AC Joint Separation Treatment
Acromioclavicular (AC) joint separation is usually the result of a direct force to the top of the shoulder or a fall directly onto it. The approach to AC joint separation treatment depends on the degree of the injury. The good news is most people will recover full function of their shoulder within a few weeks to a few months. Physiotherapists are able to identify and treat AC joint separation and are the first line in conservative management for these injuries. Through understanding of the mechanism of injury, specific testing and movement analysis, physiotherapists can help guide the treatment process. [...]
PoNS™ Therapy for Stroke Walking Impairments
At Propel Physiotherapy, our experienced therapists work with clients with stroke to help them regain strength, endurance, balance and mobility. We have training in the specialty area of neurology and a full complement of specialized and adapted equipment that we use to help our clients get the most out of their rehab programs. The newest addition to our evidence-based toolkit is PoNS™ Therapy for stroke rehabilitation. PoNS™ (short for Portable Neuromodulation Stimulator) is an innovative, non-surgical medical device that gently stimulates the surface of the tongue, exciting the neural network flowing to the brain. This neural activity is believed to [...]
Edema Treatment
Edema treatment focuses on correcting the cause of the fluid accumulation. Edema is a symptom of an underlying health condition; therefore, it is important to seek medical advice on the cause first. Various factors can contribute to the development of swelling in the legs and arms. When it occurs, it can range from mild to severe. While edema can impact function and mobility, the vast majority of edema is treatable with conservative approaches. In this article we will discuss different symptoms and causes of edema, classifications, as well as edema management, including physiotherapy and massage therapy. Table of Contents: [...]
Choosing the Right Walking Aid: Canes, Crutches, Walkers and More
Walking aids can assist people experiencing injury, weakness or imbalance in standing and walking. There are many different types of walking aids that fall into several categories. A physiotherapist or other healthcare provider can help choose the right walking aid for you based on your individual needs. In addition, physiotherapists can also progress or graduate a person from a walking aid, to promote physical independence from the walking aid. In this article, we look at the various forms of walking aids and how to choose and measure for the right walking aid. Table of Contents What is a walking [...]
Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms Management: An Integrated Healthcare Approach
At Propel, we use an integrated approach to multiple sclerosis symptoms management that includes physiotherapy and occupational therapy. Evidence has shown that rehabilitation is still the only way to improve functional outcomes in individuals with multiple sclerosis.[i] 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.[ii] As the number of Canadians living with MS is expected to grow, there is a need for a better understanding through more research aiming to discover a cure or enhance disease-modifying therapies for all stages of MS. In the meantime, [...]
Movement-Based Therapies and Exercises for Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease is a complex neurodegenerative disease that is characterized by a variety of symptoms, including tremors, slowness of movement, rigidity and impaired balance. 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 disease.The Canadian Guidelines on Parkinson’s Disease states that formal exercise programs are essential in improving independence in daily activities, reducing bradykinesia (slowness of movement), improving ambulation speeds and decreasing falls.[i]In this article, we will examine how exercise slows the progression of Parkinson’s disease. We will then get into some movement-based [...]