Wheelchair Propulsion Techniques to Prevent Shoulder Injuries
Using a manual wheelchair for mobility places considerable stress on the upper limbs, particularly the shoulder joint. The repetitive nature of wheelchair propulsion as well as daily stresses of transferring and weight relieving tasks can lead to wear and tear of the shoulder joint.It is not surprising that nearly 71 percent of manual wheelchair users experience shoulder pain at some point in their lives.[i] In this article we will look at the shoulder anatomy, activities that can lead to shoulder stress, shoulder activities that minimize stress, as well as wheelchair set up and a demonstration of proper wheelchair propulsion technique.Table [...]
Non-Surgical Thumb Osteoarthritis Treatment
Thumb osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that causes wear down of the joint cartilage at the base of the thumb, resulting in pain, inflammation, and reduced mobility. Proper diagnosis and understanding of how the disease is progressing is key to determining the right approach to thumb osteoarthritis treatment and minimizing its impact. The thumb is the most important finger of the hand, responsible for almost half of our manual function.[i] If we lose mobility, strength, or stability in the thumb joints to injury or disease, like thumb osteoarthritis, it can greatly impact our independence. Just think about how many [...]
Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy for Endometriosis Treatment
Surgical excision is considered the gold standard of care for the treatment of endometriosis. Yet, this approach does not guarantee resolution of symptoms and reoccurrence is common.[i] Non-invasive approaches such as pelvic floor physiotherapy for endometriosis treatment can be extremely valuable to help manage symptoms such as pain, which is often a distinguishing factor of the disease. Recently, there has been a call for better care in Canada for those experiencing endometriosis. EndoAct Canada advocates for a collaborative approach to care, recognizing the impact this disease has on both physical and mental well being. “In their lifetime, approximately 1 [...]
CRPS Treatment
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) causes severe pain and swelling in the extremities that can result in the loss of function. CRPS can occur at any age, although it is most prevalent in individuals between the ages of 50 and 70 years, occurring in women more than men.[i] While there is greater awareness and research into this neurological condition, causes as well as CRPS treatment remain inconclusive. In this article we look at symptoms and classification of CRPS. In addition, we will discuss how it is diagnosed, risk factors in developing CRPS as well as treatment approaches, including medical [...]
Physiotherapy in Multiple Myeloma Treatment
Multiple myeloma treatment approach depends on the stage of the disease as well as the patient’s overall health. Advances in treatment and early detection have led to those impacted by multiple myeloma to live longer with improved quality of life. In fact, the disease has had one of the largest increases in survival rates compared to other cancers since the early 1990s.[i]It is estimated that 4000 individuals were diagnosed with this type of blood cancer in 2022 in Canada alone. In this article, we will look at how multiple myeloma affects the body, types of treatment and their physical side effects, [...]
Common Office Injuries: Causes, Rehabilitation and Prevention
Many common office injuries involve musculoskeletal strains and sprains of the neck, back, hands and feet. With so many more people working from home over the past few years, the instances of people working without a proper workstation have increased dramatically. Compounded by an already low overall activity rate amongst adults, it’s no wonder we are seeing more and more office related injuries. Office injuries are typically preventable with proper guidance and work place set-up. In this blog we look at the the presentation and causes of the most common types of office injuries. In addition, we will discuss [...]