Mobile Physiotherapy for Seniors in Peterborough
Working with the elderly population in the greater Peterborough area can present some unique challenges for rehabilitation. For this demographic, travelling from their homes — sometimes in remote corners of the Kawarthas — to physiotherapy clinics may not be desirable or even possible. In cases where a senior is discharged from hospital and sent home to convalesce before they are able to complete basic daily functions, a private physiotherapy solution can help them improve their mobility and get back to daily living. By bringing our mobile physiotherapy for seniors into Peterborough homes, we are able to remove barriers to [...]
Physical Activity for Kids: Guidelines, Benefits and Pandemic Challenges
For many parents, it has been a challenge to balance work, kids and the stresses that have changed our usual way of living. With colder weather compounding lockdown restrictions in some urban areas, getting kids active and outdoors is just one of the many challenges. Social distancing, closure of recreational facilities and limited number of outdoor gatherings have made it difficult to get and keep kids active. Research has overwhelmingly indicated that children and adolescents who engaged in increased levels of physical activities had better physical and mental health and psychosocial well-being than those in an inactive lifestyle.[i] As [...]
How to Turn Compassion Fatigue into Healthy Empathy
As the pandemic continues to impact our lives, it can be particularly stressful and traumatic to frontline, healthcare workers and caregivers. Feeling of burnout, compassion fatigue and stress have become commonplace in many healthcare, community, and home settings. As a mindfulness coach and physiotherapist, I have frequently heard comments of ‘overwhelmed’, ‘exhausted’ and ‘drained’ when speaking with other health care providers and caregivers, over the past year. Many people have had to change the type of work they do; change the way they work; and deal with greater numbers of clients. An increased stress and anxiety level is also [...]
Vestibular Neuritis: Symptoms, Causes & Physical Therapy Management
Vestibular neuritis is a condition that affects the function of the vestibular system of the ear, which leads to severe spontaneous vertigo and dizziness.[i] Studies have shown that it has an annual incidence rate of 3.5 per 100 000 persons.[i],[ii] While severe symptoms typically improve over a few days, main symptoms may last a few months. In this article, we will briefly describe the structures and function of the systems affected, the suspected causes, and the primary signs and symptoms associated with vestibular neuritis. We will also discuss how a physical therapy program can help address the impairments and functional [...]
Types of Headaches: Proper Diagnosis & Management Without Medication
Did you know that there are six types of headaches with different characteristics, aggravating factors and symptoms? Many people are diagnosed incorrectly. This can leave people with recurrent headaches with little management strategies, poor personal and societal burdens of pain, decreased quality of life, and financial implications across industries. As anyone who has suffered from headaches can tell you, they can be disabling and lead to unwanted time off work, leisure activities, sports, and other activities of daily living. According to the World Health Organization[i] , headache disorders are the most common disorders of the nervous system. In this article, [...]
Traumatic Brain Injury and the Mental Health Effects of Covid-19
As a physiotherapist working in one of the province’s leading neurological rehabilitation centres, I have witnessed the mental health effects of COVID-19 on some of my clients with traumatic brain injury. In the spirit of Bell Let's Talk Day, I wanted to share the perspectives of some of my clients (with their permission) with our readers in the hopes that it might help someone. Since the first pandemic lockdown in Canada last March, many of my clients who were previously suffering from a mild to moderate traumatic brain injury have reported an increase in issues regarding psychosocial health, mental health, [...]