What is Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy or Physical therapy is defined as provision of services to people in order to restore or maintain physical and functional ability especially after time of disease process or injury, but most often it is performed to optimize physical capabilities.

WHEN TO PERFORM PHYSIOTHERAPY?

Physiotherapy is mostly believed by many people to be an exercise which maintains the working state of human body in an efficient way. Nevertheless, physio is far more than an exercise supervised by physiotherapists. Following are some of the conditions in which physiotherapy may be useful include Injuries, Post injury rehabilitation (post fracture, post-surgical), Muscular problems, Joint disorders (Osteo-arthritis), Neck pain and backaches, Spine problems (Sciatica, Spina bifida), Headaches (tension headaches), Neurological disorders (Stroke, Cerebral palsy, Multiple sclerosis), Urinary problems (stress incontinence), Gynecological problems (post labor, uterine and vaginal prolapse), Lung and heart diseases (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).

Above are some of the situations where physical therapy works as an assisting therapy along with the basic treatment modality, but the role of physiotherapists is far more than the above mentioned list.

WHO PERFORMS PHYSIOTHERAPY?

Physiotherapy is not just an exercise comprising of easy and repetitive steps. Optimal application is sometimes a challenge for even experienced physiotherapists. Use of appropriate physical therapy according to the patient's age, sex, physical condition, disease severity and physical capabilities are some of the factors that influence the approach to for physio treatment. Therefore only a physio with vast knowledge, sufficient experience and expertise is mandatory for this purpose. Such a person is termed as a Physiotherapist.

Joint Rehab, a Markham Physiotherapy Clinic that provides physical therapy. For more of please visit http://www.jointrehab.com

Benefits Of Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy, more commonly known as physical therapy, is used for a number of symptoms and conditions, and to pinpoint all of its specific benefits would mean writing an almost endless list. It's most basic definition and description includes support and the promotion of physical (and sometimes mental) function, flexibility, mobility, and strength. Physical therapy can be used as physical training to prevent and decrease damage to the body when accidents occur; however, it is mostly known for its therapeutic purposes used by those wanting to decrease and/or heal harmful physical conditions caused by accidents or disorders they've experienced.

When it comes to understanding the benefits of physical therapy more in-depth, it's important to first know how to differentiate the varying types of physical therapy, and when they're used.

• Pediatric 
Pediatric therapy is usually sought and used when early detection of harmful physical conditions has proven positive for an infant or child. Therapy sessions include the improvement and/or healing of physical strength, fine motor skills, and balance.

• Heat 
Heat therapy is used for relaxation and healing purposes of muscles, joints, and other soft tissues found within the body. It can increase blood circulation, causing a therapeutic effect on various areas of the body.

• Speech 
Speech therapy is, in fact, a type of physical therapy due to it's strengthening effect on facial muscles.

• Neurological 
When patients are suffering from neurological disorders such as cerebral palsy, strokes, Alzheimer's disease, neurological physical therapy can be used to improve physical functions damaged by the conditions.

• Orthopedic
Known as the most commonly used type of physical therapy, orthopedic physical therapy is used following serious surgery needed due to a disorder or severe accident in order to improve and/or heal physical malfunction and movement.

• Geriatric 
Geriatric therapy is used for older patients suffering from physical malfunction due to their body aging. It's very common and normal for those of older ages.

One major benefit of therapy is its effective use of pain management. There are various therapeutic methods used by physical therapists to manage, diminish, or heal pain. These physical methods include stretching exercises, aerobic exercises, various uses of ice and heat packs, ultrasound, and exercises that actually cause pain relief. These methods are known as active and passive physical therapy. Active includes physical exercises, and passive includes the use of medical technology and supplies.

One example of a specific physical therapeutic benefit is carpal tunnel syndrome. A patient who suffers from carpal tunnel syndrome experiences pain, weakness, and numbness located in the median nerve of their hand and fingers. This condition can also cause pain to shoot up through out the arm and shoulder. Physical therapy can decrease pain, and possibly improve and/or heal symptoms of the condition.

To summarize, the benefits of therapy are plentiful, effective, and worth the medical care. They include pain management, body, mobility, flexibility, and mind strengthening. They can decrease, manage, or completely heal dysfunctional properties of the body due to disorders or accidents.

Joint Rehab Providing services in Physiotherapy in Markham, ON. For more information visit www.jointrehab.ca

Running Returns

Running Returns

Most running related injuries occur when someone returns to running after a period of inactivity, or starts running for the first time. The way you build up your running capacity is critical, and I’m not just talking about your lungs screaming “What the hell are you doing to us???”. This column is dedicated to all the Bulls at Gates out there, who do too much too soon, and end up knocking on our door.
Our body, its bones and soft tissues adapt to load over time. Depending on the sport or activity you are involved in, strength of bone, muscles and their attachment sites will gradually build up to cope with those demands. In the case of running, we are referring to the capacity of:

• the tibia - (main lower leg bone) to absorb shock
• the plantar fascia (tissue in the sole of your foot that holds up your arch) – to cope with repeated foot strike
• the calf muscle – strength to repeatedly push off
• the Achilles tendon – to attenuate forces and shock absorb
• other lower leg muscles – to control foot position eg avoid pronation

These tissue adaptations take time to occur – 6 to 12 weeks at a minimum. If the legs are given too much repeated impact too soon, before they have had a chance to adapt, injuries will occur. The most common ones are ‘shin splints’ (tibia), ‘plantar fasciitis’ (sole of the foot), calf strain, and Achilles tendinopathy.
So here are some guidelines to follow when starting running:

• Run on alternate days so that tissues can rest and heal
• Start at 15 minutes jog (or less if you need to)
• Once you have completed 3 runs at a certain time length, add 5 minutes to the length of the run
• Run at about 70% capacity, no hills
• You can walk to increase your overall exercise session to 30 or 40 minutes, then gradually replace the walking with running
• Stretch all the main leg muscle groups at least 3 times a week, after, or at separate times to, your exercise
• If you get persisting pain in your feet or legs (eg lasts more than 3 runs), do not progress, and see a Physiotherapist

After 6 to 8 weeks, continue to progress, but make sure you only change 1 variable at a time, eg

• Adding speed
• Adding hills
• Consecutive days
• Longer runs

Remember that the more running you do, the more important it is to recover properly. This includes more stretching, massage, and cross training in the form of swimming, cycling etc. We are a lot like a car – the more kilometers we do, the more servicing and maintenance we need!
If you are already a runner, and you want to train up for an event like a half or full marathon, the same principles apply. Remember that your training is not just about building fitness, but also tissue tolerance. You may feel like you can smash out a 30km run on the weekend, but are your tissues ready? If you have only been doing 5km runs, chances are, they are not ready! Tissue stress is cumulative too, so even if you survive that first 30km run, you are likely to create injuries if you continue with the dramatically increased volumes.

Contact Us:

Joint Rehab - Physiotherapy - Massage Therapy
Ontario 48 Markham, 

ON L6E1A1 Canada‎

Tel: +1 905-471-3535 (Map)