HEALTH ARTICLES
Sharing insights and tips on therapies, exercises, activities, health products and what we’re doing in the clinic and community.
Persistent Concussion Symptoms: Therapy for Post Concussion Syndrome
Over the past several decades, rehabilitation science and the public have learned more and more about concussion injuries. However, in my clinical experience there is very little information and knowledge regarding the prognosis and treatment for persistent concussion symptoms. I have worked with a number of clients who have sustained sport and motor vehicle accident concussions and brain injuries during my time as a physiotherapist. The majority of clients are very frustrated and irritated by their symptoms and the resulting impairments to their life. They assumed that concussion was something that would heal quickly and did not realize it [...]
Discectomy: Purpose, Post-Operative Pain Management & Rehabilitation
A discectomy is a surgical procedure that removes a herniated disc from the spine. Herniated discs typically occur in individuals between the ages of 30 to 50 years old and is twice as common in males, compared to females[i]. In this article, we will describe what a discectomy is and why it is performed, in greater detail. Additionally, we will discuss how physical therapy can help manage post-operative pain and improve function and mobility following a discectomy. What is a Discectomy? A discectomy is a surgical procedure that might be considered to address issues caused by a herniated disc [...]
Preventing Concussions in Winter Sports & Winter Weather
As we brace ourselves for another Canadian winter, let’s take another look at some tips for preventing concussions in winter sports and winter weather. Winter weather can often pose hazardous conditions that lead to an increased risk of falls and injury. While the incidence of injuries in Canadians is highest in the summer, the number of serious injuries is greatest in the winter months.[i] These injuries include concussions and mild traumatic brain injuries that can result from slip and falls due to icy or snowy conditions, or from winter sports. What is a Concussion? Concussions result from mechanical force [...]
Pelvic Floor Exercises for Incontinence
While it would be great it there was a one-size fits all treatment for incontinence, the reality is that we are all individuals, and require our own unique exercise plan. That is why it is important to see a pelvic floor physiotherapist for assessment and a recommended program of pelvic floor exercises for incontinence tailored to your individual needs. To better understand the logic behind this, let's discuss the nature of pelvic floor dysfunction, how pelvic floor exercises can help, why it is important to optimize the function of these muscles and how long it can take to see [...]
Winter Running Tips: Footwear, Clothing & Injury Prevention
Many people take up running as a cost effective and easy way to get fit and spend time outdoors. When the cold weather hits, it can often deter people from continuing this great activity. However, taking the right precautions and having the right gear can help make winter running a fun and safe experience. Running can help you build strong bones and muscles, improve your cardiovascular fitness and help you maintain a healthy weight. It’s a great individual or group activity that gives you a real mood-boosting effect—that runner’s high—when your brain starts pumping out endorphins and endocannabinoids. Don’t [...]
How to Meet WHO Physical Activity Guidelines
The World Health Organization released their Guidelines on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour in November. Gill Deacon of CBC Radio’s Here and Now spoke with exercise physiologist Martha Garrick from Propel Physiotherapy on her program on Tuesday, December 1 to ask her for tips on meeting the WHO physical activity guidelines.Gill Deacon:Guidelines from the World Health Organization suggest we might be doing that a little too much for the last eight or nine months. We need to move a lot more than we currently are. The WHO released a report late last week expressing concerns over a second pandemic of [...]