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20 Dec

It is always an inconvenience when our bodies don’t perform the way we want them to. It is especially worrisome when we don’t understand why we aren’t feeling at our best. Many times, the feeling of being “off” can be attributed to a vestibular problem. Vestibular disorders can affect a person in numerous ways, and often without any pattern. The vestibular system includes the parts of the inner ear and brain that help control balance and eye movements. It consists of five sensory organs that provide our brain with information about head position and movement.

People with vestibular disorders often experience problems with vertigo, dizziness, and visual disturbance. Although dizziness & vertigo can occur in people of any age, it is more common among older adults. The feeling of dizziness can be tough to manage and might cause someone to restrict their physical activities and social engagements in order to prevent an injury from a fall. Other typical, secondary problems that can arise from vestibular disorders are nausea/vomiting that reduced the ability to focus or concentrate and fatigue.

Vestibular Rehab Therapy Mississauga

Evidence has shown that vestibular rehabilitation can be effective in improving symptoms related to many vestibular disorders. Symptoms due to vestibular disorders can reduce the quality of life and slow down all aspects of our daily routine.

Also read, Physiotherapy Clinic in Oakville

Some common symptoms are:

  1. Dizziness and imbalance
  2. Decreased in muscular strength and flexibility
  3. Increased joint stiffness
  4. Reduced on stamina
  5. Vision disturbance
  6. Hearing changes
  7. Psychological changes

Diagnosis and treatment are not always the only solution for vestibular disorders. It is important to understand some common, significant limitations in order to better manage them.

Also read, Physiotherapy Mississauga

Some common limitations are:

  1. Balance is commonly taken for granted until it is impaired
  2. People with vestibular disorders can suffer cognitive impacts, such as poor concentration, memory, and word recall
  3. People also restrict their movement and activity levels to avoid pain

It is important to note that most of these symptoms can also be caused by other conditions and should be discussed with a healthcare professional or a skilled physiotherapist. At Triangle Physiotherapy, with the help of our skilled team of physiotherapists, your vestibular issues can become a thing of the past!

18 Jul

Who doesn’t want to stay flexible, especially as they age? Well, stretching is one very good way to stay flexible! According to the American College of Sports Medicine, it’s good to stretch all the major muscle groups at least two times a week. Stretching is an integral part of physiotherapy, and a physiotherapist is the perfect person to guide you on how to stretch. Physiotherapists recommend stretching regularly, as it keeps one’s hips and hamstrings flexible later in life, which is very important for easy movement in old age.

Apart from this stretching has many other benefits:

  • It increases muscle flexibility
  • It improves posture
  • It also improves performance in sports & other activities
  • It provides relief from stress
  • It helps prevent injuries
  • It prevents Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness or DOMS, which is the soreness and pain one suffers a few hours to a few days after hectic exercise.

Also read, Physiotherapy Etobicoke

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The first question that many wonder about, is what body parts should one stretch.
In physiotherapy, stretching the following body parts is considered essential –

  • Neck
  • Jaw
  • Upper Back
  • Shoulders
  • Triceps
  • Biceps
  • Wrists
  • Quadriceps
  • Calves
  • Hamstrings
  • Hips
  • Groin

The next thing to take into consideration is if there is the right amount of time to stretch. While there is no particular amount of time that physiotherapists suggest you stretch, recent studies show that 3 sets of 30-second stretches, 5 days per week for 4 weeks help to strengthen hamstring muscles greatly.
Also read, Physiotherapy Treatment Oakville

There are many kinds of Stretching that physiotherapists recommend.

Stretching a muscle to its full extent and holding it for 15 to 30 is known as the Static Stretch. You can exceed this time frame a bit but don’t stretch until it hurts, as you can end up doing more damage to your muscles than good by over stretching. However, don’t do Static Stretches before a run or sprint, as this can slow down your speed by tiring out the muscles.
Before warming up for a run or other sports, doing Dynamic Stretches is more suitable. Dynamic Stretches are stretches that you do, as you are moving, and hence are called dynamic.
Another effective way of stretching, often used in physiotherapy, is Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) Stretching.
PNF stretching is an advanced type of stretching wherein the targeted muscle or muscle group, is stretched, contracted, and finally relaxed. This process is repeated at least 2 to 4 times before moving on to the next muscle group. PNF stretching helps to elongate one’s muscles and was first developed as a muscle therapy by athletes, but is now often used in physiotherapy as a means of increasing flexibility.
Stretching can be used as a preventative precaution, but also to help correct and recover from more serious issues. A physiotherapist can guide you more regarding the stretching exercises that will be best suited to your needs. So visit any of our locations in Etobicoke, Oakville, North York, Mississauga & Toronto, and find out how you can get the most out of stretching!

24 May

Yoga has been gaining immense popularity lately, due to the short-term as well as long-term benefits that it provides. Practicing yoga provides a strong spiritual element that offers fitness and flexibility. People suffering from various health disorders can find solutions through yoga, and they may reap the extra benefits yoga provides through living a more stress-free lifestyle as well as with increased fitness.

Yoga for a healthy life

Yoga is an ancient system of health that promotes ‘union’ and connects the body, mind, breath and spirit as one unit, therefore enhancing and promoting an overall balanced lifestyle of health and well-being.
Also read, Best Physiotherpist in Oakville

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If practiced regularly the benefits of yoga are numerous. Physically and mentally, yoga may result in:

  • Improvement in muscular strength
  • Endurance
  • Flexibility
  • Body awareness
  • Circulation
  • Digestion
  • Hormonal balance
  • Normalizing blood pressure
  • Weight loss
  • Pain relief
  • Alertness
  • Concentration
  • Improvement in sleep
  • And much, much more!

It is believed that we only have a limited number of breaths in each life. Hence,yoga is believed to stretch our lives out a bit longer by taking slow and deep breaths.

Also read, Physiotherapy Treatment in Mississauga

Research has also suggested that yoga improves social and occupational functioning in schizophrenic patients.

Styles:

Some styles of yoga emphasize breathing and meditation, with limited activity; some styles emphasize form and alignment through postures, some are about a serious workout and flow, & some are all about relaxation.

Not a competition:

Don’t try a posture that you are uncomfortable with; don’t let someone else push you into something that you don’t want to do; and don’t think that you have to compete with yourself or others to achieve a posture.

Yoga is not about competition or feeling the burn.  However, a little discomfort is to be expected.  There is a huge difference between pain and discomfort, and most people mistake one for the other, especially when they are new to yoga practice.

Consult A Physiotherapist
At Triangle Physiotherapy, we work with the help of your medical history and assess how yoga may help guide your health in the right direction. All you need to do is overlook your anxieties related to your health, and feel free to contact any of our five locations for an in-depth consultation.

24 May

Massage therapy has a positive effect on a plethora of medical conditions. It rejuvenates both your mind and muscles. Everyone experiences pain, the only difference is some continue to suffer and some proactively seek pain relief through massage therapy.  Our skin is the largest organ in our body. The skin interfaces with the environment and is the first line of defense from external factors. Taking good care of your skin through massage therapy will help keep your skin healthy and muscles rejuvenated. Massage therapy is regarded as one of the oldest healthcare professions. Massage therapy is not just for the skin and muscles, it can also help to reduce high blood pressure, lower chances of depression and relieve headaches.

Massage Therapy Mississauga
Also read, Physiotherapy Etobicoke
Healing from a car accident injury through massage therapy
Car accidents can cause a variety of physical problems, and many people seek physiotherapy and/or massage therapy for relief from whiplash and other aches and pains. Massage therapy has the potential for facilitating health, wellness, and injury recovery from car accidents.

  • Massage therapy can relieve Whiplash

Whiplash injuries are common in car and sports accidents. People who get whiplash may experience pain, stiffness, and poor range of motion, among other symptoms. Some people may feel mental or emotional symptoms such as loss of memory or focus, insomnia, and depression. If you have whiplash, ask your physician about adding massage to your physical therapy regimen, as the combination could help speed up your recovery.

  • Massage Therapy for Knee Injuries

People in car accidents often injure their knees (though not as often as heads, necks, and spines). Statistics show car crash victims often injure their Anterior Cruciate Ligaments (ACLs), as do many athletes. Massage therapy has been shown to provide pain relief and healing for people with a wide variety of knee problems.
Also read, Physiotherapy Clinic in Oakville

  • Massage therapy helps to recover from Immediate emotional trauma
    If you’re in a car crash, you may suffer emotionally even if you do not sustain any physical injuries. Massage therapy, especially within several hours of an auto accident, can help people recover their emotional balance.
    We all suffer from adverse health effects both psychological and physical, and stress is one of the important factors to look after. A massage can help reduce everyday stress by helping muscles to relieve and relax through the pressure points manually worked on by one of our experienced massage therapists.
    Our registered massage therapists at Triangle Physiotherapy are happy to assist you with any questions pertaining to your health goals and guide you on the road to recovery. Adding massage therapy to your healthcare/recovery plan will provide natural relief without the aid of painkillers. Living pain-free naturally is our goal, and at Triangle Physiotherapy, we will guide you every step of the way.
16 Mar

What exactly are shin splints? Are they treatable?

Shin splints are a condition characterized by damage and inflammation of the connective tissue joining muscles to the inner shin bone (tibia). Shin splints are known by many different names such as: Medial Tibial Tenoperiostitus, MTSS, Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome, Tenoperiostitus of the Shin, Inflammatory Shin Pain, Traction Periostitis, and Posterior Shin Splint Syndrome. Several muscles lie at the back of the lower leg, and are collectively known as the calf muscles. The tibialis posterior, flexor digitorum longus, flexor hallicus, and soleus are muscles that lie deep within the calf and attach to the inner border of the tibia. Connective tissues are responsible for attaching these muscles to the tibia known as the tenoperiosteum. Every time the calf contracts, it pulls on the tenoperiosteum. When the tension becomes forced too much or is repeated frequently, the damage is caused to the tenoperiosteum. The results are inflammation and pain. Shin splints can also occur in combination with other pathologies that cause shin pain such as compartment syndrome and tibial stress fractures. Patients who suffer from shin splints experience pain along the inner border of the shin. In other cases, the patient may experience an ache or stiffness along the inner aspect of the shin that increases with rest (typically and night or first thing in the morning). Areas of muscle tightness, thickening, or lumps may also be felt in the same area of pain. Physiotherapy Downtown Toronto

There are several factors that predispose patients to shin splints:

• Excessive training or exercise • Poor foot posture (especially in patients with flat feet) • Inappropriate footwear • Inadequate warm-up• Training on hard or inappropriate surfaces • Muscle weakness (especially in calve muscles) • Tightness in specific joints (such as ankle) • Tightness in specific muscles (calves especially) • Poor lower limb biomechanics • Poor training techniques or methods • Leg length differences • Poor balance • Being overweight • Deconditioning • Poor core stability Also read, Physiotherapy Clinic in Oakville Physiotherapy treatment for patients with shin splints is vital to speed up the healing process. Physiotherapy will ensure the most optimal outcome and reduce the likelihood of recurrence. Treatment may comprise of the following:
  • Deep tissue massage
  • Joint mobilization
  • Dry needling
  • Electrotherapy
  • PNF stretches
  • Arch support taping
  • The use of orthotics or shock-absorbing insoles
  • Crutches
  • Biomechanical correction
  • Ice or heat treatment
  • Exercises to improve flexibility, balance, strength, and core stability
  • Activity modification advice
  • Anti-inflammatory advice
  • Footwear advice
  • Weight loss advice where appropriate
Also read, Physiotherapy Clinic in Mississauga If you happen to suffer from shin splints and you are looking for a way to relieve pain, stress, and improve overall health, try adding physical therapy to a routine wellness plan. Our physiotherapists at Triangle Physiotherapy can be a powerful ally when combating daily stress, muscle pain, and general health issues when it comes to shin splints. Not only does physical therapy relieve pain, increase energy levels, and improve overall physical and mental performance, it prevents further injuries.

Click HERE to book an appointment with a physiotherapist at one of our eight locations.

14 Mar

Do your legs tingle, become numb, or feel weak? You may be experiencing Sciatica. The term Sciatica describes leg pain that originates from the lower back and travels through the buttock and down the large sciatic nerve in the back of each leg. Sciatica is not a medical diagnosis in and of itself –it is a symptom of an underlying medical condition. Common lower back problems such as: lumbar herniated disc, degenerative disc disease, and spondylolisthesis can cause sciatica symptoms.

Sciatica is often characterized by one or more of the following symptoms:

• Constant pain in only one side of the buttock or leg (rarely in both legs)
• Pain that becomes worse when sitting
• Leg pain that is described as burning, tingling, or searing
• Weakness, numbness, or difficulty moving the leg, foot, and/or toes
• A sharp pain that may make it difficult to stand up or walk
• Pain that radiates down the leg and possibly into the foot and toes

Physiotherapy exercises incorporating a combination of strengthening, stretching, and aerobic conditioning are a central component of almost any sciatica treatment plan.
• Strengthening exercises- Most of these back exercises focus not only on the lower back, but also the abdominal muscles, and the buttock and hip muscles.
• Stretching exercises- Stretches for sciatica are designed to target muscles that cause pain when they are tight and inflexible.
• Low-impact aerobic exercise- Some form of low-impact cardiovascular exercise such as: walking, swimming, or pool therapy is usually a component of recovery, as aerobic activity encourages the exchange of fluids and nutrients to help create a better healing environment.


Also read, Physiotherapy Clinic Etobicoke


When patients engage in a regular program of gentle exercises, they can recover more quickly from sciatica pain and are less likely to have future episodes of pain. As sciatica is due to pressure on the sciatic nerve, it stands to reason that treatment involves removing this pressure. Your physiotherapy treatment aims to achieve this by reducing nerve pressure caused by poorly moving spinal joints as well as easing muscular tension in the lower spine, buttock, and leg.


If you are suffering from sciatica please do not delay. You can achieve the best results when you address the symptoms early!

Click HERE to book an appointment with a physiotherapist at one of our eight locations.