Category Archives: General

Diabetic Chiropody Treatment: Protecting Your Feet, Preserving Your Health

For individuals living with diabetes, foot care is not just a matter of comfort – it’s a critical aspect of overall health management. Diabetes can lead to various foot complications, ranging from neuropathy to ulcers, which, if left untreated, can result in serious consequences, including amputation. That’s where diabetic chiropody treatment steps in. In this post, we explore the importance of diabetic foot care, the role of chiropody in managing foot complications, and how specialized treatment can help individuals with diabetes maintain healthy feet and lifestyles.

Understanding Diabetic Foot Complications:

Diabetes affects the body in numerous ways, including its impact on circulation, nerve function, and immune response. These systemic effects can significantly increase the risk of foot problems in individuals with diabetes, leading to conditions such as:

  • Neuropathy: Diabetic neuropathy, or nerve damage, can cause tingling, numbness, or loss of sensation in the feet, making it difficult to detect injuries or wounds.
  • Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD): Diabetes can impair blood flow to the feet, resulting in poor circulation, slow healing, and an increased risk of infection.
  • Foot Ulcers: Reduced sensation and compromised healing capacity can lead to the formation of foot ulcers, which, if left untreated, can become infected and may require amputation.

The Role of Diabetic Chiropody Treatment:

Diabetic chiropody treatment offers specialized care tailored to the unique needs of individuals with diabetes. Our chiropodists trained in diabetic foot care can provide:

  • Comprehensive Foot Assessments: Chiropodists conduct thorough examinations to assess circulation, sensation, skin integrity, and biomechanics of the feet, identifying any potential risk factors or existing problems.
  • Preventive Care: Regular chiropody appointments focus on preventive measures to minimize the risk of foot complications, including nail care, callus reduction, and footwear advice.
  • Wound Management: In the event of foot ulcers or wounds, chiropodists employ advanced wound care techniques to promote healing, prevent infection, and reduce the risk of amputation.
  • Custom Orthotics: Chiropodists may prescribe custom orthotic devices to relieve pressure points, improve alignment, and reduce the risk of developing foot deformities or ulcers.

Benefits of Diabetic Chiropody Treatment:

  • Early Detection: Regular foot assessments by a chiropodist can detect problems at their earliest stages, allowing for prompt intervention and prevention of complications.
  • Individualized Care: Diabetic chiropody treatment is tailored to each patient’s specific needs, addressing underlying risk factors, and promoting optimal foot health.
  • Improved Quality of Life: By maintaining foot health and preventing complications, diabetic chiropody treatment helps individuals with diabetes lead active, independent lifestyles with reduced risk of disability or amputation.

Contact us!

Take the first step towards recovery by contacting us today or using our online booking system to schedule your initial physiotherapy assessment and treatment


“Feet are the foundation of the body. When your foundation is unstable, everything above it is affected.”
– Dr. Brandy Menefee

Empower Your Mind and Body: Celebrating Brain Awareness Week 2024

Welcome to Brain Awareness Week 2024, a time dedicated to celebrating the incredible complexity and resilience of the human brain.

As we embark on this annual global initiative, we not only celebrate the power of our minds but also recognize the critical role that physiotherapy plays in supporting brain health and well-being.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the intersection of brain awareness and physiotherapy, highlighting the significance of integrating physical rehabilitation into our efforts to nurture and protect our most vital organ.

Physiotherapy plays a crucial role in promoting brain health and recovery from neurological injuries or conditions. It encompasses a range of rehabilitative techniques and interventions aimed at improving mobility, strength, balance, and coordination.

For individuals recovering from strokes, traumatic brain injuries, or neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis, physiotherapy can be very important in improving function and enhancing quality of life. Through targeted exercise and manual therapy, physiotherapists help patients regain independence and confidence in their daily activities.

Benefits of Physiotherapy on Brain Health:

  • Enhanced Cognitive Function: Physiotherapy has been shown to improve cognitive function, including memory, attention, and executive function, through increased blood flow and neurotransmitter activity in the brain.
  • Support for Mental Health: Physiotherapy interventions not only improve physical function but also contribute to mental well-being by reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress through the release of endorphins and other mood-regulating neurotransmitters.
  • Optimized Balance and Coordination: Physiotherapy exercises targeting balance and coordination help maintain and improve these skills, reducing the risk of falls and related injuries, which can have significant implications for brain health, especially in older adults.
  • Management of Neurological Disorders: Physiotherapy is a key component of rehabilitation programs for individuals with neurological conditions such as stroke, traumatic brain injury including concussions, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis, helping to restore function, mobility, and independence.
  • Enhanced Quality of Life: By improving physical function, mobility, and overall well-being, physiotherapy contributes to a better quality of life for individuals affected by neurological conditions, allowing them to participate more fully in daily activities and social interactions.
  • Improved Neuroplasticity: Physiotherapy exercises stimulate neural pathways, promoting the brain’s ability to adapt and reorganize in response to injury or disease.

Contact us!

Take the first step towards recovery by contacting us today or using our online booking system to schedule your initial physiotherapy assessment and treatment

3 Common Hip Injuries from Everyday Use

Hips may not always get as much attention as knees, but their proper function is just as important for daily movement and routine tasks. When your hip is injured it can be quite frustrating as it may keep you from enjoying and participating in your regular activities. Here is an overview of the most common hip injuries that can affect individuals of all ages and all activity levels.

  • Hip Bursitis – This is the swelling and inflammation of small, jelly like sacs around the hip joint called the bursae. These sacs help to protect the joint and reduce friction between moving tissues. When irritated, they can cause sharp pain and decreased mobility of the hip.
  • Femoral Acetabular Impingement – When the two bones that make up the hip joint are not in optimal contact with each other, it can cause unwanted rubbing or pinching. This can prevent the joint from gliding and moving smoothly. Symptoms often include limited hip motion and pain in the hip and groin area.
  • Muscle Strain – This is the most common of all hip injuries. A hip muscle can be injured by an unexpected fall, a sports injury, chronic overuse, or an awkward sudden movement. It may cause swelling or bruising, pain, and decreased strength of the hip.

Regardless of the type of injury, physiotherapy is an effective method to treat hip injuries and prevent them from reoccurring in the future. Physiotherapy can promote improved hip function through stretching, hands on techniques, strengthening exercises, as well as many others. If you think you’ve sustained a hip injury, book an appointment with one of our physiotherapists today.

Contact us!

Take the first step towards recovery by contacting us today or using our online booking system to schedule your initial physiotherapy assessment and treatment.

The Healing Touch: The Role of Physiotherapy in Sports Injury Management

February 22 marks the “Recreational Sports & Fitness Day” day, dedicated to promoting physical activity, health, and wellness through recreational sports and fitness activities. This day encourages people of all ages to engage in sports and fitness-related activities for fun, enjoyment, and the overall well-being of individuals. When it comes to sports injuries, physiotherapy plays a crucial role in both treatment and prevention. Here’s a detailed look at the effects of physiotherapy treatment on sports injuries:

What’s Physiotherapy All About?

Physiotherapy is like a superhero for sports injuries. It doesn’t just treat the pain – it looks at everything, from your body to your mind. First, physiotherapists check out your injury to understand what’s going on. Then, they develop a custom treatment plan tailored just for you. Employing a diverse range of modalities such as manual therapy, ultrasound therapy, and therapeutic exercises, physiotherapists aim to alleviate pain, restore function, promote tissue healing, and prevention of future occurrences.

Sports injuries encompass a wide range of conditions, from acute strains and sprains to chronic overuse injuries. Common sports injuries include:

  • Sprains and Strains: These occur when ligaments (sprains) or muscles/tendons (strains) are stretched or torn, often due to sudden movements or overexertion.
  • Fractures: Sports-related fractures can occur from direct trauma or repetitive stress, leading to a break or crack in the bone.
  • Tendonitis: Inflammation of tendons caused by repetitive motions, often resulting in pain, swelling, and decreased range of motion.
  • Dislocations: Dislocations happen when the bones in a joint are forced out of their normal position, usually due to a sudden impact or collision.
  • Concussions: Head injuries are caused by a blow to the head, usually resulting in a temporary disruption of brain function, with symptoms such as headache, dizziness, and confusion

Navigating the Path to Recovery:

Physiotherapy involves a systematic approach to sports injury management, comprising assessment, pain management, restoration of mobility and function, rehabilitation exercises, manual therapy, education and prevention, and a progressive return to activity.

  • Assessment entails evaluating the injury, considering medical history and diagnostic imaging for a comprehensive understanding.
  • Pain management employs modalities like ice/heat therapy and manual techniques to alleviate discomfort and inflammation.
  • Restoration of mobility and function is achieved through targeted exercises and stretching to regain range of motion and strength. Rehabilitation exercises are customized to enhance strength, stability, and proprioception, minimizing the risk of future injuries.
  • Manual therapy techniques like massage and joint mobilization aid in tissue mobility and healing.
  • Education and prevention focus on teaching proper body mechanics and warm-up techniques to prevent re-injury.
  • Progressive return to activity ensures a safe transition back to sports-specific movements as the individual’s rehabilitation progresses.

If you’re grappling with a sports injury, our skilled team of physiotherapists is here to support your journey back to your peak performance. We understand the frustration and limitations that come with sports injuries, but with our expertise and personalized care, you can overcome these obstacles.

Contact us!

Take the first step towards recovery by contacting us today or using our online booking system to schedule your initial physiotherapy assessment and treatment.

Acupuncture Bronte Burlington Burloak Chiropodist Chiropody Corns custom orthotics Direct billing exercise Foot Care foot clinic Footclinic Foot Pain Glen Abbey glenabbey halton Massage Massage Therapy Millcroft Milton North North Oakville Oakville ontario orthotics pain Palermo palermo village pediatric pelvic health Physio Physiotherapist Physiotherapy podiatrist Rehab RMT sports sports injuries Sports Injury sports medicine telehealth Warts yoga Yoga Therapy

Growing Pains in Children – Should You See a Physiotherapist?

School has officially begun for the year and with that comes an increase in activity levels for many children. As the fall and winter season approaches, many kids will participate in school sports as well as extra-curricular organized sports and activities. This ramp-up in exercise levels can sometimes lead to aches and pains, particularly in young children who are still growing at fast rates.

The term “growing pains” refers to this sort of injury. This pain is muscular in nature and occurs because bones are growing and changing at a faster rate than the muscles can keep up, which puts added stress and tension on the muscles. This can be more prevalent in children who participate in sports all year long, or children who play multiple sports at the same time.

Common Growing Pains

  • Sever’s Disease: pain in the back of the heel where the Achilles tendon attaches.
  • Shin Splints: pain in and around the shins.
  • Osgood Schlatter’s Disease: pain below the knee from the quadriceps muscle pulling on the shin bone.

Symptoms of Growing Pains

  • Pain in the thighs, knees, shins, or ankles.
  • Pain after playing sports or engaging in activity.
  • Pain at night when sleeping.
  • Pain is described as an “ache” or “burning.”

Physiotherapy and Growing Pains

Physiotherapist Nada demonstrating stretches that can be relieving for Severs Disease

Physiotherapy treatment is a very effective way to treat and manage activity-related pains in growing children. The aim is to reduce inflammation and improve muscle flexibility and strength. This includes techniques like mobilizations, manual stretching, and soft tissue work. The physiotherapist can also instruct you on how to manage your symptoms at home and what exercises to do to effectively target the area.

If your child is experiencing pain and discomfort with exercise, book an initial assessment here with one of our physiotherapists. They will design a treatment program individually tailored to your child’s needs, age, and activity level.

What Happens When You Have A Body Part That Is Immobilized?

Maybe you are healing from a fractured wrist and have it in a cast.

Maybe you are recovering from knee surgery and have a brace on.

Maybe you have a torn Achilles and have a boot on.

Maybe you dislocated your shoulder and have it in a sling.

Or maybe you had to be on bedrest for a significant length of time due to other health issues.

The point is… you as a whole, or a certain body part, were immobilized.

Interestingly, when you get referred to physio after the brace or cast or sling come off, we are not really treating the original injury at that point. We are treating the secondary effects of it, along with the effects from the immobilization!

So What Are Those Secondary Effects?

When you’ve had a fracture, or a dislocation, or a ligament / tendon / muscle tear, what you can expect is:

  • Decreased range of motion
  • Decreased strength
  • Pain with use
  • Swelling
  • Overall lack of function i.e. you’re not able to do all the things you were doing before the injury
Physiotherapist Kristina working on range of motion with a patient post knee surgery

Similarly, when a body part is immobilized, these issues get compounded.

Let’s take a fractured ankle for example. Maybe it didn’t need surgery but you were still put in a cast or a splint for 4-8 weeks:

  • When the muscles of that ankle and foot aren’t been used for that length of time, they begin to atrophy – you lose muscle mass and therefore, muscle strength. Your body has a strict “use it or lose it” policy and it’s not going to put in energy into maintaining something that’s not being used. Not to mention, it now has to redirect energy and resources into healing the fracture.
  • Without movement in the ankle joint, the joint gets stiffer and the muscles around it get tighter. Not to mention the swelling that’s been pooling will also block additional movement. Which means, the range of motion and flexibility of your ankle once the cast or splint come off, will be very minimal and likely have some pain.
  • Along with trying to move it, putting weight on it will likely also cause the ankle some pain. Part of that is due to the muscle weakness, swelling, and decreased range of motion. The presence of these adds to the pain of an area that’s already recovering from injury and is still sensitive.
  • And as you can imagine… if you have limited range of motion, muscle weakness, and pain… your walking, standing, and balance will be affected. Not to mention your ability to do things that require more exertion such as climbing stairs, squatting, lifting heavy objects, running, jumping, dancing, etc.
  • Lastly, let’s not forget about the rest of you! If you’ve had a fractured ankle, you aren’t using the whole leg very much either, so all of those muscles will be a bit weaker. On the contrary, the other leg might be tired from overcompensating, and maybe even getting a bit sore. Plus, you’re less active than you were before the injury, so you might also lose some cardiovascular fitness.

Cue Physiotherapy! We are here to gradually get you back on track with all of the above and as much as possible back to normal!

Depending on the injury, we follow protocols for restoring range of motion and strength, as well as reintroducing day-to-day, work, or recreational activities back into your routine.

Oh, and what about when you’ve had to be on bedrest?

Although no specific body part was immobilized, depending on how long bedrest was necessary for, there will likely be some general muscle atrophy.

Physiotherapist Kristina explaining how the patient can work on secondary effects from recent knee surgery

It’s due to the same “use it or lose it” principle.

And it’s not just your muscles… Other impacts of prolonged bedrest include:

  • Backache from the atrophy of core and postural muscles
  • An overall decrease of cardiovascular fitness and respiratory system efficiency
  • This leads to less energy and more fatigue once you start moving and trying to be more active
  • Increased risk of falls due to weakness and decreased balance
  • Increased risk for fracture because bones also get weaker without weight-bearing activities (i.e. walking). Just like muscle mass is maintained with use, bone strength is maintained with use.
  • Tendons and ligaments also lose some of their natural properties that allow them to do their jobs effectively. As a result, when you start being more active following bedrest or immobilization, they are now more prone to injury.

You may experience some of these effects in as little as 3-5 days of bedrest.

The good news is, bedrest is not prescribed as often as it used to be. That’s because research has shown that in most cases, there are minimal to no benefits. We are now also much more aware of the detriments it can cause.

However, when it is necessary, depending how long you were on bedrest for, it might be worth doing a few physio sessions to get you back into activity safely. Book here for an assessment today!

What is a Concussion and How Can Physio Help?

A concussion is a traumatic brain injury. It can be caused by:

  • a blow to the head
  • impact from a fall
  • a sudden acceleration of the head and upper body (e.g., as your head and neck whip forward during a car accident). KEY NOTE – This means you don’t need actual head impact to have a brain injury! This is because the brain can still be injured by the impact against the walls of the skull.

Diagnosing a Concussion…

Signs (observable by others):

  • appears dazed and delayed in answering questions.
  • Easily confused, appears foggy.
  • Slow to respond, slow reaction times.
  • forgetful, no memory of the events prior to or immediately after the injury (usually short-term memory loss).
  • mood/behavior/personality changes (usually presenting as irritability and/or depression).
  • Loss of consciousness (rare).

Symptoms (reported by the patient):

  • Headache or “pressure” in the head
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • light sensitivity
  • noise sensitivity
  • Feeling foggy or in a daze
  • Concentration or memory difficulties
  • difficulty reading
  • unusual fatigue
  • disrupted sleep
  • low mood
  • Difficulty with balance/dizziness
  • Double or blurry vision
  • ringing in the ear
  • screen intolerance
Physiotherapists Testing For Balance and Vision Issues.

Signs and symptoms might not be immediately apparent. They may appear hours or days after the injury. Therefore, it’s important to keep checking in after a hit, fall, or whiplash-type injury for the rest of the week.

Sometimes, there can be more serious signs and symptoms indicative of a brain bleed that leads to a hematoma (a dangerous collection of blood that causes swelling in the area and compresses the rest of the brain).

When to call 911 / go to the ER:

  • One pupil is larger than the other.
  • Extreme drowsiness or not waking up.
  • A worsening headache
  • slurred speech, weakness, numbness, worsening coordination
  • continued vomiting.
  • seizures
  • loss of consciousness

Note – in infants and toddlers, any of the above signs, inconsolable crying, or continued refusal to feed should all be considered a red flag.

Timeline

Most concussion signs and symptoms resolve within two weeks. It is still normal to have lingering effects for up to 3 months.

However, it is always a good idea to get the concussion checked out by a medical professional (e.g., a family doctor) within the first week.

Do not wait to see if it will resolve before consulting your doctor. Concussions ARE brain injuries, and they can have long-lasting residual effects that affect your daily living.

What helps the healing process?

  • Get more rest than usual.
  • Pace your activities (e.g., break down into smaller chunks, take microbreaks, stop when symptoms increase).
  • hydrate more often.
  • Eat more whole foods and focus on food high in omega 3s and 6s.

Why you should see a Physio

Now that we’ve covered what a concussion is and its effects, let’s talk about why Physiotherapy can be an appropriate treatment.

Physio treatment involves:

  • Manual therapy (soft tissue and joint mobilizations).
  • Exercise therapy (range of motion, strength, stretch, cardio, balance, vision exercises).
  • education (on the recovery process, self-management strategies, relaxation techniques especially for improving sleep hygiene, return to work/sport/school).
Physiotherapist Kirsten Providing Manual Therapy on a Patients Neck.
An Example of Exercise Therapy to Work on Balance for a Concussion Patient.

A combination of these can help with post-concussive symptoms such as:

  • fatigue
  • Double or blurry vision
  • balance impairments
  • dizziness
  • neck pain                                                                                                                                            
  • headaches
  • low tolerance for activity (e.g. school, screentime, sports)

Return to activity.

Rest is recommended for the first 24-48 hours with very limited screen time and no exercise. After the first 48 hours, depending on the severity of symptoms, general activity and screen time should be gradually introduced, increasing them based on the level of symptom aggravation (typically mild to moderate symptoms are normal, while moderate to high symptoms indicate the need to stop the activity and wait until symptoms have settled before resuming).

This includes a return to work, whether it is a return to a desk job or a job that is more physically demanding.

Return to sport.

The table below is taken from the Zurich 2012 conference CONSENSUS STATEMENT: McCrory, Paul, et al. “Consensus statement on concussion in sport: the 4th International Conference on Concussion in Sport held in Zurich, November 2012.

GRADUATED RETURN TO PLAY PROTOCOL
Rehabilitation StageFunctional exercise at each stage of rehabilitationObjective of each stage
1. No activitySymptom limited physical and cognitive restRecovery
2. Light aerobic exerciseWalking, swimming, or stationary cycling keeping intensity <70% maximum permitted heart rate. No resistance trainingIncrease HR
3. Sport-specific exerciseSkating drills in ice hockey, running drills in soccer. No head impact activitiesAdd movement
4. Non-contact training drillsProgression to more complex training drills, e.g. passing drills in football and ice hockey. May start progressive resistance trainingExercise, coordination, and cognitive load
5. Full-contact practiceFollowing medical clearance participate in normal training exerciseRestore confidence and assess functional skills by coaching staff
6. Return to playNormal game play

Contact us to learn more or book an initial assessment here to get started with your therapy today!

“It’s Just A Sprain” – The Importance Of Physio For Ankle Sprains

An ankle sprain is a common musculoskeletal injury caused by a tear or damage to one of the ligaments surrounding the ankle joint. It is frequently the outcome of an event, such as a sports contact, a trip, or a misstep while walking. It can affect people of all ages and athletic abilities.

Ankle sprain symptoms can vary greatly in terms of the degree of pain, limitation of movement, and swelling present. These are usually determined by the location and severity of the sprain.

Physiotherapist Nada Testing For Mobility

However, regardless of the severity of your symptoms, if you suspect you have hurt your ankle, you should consult a physiotherapist as soon as possible. Ideally, within 36-48 hours after the injury, to ensure that the pain and swelling have a chance to settle before starting.  In the meantime, at home, use the R.I.C.E. routine (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) to promote the healing process.

Physiotherapy early on can reduce the chance of additional ankle issues such as persistent pain, stiffness, lack of movement, or strength. Your physiotherapist will be able to check the severity and instability of your ankle sprain, as well as any functional limitations, and rule out anything more serious, such as a fracture.

Nada Checking Pain, Swelling, and Stiffness of The Injured Ankle

Treatment with a physiotherapist will use a combination of exercise and manual hands-on therapy to improve strength, range of motion, and proprioception of the ankle.

In the case of most ankle sprains, rest alone is unlikely to be an effective treatment method. Being proactive and obtaining treatment will not only encourage and accelerate your ankle sprain recovery time but will also maximize ankle strength and prevent re-injury in the future. A physiotherapist can educate you and design an exercise program for you to restore the function of your ankle joint and surrounding muscles.

If you believe you have sustained an ankle sprain or are experiencing ankle pain, book an assessment with one of our qualified physiotherapists here!

Balancing the Body’s Harmony: The Ancient Art and Modern Science of Acupuncture

Acupuncture is becoming increasingly popular, yet many people remain reluctant to use it as a form of treatment. So, what exactly is it, and how can it help you? We answer these and more below!

What Is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a therapeutic technique of inserting fine, one-time-use pre-sterilized needles into very specific points along the body to assist in pain management and healing of injuries. Patients often ask us if acupuncture is painful. The needles used for acupuncture therapy are extremely fine – patients likely feel a small poke but once the needle is inserted, most patients do not feel much pain.

How Does It Work? – Traditional Chinese Medicine

Acupuncture was developed more than 3,000 years ago in China. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), injuries or illnesses are believed to be the results of an imbalance of energy within the body, specifically within meridians, which are channels of energy flow throughout the body. Acupuncture is used to help restore energy balance by placing fine needles at specific points along these meridians.

How Does It Work? – The Gate Control Theory of Pain

Although acupuncture is an ancient practice in Eastern medicine, its use in Western medicine is relatively recent. Though the exact reason why it works is not totally clear, Western medicine has several different theories as to how acupuncture helps with injury recovery. One of those is the Gate Control Theory of Pain.

The Gate Control Theory of Pain outlines how pain signals reach the brain from the spinal cord. In simple terms, if the ‘gate’ is open at the level of the spinal cord, a pain signal can pass through, reaching the brain where the pain is perceived. If the ‘gate’ is closed, a pain signal cannot pass through, and therefore the brain does not perceive pain. So, using this theory, applying a non-painful stimulus when someone experiences a painful stimulus can activate the closing of the gate and decrease the pain signal to the brain. An example of this would be if someone bangs their knee against a hard surface. Usually, our first instinct is to rub the knee (a non-painful stimulus), which helps us feel less pain.

What Injuries Can Be Treated With Acupuncture

Acupuncture can help in the healing process of many muscle and joint injuries. However, it is important to note that it won’t exactly heal these injuries. For example, if a muscle is torn, acupuncture will not repair the tear. However, it can assist in the symptoms associated with the tear, primarily by decreasing pain. Acupuncture has been used to aid in the recovery of a number of injuries, such as rotator cuff tendonitis, tennis elbow, and mechanical neck and back pain.

What Are The Risks Associated With Acupuncture?

The risks associated with acupuncture treatment are relatively minimal. The most common side effect is soreness and/or bruising in the region where the needles are inserted. The risk of infection is extremely LOW since the needles are pre-sterilized and used once. Some people might feel light-headed or dizzy after acupuncture treatment, so it is important to make sure you are well-hydrated and have eaten before your treatment session. If you are pregnant or have had other medical conditions (ex., cancer, stroke, etc.), there are certain points or areas that your practitioner will avoid. This is why it is extremely important to be thorough when reporting your medical history to your practitioner.

If you would like to learn more, ask your practitioner to discuss whether it would be an appropriate option for you, or book an initial assessment with us here!

Is it Sciatica?

Chances are, if you’ve had back pain or leg pain, you’ve heard the term Sciatica.

So what is it?

Sciatica refers to an injury to or compression of the Sciatic Nerve. This is a very large nerve that originates in the lower back and runs down the back of each leg.

To give a bit of background detail… nerves innervate our whole bodies, and via electrical impulses, provide both power to the muscles and sensation to the skin. When a nerve is injured or compressed, we can experience symptoms of pain, weakness, numbness, or tingling.

Symptoms of Sciatica:

Pain that can go down the back of the leg (from the gluts, down into the back of the thigh, into the calf, and into the top or sole of the foot)

Numbness along the same area

Weakness in the leg with certain movements (e.g., does your foot get caught tripping as you walk? Are you able to walk on your toes?)

Tingling along the same area

Causes of Sciatica?

Disc bulges or herniations in the lumbar spine (the disc can press on the nerve)

Spinal stenosis (the canal through which the Sciatic nerve travels has narrowed due to arthritic changes and that can cause pressure on the nerve)

Piriformis syndrome (muscles in the glut area can get tight and compress the nerve as well)

If you are experiencing any Sciatic symptoms and they are not improving/worsening after 2-3 days, then Physiotherapy can likely help!

We do a thorough assessment to find the source of the nerve compression and provide:

Manual therapy techniques to relax tight muscles and help the nerve glide more easily

Additionally, manual therapy techniques can help take the pressure off from disc bulge or herniation and improve joint mobility

Exercise therapy to strengthen the back and core, stretch the tight musculature, and glide the nerve more freely

There are exercises we can show you that also help take the pressure off the nerve if the compression is happening in the spine

PT Kristina performing the slump test

If you’re not sure, you can always give us a call and ask one of our physiotherapists!

Other recommendations in the meantime:

Performing gentle stretches like the image above can help relieve symptoms!

Try ice or heat on your back or gluts

Speak to your primary physician regarding pain management options

Avoid exclusive backrest

If you are doing any exercises that aggravate your symptoms, STOP them temporarily

Reduce your general activity i.e. “take it easy” for the first few days

Alternate positions (sit, stand, walk) rather than doing one for a prolonged time

Do not lift anything heavy, e.g. >20 lb, especially from the floor

Do not ignore this issue for weeks because it likely WILL get worse and it will then take longer to heal…

If you would like to learn more or book your initial physiotherapy assessment along with treatment, book your appointment now.