HEALTH ARTICLES
Sharing insights and tips on therapies, exercises, activities, health products and what we’re doing in the clinic and community.
Vestibular System and Balance
This week, we are examining the relationship between the vestibular system and balance in recognition of Balance Awareness Week – a week where we try to grow awareness of the impact balance disorders have on millions of people around the world. Did you know that up to 35% of adults 40 years and older – over six million Canadians – have a vestibular problem at some point in their lives¹. As physiotherapists and movement specialists, we are focusing our efforts on education around vestibular disorders that can affect a person’s balance at home, work, school, and the community and [...]
Assistive Devices for SCI Rehabilitation
At Propel Physiotherapy, the treatment of people living with spinal cord injury (SCI) begins with a detailed neurological physiotherapy assessment, application of meaningful outcome measures, and the development of salient goals. Throughout this process, it may be determined appropriate that the client living with SCI use specific pieces of therapeutic equipment or assistive devices for SCI rehabilitation. Assistive Devices for Incomplete Spinal Cord Injuries Individuals with an incomplete spinal cord injury are likely to see the biggest functional benefits from gait-training, and depending on the level of injury, may be more likely to walk with or without a mobility [...]
Parkinson’s Exercise Classes in Etobicoke
Propel Physiotherapy is now offering Parkinson's exercise classes in our Etobicoke clinic. PWR!Moves® is a Parkinson’s Disease-specific skill training program aimed at slowing and stopping the progression of Parkinson’s. The PWR!Moves® program is one more important tool to help Propel Physiotherapy meet our goal of helping our clients maintain or restore skills that help them live life optimally. The evidence-based program developed by Dr. Becky Farley, PhD, MS, PT, that focuses on functional skill training that is most affected by bradykinesia. The program also incorporates various exercises to target symptoms of rigidity, and incoordination to help improve postural stability and [...]
Exercise Slows Progression of Parkinson’s Disease
For people with Parkinson’s Disease (PWP) the things we do every day automatically or habitually – such as swinging our arms when we walk, getting out of bed, and getting up off the floor – become more difficult. The progressive neurological disorder can be a devastating and life-changing diagnosis. The good news is that evidence suggests that exercise slows the progression of Parkinson’s Disease. What is Parkinson’s Disease? First described by British surgeon, James Parkinson in 1817, Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that results from the death of dopamine cells in the basal ganglia of the brain. [...]
Physiotherapy Helps Clients with SCI Achieve Optimal Abilities
After a spinal cord injury, many people believe that any physiotherapy that takes place would be highly passive and limited in activity, especially when the client has a long history of moderate-severe osteoarthritis or other compounding injuries or conditions. Other clinicians often assume that what goes on during in-patient care will continue to take place when the person has been discharged and is at home. In reality, this could not be further from the truth. In our professional experience, the client stands to make the best gains being pushed physically, within medical reason and taking into consideration medical precautions. [...]
Cross-Training Program for Cyclists
Cross-training can help address some of the issues and most common cycling injuries that our clients and the cycling community experience. Cross-training can involve simple body weight exercises; it doesn't have to involve a lot of heavy lifting or a lot of big equipment. Many of the exercises that we would be prescribe to cyclist clients actually focus on the core. In our post Exercises to Prevent the Most Common Cycling Injuries, we provide an outline of the types of exercises and direction that we would take with clients to prepare them for or repair them from the demands [...]