers and sitting around all day definitely isn’t doing you any favors. If you want to start enjoying your life again without being limited by aches and pains in your joints, it’s time to get serious about looking for a natural solution…physiotherapy. What does physiotherapy have to offer? There are so many ways to develop joint aches and pains; the list is never ending! Thankfully, there are also many different kinds of physiotherapy that can address these symptoms, extend your range of motion, and ease your pain. Our physiotherapists will start by evaluating your condition carefully, examining your overall health and physical activities, as well how often you experience your symptoms. Proper examination of the joint and of your ability to move it can show your therapist exactly what the underlying problem is, and help them create a more customized treatment for you. Certain types of physiotherapy may be recommended to you. Here are a few: Stretching exercises: Did you know that injured muscles and connective tissues are capable of healing and returning to their previous length and range of motion? It’s possible with the help of stretching exercises. These exercises are also excellent for preventing arthritic joints from becoming more stiff over time. Workouts and on a bicycle or treadmill may be suggestions our physiotherapists propose to you. Joint mobilization techniques: Have you ever heard of a “wobble board?” They’re also known as balance boards. Working with these tools can help you improve your joint mobility, especially in your foot or ankle joints. You might also benefit from techniques that work to loosen and break up internal scar tissue, which can form over old injuries and cause chronic soreness and stiffness. RICE: Nope, this isn’t a food! RICE stands for “Rest,” “Ice,” “Compression” and “Elevation.” Your physiotherapist may recommend RICE to you to reduce pain and inflammation. Hydrotherapy: Hydrotherapy can supply beneficial exercise for people who are unable to bear all of their weight on their joints. Learning to do gentle exercises in the water allows the water to support part of your body weight. This is excellent therapy because it will allow you to move those joints and rebuild the corresponding joint tissues. Why am I experiencing joint pain? Can you believe that it’s possible to develop soft tissue pain from doing absolutely nothing? It’s strange, but true. Take for example, this condition called adhesive capsulitis, otherwise known as “frozen shoulder.” If you’ve had to wear a sling for a while, this is an uncomfortable condition you could end up having that can render your shoulder useless for quite some time. Osteoarthritis, more commonly known as arthritis, is the most frequent condition that causes pain and stiffness. This condition can affect anyone at any age, but is most often found in older patients and stems from age-related deterioration of the cartilage between the bones in a joint. Osteoarthritis isn’t the only one to look out for though. Rheumatoid arthritis is another painful, damaging joint condition caused by autoimmune issues. Are you living with these symptoms? If you want to understand how physiotherapy can help you with your joint pain, you need to know why those symptoms are even happening to you! Joint stiffness and pain can be caused by a variety of problems, but take for instance, an acute sprain or strain. The joints, muscles, tendons or ligaments may be impaired, causing inflammation. This time of pain can be painful and render you totally inactive. Soft tissue injuries don’t always happen because of an accident. They can also develop slowly over months or even years. You might notice that the pain also ebbs and flows depending on the time of day. Certain sports, jobs, hobbies can cause you to put excessive stress on certain joints over and over again, which could very well land you with a case of chronic tendinitis or bursitis. Ready to get started with physiotherapy? Achy and painful joints can be a thing of the past with physiotherapy! Kiss your days of dealing with joint pain goodbye. You don’t have to live this way! With the help of physiotherapy, your life can drastically improve. So what are you waiting for? Contact our office today to set up your own consultation with one of our licensed physiotherapists. They’re eager to meet with you and start getting you back on the road to recovery. Source: https://physio-pedia.com/RICE?utm_source=physiopedia&utm_medium=search&utm_campaign=ongoing_internal https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/frozen-shoulder/symptoms-causes/syc-20372684 Table of Contents
