HEALTH ARTICLES
Sharing insights and tips on therapies, exercises, activities, health products and what we’re doing in the clinic and community.
Gross Motor Milestones for Children with Down Syndrome
What is Down Syndrome? Down syndrome (also known as trisomy-21) is a congenital disorder which occurs when there is an error in chromosomal development, and an extra copy of chromosome 21 is made. Individuals with Down syndrome commonly display certain features including variations in their cognitive and physical development. Physical characteristics often seen in people with Down syndrome include: low muscle tone, ligament laxity, short stature, a protruding tongue, and a flat nasal bridge. What is “Low Tone”? How it Impacts Gross Motor Development. Low tone or low muscle tone occurs when the length of the resting muscle is [...]
Decrease the Risk of Osteoporosis with Exercise
When you think of ways to decrease the risk of osteoporosis, you probably think of eating your greens, consuming protein, and supplementing calcium. However, you may not think of exercise and movement as a way to decrease the risk of osteoporosis. In fact, exercise along with proper nutrition are the two best ways you can help prevent or delay the onset of osteoporosis. In Canada, 1 in 3 women are likely to break a bone due to osteoporosis versus our male counterparts (who have a 1 in 5 chance at breaking a bone), meaning 33% of the female population [...]
Women’s Health Services
Propel Physiotherapy’s trusted healthcare team provides leading-edge services to special populations. When it comes to women, we offer customized programs tailored to address their unique conditions and specific needs to provide effective treatment at every stage of life. Learn more about our integrated health services for women and the therapists who provide them at our Etobicoke and Pickering clinic locations. Perinatal Massage and Doula Services Perinatal massage is a treatment focused on the changes that happen to a woman’s body during the perinatal period — generally beginning between 20 and 28 weeks of gestation and ending between the first [...]
Exercises to Prevent Osteoporosis
While Osteoporosis can affect people at almost any age, it is most common among Canadians 50 years of age or older.¹ Two million Canadians are affected by osteoporosis.² In fact, fractures from osteoporosis are more common than heart attack, stroke and breast cancer combined.³ One of the things we can do to prevent or delay the onset of osteoporosis is exercise. I have put together these general exercise prescription guidelines with exercise program options for osteoporosis prevention: General Exercise Guidelines for Osteoporosis Prevention Perform some sort of exercise daily. Strength train at least twice a week (moderate to vigorous [...]
Physiotherapy in Multiple Sclerosis Management
Canada has one of the highest rates of multiple sclerosis (MS) in the world, with an estimated 1 in every 385 Canadians living with the disease.¹ At Propel, we use physiotherapy in multiple sclerosis management as part of an integrated approach to addressing the needs of this clientele. Evidence has shown that rehabilitation is still the only way to improve functional outcomes in individuals with multiple sclerosis.² A recent review of the literature suggests structured rehabilitation programs and physical therapy can improve mobility, muscle strength, aerobic capacity and quality of life.³ Before we take a closer look at the rehabilitation and physiotherapy in [...]
Physiotherapy Helps Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a complex neurodegenerative disease that is characterized by a variety of symptoms. The disease involves a loss of dopamine producing cells, the cells that help transmit the signals for movement. The symptoms of Parkinson’s are sometimes visible, including tremors, slowness of movement, rigidity and impaired balance. Other symptoms such as fatigue, soft speech, sleep disturbances and constipation can also be present with this disease. Although there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease, physiotherapy and exercise can play a key role in mitigating the symptoms and health impacts associated with this condition. The Canadian Guidelines on [...]