Laser Therapy Now At Tri City Physiotherapy

“Proven Results with the Speed of Light”

Phototherapy or Laser, is a therapeutic modality that uses photons (light energy) for tissue healing and pain reduction. It can be referred to as a variety of names such as laser and light therapy, low level laser and cold laser therapy.

We now have a MedX laser  that we are using with positive results and great feedback from patients.  You can read more about the laser and the conditions it can treat at http://www.medxhealth.com/medxconditions.html

How it works:

Light energy penetrates through the skin and is absorbed by the mitochondria (the energy machines) of cells of our bodies. Light energy is then converted into bio-chemical energy which helps restore normal cell function.

Effects of laser and light therapy:

-increases circulation and helps remove pain-causing substances from the site of injury

-helps reduce inflammation

-alters the pain threshold of our nociceptors (pain signaling receptors)

-enhances the release of endorphins (our ‘feel good’ neurotransmitters)

Scared of Needles?

Laser is the most effective alternative to needles for Acupuncture. A laser beam is a beam of extremely pure and concentrated light. The advantage of a pure light is that it can be used to produce very precise therapeutic effects. Each type of laser emits a specific wavelength of light. All of these have individual applications, which are used to treat different types of ailments.

All in all, laser helps:

-control pain, ease muscle strain, reduce muscle spasm, improve range of motion and helps bring down inflammation and swelling.

If you want to try the healing power of laser therapy or want to find out more.  Call us to book an appointment or to talk to one of our staff about the potential benefits laser therapy can do for you.

Partnering with Local YMCA

Here at Tri City Physiotherapy we are proud to say that we have partnered with our local Cambridge YMCA to help promote cardiac health with the 120 over 80 campaign.

This campaign is aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle through diet and exercise to achieve an optimal blood pressure, leading to a reduction of in one of the risk factors associated with Heart Attacks and Strokes.

We are already partnered with the YMCA in Cambridge to provide continuity to the education and exercise program we give our Cardiac Rehabilitation patient and hope this new project will lead to an even healthier community.  Please visit their website or head over to our office or our local YMCA for more details.

YMCAs of Cambridge and Kitchener-Waterloo are offering a free 120 Over 80 Wellness Series at the A.R. Kaufman Family YMCA (333 Carwood Avenue, Kitchener) this fall. Learn from experts in a wide range of health topics. Each evening will be an interactive presentation where you can ask questions, discover community resources, and learn about yourself as you gather information to help you lead a healthier life.
Please check out www.120over80.ca for more information.

Man I feel Dizzy – Vertigo and physical therapy

Why did I get Dizzy?

Diseases of the vestibular system can induce vertigo and dizziness, often accompanied by nausea.  80% of people over the age of 65 have experienced dizziness and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).  BPPV is the cause of approximately 50% of dizziness in older persons.  About half the time, doctors can’t find a specific cause for BPPV.  Whiplash and head trauma is a frequent cause of vestibular disorders in people under the age of 50.

Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) can help people with a variety of vestibular problems, including benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), Ménière’s disease, labyrinthitis, vestibular neuritis or even a result of trauma. Even individuals with long-term unresolved inner ear disorders who have undergone a period of medical management with little or no success may benefit. VRT can also help people with an acute or abrupt loss of vestibular function following motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries and surgery for vestibular problems.

What is Vestibular rehabilitation therapy?

The Vestibular system contributes to balance in humans and most mammals. The vestibular system sends signals primarily to the areas of the brain that control eye movements, and to the muscles that keep us upright.

Vestibular rehabilitation is a manual therapy and exercise based program, where a qualified physiotherapist will first perform a thorough evaluation that begins with a medical history and includes an assessment of posture, balance and gait, and compensatory strategies. Using the evaluation results, the therapist will develop a custom program for your particular problem. Depending on the diagnosis, the therapist may also perform some re-positioning procedures and teach you how to do them on your own at home to help treat and prevent future problems. In most BPPV cases only one or two in-clinic re-positioning procedures are enough cure the problem.

If you experience dizziness associated with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), consider these tips and remember SAFETY FIRST

  • Be aware of the possibility of losing your balance, which can lead to falling and serious injury.
  • Sit down immediately when you feel dizzy.
  • Use good lighting if you get up at night.
  • Walk with a cane for stability if you’re at risk of falling.
  • Work closely with your doctor to manage your symptoms effectively.
  • Have someone drive you to your appointments

BPPV may recur even after successful therapy.  The condition can be managed safely and effectively with physical therapy and home treatments.  If you suffer from BPPV or any other conditions that affect your balance or make you dizzy, contact our office to schedule your assessment today.

Put Nature’s Call On Hold!

Many of you have probably heard of the famous “Kegal” exercises.  Well, “Kegals” do NOT treat all kinds of pelvic pain and urinary incontinence.  If your pelvic floor muscles tend to be shortened, then kegals are not for you.  However, if you pelvic floor muscles are long and weak, then progressive pelvic floor strengthening and control  may be the right solution.  Now, you are probably wondering, “Well, how do I know if my pelvic floor muscles are short and tight or weak and long?

The answer to your question is pelvic floor physiotherapy.  Physiotherapists that have been trained in pelvic floor rehabilitation, will need to perform a thorough assessment which would help to determine what the right treatment plan is for you.  Your physiotherapist will ask you questions regarding how and when the problem started and get the details about what exactly you are experiencing.  Then, the next part of the assessment may involve a visual and manual vaginal and/or rectal examination in order to determine the source of the problem.  In addition to your pelvic floor assessment, your abdominal muscles, your low back and your hips may be assessed to see if there are any other factors affecting your pelvic function.

Patient education should focus on reassurance and the actual anatomy of the pelvis.  Treatment may take the form of exercise training: keeping a bladder diary; learning to use the proper muscles in the most proper way, behavior modifications, manual therapy to recover tissue mobility, and even changes in your diet.  The exercises will be specific to the problems that were found in your assessment: they could focus on strength, control and timing, and endurance, or even yoga and relaxation of an over active muscle.

Arm Bike / Ergonometer is here

I’m very excited to announce that Tri City Physiotherapy will now offer a top of the line upper body ergometer to offer an even wider range of rehab options for our patients.  An upper body ergometer is best described as a bicycle for your arms. Your hands hold pedals and your arms move around in circles as if pedaling a bike. You can sit or stand in front of the ergometer for a no-impact cardiovascular workout that uses only your upper body.

Upper body (arm) ergometers aren’t a gym staple, but they’re becoming more readily available in many of the top physical therapy offices, hospitals, and universities. These machines are targeted to meet the fitness and rehab needs of individuals who cannot use their legs for physical activity, either due to an acute injury or chronic pain, or for those patients with an upper body injury trying to return range or motion or strength to their upper body.  These machines offer a great cardio workout that uses the upper body instead of your legs.

Who can use an upper body ergometer?

  • Individuals with spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, or lower body disability
  • Individuals with chronic pain in the knees, feet, ankles, or hips.
  • Individuals who need a low-impact exercise program
  • Individuals who are recovering from foot or leg injury/surgery and have clearance to continue working out, but can’t use their legs.
  • Anyone who wants to vary their cardio workout program

Shoulder Pain or Problems?  Just had upper body surgery?

No problems at all…  If you have shoulder pain, shoulder surgery, or any other upper extremity problem that may affect the strength or endurance of your arms, your therapist may choose to have you use the upper body ergometer while in the clinic. Also, if you have worn a sling while healing from injury, you may notice that the strength and endurance of your arms is impaired. The upper body ergometer can help you improve your strength and endurance to help improve the function in your arms getting you back to your regular self faster.

Is it Safe if I’ve had Heart attack, or Bypass Surgery?

If you have had a heart attack, cardiac problems, Bypass surgery, or pulmonary (lung) problems, your doctor may refer you to physical therapy for cardiac or pulmonary rehabilitation. The upper body ergometer may be used to help improve your cardiac endurance or pulmonary function so you can quickly get back to normal activities.

Bypass patients still have to follow the standard restrictions for upper body exercises for the first part of their rehabilitation.  Once these restrictions have been removed by the supervising therapist in conjunction with the supervising physician, the upper body ergometer can be safely added to the rehab process.

Sci Fit Pro

We have ordered the Sci Fit Pro 1 http://scifit.com/proseries/pro1.shtml there is lots of good information on their website as well as lots of details about the machine.  Some of the features are:

  • Adjustable tilt head for all heights and ranges of motion
  • True , adjustable step-through accessibility
  • Bi-directional exercise
  • Iso-Strength safe, accommodating strength program
  • Very low starting resistance
  • Wheelchair platform
  • Fully adjustable seat

This model is compatible with the polar straps, so our cardiac patients can still monitor their heart rate using their straps.   Our non-cardiac patients can buy or bring their own polar straps to use with our machines.

For those interested in any of the scientific articles and research behind the upper body ergometer, please ask one of our staff members and we’d be happy to provide them for you.

We’re all excited and looking forward to adding this great piece of equipment into your rehab routine.