Head
If you are experiencing head pain or headaches, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan. Depending on the underlying cause of the pain, treatment may include medication, lifestyle changes, or other therapies such as physical therapy, acupuncture, or relaxation techniques.
Headaches can be felt in the temples, behind the eyes, on top of the head, or at the back of the head. Headaches can be caused by a variety of factors, but generally, they occur for the same reasons that we experience pain elsewhere in our bodies: there is an injury or perceived injury. Because your therapist at PhysioActive can optimize blood supply, waste removal, and muscle balance, we can alleviate headaches. Headaches can be reduced with physiotherapy, osteopathy, acupuncture and massage therapy, or most commonly, a combination of these treatments with acupuncture used in conjunction with a specifically designed program.
Dizziness and vertigo, which refers to the feeling of the world moving or feeling unsteady yourself, can be an indication that these balance systems are not working optimally. Vestibular and functional neurological treatment can assist in rehabilitating your nervous system and reducing symptoms. Your highly trained therapist will prescribe specific eye and balance exercises. Manual therapy may be directed to the eyes, ears, jaw, and tongue to balance the neurological system and alleviate symptoms that most practitioners once believed were impossible to treat. [Read More]
Conditions
Concussion
Jaw
Are you grinding your teeth at night? Does your jaw or head (especially your temples) hurt in the morning? Do your headaches occur when eating or due to stress? When you open and close your mouth, do you hear a clicking sound, or does your jaw shift from side to side? Does your dentist tell you that you are wearing down your teeth? These are signs that you may have an issue with your jaw joint (your TMJ) or that you have Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD).
Long-term complications can result from a poorly functioning jaw. The way your tongue works and how your teeth come together (occlude) plays a role in your posture and breathing. Any type of whiplash will impact your jaw. Are you aware that your tongue should sit against the roof of your mouth and that your teeth should come together each time you swallow? These intricate movements must be coordinated to prevent jaw, neck, and head pain. The professionals at PhysioActive can help. Our therapists will collaborate to ensure a comprehensive physiotherapy program.
Conditions
Neck
Neck pain can most frequently manifest itself as pain in the side and back of the neck, radiating to the base of the neck, shoulder, arm, and hand. Irritation of the nerves in the neck can also produce pins and needles and numbness in the hand. Acute trauma, like a car accident or sporting injury, can cause disc herniation or nerve compression. Chronic neck pain is increasing in frequency with our more sedentary and stressful lifestyles. Poor posture, along with our increased use of smartphones and computers, has increased the number of neck patients we see. Even children with their smartphones and heavy backpacks are experiencing neck pain at a young age, more than ever before.
Simple breathing corrections, stretches, and strengthening exercises can be employed to quickly alleviate neck pain. Improved posture not only helps with pain but also brings stress relief, clearer thoughts, and better functionality. Ergonomic or sports-related changes may be necessary to prevent re-injury. Our therapists at PhysioActive are confident in working with your employer or coaches as well.
A flexible and strong neck is essential for sporting performance. Our elite athletes have been able to increase their throwing speed and performance times by optimizing spinal strength and control.
Conditions
Shoulder
Pain coming from the shoulder is usually felt in the front or back of the shoulder and can radiate down the arm. The rotator cuff is the most common culprit for your shoulder and arm pain. This condition is not just for baseball pitchers. If you have pain while reaching or lifting objects, this could be the cause. Pain on the top or tip of the shoulder is usually from the AC joint, commonly injured by falling on the arm or in contact sports.
Rotator cuff pain is typically felt during activities such as reaching overhead or behind you, like reaching to the back seat or putting on your bra. Reaching overhead and lifting can be particularly painful and may worsen with throwing activities.
Initially, rest is imperative for reducing pain. Modalities such as ice and heat, laser, and magnetic bio-stimulation are useful in the acute phase. More chronic conditions might benefit from shockwave therapy.
Resting alone will not restore the strength and control needed for normal function. Regardless of which route you take, a physiotherapy assessment and movement patterning evaluation are essential to restore proper muscle function.
Conditions
- Rotator Cuff Injuries
- Shoulder or Rotator Cuff Impingement
- Frozen shoulder
- AC (Acromioclavicular) Joint Separation
- Shoulder Dislocation
- Shoulder Osteoarthritis
- Labral Tear
- Shoulder Bursitis
- Nerve Palsy: Irritation of nerves can occur all over the body
- Heavy or Dead Arm
- Shoulder Instability
- Shoulder Replacement
Mid back/ribs
Sharp pain in the mid-back can often be caused by a twisting injury. If the pain worsens with a deep breath or cough, this could be your rib. Manipulation in the first 24 hours usually prevents this pain from getting worse. If the pain in your mid-back or chest is a result of trauma, you may have sustained a rib fracture. It is normal to have pain with a deep inhalation, but if you are severely short of breath, you should go to the hospital.
Chronic, deep, aching body pain frequently relates to “visceral pain,” which refers to pain coming from your organs. If the pain is severe, unrelenting, or getting worse, please consult your physician. If the pain is affected by movement or a change of position, PhysioActive can help. Our physiotherapists and osteopaths are trained to restore normal motion not just to your ribs and spine but also to the tissues underneath them. Don’t be surprised if you feel lighter and can breathe easier after your appointment.
Conditions
Chest
Sharp pain in the front of the chest, or just off to the side where the ribs attach to the sternum, can become irritated and inflamed with persistent coughing or trauma. Your physiotherapist at PhysioActive will evaluate whether your ribs are moving too much or too little. This greatly affects the treatment approach. Your therapist will be able to determine if your symptoms are related to the joints and muscles or heart pain or angina.
Pain from irritation of the rib joints can be extremely painful. If the pain is chronic and a result of unstable rib joints, PhysioActive’s affiliation with the Canadian Centre for Integrative Medicine will address any need for injections if necessary.
Our cardiac rehab program has been effective at returning our patients who have had heart attacks or heart surgery to normal, productive lives.
Conditions
Lower Back
Disc herniations are one of the most common reasons for low back pain and the cause of sciatica, a generic term for pain down the leg or buttock. Research has shown that a combination of hands-on therapy with modalities for pain relief, such as acupuncture, and magnetic biostimulation in conjunction, and a properly designed exercise program is the most effective way of eliminating the pain and keeping it away.
Other popular terms used to describe a back that is aging and causing pain as a result of compression include stenosis, spondylitis, degenerative disc disease (DDD), osteoarthritis. These conditions do not mean you have to suffer in pain. Degeneration is a part of life, but pain doesn’t have to be.
Conditions
Hip
Hip joint pain and arthritis are usually felt in the front of the groin area. It can radiate down the front of the leg to the inside of the knee. Hip pain can also be felt in the buttock. Prolonged standing or excessive bending of the hip (such as squatting or sitting in a low or soft chair) can reproduce this pain. Your hip flexors (hip pointer) can also cause pain in the front of the hip, although this pain is usually farther out to the side and hurts when trying to actively lift your knee to the chest. At PhysioActive, we have become very effective in treating anterior hip impingement, both in preventing surgery and post-operatively.
Pain on the outside of the leg or hip is not usually from the joint itself but from the wearing down of the ITB or bursae on the outside of the thigh bone (the femur). Our therapists may recommend orthotics in combination with a detailed exam of the pelvis, low back, and leg.
Conditions
Buttock
Most commonly, a deep ache in the middle of the buttock is a result of hip problems. A sharp pain radiating up or down from the buttock is more typically a result of nerve pain, either entrapped at the low back or the sciatic nerve around the piriformis.
If the pain occurs when you are walking or standing for a long period, this is more frequently related to hip or sacroiliac pain. If your pain is more prominent when sitting, you may be compressing the sciatic nerve under the piriformis or experiencing irritation from a disc herniation.
Because pain in the buttock can come from many possible causes, a comprehensive evaluation of your low back, pelvis, leg, and foot is required to effectively and permanently relieve your symptoms.
Conditions
Pubis and Pelvic Health
Pelvic pain is typically felt directly over your pubic bones and tends to be very tender when you press on them. This condition frequently occurs during pregnancy or delivery. The pelvic floor, hips, and pelvis must be treated to de-stress the pubic region. Your therapist at PhysioActive will always explain what they are doing and walk you through the evaluation and treatment.
Conditions
- Osteitis Pubis
- Pelvic Stress Fracture
- Pelvic Floor Weakness
- Pubic Symphysis Dysfunction
- Incontinence
- Pregnancy discomfort
- Pubic (Symphysis Pubis) Instability
- Pelvis Congestion Syndrome (Massage and Osteopathy)
- Scar Tissue (Physio, Massage)
- Visceral Issues Such As Bowel, Menstrual (Osteopath, Acupuncture)
Groin Pain
The most commonly searched conditions that cause groin pain include:
1. Hip osteoarthritis: This is a degenerative joint condition that can cause pain and stiffness in the hip joint and groin area.
2. Groin strain: This is a common sports injury that occurs when the muscles in the groin area are stretched or torn, causing pain and discomfort.
3. Adductor strain: This is an injury to the muscles that run along the inside of the thigh, which can cause pain and discomfort in the groin area.
Conditions
Elbow
If you are experiencing elbow pain, it is most commonly related to overuse and tendonitis. You might experience pain on the tip of the elbow with pain when gripping and fine finger movements such as playing the piano or using a mouse or keyboard.
This requires a thorough assessment of the elbow itself, ergonomics (how you are doing things at work), as well as contributing factors that may be causing your symptoms, such as posture, neck or upper back problems, and nerve or blood vessel entrapment.
Successful treatment typically begins with physiotherapy, where we use acupuncture, laser, hands-on therapy, as well as a unique exercise program to get quick results. We frequently use acupuncture to assist in pain reduction.
A resistant tennis elbow is successfully treated with Shockwave Therapy.
Conditions
Wrist
Historically, most of our wrist patients were seen after a fall onto their outstretched hand, resulting in a Colles fracture or wrist strain. Thanks to smartphones, poor posture, and computers, pain on the side of the wrist has increased dramatically. Wrist pain can also develop during pregnancy or after the arrival of a newborn. The changes in hormones and the awkward position of your wrist while carrying and breastfeeding your newborn frequently irritate the wrist joint.
Sharp or aching pain on the thumb side of the wrist is common with our pregnant patients, but our smartphone users and chefs frequently suffer from irritation of the thumb tendons as they cross the wrist joint as well. The swelling in the tendons and their sheaths requires rest and anti-inflammatory modalities. A comprehensive evaluation of how the hand and arm function, as well as the nerves to the wrist and hand, must be carried out. For chronic conditions or pain on both sides, IMS and a thorough evaluation of the neck and upper back will be required.
Conditions
Hand
Tingling or pain in the hand or fingers is most commonly related to nerve irritation. The most common condition we see is carpal tunnel syndrome. Knowing which fingers begin to tingle or go numb is essential information for your therapist to determine where the nerve impingement is occurring. Most nerve entrapments are successfully treated with physiotherapy. Acupuncture can be effectively used to calm the nerves and alleviate your pain.
Before undergoing surgery, make sure your nerve is only entrapped at the wrist. At PhysioActive, we successfully treat most of our carpal tunnel patients without the need for surgery. A nerve is like a hose, and just because the water isn’t coming out at the end (fingers), it doesn’t mean that there aren’t problems elsewhere. Consult with your PhysioActive physiotherapists to understand your symptoms and test results, if any. Most nerve entrapments are successfully treated with physiotherapy.
Conditions of the Hand
Knee
Acute knee injuries can lead to pain and swelling. If the swelling is large and rapid (within 10 minutes), you likely have a serious ligament tear or fracture and should seek medical help. If the swelling occurs gradually over 24 hours and the pain is located on the joint line, you may have torn your meniscus. This usually occurs as a result of a twisting injury.
The most common chronic knee pain is felt on the inside of the knee. If it is on the joint line, it is most likely arthritis or a degenerative meniscal injury, and there may not be any visible swelling with these conditions. Pain is usually felt at full knee bending or straightening. If the pain is below the joint line on the tibia, it is most likely bursitis at the pes anserine, a common attachment site for several key muscles.
Pain on the front of the knee near the surface is usually coming from the kneecap. This is called patellofemoral syndrome, and the pain is usually aggravated by walking downstairs, squatting, or jumping. If the pain is below the kneecap, this could be jumper’s knee or patellar tendonitis.
In children, excessive pull from the quadriceps can cause increased strain on the patellar tendon, leading to bone growth where the tendon attaches. There can be swelling and pain at this insertion. This pediatric condition is called Osgood-Schlatter’s disease.
Our therapists will accurately assess the cause of your pain. Your evaluation and treatment will usually include the feet and pelvis in order to reduce the stress on the knees. Local treatment to heal the injured tissue and restore range of motion is essential. Ice, compression, and elevation, as well as gentle biking, can help with inflammation until you get a chance to see your therapist.
Conditions
Ankle
Inversion sprains, or “rolling your ankle,” can occur during cutting sports such as soccer, basketball, or volleyball. This usually results in pain and swelling on the outside of the ankle. If there is pain on the inside of the ankle in addition to the outside, this may indicate a more severe injury. These types of sprains can also occur while walking on uneven ground or missing a step. If you have “weak” ankles or find yourself tripping more often or rolling your ankle when walking normally, you most likely have not properly rehabilitated your proprioceptive or balance system.
Along with specific range of motion exercises and joint mobilizations (there are 33 joints in the foot), your therapist will use hands-on therapy to assess all these joints to ensure each is moving properly.
Pain on the front of the ankle can also result from tarsal tunnel syndrome, especially if it is very tender to the touch and radiating into the top of the foot and toes.
Conditions
Heel
Have you experienced searing pain that feels like a knife on the bottom of your heel with every step, especially in the morning? You likely have plantar fasciitis. If the pain is more pronounced in the back of the heel, especially when pushing off during walking, you probably have Achilles tendinitis. PhysioActive has a complete foot care program, including an ankle compression stocking, orthotics, shockwave therapy, and skilled manual therapists.
Plantar fasciitis produces sharp pain under the heel, usually worst in the morning or during the first few steps after sitting. This may or may not be associated with a heel spur. Treatment may include orthotics and modalities to decrease inflammation and promote healing. Assessment of the whole leg, back, and balance is also essential to prevent the recurrence of your pain. For the most persistent chronic conditions, shockwave therapy has a 90% effectiveness rate.
Pain at the back of the heel may be associated with swelling or thickening of the Achilles tendon. It is important to assess for any tightness in the calf. IMS may be necessary for more permanent resolution of the tightness. When stretching isn’t working, it is usually because the nerves to the leg are causing the tightness and a neurological approach will be necessary. Your physiotherapist will guide you through this process.
Conditions
Foot
Commonly, pain in the big toe or deformities of the big toe result from abnormal posture and walking. This leads to premature wearing of the toe joint, causing pain and deformation. Over time, this can lead to a bunion. If foot mechanics and walking patterns are addressed early enough, this common deformity and its associated pain can be prevented!
The second most common condition in the foot is pain in the ball of the foot, leading to searing pain and pins and needles in the toes. This condition is called metatarsalgia or Morton’s neuroma. Abnormal foot mechanics can lead to irritation of the nerves in the toes.
If you also have cold feet, excessive sweating or poor circulation, a treatment course of IMS, shockwave and osteopathy may be the extra care needed to get you better. In more acute cases physiotherapy and modalities are very successful in curing this condition. Sometimes orthotics may be necessary to offload the injured area.
Conditions
Injuries/conditions not specific to one pain area
Surprising Ailments That Can Be Treated with Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is used to maintain, gauge and rehabilitate physical function. It’s a health care profession that can be done either by itself or used together with other kinds of medical management. If you have any type of injury or disease, physiotherapy can prove useful in uncovering what’s going on with your body and can be used to manage your condition. PhysioActive can help you work your way through a variety of ailments, some of which just might surprise you. [Read More]
Conditions
Conditions only treated by Osteopathy and Traditional Chinese Medicine or Traditional Acupuncture
Conditions
- Abdominal/visceral Complaints
- Fertility Issues
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Difficult Digestion, Acid Reflux, Constipation
- Painful Periods and Ovulation/Bladder with or Without Pelvic Pain
- Peadiatric Conditions such as Colic, Development delay, Flat spots on the head
- labour Preparation and Post-natal Care
- Children: Unsettled babies, Colic, Recurrent Ear Infections
- Balance Disorders and Falls Prevention
