Dual Task Training: A Cognitive-Motor Approach to Fall Prevention
Most daily activities require us to move while thinking, planning, or reacting to our surroundings, all at the same time. Whether it’s carrying groceries while navigating stairs, turning to respond in conversation, or walking through a busy environment, the brain must constantly manage both physical movement and mental tasks. Dual task training mimics real-world situations in a way that prepares the body and the brain to work together to take on the challenges of complex daily tasks. In this article, we examine dual task training, who can benefit from this type of rehabilitation, how it is used in a therapeutic [...]
How to Stay Active with Arthritis: The Role of Low-Impact Exercise
For many individuals, arthritis joint pain and stiffness create hesitation around exercise—particularly activities perceived as “high impact.” From a physiotherapy perspective, low-impact exercise plays a central role in maintaining joint health, function, and long-term independence for people living with arthritis. Low-impact does not mean low value. When appropriately prescribed, low-impact exercise provides sufficient mechanical stress to support joint and muscle health while minimizing symptom exacerbation. Arthritis is a leading cause of pain, mobility limitation, and reduced participation in daily activities, impacting 1 in 5 Canadians.[i] At Propel Physiotherapy, we’re on a mission to help people with arthritis stay active with [...]
How to Protect Your Back and Joints in Winter
As temperatures drop and winter settles in, many people notice an increase in stiffness, aches, or back discomfort. This isn’t a coincidence. Cold weather can cause muscles to tighten and joints to feel less flexible, making everyday movements feel more difficult than usual. At the same time, people often move less in winter, whether it’s due to icy conditions, shorter daylight hours, or spending more time indoors, which can present one set or problems with back and joint stiffness. On the flipside, heading outdoors, whether to shovel snow, play winter sports, carry groceries or simply walk on slippery surfaces [...]
Menopause Joint and Muscle Pain: The Effects of Hormonal Shifts
While much of the mainstream discussion around menopause symptoms focuses on hot flashes, mood changes, difficulty concentrating and sexual health changes, the musculoskeletal changes are often overlooked.However, the effects of menopause on joints, muscles, bones and tendons that occur during this time are far reaching and have serious consequences. The disability and frailty that can occur often leads to decreased quality of life and increased mortality in post-menopausal women.In this article we will look at the effects of menopause on the musculoskeletal system, including menopause joint and muscle pain. We will also discuss common injuries that occur in menopausal women [...]
6 Brain-Healthy Lifestyle Strategies for Women: A Physiotherapist’s Guide
Being brain healthy is a key factor in allowing you to meet life's demands. Women’s brain health is shaped by a unique interplay of hormones, life stages, stress, and lifestyle factors. From the cognitive intensity of young adulthood to the transitions of pregnancy, postpartum recovery, perimenopause, and menopause, women often experience shifts in mood, memory, focus, and overall physical and cognitive resilience. Movement is one of the most powerful tools women have to support a healthy brain—and physiotherapy provides evidence-based strategies that help women build habits that protect and optimize brain function across the lifespan. In this guide, we’ll [...]
Skier’s Thumb Treatment & Other Common Skiing Hand Injuries
The winter season offers us an opportunity to engage in outdoor winter sports and activities, like skiing. Whether you are a professional skier or a beginner, the risk of injury while skiing is high due to the nature of the sport with its combination of high speeds, dynamic and unpredictable environment, mechanics of the equipment and individual factors. Data from the Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program[i] [ii] (CHIRPP) capturing information from 20 emergency departments across Canada between October 1, 2016 and January 11, 2024, reported 5,434 alpine skiing-related injuries. In this blog, we will focus on the most common [...]