Best Winter Footwear to Prevent Slips and Falls
Winter in Canada means ice, snow and cold. And, while this brings many opportunities for outdoor sports and activities, this environment can make simply getting outdoors and walking dangerous. Having a mobility issue or physical disability can make negotiating the outdoor in winter even more challenging. Knowing how to choose the best winter footwear to prevent slips and falls is important for every Canadian's safety. Snow and ice on driveways and sidewalks pose a serious risk for people of all ages and physical abilities. In the winter of 2016-2017, there were nearly 9,000 hospitalizations due to falls on ice in [...]
What Conditions Are Orthotics Used to Treat?
What conditions are orthotics used to treat is a question we often get asked by clients seeking help to alleviate foot pain and discomfort. The research surrounding custom orthotics is expansive. Many conditions have been studied, primarily looking at pain in the lower extremities. The good news is that evidence suggests that a custom orthotics can be very effective in reducing pain associated with common foot and ankle injuries. And, in our professional experience, we have seen positive results in the treatment of varying conditions. A custom orthotic is designed to properly align your foot and ankle to the most [...]
Shockwave Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis
At Propel Physiotherapy, we often recommend our clients try shockwave therapy for plantar fasciitis. Due to its low-intensity nature, treatment can be observed with little, to no, side effects. Shockwave Therapy is a non-invasive therapeutic device that works by delivering acoustic waves to the site of injury. The machine uses kinetic energy to reach the target area via a small applicator at the head of the SWT handle. This energy penetrates the skin sending a radial wave as deep as 7 centimetres into the body, with the highest pressure felt at the surface of the body. https://youtu.be/tityMx0iZaQ What is Plantar [...]
Pickering Physiotherapy Student Placements Benefit Community
Propel Physiotherapy Pickering has taken on its first student since opening this Durham location just over a year ago. University of Toronto student and Pickering resident, Rehginald Ragos is completing the work placement component of his masters of physical therapy program over the next several months. Rehginald first learned about Propel Physiotherapy after hearing clinic director Kyle Whaley give a lecture about neurological and complex orthopedic rehabilitation at the University of Toronto, where Kyle is a clinical instructor. The lecture was focused on the intricacies on operating and owning a clinic, however, Rehginald was also interested in the types of [...]
Accessible Gyms in Pickering
Finding the right workout routine can be challenging for anyone. Having a physical disability can make the challenge even more daunting because not all gyms are designed with disability in mind. Although there are more accessible gyms than ever before, it continues to be difficult for individuals with disabilities to access exercise in the community. All adults regardless of physical abilities need a need to get a minimum of 150 minutes of moderately intense aerobic activity per week to reap the many benefits of physical activity. By adding equipment and programs that remove physical and social barriers to working out, [...]
What’s the Difference Between Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy
The main difference between physical therapy and occupational therapy is that physical therapy focuses on evaluating and diagnosing injury and dysfunction with the goal of restoring, maintaining and optimizing mobility, function and well-being; while occupational therapy is concerned with helping people achieve daily activities at work, home and leisure like eating, grooming, and toileting. Physiotherapists may use hands on manual techniques, therapeutic exercise, education, heat, cold, light, water, massage, acupuncture and other modalities to enhance and restore the function of multiple body systems. Occupational therapists may assess a person’s home or work space and recommend equipment or modification to improve [...]