Manage Your Arthritis the Natural Way – With the Help of Physiotherapy

Arthritis Pains Don’t Need to Slow You Down Any Longer!

If you have arthritis, then you know all about the difficulties with moving and functioning in daily life that it can present. What you might not know, however, is that physiotherapy can help you find relief from your arthritis pain.

There is no cure for arthritis, but by using the exercises and techniques that your physiotherapist can teach you, the onset of arthritis can be slowed and you will experience less pain overall.

You have the choice for a safer, more effective path toward arthritis pain management: physiotherapy. Contact BeActive Physio and schedule a physiotherapy appointment today.

What can I expect from PT for my arthritis pains?

Physiotherapy visits are often short in duration. Your therapist will be focused on spotting problems with your physical function that are related to arthritis, and teaching you methods you can employ at home to relieve pain.

The way to actually achieve pain relief from your arthritis is to keep up with the teachings for the long term. The improvement will be gradual, so it’s important that you follow your physiotherapist’s instructions.

In order to help your physiotherapist to provide you with the best advice possible, think carefully about different physical goals that you might have.

For example, you might want to be able to do your daily job without straining your hips or knees, to reach things high up on a kitchen shelf, or to simply get in and out of your car without pain. Expressing these goals to your therapist will aid in ensuring that your treatments are as specific to your goals as possible.

Your physiotherapy sessions probably won’t need to be done on a weekly basis. Once every few weeks to monitor your condition and progress should be sufficient.

How do I know what type of arthritis I have?

Arthritis includes an entire family of painful joint conditions. For some individuals, it may take the form of painful gout in a toe joint; in others, it can strike due to a bacterial joint infection. The majority of arthritis sufferers, however, suffer from one of two agonizing conditions:

  • Osteoarthritis – This most common form of arthritis is usually a natural consequence of a lifetime of joint motion, coupled with certain changes that take place during aging. Healthy joints contain not only a lubricating fluid to keep the bone ends moving smoothly, but also a layer of cartilage that acts as a shock absorber and anti-friction component. Over time, however, the production of lubricating fluid can start to dry up, while the cartilage becomes thinner and more worn until it finally breaks down completely. This leaves you with pain, stiffness, and inflammation that usually feels worse whenever you try to move or put weight on the joint.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis – This form of arthritis is caused by an auto-immune disease or dysfunction. The same protective mechanisms that normally fight off disease germs decide to turn on your joints, treating them as the enemy and attacking them. This results in painful inflammation that may come and go, leaving joint swelling and deformity in its wake.

How will I benefit?

Arthritis attacks the joints of the body, so the goal of physiotherapy will be to restore the use of those joints and improve your ability to move around and engage in daily activities.

This will be achieved through a combination of exercise to strengthen the support structures around the joints, and teaching you how to move and engage in activities without worsening your symptoms. The exact course of treatment that your physiotherapist will prescribe will depend on how advanced your arthritis is and which parts of the body are impacted.

The physical exercises your therapist will teach you will be directed toward improving your mobility, range of motion, flexibility, and coordination. Your plan may include any combination of:

  • Environmental modifications: Your physiotherapist can make specific recommendations for additional therapeutic aids based on your type of arthritis. These can include ergonomic furniture or cushioned mats in areas of your home or at work where you tend to stand on your feet for long periods of time.
  • Treatments: Modern physiotherapy has a broad range of treatment options available to assist with arthritis pain. Hot and cold therapy can relieve the pain and stiffness in joints; braces or splints can help to stabilize and support arthritic joints; shoe inserts can relieve arthritis pain in the lower extremities; and so on.
  • Education: Sometimes arthritis in the hip or knee will require the use of assistive mobility devices, such as a cane or walker. Your physiotherapist will teach you the proper way to use these devices.
  • Posture: Your therapist will teach you various body mechanic techniques that will improve joint function and reduce pain. You will also be taught ways to use your strongest muscles and joints to relieve pressure on arthritic joints.

Get started today

If you are ready for relief from arthritis pain, contact BeActive Physio to schedule your first appointment with a physiotherapist.

Relieve Your Pain Without Drugs! Find Natural Pain Relief Today

Ready to Find Pain Relief Without the Side Effects of Opioids?

Pain is a serious problem in today’s world. It’s little wonder that painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs have grown into such a mammoth industry.

Unfortunately, these drugs offer their own share of troubles, from addiction to dangerous effects on internal organs. Many people are now seeking effective pain relief that doesn’t come from a pill bottle. If you’re one of those people, you need to know about the amazing pain-busting potential of physiotherapy.

Physiotherapists can help individuals manage pain, and greater use of physiotherapy could make a real impact on the tragic levels of drug abuse in this country—abuse that often begins with a prescription for pain medication.”

So, instead of turning to opioids, consider physiotherapy first!

Why you should consider physiotherapy for your pain management needs

Physiotherapy offers numerous advantages as a safe, effective, all-natural pain management tool. A physiotherapist takes each individual’s symptoms (and those symptoms’ underlying causes) into account when devising a physiotherapy plan for pain management. Your plan might include modalities such as:

  • A soothing combination of heat therapy and cryotherapy
  • Chiropractic adjustment to help joints move more freely and correct painful musculoskeletal imbalances
  • Electrical nerve stimulation to interrupt pain signals
  • Cold laser therapy and/or massage therapy to boost circulation, relax tissues, and reduce inflammation
  • Resistance training exercises to strengthen muscles, making physical actions less of a strain
  • Aerobic exercises to get the blood flowing and encourage joint lubrication

Physiotherapy appears to have one more major contribution to make toward freeing pain sufferers from their symptoms.

Some physiotherapists have adopted “brain-rewiring” techniques such as graded motor imagery to help patients develop a new perception of their pain – one that allows them to master and minimize their responses to it. This form of physiotherapy seeks to give individuals more control over their pain so that they can tolerate more exercise, which then reduces the pain even more.

Physiotherapy can do more than just help you feel better. By providing you with non-pharmaceutical pain control measures, this form of care can help you steer clear of the side effects of prescription and non-prescription drugs.

Better yet, you’re going beyond the temporary numbing of your symptoms by actually treating the underlying causes of those symptoms. Why settle for the illusion of relief when you can have the real thing — and improve your health and functionality in the process?

So, what’s so bad about painkillers?

A variety of over-the-counter and prescription medications promise to ease pain and inflammation temporarily. Steroids do this by suppressing the immune system for people suffering from painful auto-immune disorders (such as rheumatoid arthritis).

That same immune-suppressing power, however, also makes the body more vulnerable to infection. Long-term steroid use has also been associated with cataracts, glaucoma, hypertension, water retention, acne, high blood sugar and osteoporosis. NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) block the production of inflammatory chemicals in the body.

These drugs aren’t necessarily safe, either. NSAIDs can cause stomach bleeding and kidney damage in some individuals. They have also been associated with elevated heart attack and stroke risks.

Perhaps the most ominous danger comes from opioid drugs. Opioids can deaden more than just pain. These powerful drugs caused over 70,000 fatal overdoses in 2017 alone. Some of these deaths may have been related to recreational drug use, but over 60 percent of the deceased were chronic pain sufferers.

Some important facts about opioids

Opioids are the most commonly used medication for pain management across the United States. Even though they are commonplace, they contain some shockingly harmful facts:

  • Opioids are a highly addictive substance and are the most commonly abused prescription medication.
  • Opioids are a highly dangerous class of substances. Heroin is among the opioid category, as well as prescription pain relievers like oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, and more.
  • More than 2 million people in the United States become addicted to pain medication every year, many of the medications being opioids.
  • About a quarter of heroin addicts began their addiction through prescription opioid dependency.

Contact us today

Our physiotherapist will be happy to create a pain management program just for you. Contact BeActive Physio today for a consultation!

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Say Goodbye to Your Aches and Pains with Physiotherapy

Don’t Let Yourself Live in Pain Any Longer!

Whether you have recently started waking up with generalized aches and pains, or suffering from chronic pain for a long time, physiotherapy has been proven to be the best possible treatment method for you.

A sedentary lifestyle, lack of exercise, poor nutrition, or an injury can all contribute to aches and pains. The bad news is that the pain is probably not going to go away on its own. The good news is that a physiotherapist can put you back on the right track and help get rid of those aches and pains.

Is your pain persistent?

Your physiotherapist will also work to educate you on ways to keep aches and pains at bay, by living a healthier lifestyle. This can range from advice on staying hydrated and enjoying better nutrition, to exercises and stretches you can do at home.

The goal is to get you to the point where you are motivated to stay healthy without the need for regular physiotherapy sessions. All of this will contribute to solving your aches and pains.

How will physiotherapy help?

Physiotherapy has a wide range of tactics and techniques that can be deployed to help with pain management. Here are just a few:

  • Cold laser therapy to release endorphins
  • Movement therapy and exercise
  • Joint and bone manipulation
  • Tissue massage
  • Manual therapy
  • Microcurrent stimulation to release serotonin

Within each of those categories, your physiotherapist has a lot of tools and techniques at their disposal.

For example, movement therapy and exercise might mean running on a treadmill, or working in a swimming pool. It all depends on your physical condition, the source of your aches and pains, and the treatment methods that are most likely to meet with results.

Diagnosing your pain with PT

Your first visit with a physiotherapist will involve a conversation about your symptoms and medical history, as well as some simple tests. Be prepared to answer questions about past injuries that may be contributing to your current aches and pains. Your diet, exercise routine and daily activities will also be discussed. This is to give your therapist an idea of the possible cause or causes of your aches and pains.

You will then be given a series of tests, based on your description of your symptoms. These will involve posture and range of motion exercises, and possibly some strength and resistance tests. When your therapist knows where you are experiencing aches and pains and has determined the likely causes, your personalized physiotherapy treatment plan will be drawn up.

If you’re noticing aches and pains in the morning, it could be your mattress

According to Spine Health, “Sleeping on the wrong mattress can cause or worsen lower back pain. Lack of support from a mattress reinforces poor sleeping posture, strains muscles and does not help keep the spine in alignment, all of which contribute to low back pain.

Sleep comfort is also sacrificed if a mattress does not match one’s individual preferences. A mattress that provides both comfort and back support helps reduce low back pain, allowing the structures in the spine to really rest and rejuvenate during the night.”

While the Better Sleep Council recommends replacing your mattress every 7 to 10 years, the way you feel in the morning is a better indicator that it’s time to replace your sleep surface.

If your mattress was once comfortable but now seems to be at the root of your aches and pains, it may be time to replace it. Physical changes like injuries, surgery and weight change can also change your body’s position as you sleep, necessitating a faster change in your mattress.

What could be causing my pain?

If you suffer from generalized aches and pains when you wake up in the morning, here is what your physiotherapist will tell you. Our bodies build up inflammation in the tissues throughout the day. This can be extremely subtle and you may not notice it, even by the end of the day.

But when we lie down and go to sleep, the inflammation can thicken and settle into your muscles. This in turn immobilizes your joints and can lead to aches and pains when you wake up. That same process repeats, day after day.

Eventually, chronic pain can set in if you do not make any lifestyle changes to correct the problem. This is why it is a great idea to contact BeActive Physio for a consultation, before the pain leads to more serious health problems.

Find relief today

If aches and pains are starting to lower your quality of life, it’s time to take that first positive step by calling our office.

Contact BeActive Physio today to schedule your first appointment with a trained and licensed physiotherapist.

Looking to Improve Your Physical Health? PT Has You Covered!

Physiotherapy Can Help Improve Your Health and Wellness!

Physiotherapy improves the physical health of people who have injuries, illnesses, and medical conditions. An individualized physiotherapy program is a conservative approach to managing these types of problems.

But it doesn’t do just that – it also improves overall health and wellbeing!

Evidence of the success of physiotherapy

Clinical studies support the benefits of physiotherapy for health conditions like osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is one of the ten most common illnesses. “Patients were recruited from the osteoporosis outpatient clinics of Klinikum Südstadt hospital and the University hospital of Rostock to engage in physiotherapy for osteoporosis.

Over a period of 3 months, 44 patients with osteoporosis completed a twice-weekly 30-minute intensive exercise program. The conclusion was that physiotherapy reduced pain and improved function, with the sling exercise patients benefiting most.

The combination of functional improvement and pain mitigation resulted in improved health. This study is just one of the many proving the health benefits of physiotherapy.

The 6 main benefits of physiotherapy

  • Decreased risk of heart and lung disease

Physiotherapy is a component of cardiac rehabilitation. To address pulmonary issues, a physiotherapist will help improve your health and quality of life through breathing, strengthening and conditioning exercises. physiotherapy also helps clear fluid from the lungs.

  • Help with conditions caused by age

With aging, the chances of developing osteoporosis or arthritis are increased. A physiotherapist is a trained expert at helping patients recover and manage age-related health problems like osteoporosis and arthritis.

  • Mobility improvement

With both passive and active treatments, physiotherapy improves mobility. Muscles are strengthened and flexibility is greatly improved. This way you can engage in activities and lead a healthy lifestyle.

  • Fall prevention and balance rehab

With physiotherapy, a physiotherapist will screen your risk for falling. Exercises will be given to improve your balance in real-life situations. Assistive devices will be given to ensure safe walking. And if you have a problem with your vestibular system, a physiotherapist will perform specific methods to reduce or eliminate the symptoms of vertigo and dizziness.

  • Possibility of avoiding surgery

When physiotherapy works to heal and reduce pain, the need for surgery is greatly decreased. “For some conditions, including meniscal tears and knee osteoarthritis, treatment by a PT has been found to be as effective as surgery.”

  • Pain relief

Manual therapy treatments like soft tissue mobilization, ultrasound, electric stimulation and targeted exercises help relieve pain and restore joint and muscle function. These types of methods also help prevent pain from coming back.

Passive physiotherapy vs active physiotherapy

Passive therapies

Passive treatments work to manage pain. The purpose of passive physiotherapy is to help manage and alleviate pain, so you can get back to the activities you love.

By eliminating pain first, the rest of your treatment program will be easier. Passive treatments are done first so you can focus on regaining your strength and function later on in your treatment plan.

Passive physiotherapy can include any combination of these specialty treatments, as deemed fit by your physiotherapist. These include, but are not limited to:

  • Manual therapy
  • Massage
  • Ice and heat therapies
  • Dry needling
  • Ultrasound
  • Hydrotherapy
  • Electrical stimulation, such as TENS Units
  • Iontophoresis

Active therapies

Active therapy focuses on targeted exercises and stretches in order to improve function in the affected area.

The purpose of active treatments is to provide exercises that the patient can do on their own in the later stages of their physiotherapy treatment plan. In fact, many active physiotherapy treatments are designed so the patient can perform them on their own, after their PT sessions are over.

Once your pain or discomfort subsides enough that your physiotherapist believes you are ready for active physiotherapy, he or she will set up an exercise schedule specific to your needs.

The exercises prescribed in an active treatment plan are all geared toward helping you gain back your flexibility, range of motion, and muscle strength. These exercises will help provide support to the painful area and will guide you further in your recovery process.

Discover the benefits of PT today

With physiotherapy, you get an individualized treatment plan to address your challenges, needs and goals. A physiotherapist will help you manage pain, improve chronic conditions, recover from an injury and prevent future chronic diseases.

A physiotherapist will also collaborate with other health professionals to ensure that you get the best of care. Patients are encouraged to be active participants in their treatment plan. All around, physiotherapy is designed to improve your health and help you engage in your regular activities.

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Ready to Overcome Your Hip and Knee Pains? Give PT a Try

Move Comfortably Once Again with the Help of Physiotherapy

Do your weight-bearing joints feel more like pain-bearing joints these days? If you have a hip or knee that just can’t support your body weight without causing annoying aches or agonizing pains, you may be unable to perform your job, play sports, handle household tasks, or even find a comfortable sitting or sleeping position.

These limitations and frustrations might have you taking potentially risky painkillers or considering joint replacement surgery. Fortunately, many causes of hip and knee pain respond quite well to physiotherapy – the natural approach to pain management.

How can physiotherapy relieve my hip and knee pains?

Getting relief from knee or hip pain doesn’t necessarily involve the use of heavy drugs such as opiates or procedures such as joint replacement surgery. Physiotherapy can improve your joint function while also easing your pain and stiffness.

Our physiotherapist can prescribe exercises aimed at addressing your specific condition, such as:

  • Step exercises
  • Hamstring curls
  • Leg lifts
  • Hip flexion, extension, or abductor exercises
  • Mini-squats
  • Heel-to-buttock-exercises
  • Hip rotations
  • Knee lifts

Even an activity as simple as walking help preserve mobility and reduce pain in arthritic knees or hips. Our physiotherapist may also recommend that you receive heat/ice therapy, ultrasound therapy, massage therapy, laser therapy, or orthotic footwear to help normalize your musculoskeletal balance.

physiotherapy can help you reduce your daily pains

You may get pain relief when you are at the physiotherapist and going through treatment, but what about when you go home? A major goal of your physiotherapist is to heal your injuries over the long term.

The various exercises and treatments they use with you will steadily improve your condition so that you experience less pain on a daily basis. As your body gets stronger and more mobile, you are likely to experience less pain in your hips and knees.

What’s causing my hip or knee pain?

Your hips and knees do a lot of work over the course of a lifetime. These joints must withstand the majority of your body weight — not just when you’re standing still, but also as you walk, run, climb or jump. It’s not surprising, then, that a variety of ailments and injuries can plague the knee and hip joints.

Your pain and stiffness may be caused by:

  • “Runner’s knee” – An unstable kneecap can lead to chronic knee pain. This condition is known as patellofemoral syndrome or “runner’s knee.”
  • Strains, sprains and ruptures – The knee and hip joints can move thanks to muscles, tendons and ligaments. Repetitive motion or acute injuries can cause a strain (damage to muscles or tendons) or a sprain (hyperextension of a ligament). Athletes are vulnerable to ruptures of the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament).
  • Bursitis – Both the hips and knees have fluid-filled sacs called bursae that prevent friction between bones and soft tissues. Unfortunately, these sacs can become inflamed from overuse, a painful condition called bursitis.
  • Osteoarthritis – Osteoarthritis is a degeneration of the cartilage that normally keeps the bone ends in a joint from rubbing together. The resulting friction causes chronic pain and inflammation.

Various health or lifestyle challenges can worsen a case of hip or knee pain. Carrying extra weight is a prime example. A musculoskeletal misalignment or postural imbalance can place unnatural stress on a hip or knee. Lack of exercise can cause the muscles to weaken, setting the stage for chronic strain and joint instability.

Choosing physiotherapy over drugs

If your doctor has prescribed you pain relievers it is best to follow the guidance of your doctor.

However, you are welcome to discuss physiotherapy with your doctor as well.

If you find that your pain level has decreased through physiotherapy, you can discuss reducing your pain reliever usage with your primary physician.

Overcome your pain today

The sooner you seek physiotherapy for knee or hip pain, the better. Research shows that patients who rehab their hip or knee pain with physiotherapy within 15 days of symptom onset have less need for pain injections, medications, or surgical intervention.

Whatever stage of pain you’re in, it’s never too late to benefit from physiotherapy. Contact BeActive Physio to get started!

Herniated Discs Can Be a Real Pain in the Back – Are You Living with One?

Do You Know How to Identify a Herniated Disc?

If you’ve been experiencing back pain, it just may be a herniated disc. A herniated disc can put extra pressure on the muscles and nerves around the spinal column.

Strange neck pains, back pains, or extremity symptoms can indicate a variety of potential problems – including one or more herniated discs. How can you tell for sure whether you have this specific problem?

Symptoms may include pain on one side of the body, pain that radiates to the arms or legs, aching, burning sensations in the affected area, and pain with certain movements.

Fortunately, physiotherapy can help relieve your herniated disc symptoms and help you move comfortably once again.

How will physiotherapy help my herniated disc?

physiotherapy plays a critical role in recovering from a herniated disc. A physiotherapist implements different techniques for pain relief and healing. Passive treatments like deep tissue massage, electric stimulation and hot and cold therapy are a few examples of passive treatments. Deep tissue massage uses pressure to relieve spasms and deep muscle tension due to a herniated disc. Hot therapy increases blood flow to the affected area and enhances healing. Cold therapy reduces inflammation. Electric nerve stimulation reduces muscle spasm by sending a tiny electric current to the nerve pathway.

Active treatments by a physiotherapist address joint movement, stability, flexibility, strength and posture. A physiotherapist will teach you core stabilizing exercises to strengthen the back muscles. You’ll also engage in body muscle exercises to strengthen and condition your body. In addition, a physiotherapist will teach you flexibility techniques and proper stretching techniques.

Herniated discs, explained

“Studies have indicated that genetic factors influence many, if not most of the diseases commonly encountered in clinical practice by physiotherapists, such as herniated disc. Genetics has been shown to play a role in end-plate herniations at 40-49 years of age.”

The spinal column consists of a series of bones. “The cervical spine has seven bones, the lumbar spine has five bones and the thoracic spine has 12.” Each disc has a gelatinous inner section and a tough outer ring. When the disc protrudes through the outer ring, it is known as a herniated disc. This can cause numbness, pain, and discomfort.

There are a number of factors that can cause a herniated disc. Certain motions like turning or twisting can cause a herniated disc. Lifting heavy objects is another culprit. Being overweight can cause a herniated disc, too.

This is because the discs have to support more weight. Older people are at risk for a herniated disc. As we age, the discs begin to lose some of their protective water content. This causes the disc to slip more easily out of place.

Common treatments for herniated discs

Herniated discs can be successfully treated with physiotherapy. At your initial appointment, one of our physiotherapists will perform diagnostic tests to determine the root of your pain and verify that your pain is indeed being caused by a herniated disc.

Once the cause of your pain is clear, an individualized treatment plan will be created for you, based on your specific needs.

This typically includes a series of stretches and exercises aimed at relieving your pain, improving your function, and promoting the natural healing process of your body. Additional treatments may be added as your physiotherapist deems fit. These include:

  • Manual therapy
  • Ice and heat therapies
  • Traction
  • Class IV laser therapy
  • Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
  • Education on posture and lifting mechanics

Your physiotherapist will also advise you on any lifestyle changes that may be recommended in order to prevent herniated discs from developing again in the future.

physiotherapy is one of the safest, quickest, and most effective ways to treat herniated discs. It is a holistic and non-invasive approach that, in many cases, has been able to eliminate the need for harmful drugs or surgical intervention.

Find relief today

If you have back pain, turn to physiotherapy for help. A physiotherapist will do a comprehensive exam and review your medical history to determine if you have a herniated disc. Once a proper diagnosis is made, a physiotherapist will then create and implement a personalized treatment plan targeted to the affected area.

The goal of physiotherapy is to help you attain an active and pain-free life. It’s helped thousands of others and can help you, too. Get on the road to recovery from a herniated disc with physiotherapy by contacting BeActive Physio today!

5 Reasons Why Stretching Will Benefit Your Overall Health

Stretching is an important part of physiotherapy, and many physiotherapists will include specific stretches into their sessions. Strength and endurance are both undeniably important; however, stretching is a crucial part of anyone’s exercise regimen, whether you are an athlete or someone coping with aches and pains. Stretching helps in increasing flexibility, which can alleviate pain and make other aspects of treatment easier – even strength and endurance!

What does stretching do?

Stretching has a lot of benefits that we don’t always think about. Some of these benefits include:

  1. Improving range of motion.

Range of motion consists of how well your joints can move in all directions. This influences every movement you make! If you have a constricting condition, such as arthritis or an injury, your range of motion can be hindered. Whether it’s turning your head to see behind you while driving, or bending your knee freely while running, range of motion is crucial for both daily life and for fitness pursuits. Stretching can help reduce stiffness and increase flexibility, therefore improving your range of motion.

  1. Finding relief in unexpected places.

Sometimes we forget how interconnected our bodies are. It is obvious that if we experience back pain, we should stretch out our backs. However, sometimes stretching your legs during physiotherapy can provide unexpected relief to your back, as well. In fact, your hamstrings, upper thighs, and hips can all play a big part in creating lower back pain relief. Likewise, improving your posture through stretching your torso can provide the kind of support you need to keep your spine from compressing, which helps you avoid shoulder and neck pain. Essentially, stretching different parts of your body can provide relief to places you may not have considered!

  1. Enhancing performance.

This point is especially true for athletes. The more you condition your muscles, joints, and ligaments, the greater advantage you’ll have in your sport. For example, bodybuilders recover from their reps much quicker when they stretch as a cool-down. Golfers can achieve a longer reach by increasing their range of motion in their hips and shoulders. Swimmers can even out their strokes by perfecting their balance through stretching. If you are an athlete, stretching can play a crucial role in your performance.

  1. Preventing injuries.

When muscles are tight or tense, the likelihood of injury increases. This occurs because that particular part of your body isn’t working at its peak performance, even though you might be. When you stretch, you’re loosening up your muscles, in addition to increasing range of motion and improving balance, which all factor into injury prevention. All of these factors can prevent you from making the types of moves that lead to injury, whether it’s coming down too hard on one foot, twisting your back further than you should, or taking a fall due to lack of balance.

  1. Improving circulation.

Stretching can reduce stress, but that isn’t the only reason it’s good for your heart and your musculoskeletal system. In fact, stretching plays a key role in almost every aspect of your physical abilities. Tight muscles constrict available oxygen supply, essentially robbing themselves of the nutrients they need. Stretches help reverse the process. When you stretch frequently, you’ll also get the benefit of increased blood flow to your joints and throughout the body.

We can help!

There are additional ways that stretching can help improve your quality of life, whether you find a sense of pride in being limber or relaxation in taking time to stretch out your body. When you’re ready to add stretches to your daily routine, consider getting started through physiotherapy. Our physiotherapists can talk you through which types of stretches may be best for you, whether it be static, dynamic, pre-activity, or post-activity. Contact BeActive Physio today to learn more about how our team can help you create a stretching treatment plan, and how our services will benefit you!

Sources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3273886/

https://www.moveforwardpt.com/Resources/Detail/tips-to-recover-from-workout

How to Make Your Stress-Related Headaches Disappear

Did you know that headaches are the third most common pain complaint throughout the world? They can impact your quality of life and make it difficult to function normally. Luckily, headache relief can be found through physiotherapy. Your trained physiotherapist will work with you to provide pain relief from headaches, in addition to any other aches and pains you may be suffering from. In this guide, we’ll outline the different types of headaches and the causes for them, in addition to explaining how physiotherapy can help.

Different types of headaches:

Any type of pain that occurs within the head can be referred to as a “headache.” Most headaches will resolve on their own without medical intervention; however, severe or recurrent headaches that interfere with one’s quality of life should most certainly be evaluated further. The challenge lies in identifying which type of headache you’re experiencing and then devising a treatment plan accordingly. Physiotherapists are adept at diagnosing different types of headaches and can develop  pain relief strategies for stress-related headaches.

There are 10 common types of headaches:

  • Stress (tension)
  • Post-traumatic
  • Migraine or sinus
  • Caffeine
  • Hormone
  • Exertion
  • Cluster
  • Rebound
  • Hypertension

What are stress-related/tension headaches?

Tension headaches are the most common type of headache in adults and older teens. They occur when the neck and scalp muscles contract or become tense, and they can happen at any age. Stress-related headaches generally start at the back of the head and progress to the top of the head and eyes, sometimes accompanied by facial pain along the jaw and cheeks. This type of discomfort has been compared to having hair pulled or wearing a very tight hat. These types of headaches can occur as a result of:

  • Increased stress.
  • Poor posture.
  • Neck or jaw problems.
  • Fatigue.
  • Arthritis.
  • Anxiety.
  • Depression.

How physiotherapy helps:

At your initial visit, your physiotherapist will conduct a thorough evaluation of your physical abilities, in addition to reviewing your health history. He or she will ask you a series of questions to determine the type of headache you’re experiencing. After your physiotherapist determines what type of headache you’re dealing with you’ll work together to develop a treatment plan for meeting your physical health goals.

During your first visit, you can expect to undergo some of the following:

  • Inquiries about the location of the pain, in addition to any other symptoms you are experiencing.
  • Questions regarding previous injuries to your neck, head, jaw and/or back.
  • Measurements regarding the range of motion of your shoulders, neck, and other relevant parts of the body.
  • Examination of your posture while engaged in different activities.
  • Tests of your muscle strength and sensation.
  • Manual therapy to ascertain the mobility of joints and muscles in your neck.

A physiotherapist’s mission:

While the end goal of physiotherapy is pain relief, there are some important steps along the way that your physiotherapist will help you with, in order to decrease pain and improve function. These include, but are not limited to:

  • Posture improvement. Your posture throughout the day greatly impacts your likelihood for pain and stress-related headaches. Your physiotherapist will teach you methods of improving your posture in order to function more comfortably in your daily life.
  • Strength improvement. You’ll learn exercises to help strengthen the muscles that control your neck and upper back, in order to improve posture and increase your ability to stand or sit comfortably for longer periods of time.
  • Neck improvement. Using manual therapy, your physiotherapist will stretch the muscles in the back of your neck to relieve pain and increase movement.

Different types of physiotherapy treatments

Your physiotherapist may suggest any combination of specialized treatment services, including but not limited to:

  • Heat or ice compressions.
  • Soft tissue mobilization.
  • Muscular releases.
  • Muscle energy techniques.
  • Body mobilization.
  • Cervical traction.
  • McKenzie-based therapies.
  • Stretching.
  • Strengthening.

With all treatment plans, you can expect to receive education that will supplement your in-office experience.

Persistent and life-altering headaches may not go away without physiotherapy. To experience long-lasting pain relief and improve your quality of life, contact BeActive Physio today. Our staff would be happy to talk with you and discuss how we can help you achieve a pain-free life.

Sources:

https://headaches.org/2016/10/11/physical-therapy-headache/

https://www.moveforwardpt.com/SymptomsConditionsDetail.aspx?cid=fd8a18c8-1893-4dd3-9f00-b6e49cad5005

Is Arthritis Paining You? Physiotherapy Can Help

If you have arthritis, you know how debilitating it can be. It affects millions of people and is the most commonly reported chronic illness across the nation. Arthritis is a disorder of the joints that causes them to become inflamed. The inflammation causes the pain and stiffness that you feel, and it can result in a loss of movement if the joints become too inflamed. There are over 100 different types of arthritis, containing monoarthritis (where only one joint is affected) and oligoarthritis (where multiple joints are affected.) Some of the most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis, which develops from “wear and tear” of cartilage, and rheumatoid arthritis, which develops from overactive immune systems.

Arthritis can hinder many qualities of life – from work, to hobbies, to overall mobility. Some people are so affected by arthritis that they are unable to work and have to go on disability. If you are suffering from the chronic pain of arthritis, call BeActive Oakville Physiotherapy & Wellness to schedule a consultation with one of our physiotherapists today. Physiotherapy is a safe, healthy, and effective way to treat arthritic pain.

How do I know if I have arthritis?

First and foremost, if you believe you may be suffering from arthritis, you should contact your primary care provider. He or she will provide a thorough evaluation, looking for signs of disease, such as inflammation and/or deformity. They will review your symptoms, and may administer any blood tests, urine tests, joint fluid tests, or x-rays as they deem necessary. If you are diagnosed with arthritis after these tests, your doctor will create a treatment plan for you, in relation to the location and severity of the condition. This treatment plan may include rest, exercise routines, and medications as necessary.

It is very likely that you will also be referred to a physiotherapist to help guide you through your exercise routines, in order to measure progress and make sure that you are completing your physical activity in a proper a safe and correct manner. Early diagnosis can be helpful in avoiding joint damage and disability, so it is imperative that you contact a doctor as soon as you think you may be developing arthritic symptoms.

How will physiotherapy help me?

While there is unfortunately no known cure for arthritis, there are plenty of ways to help ease the pain that you may feel from it. Physiotherapy is a proven aid in arthritic pain relief. It is effective and noninvasive, and in many cases, it eliminates the need to rely on harmful pain medication. According to the Arthritis Center at Johns Hopkins,

“Physical activity is essential to optimizing both physical and mental health and can play a vital role in the management of arthritis. Regular physical activity can keep the muscles around affected joints strong, decrease bone loss and may help control joint swelling and pain. Regular activity replenishes lubrication to the cartilage of the joint and reduces stiffness and pain. Exercise also helps to enhance energy and stamina by decreasing fatigue and improving sleep. Exercise can enhance weight loss and promote long-term weight management in those with arthritis who are overweight.”

A physiotherapist will custom-tailor a treatment plan surrounding your needs, in order to increase your strength, range of motion, and mobility. This will include the affected area, as well as any surrounding areas that may contribute to the pain. For example, if your arthritis is in your knee, your physiotherapist may create a treatment plan that focuses on the knee, in addition to the hips, ankles, and lower back, since all of these areas may affect the movement of the knee.

Your physiotherapist will most likely suggest manual therapy, in order to improve joint and soft tissue mobilization. Your treatment plan may consist of any combination of treatment services, including ice and heat therapy, deep tissue massage, or electrical nerve stimulation. All of these treatments are passive modalities that work to reduce pain and inflammation, in addition to increasing blood flow and mobility.

Our research-driven treatments will help you find quick and long-lasting pain relief. If you are suffering from arthritic pain, give BeActive Oakville Physiotherapy & Wellness a call today and we will help you get your life back on track. Our physiotherapy team is committed to your success, and we will provide you with everything you need on your journey toward long-lasting relief!

Sources:

Role of Exercise in Arthritis Management

https://www.apta.org/Blogs/PTTransforms/2016/5/26/Arthritis/

How to Solve Your Aches and Pains Once and For All

Do you ever wake up feeling stiff and achy, as if your body is being weighed down by a pile of bricks? Everyone wakes up feeling like this from time to time – you might have had a tough workout the day before, you might have spent an excessive amount of time on your feet running errands, or you might even be coming down with a cold. These are all common reasons why people might wake up feeling achy. However, if you find that it becomes a frequent occurrence, and there doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason for your pain or stiffness, you may want to contact a physiotherapist. Stiff and achy joints may certainly be the product of a minor issue that can be easily remedied. In other cases, it could be due to a larger, underlying issue that a doctor may have to diagnose. Whatever the case may be, physiotherapy can help. Give BeActive Oakville Physiotherapy & Wellness a call today to see how we can relieve your aches and pains!

Why do I ache in the mornings?

Sometimes your joint tissues can become irritated from overuse throughout the day, without you even realizing. When you fall asleep, you are almost completely immobile for several hours, which can cause inflammation of the tissues to grow thicker and further irritate the affected area. As a result, you wake up in the morning feeling stiff and achy. In most cases, this feeling will begin to ease quickly, after you get up and walk around. This is because movement causes the inflammation to become liquid-like, allowing pain to lessen. A simple remedy to avoiding achy morning wake-up calls is hydration. Staying hydrated allows your body’s tissues to function at their normal pace, whereas dehydration slows down your chemical processes. This will keep your tissues from becoming overly inflamed, easing irritation.

What if it’s more serious?

If your doctor has diagnosed you with a more serious medical condition that impacts your joints and tissues, physiotherapy may be the next step. It is a common and effective treatment plan for pain relief that most doctors will suggest. Here are some of the most common ailments that can be relieved with the guidance of a physiotherapist:

  • Osteoarthritis.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Gout.
  • Bursitis.
  • Lupus.
  • Bone cancer.

All of these conditions can cause aches, pains, and stiffness. Physiotherapy treatment plans for these conditions will focus on helping you achieve a greater range of motion in your affected joints or limbs, in addition to providing pain relief. These work to improve overall function and help you get back to your normal mobility.

Tips for maintaining limber joints:

Your physiotherapy regimen will be dependent upon your specific symptoms and/or diagnosis. However, many physiotherapists will also suggest at-home remedies, in addition to your specialized treatment plan. Here are some tips that your physiotherapist will likely share with you on your journey toward wellness:

  • Sleep it off. Getting a good night’s sleep creates an endless cycle of benefits, especially when it comes to physiotherapy. Sufficient amounts of sleep will increase your ability to exercise effectively, which in turn will help you sleep better at night. Your sleep and exercise habits go hand-in-hand, and the results of one will always affect the other.
  • Eat right. Consumption of brightly colored fruits and vegetables can help alleviate pain. These healthy foods have more antioxidants and vitamins, which fight off the inflammation that leads to pain and irritation. A better diet also helps you to get better sleep and helps your body receive more benefit from exercise – thus, adding to the endless cycle of benefits.
  • Stand up straighter. Proper posture is a great way to avoid unnecessary aches and pains. If your work requires you to sit at a desk for long hours, or if you stay sedentary for long periods of time every day, try to get up every half hour for some light stretches. Relieve joint pain by moving around and keeping your circulation going. Try to avoid slouching or hunching at your desk, making sure that your spine is straight and your shoulders are back.

Physiotherapy can help:

You don’t have to be an athlete to work with a physiotherapist. In fact, you don’t even have to be in shape to work with a physiotherapist. Many people avoid physiotherapy due to embarrassment, but your physiotherapist will help you create a treatment plan for your specific needs, and he or she will never judge you. Rather, he or she will encourage and support all the achievements you make along the way! Most of the exercises and stretches that your therapist will recommend are simple to perform and don’t require any special equipment — and most of our patients are just regular people (not super athletes.) We would love to help you along your journey toward long-lasting pain relief. Call BeActive Oakville Physiotherapy & Wellness to schedule a consultation today, and we’ll help you solve your aches and pains once and for all!

Sources:

https://www.moveforwardpt.com/SymptomsConditionsDetail.aspx?cid=e6dabed7-c6d5-4362-8260-9ce807427619

https://www.moveforwardpt.com/Resources/Detail/how-physical-therapists-manage-pain

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