Back Pain
Back pain is a varied experience that can range from a dull muscle ache to a sharp, shooting, burning, or stabbing sensation. Additionally, the pain can radiate down one’s leg or knee. Engaging in activities such as bending, twisting, lifting, standing, or walking can worsen the pain. Some common causes of back pain include muscle strain or injury, disk damage, and underlying health conditions like scoliosis and osteoporosis.
Sciatica
Unlike back pain, sciatica is a type of nerve pain. It occurs due to an injury or irritation to the sciatic nerve, which originates in the buttock or glute area. Typically, sciatica affects only one side of the lower body. The pain can start from the lower back and travel through the back of the thigh and down to the leg. In some cases, the pain may also spread to the foot or toes, depending on the location of the affected sciatic nerve. Activities such as coughing or sneezing may worsen the pain.
Neck Pain
It’s not uncommon to experience neck pain, especially if you work on computer all day long, and have poor posture, such as leaning over a computer or hunching over a workbench. These habits can strain the muscles in your neck. You may experience neck pain due to a variety of reasons, including arthritis, disc degeneration, narrowing of the spinal canal, muscle inflammation, strain, or trauma. Conditions like osteoarthritis which is also a common cause of neck pain. While you may ignore your neck all the time but doing some motion exercises provided by your physiotherapist can keep your neck pain free!
Shoulder Pain
The shoulder is actually a combination of several joints. These joints work together with tendons and muscles to enable a wide range of arm movements like driving a car, scratching your back, playing golf or badminton or throwing a perfect pitch! However, this mobility comes at a cost. It can cause instability or impingement syndrome of the soft tissue or bone structures of the shoulder. This often leads to pain, discomfort or can restricted range of motion.
Elbow, Wrist and Hand Pain
Suffering from wrist and elbow pain can be a frustrating and debilitating condition that can hinder everyday activities. However, physiotherapy can provide relief by reducing pain and improving mobility, which can ultimately enhance your quality of life. By assessing your condition, our physiotherapists can create a customized treatment plan that may include manual therapy, deep tissue massage therapy or shockwave therapy.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a condition characterized by swelling, tenderness or inflammation in one or more joints. This results in pain, restricted range of motion, and stiffness. While the disease can affect any joint in the body, it is often observed in the knee joints, wrists, fingers and feet. Arthritis can cause significant and continuous pain and restrict mobility, leading to a decrease in the quality of life. It is a serious issue affecting 1 in 5 Canadians on a daily basis. Although there is no cure for arthritis, physiotherapy treatment can help prevent and manage the condition.
Knee Pain or Osteoarthritis
The knee joint is the largest and the strongest joint in our body. Knee pain may occur due to an injury such as a ruptured ligament or torn cartilage. Certain medical conditions like arthritis, gout, and infections can also lead to knee pain. Osteoarthritis, in particular, causes the cartilage in your knee joint to thin out and the joint surfaces to become rougher, resulting in a less smooth knee movement but with friction in every movement that can be painful and stiff.
Migraine and Headaches
Frequent headaches can significantly affect a person’s daily life. At our clinic, our skilled physiotherapists will evaluate the potential causes of your headache pain. After identifying the root of the issue, our physiotherapists will initiate a personalized migraine physiotherapy treatment plan that can alleviate symptoms and address the source of the discomfort. Our physiotherapists have efficiently managed the migraine conditions by providing some at-home exercises.
Concussion Management
Sustaining a concussion is a complex and serious injury. It can have significant consequences for the individual, their family, and society. It can be caused by various biomechanical means, such as a blow or impact to the face, neck, or head. As a result, any impact that transmits force to the head can cause a concussion while running, playing or workplace accident. Physiotherapy can provide several benefits for those with a concussion, including improved brain function, reduced headaches and nausea, better sleep quality, improved balance and coordination, and reduced fatigue with physiotherapy exercises and vestibular rehabilitation.
Balance and Gait Disorders
Unsteadiness and difficulty with standing and walking can stem from gait and balance issues. Additionally, individuals may also experience vertigo, dizziness, and motion sickness, depending on the underlying cause. Common culprits for adults include musculoskeletal injuries, arthritis, and visual or inner ear problems. Since gait and balance disorders are often multifaceted, an in-depth evaluation by an experienced physiotherapist is necessary to identify the contributing factors and come up with targeted interventions.
Dizziness and Vertigo
Dizziness encompasses various feelings, including light-headedness, wooziness, weakness, and instability. When dizziness creates a false perception of oneself or the surroundings spinning or moving, it’s referred to as vertigo. Nausea may accompany dizziness, which can be abrupt or severe enough to require sitting or lying down. Episodes can last from seconds to days and may reoccur. Vertigo gives a sense of feeling unbalanced, resulting in a spinning sensation of oneself or the world around them.
Ankle or Foot Pain
Foot or ankle pain is often a temporary condition caused by soft tissue injuries like sprains or strains. You may experience discomfort in the ball of your foot (metatarsalgia) or your heel. Heel problems usually arise from overusing calf muscles, wearing high-heeled shoes, or engaging in activities like running that repeatedly impact the heels. Physiotherapists after assessment may recommend custom orthotics or some ice cold therapy to relieve ankle and foot pain.
Pre-Surgical Rehabilitation
Feeling anxious about an upcoming surgery is perfectly normal, as concerns may range from the procedure’s success to recovery. A physiotherapist may be recommended to help manage pain and restore physical abilities. Engaging in exercise therapies before the surgery can significantly enhance post-operative results and expedite the recovery process. Pre-surgical rehabilitation not only results in speedy recovery but also promotes strong mental health and support.
Post-surgery Rehabilitation
Post-surgery rehabilitation physiotherapy is a distinct form of treatment intended for patients who have undergone orthopedic surgeries. Surgeons typically recommend physiotherapy to enhance surgical outcomes. The post-operative physiotherapy process is divided into three phases, commencing shortly after discharge and continuing until all bodily functions are restored to a regular level. Either your hospital can directly refer to a physiotherapist which may be included within OHIP or your physician may recommend physiotherapy post-surgery.
Sports Injuries
While exercising is beneficial, it can result in injuries when playing sports or engaging in physical activity. Accidents, inadequate training methods, and unsuitable equipment can be contributing factors. Individuals who are not physically fit are at risk of getting hurt. Failing to warm up or stretch adequately can also lead to injuries. The most prevalent sports injuries include sprains and strains, tennis elbow, knee injuries, swollen muscles, Achilles tendon injuries, shinbone pain, rotator cuff injuries, fractures, and dislocations.
TMJ
The TMJ, or temporomandibular joint, is a pair of joints that connect the skull to the lower jaw bone. Located in front of each ear, these joints are responsible for sliding and rotating motions, and are made up of the mandible (the lower jaw) and the temporal bone (the side and base of the skull). People with TMJ disorders may experience clicking sounds or a grating sensation when they open their mouth or chew. Our physiotherapists can perform a detailed assessment and provide you with the most efficient treatment.
