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, [...]
3 Mindfulness Exercises to Bring You Calm in These Stressful Times
Mindfulness exercises and meditation practices are a way of coping with today’s changing environment. They are tools that you can use to help you deal with the stress, anxiety and worry that have become commonplace during these unprecedented times. Mindfulness exercises can help by focusing our attention to the present moment, developing a practice of self compassion, and creating a greater acceptance of the uncertainty of life events. With the ever-changing structure of work, schools and our overall way of life, it is easy to see why people are struggling to cope. Whether you’re trying to adjust to working from [...]