Things you need to know about active release technique (ART)
What is Active Release Therapy and how does ART help?
Active Release Techniques (ART) is a patented soft tissue technique that treats problems with muscles, tendons, fascia, ligaments, and nerves by using isolated pressure and movements on soft tissues to release adhesions. It is very effective in improving pain and increasing blood flow and healing soft tissues.
How does the active release technique work?
During an ART session, the therapists identify, isolate and target the affected areas by using their hands to locate an area with adhesion. They then apply traction to that specific area while the patient moves their body, in order to pull the muscle underneath. This technique helps break up the scar tissue which helps the area restore proper blood flow.
Active Release Therapy works by breaking up adhesions, which are a microscopic form of scar tissue. This can cause pain, weakness, reduced flexibility, and nerve damage.
What are the benefits of Art?
The active release technique is very beneficial for neck, lower back, shoulder, and knee pain.
List Of Benefits Of Art (Active Release Technique):
- Improve flexibility
- Reduces Pain
- Promotes faster recovery
- Enhances athletic performance
- Improves circulation
What injuries can you treat with Active Release Technique?
- Sciatica
- Ankle sprains
- Iliotibial Band Syndrome
- Hamstring strain
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
- TMJ Disorders
- Plantar fasciitis
- Neck and Low back pain
- Nerve Entrapment
- Radial Tunnel Syndrome.
- Repetitive strain injuries
- Shoulder impingement
- Medial and Lateral Epicondylitis
How Does ART Help?
The active Release Technique helps restore the function of soft tissue which helps prevent injuries and promotes faster recovery. Active Release Therapy helps break up adhesions which then aid in restoring normal tissue motion and function.
How effective is ART and Does the Active Release Technique Really Work?
Numerous studies show that ART is a highly effective soft tissue treatment. In fact, it has been extremely popular with athletes, especially in North America helps them train better and be injury free.
How Long Does Active Release Technique Take To Work?
The time it takes for Art to work varies depending on how long the individual has had the injury and other factors. Our chiropractor will create a treatment plan for you based on the assessment findings.
How To Do Active Release Technique
During Active Release Therapy (ART), a muscle is shortened and the therapist applies tension to the muscle while the patient moves the area to actively lengthen the muscle. This may cause some pain but this is normal because this technique works by increasing the nervous system’s tolerance to the stretch to a tight muscle.
Is Active Release Technique Covered By Insurance?
Active release therapy at our clinics is done by our registered chiropractors so it will cover your sessions if your insurance plan covers chiropractic care.
History of Active Release Technique
ART has been developed, refined, and patented by P. Michael Leahy, DC, CCSP. He developed this technique because he noticed that his patient’s symptoms seemed to be related to the changes in the soft tissue which he could palpate. This technique method focuses on relieving tension in the tissue caused by repetitive movement.
This technique revolves completely around the patient’s symptoms and aims to treat soft tissue mobility issues with tendons, ligaments, muscles, nerves, and fascia.
Dr. Leahy consistently helped heal 90% of his patients’ issues. In 1985, he first documented his work under the title of Myofascial Release, but later on, he patented it under the name Active Release Techniques. He is now teaching healthcare providers all over the world to use ART.
How Much Does Active Release Technique Cost?
Art is done by our chiropractors. The fees for chiropractic services are:
Initial session which is an hour long and includes assessment and assessment for $125.
A 30 minute follow up treatment session is for $95.
How Art Is Different Considered To Many Other Soft Tissue Techniques?
The main difference between Active Release Therapy and any other soft tissue techniques is that ART incorporates active movement into treatment. While the therapist presses on the affected area, the patient actively moves the affected structure.
Active Release Technique Vs Myofascial Release
- Is Active Release Technique the same As Myofascial Release?
Active Release Therapy is an advanced form of Myofascial release and its main goal is to break up adhesions which helps with the reduction of pain and increases the range of motion. It also helps reduce inflammation by improving circulation.
The main goal of Myofascial Release Therapy is to loosen the fascia and release restrictions to restore the range of motion and decrease pain.
In Myofascial Release Therapy, the therapist applies gentle but firm pressure to areas known as trigger point areas to release the tension.
People often ask us if physiotherapy is the same as physical therapy, and the answer is yes. In fact, the term physiotherapy and physical therapy can almost be used interchangeably.
Are there any differences and similarities between physical therapy and physiotherapy?
In general, there are no differences between physical therapy and physiotherapy except the term physiotherapy is used for those based in Australia, Canada, or Ireland while the term physical therapy is used by those based primarily in the United States.
Although some believe that there is a slight difference when it comes to its approach. Some would say physiotherapy uses more hands on approach and manual therapy while physical therapy is more exercise based on its approach.
Ultimately, it shouldn’t matter which term is used, be it physiotherapy or physical therapy, as long as you see someone who is registered and will provide you with the proper treatment and care to help you with your condition and improve the quality of your life.
We hope this has helped answer your questions with regards to these terms so you no longer have to wonder if physical therapy is the same as physiotherapy.
Often, we get confused between Physiotherapy and Physiology both as both have many similarities, but they have a set of differences too.
What is Physiotherapy and what does a physical therapist do?
Physiotherapy or Physical Therapy is a medical treatment where patients face problems of mobility, function, and wellbeing; pain in specific locations of a body especially body parts that are in constant motion like bones, tissues, etc. it helps through physical rehabilitation, injury prevention. Tests are carried out to determine the limitations of the patient which further helps in formulating the set of exercises that will aid in restoring movement.
Physiotherapist duties are:
- Detect patient’s medical issues in order to help the patient recover from illness, accident, or injury.
- Provide a clear and well-organized exercise program with clearly defined goals and milestone targets.
- Set objectives for patient progress and document it.
- Set up an exercise session as a part of the treatment, maintain detailed reports of future exercise planning.
- Prepare an evaluation document, instruct patients to use exercise equipment such as walkers.
- Inform the patient about the benefits of exercise to mentally motivate them.
- Follow the doctor’s directions to prescribe exercises meanwhile assisting doctors and nurses if required.
What is Physiology and what does a Physiologist do?
Physiology is a medical treatment and a detailed study of the anatomy of the body organs and their cells, this treatment aims at preventing chronic diseases and providing physical health benefits suffering from injuries. It treats diseases like obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes.
Physiologist responsibilities are:
- Monitor and record patients’ health and medical performance while exercising and under medication, make thorough observations over time to deliver results to the physician.
- Use medical equipment and machinery when going through the exercise of lungs and heart.
- Performing tests to evaluate physical and mental stress levels.
- Simultaneously work with physiotherapists to evaluate results.
- Create a plan of types of exercises to be followed.
- Assess the treatment’s effectiveness to fetch the right results.
Differences between Physiologist and Physical Therapist
- Physiologists and exercise physiologist degree requirements both undertake 4 years of university training, both theoretical and practical, studying subjects such as anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics, etc. Both are recognized by Medicare, TAC, WorkCover, and private health funds, and require yearly professional development.
2. Physiologists provide prescription and teach trigger point therapy and self-massage techniques, using exercise equipment such as foam rollers and trigger point balls. Physiotherapists, on the other hand, can deliver soft tissue mobilization through massage, acupuncture, dry needling, and ultrasounds, guide you through self-massage techniques as well.
3. Physiotherapists evaluate the injury diagnosis and prognosis, whereas Physiologists receive the injury diagnosis and deliver the rehabilitation prognosis.
4. Physiologists specialize in providing lifestyle modification techniques to support those with a wide range of chronic health conditions to promote improved health and wellness and decrease risk. Physiotherapists will overall specialize in the acute phase of an injury, and can often also deliver long-term rehabilitation and health monitoring.
5. Exercise physiology accreditation and the conditions they work with:
- Cancer treatment recovery
- Chronic pain and fatigue
- Managing osteoarthritis pain
- Osteoporosis and arthritis
- Diabetes
- Metabolic Syndrome
- Mental health
- Musculoskeletal
- Neurological (Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy)
- Obesity
- Pulmonary
- Cardiovascular
If you are facing difficulties, visit us for professional therapies from our certified experts:
6. Conditions physical therapists work with:
- Mobility and balance concerns/falls
- Back or other spinal joint pain
- Sports injuries
- Chronic pain
- Post-surgery rehabilitation
- Cardiorespiratory issues
- Neurological (injuries) conditions – for example stroke
- Parkinson’s disease
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Arthritis- for example osteoarthritis/rheumatoid arthritis
Injury Cycle – Acute Phase
Immediately post-injury (this is often called the ‘acute phase’ of the injury), a medical patient should visit a Physiotherapist to control the inflammation of the joint and the pain caused by its movement and friction.
At this stage, Physiotherapists are able to provide a diagnosis of the types of injury, provide manual therapy, and if needed, provide temporary mobility aids such as a splint or crutch.
Injury Cycle – Recovery Phase
The next phase of rehabilitation that is 3 to 4 weeks post-injury, is when a Physical Therapist will come into the play and provide treatment in order to introduce exercises to regain range of movement, including mobilization of soft tissue structures, and restore joint mobility and strength to optimize function.
All exercises prescribed by the Exercise Physiologist are made to achieve each individual’s activities of daily living and rehabilitation or performance goals.
Exercises recommended by the Physical Therapists are made to achieve an individual’s daily life activities and rehabilitation or performance targets.
Difference between Physiology and Physiotherapy
| Physiotherapy | Physiology |
| Disorders concerning muscle and bones are treated by physiotherapy. This includes some medical conditions such as arthritis, joint aches, back pain, cardiorespiratory ailments like emphysema, asthma, neurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease, stroke, and post-surgery complications, etc. | Physiology focuses on increasing metabolism and physical energy during the course of treatment along with rehabilitation. The diseases treated by physiological exercises are obesity, hypertension, diabetes, immunity complexities, arthritis, etc. |
| The techniques used by Physiotherapy are manipulation, electrotherapy, mobilization, therapeutic physiotherapy exercises, and gentle massage. These are performed by trained physiotherapists after evaluating the patient’s physical conditions. | Physiological treatments are not rendered after identifying the problem. The treatment to lower any kind of discomfort before a proper diagnosis is a part of physiology exercises. In physiology, a proper plan is designed with the mainstream treatment and changes in lifestyle and behavior. |
| Physiotherapy can be studied at the Bachelors’s level (BPT) course. | Physiology is a higher academic course at the Post Graduate level of medical science. One has to complete MBBS before opting for MD in Physiology. |
Why do you need a Physical Therapist and how can it help you?
Using these checklists is a great way to decide which health professional is best for you.
- Do you have pain that is new, unexpected, or not yet diagnosed?
- Or you have a type of sports injury, or have you recently undergone orthopedic surgery?
- Do you require hands-on treatment for symptomatic relief such as acupuncture, manipulation or massage?
If you have answered yes to any of the above questions, then a Physical Therapist may be for you!
It’s well known that exercising for the proper duration and intensity may help improve the quality and length of life – it may decrease the incidence of obesity and chronic health conditions. Accredited Exercise Physiologists can work with such conditions through prescriptions and proper training.
Our Exercise Physiologists are university-qualified health professionals who provide safe, effective exercise programs, tailor-made to meet your health goals.
Do you need a physiologist and physical therapist and how can they help you?
Using these checklists is a great way to decide which health professional is best for you.
- Are you recovering from an injury, or have a prior injury that you do not want to worsen, however, wish to get fit and healthy?
- Do you have a chronic health condition (such as diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, asthma, obesity, osteoporosis, etc.) that exercise could assist with?
- If you have goals around losing weight or maintaining a healthy weight?
- Do you seek a specifically drafted and prescribed exercise program that will meet your health and wellness needs?
At the end of the day, there is a degree of overlap between both professions as they aid in treating many different conditions and aspects of health and wellbeing. The take-home message here is that if you are in the acute stages of rehabilitation then a Physiotherapist may be the right person to seek treatment from. However, if you are in the sub-acute and recovery or chronic stage of rehabilitation then receiving treatment from an expert physiologist for a specific and individually tailored exercise program is what you need.
For further information regarding how an Accredited Exercise Physiologist can help you contact us at different physiotherapy clinics in GTA.
Importance of Physiotherapy Exercises
Physiotherapy exercises have a major role to play in the recovery plan for any injury or accident. It is directed towards specific objectives like restoring muscular and skeletal function, increase circulation, reduce muscle spasms and improve overall strength and well-being. Gone are the days when a patient was told to just rest for two or three weeks, sometimes even long after an injury. Advanced physiotherapy exercises are now a part of the treatment plan and have in fact become an important modality in managing musculoskeletal conditions. These days, Physiotherapy exercises constitute a huge part of the recovery plan post any injury or trauma. You can consult our specialized Physiotherapy services in GTA.
There are various reasons why you should include Physiotherapy exercises in your recovery plan. Here are the reasons you should have to keep moving for better recovery and overall strength –
- Reduces or eliminates pain – Physiotherapy exercises like joint or soft tissue mobilization helps in reducing pain and restoring joint and muscle function. It also helps in preventing the pain from returning.
- Avoids surgery – There are instances when physiotherapy exercises can eliminate the pain and heal the injury, thereby avoiding the surgery and its associated risks.
- Improves mobility – Irrespective of age or gender, mobility issues like standing, walking, or moving can hit anyone. Strengthening and stretching exercises in Physiotherapy helps in restoring the ability to move.
- Recovery from a sports injury – A good physiotherapist understands how different sports can increase the chances of sports injury and therefore, they can lay out an appropriate recovery plan based on your injury and medical condition.
- Improves balance and prevents fall – Physiotherapy assesses your vulnerability to falls and associated risks. Your physiotherapist will provide appropriate physiotherapy exercises to improve balance and coordination for safe walking.
- Manages diabetes and vascular conditions – Physiotherapy exercises can be a part of the overall diabetes management program. People suffering from diabetes face troubling sensation in feet and legs. They can be benefitted from physiotherapy exercises in ensuring proper foot care.
- Manages age-related issues – As a person ages, he/she may develop complications like arthritis, osteoporosis or joint replacement. Physiotherapy exercises can help patients recover from such age-related disorders.
- Recovery from a stroke – Many people experience losing some degree of function and movement after stroke. Physiotherapy exercises help in strengthening the weakened body parts and improve strength and balance. Your physiotherapist will also work in improving your ability to move around so that you can be more independent at home and take care of yourself without being dependent on anyone.
- Manages heart and lung diseases – After a heart attack, though the patient may complete cardiac rehabilitation, he/she may need physiotherapy if the daily functioning is affected. Physiotherapy exercises also help in improving lung capacity through breathing exercises, conditioning, strengthening, and clearing the fluids in the lungs.
- Improves women’s health and other conditions – Women face specific health conditions like pregnancy and post-partum care. Physiotherapy exercises for women help in managing specialized issues related to women’s health. Physiotherapy also provides specific treatment for medical conditions like breast cancer, bowel incontinence, constipation, lymphedema, fibromyalgia, etc.
Triangle Physiotherapy offers a host of services to help you recover from injury or medical conditions. You can visit our clinics in Physiotherapy clinics in GTA for your specific requirement. You can also consult our physiotherapists online through a secure video conference platform in the comfort of your home or office. Based on your condition, our physiotherapist will develop a detailed and personalized program targeted to your requirements. This will include various physiotherapy exercises aimed at the difficulties experienced by you.
Physiotherapy exercises have two main objectives –
- Lubricate joint surfaces
- Maintain and increase range of motion
There are various types of physiotherapy exercises that help in achieving both of these objectives.
- Musculoskeletal physiotherapy – Also known as orthopedic physiotherapy, this treatment falls under the category that aims to restore the functioning of the musculoskeletal system, including muscles, joints, ligaments, tendons, and bones. Musculoskeletal physiotherapy focuses on –
- Reducing pain
- Correcting skeletal alignment
- Treating damage in soft tissues
- Improving mobilization
- Geriatric physiotherapy – Focusing on older adults, this branch of physiotherapy exercise caters to specific needs that occur during old age. As people grow older, they experience disorders like arthritis, cancer, joint replacement, Alzheimer’s, osteoporosis, and balance disorders. The main goals of geriatric physiotherapy are –
- Reducing pain
- Restoring mobility impacted by old age
- Improving overall wellbeing and physical fitness
- Helping inactive aging
- Sports physiotherapy – This niche branch of physiotherapy exercise includes management of athletic and sports injuries through –
- Initial diagnosis and assessment of sports injury
- Treatment of the injury through personalized advice and techniques to promote healing
- Ensuring a quick return to the sport through rehabilitation and progressive injury management
- Advice on preventive practices like movement assessment to identify and address the known precursors to the injury
- Sharing specialized knowledge to sportsperson or athletes like taping technique to aid in the prevention of injury in future
- Women’s Health – Physiotherapy for women is a very specific area and requires particular physiotherapy exercises to address health issues faced by women. These include childbirth, prenatal, postnatal care, fertility issues, etc. Physiotherapy exercises for women focus on –
- Strengthening the core
- Reducing lower back, hip, and pelvic pain experienced during and after pregnancy
- Controlling urinary incontinence
- Activating pelvic floor
- Decreasing lymphatic swelling
- Prenatal and postnatal care
- Rehabilitation and pain management – This can be divided into two categories –
- If you are experiencing chronic pain and are planning to go for surgery then this physiotherapy exercise would help you in relieving pain.
- Treatment before the surgery helps in strengthening the body and preparing it for post-operative rehabilitation.
- Neurological physiotherapy – This range of physiotherapy exercises focuses on disorders affecting the nervous system like head injuries, stroke, damage in the spinal cord, sciatica, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and issues related to vertigo. Here the treatment focusses on –
- Correcting neural pathways
- Motor control
- Balance and coordination
Your physiotherapist will suggest you the exercises depending upon the stage of your recovery. Range of Movement (ROM) exercises are commonly suggested forms of exercise in physiotherapy. These exercises are advised for a specific joint where there is a reduced amount of movement. There are three types of Range of Movement exercises.
- Passive Range of Motion Exercise (PROME) – Here, the physiotherapist moves the limb along the joint range. It is mostly performed on patients who cannot move their limbs.
- Active – Assistive Range of Motion Exercises (AAROME) – This Range of Motion Exercise is performed on patients who can move their limbs but need assistance to complete the joint range. Here the role of the physiotherapist is very important as he helps the patient to complete the movement and ensure that the pain is not worsened.
- Active Range of Motion Exercise (AROME) – Here, the patient performs the physiotherapy exercises without any physical assistance from the physiotherapist. Though the physiotherapist suggests and instructs the proper execution of the exercise, the patient performs all the exercise by himself.
If you feel or experience any pain in the body, please contact us and speak to our skilled and experienced physiotherapists for an expert opinion.
Why Physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy is a highly beneficial niche treatment of injury, disorder and disease. Using specific physical methods, it aids in restoring the mobility, function and movement in the affected area. Physiotherapy uses experimented and researched information on how the body works and uses medically certified procedures for treatment.
Physiotherapy also comes extremely advantageous in preventing further injury or damage on the previously strained body part. It is widely popular as people of any age can receive its benefits by managing and maintaining great shape and health, thereby preventing injury or disease.
Physiotherapy is a degree-based occupation where well-trained, skilled and experienced professionals provide the best care and treatment. At Triangle Physiotherapy, our team of exceptionally qualified Physiotherapists do their best to provide you finest and world-class service.
Physiotherapists at Triangle Physiotherapy are well researched and use their extensive skills and experience to improve complicated situations like Respiratory, Neurological, Cardiovascular and Neuromusculoskeletal. If you have an injury or are facing a problem, consult our expert Physiotherapists at Triangle Physiotherapy at its various locations
Benefits of Physiotherapy
We are listing below some conditions where physiotherapy has helped in providing the best possible results –
- Eliminating or reducing pain
Patients suffering from arthritis, muscle strain/sprain or tendonitis benefit from using therapeutic techniques and exercises such as Soft Tissue Mobilization or usage of modalities like TENS, IFC and Ultrasound. These therapies help in alleviating the pain thereby ensuring normalcy. You can check with our specialized and trained physiotherapists at Etobicoke centre for more information on this.
- Helps in avoiding surgery
Let’s face this. We are all living in tough pandemic times and nobody wants to visit a hospital or undergo a surgery. However, there are some unavoidable situations where surgery is the last resort. Physiotherapy can help in avoiding this by managing and healing in the initial stages itself. It is also helpful in pre and post rehabilitation programs to mitigate the complications that can occur in the surgery. If you are residing in or around Toronto, we suggest you to consult our Physiotherapy experts in Toronto before planning a surgery. You can also discuss your case if you are recuperating from a surgery or treatment.
- Improving overall strength and coordination
While physiotherapy is highly beneficial to reduce the pain during or after a surgery, it also aids in improving the overall strength and robustness of the body. Do you know that physiotherapy involves specific exercises and stretches that help in cumulative coordination of the body? So, if you are facing symptoms of vertigo or dizziness, we suggest you to get in touch with our Physiotherapists. Our expert physiotherapists in Oakville are highly qualified and provide specific program for your requirement.
- Reducing the dependency on medicines
Every medicine that a patient consumes has a side effect at some point in life. Certain situations demand a patient to take medicines to control or treat his/her condition. However, there are cases like surgery, where a patient is dependent on the medicine for pain relief. We suggest physiotherapy as an alternative choice to address this concern and reduce the dependency and side effects caused by medicines.
- Boosting cardiovascular functioning and lung capacity
Post- stroke surgery requires extreme care and recovery program. Physiotherapy offers post heart stroke patients in regaining their degree and sense of direction, movement and balance. Our experience physiotherapists at Triangle Physiotherapy helps the patients in readjusting to their daily healthy lifestyle. You can consult our seasoned and best physiotherapists at Lawrence Park for special programs on breathing exercises that helps in restoring the optimal lung capacity and blood flow in the body.
- Managing and preventing sports related injuries
We understand that sports is all about agility and various sports can elevate the risk to specific types of conditions like ACL Tear, Golfers Elbow, Hamstring strain to name a few. Physiotherapy is extremely important and useful in such situations as it provides very specific treatment to improve the endurance and fix the symptomatic problem. Other than the injuries, sportsperson and athletes are benefitted with regular physiotherapy sessions. Our team of skilled physiotherapists at North York helps in improving the circulation and strengthening body muscles. This increases the flexibility which will improve whichever game you play.
- Staying fit at all ages and phases
Old age is not always pleasant. It brings with it certain complications that hamper the daily lifestyle. These includes Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Osteoporosis, Sciatica, Dementia, Neck pain, Back pain, Knee replacement etc. All these ailments can be controlled and managed by physiotherapy. If you or any of your loved ones is facing old age problems like these, we suggest you to check our rehabilitation clinic across GTA. You can have a look at Triangle Physiotherapy Mississauga or any other clinic close to your location.
- Managing heart and diabetic conditions
It has been often observed that the diabetes patient suffer from discomforts like knee, shoulder and back pain. This is often resulted because of the unbalanced sugar levels in the body. There are dedicated physiotherapy plans that help in pain management caused due to diabetes. These plans also aid in controlling the sugar levels. Our expert physiotherapists at Triangle Physiotherapy help in guiding the patients about Diabetic Neuropathy, Diabetic Foot etc.
- Easing pregnancy and postpartum care
Pregnancy is a beautiful journey. However, many women face trouble in this journey as their bodies undergo fundamental changes impacting overall well being and health. Many women face issues like fluctuating hormones, difficulty in carrying out routine activities due to increased body weight, changing habits etc. We suggest checking with our brilliant physiotherapist in Queens Quay clinic to enjoy this wonderful experience.
- Improving mental health
Of all the amazing benefits of physiotherapy, mental health is the most important one. We are not saying this just in terms of ‘feeling happy and healthy’. We understand that Mental Health is a lot more than that. At Triangle Physiotherapy, we acknowledge and advocate the fact that feeling good in your body is important not just to do your daily chores, but also to elevate your confidence in whatever do and wherever you go. That’s why we are – to help you realize your true and full potential.
- With the help of a skilled and qualified physiotherapist from Triangle Physiotherapy, we can customize a program for you that will suit your specific need. Get in touch with us and we would be happy to answer all your queries.
Physiotherapy is the study of science of movements. It is a healthcare profession that includes different treatment modalities like massages, electrotherapy, heat therapy, exercises, patient awareness and advice for treating an ailment, deformity or injury.
When should I go to a Physiotherapist?
This is a very common yet important question. If you have suffered an injury or chronic pain which affects your daily chores then you must consult a good physiotherapist. You can also avail the benefits of Physiotherapy after a surgery, like knee replacement or stroke. At Triangle Physiotherapy, we have a team of dedicated and skilled physiotherapists at eight rehabilitation clinics across the GTA.
What will a Physiotherapist do?
Our experienced Physiotherapists provide case-based solution to your need. These are focused on preventive as well as rehabilitation. Some scenarios where a good Physiotherapist can help –
- Back and neck pain caused due to sprain in the skeleton or muscles
- Conditions like arthritis or after effects of amputation that results in discomfort in joints, muscles, knees and ligaments
- Lung disorders like asthma or bronchitis
- Disability resulting from heart problems
- Troubles occurred during childbirth like pelvic issue, bladder and bowel problems
- Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis or loss of mobility due to trauma to the brain or spine
- Pain, swelling, fatigue, loss of muscle strength and stiffness during palliative care or cancer treatment
What should I expect from my Physiotherapist?
Our trained Physiotherapists at Triangle Physiotherapy provide specific and concerned answers to your core problems. This is what you can expect from your Physiotherapist-
- Your physiotherapist will understand your medical history
- Based on the medical history and symptoms, the physiotherapist will assess and diagnose your condition
- A treatment module will be set for you for your concern
- Specific exercises and assistive devices would be suggested to you based on your module
To understand what all things are done in Physiotherapy, let’s try to learn the various types of treatment modalities used in Physiotherapy.
- Manual Therapy – This technique is a very common one where the physiotherapists massage the affected joints to mobilise and manipulate using his hands. Our team of expert physiotherapists in Toronto are highly equipped and experienced in this therapy.
Manual Therapy
- Transcutaneous Electric Nerves Stimulation (TENS) Therapy – In this therapy, the physiotherapist uses a small device driven by a battery and place it on the skin surface of the patient. Low grade currents are sent through these electrodes to relive pain of the affected area.
Transcutaneous Electric Nerves Stimulation TENS Therapy
- Magnetic Therapy – This therapy uses electromagnets of different sizes and types. These are used to limit the pain of the affected body part.
Magnetic Therapy In Triangle Physiotherapy
- Dry needling and acupuncture – In this therapy, the physiotherapist uses fine needles and insert them into specific body parts to alleviate the pain for a short time. You can consult with our physiotherapists at Etobicoke clinic for this specialised line of treatment.
Dry Needling And Acupuncture Therapy At Triangle Physiotherapy
- Taping – This physiotherapy technique is highly popular as it promotes body’s inherent natural healing mechanism. Here, the physiotherapist uses a tape which lifts the skin away from the connecting tissue, thereby increasing the space and allowing the lymphatic fluid to move more functionally to ease the pain.
Taping Therapy
- Joint Mobilisation – This is a manual therapy technique where a physiotherapist mobilises the joint at different depths, speeds and amplitudes. It helps in restoring normal joint movement in the body. Our physiotherapists at Lawrence Park clinic are highly equipped and skilled in this technique.
Joint Mobilisation Therapy
- Stretches and exercises – This is a fairly common module where the physiotherapist teaches different exercises and techniques for body stretching which helps in restoring the joint movements.
Stretches And Exercises At Triangle Physiotherapy
- Rehabilitation – This includes a broad range of corrective, preventive and stretching exercises to reduce the sprain or pain in the affected area.
Rehabilitation At Triangle Physiotherapy Etobicoke
- Strengthening Program – This is one of the most important modalities in physiotherapy where the physiotherapist conducts specific program to make the patient understand about his personal responsibility towards his health and physical conditioning. This program is very useful as it helps the patient in improving overall heath, strength, balance, coordination and flexibility.
Strenthening Program At Triangle Physiotherapy Mississuaga
- Diathermy – In this technique, electrically induced heat or high-frequency electromagnetic currents are used to relive the pain and cure the condition. Our physiotherapists at North York clinic are efficient and skilled in this technique. If you are facing pain or recovering from a surgery, you can consult us.
Diathermy At Triangle Physiotherapy
- Ultrasound and phonophoresis – A frequency range of 0.5 – 3 MHz is used in this therapeutic ultrasound. This technique induces a deep heat to the target area to treat muscle spasm, promote healing at cellular level and lower the inflammation. It also increases the metabolism and improve the flow of blood towards the damaged tissue. Phonophoresis uses ultrasonic waves for better absorption of drugs that are applied topically during the treatment. This is a very useful technique as it helps in reducing the pain by allowing maximum absorption of drugs like anti-inflammatory and analgesics.
- Range of Motion exercises (RoM) exercises – A good physiotherapist would diagnose the patient and recommend Range of Motion exercises to improve the mobility of joints and reduce the stiffness in the muscles. There are various types of RoM exercises, like Passive Range of Motion (PROM) exercises, Active Assistive Range of Motion (AAROM) exercises and Active Range of Motion (AROM) exercises.
Range Of Motion Exercises ROM
- Soft tissue mobilisation – This highly effective technique in physiotherapy helps in alleviating pain, reducing swelling and relaxing the tight muscles in the body.
To summarise, Physiotherapy is a special treatment to maintain, restore and make the most of a person’s function, mobility, strength and well-being. It helps through various techniques and aid in recovery as well as strengthen the body for w holistic living.
Now that we have established what all is done and expected in Physiotherapy, we would like to hear from you. Please write to us if you have any doubts regarding Physiotherapy. We would be happy to answer you. You can also check our services and locations for any line of treatment.
Kevin Durant, Durantula, easymoneysniper, whatever you want to call him is a superstar basketball player and is regarded by many as the second best basketball player in the world. Unless you have been living under a rock in Toronto, you should know his name and the impact of his eventual return to the NBA Finals. Moreover, if you’re a therapist like me, you may feel disgusted about the mismanagement of his return to the court on Monday.
Here are the facts:
- Kevin Durant was diagnosed with a right calf strain on May 8th, 2019, which many suspected was an Achilles strain to begin with. Grade 1 Calf Strain can take anywhere from 7-10 days to resolve. Durant was out for a whole month!
- Kevin Durant was cleared for practice on June 9th and he did so with his teammates (unsure of the extent of this practice as it was closed off to the media)
- After his practice, Kevin Durant is noted leaving practice with a slight limp and ice on his right Achilles (to help with possible pain/inflammation?)
- A few hours before tip off he is upgraded to questionable to play in game 5 of the NBA finals, and 90 minutes before tip off it is known that he is cleared to play and will start in game 5, with no minutes restriction. WHAT?
- Kevin Durant does indeed start game 5, and starts off hot connecting on his first 3 attempts beyond the arc and scoring 11 points in the first quarter.
- At 9:46 of the second quarter, Durant came up the court and tried to accelerate past Ibaka with his right foot planted, and that was enough. Durant fell to the ground holding his right Achilles.
- Teammates and opposing players help him back to the locker room, and post game Durant is seen leaving the Scotiabank Arena in a walking boot and crutches
- Durant is expected to fly to New York to have an MRI done, which many believe will confirm a right ruptured Achilles.
Also read, Physiotherapy Rehab Clinic in Mississuaga
What is an Achilles Tear/Rupture and what does it mean for Durant?
The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the body. It connects your calf muscles to your heel bone and is used when you walk, run, and jump.
Achilles tendon ruptures can occur spontaneously in individuals and one symptom many people display is the pop or gunshot sound of their Achilles tendon rupturing. If you look in the video above, you can notice the pop of the Achilles and the subsequent vibration of the calf muscles accordingly.
Detailed in an article by Physio Works it states:
Achilles Ruptures occur mostly in middle aged men, most of whom play recreational sports Injury often occurs during recreational sports that require bursts of jumping, pivoting and running.
They can happen in these situations:
- You make a forceful push-off with your foot while your knee is straightened by the powerful thigh muscles. One example might be starting a foot race or jumping.
- You suddenly trip or stumble, and your foot is thrust in front to break a fall, forcefully overstretching the tendon.
- You fall from a significant height.
Also read, Physiotherapy Rehab Clinic in Etobicoke
The biggest risk factor for Achilles tendon rupture is tendon cell death which occurs as a result of poorly managed tendinopathy.
As noted in the bold statements, these are the exact scenarios which led to the possible tendon rupture for Kevin Durant, with strong emphasis on the second statement!
While we don’t know the extent of Kevin Durant’s Achilles tear, we can only speculate that it is a complete rupture and thus provide this comparative timeline on his return to that of another NBA player, Rudy Gay, who tore his Achilles in 2017 at the same age, and has the body frame similar to that of Durant.
If the MRI on Tuesday confirms a complete tear and Durant follows a similar timeline to that of Gay
- Durant will undergo surgery to repair the tendon
- He will be on crutches and in a boot for the next six weeks.
- He will start physical therapy in two weeks and formal rehabilitation at eight weeks post-surgery.
- >12 weeks post he can begin sport specific training
- Return to sport is anticipated in 6 months
Now if Kevin Durant is able to follow the same path as Rudy Gay, what are the implications to his career? He was a free agent this year hoping to be signed to a max contract with the team of his choosing as every team salivated at the idea of signing him (Brooklyn, Knicks to name a few). Will teams take that gamble anymore? It’s Kevin Durant, so I am sure they will. Yet, he may be forced to stay in Golden State another year as he returns to the court to prove that he isn’t damaged goods. Keep in mind, numerous athletes in the past were never the same after facing a similar injury. Kobe is one that comes to mind, and this ultimately led to his retirement. Currently we see the same with Durant’s teammate Demarcus Cousins who went from being an all-star to a bench caliber player. Moreover, Rudy gay was quoted as saying that it took him almost a full year and a half to feel 100% again. Which scenario will apply to Durant? How long, if ever, will it take for him to be truly 100% again, as he sits in the prime of his career? All valid questions probably going through Kevin Durant’s head as he awaits his MRI results on Tuesday.
Also read, Physiotherapy Rehab Clinic in Oakville
Moreover, as we await the results of the MRI, I also question the doctors, therapists, and ownership of the Golden State Warriors on making the decision for Kevin Durant to return to Game 5. I get that the athlete has the final say as to whether they want to play or not (Kawhi Leonard comes to mind here ironically), but considering the immense amount of pressure put on Durant to help the Warriors avoid upset, and amplify his legacy, one can only point the finger at the medical and management team for allowing him to go out there. He was clearly still nursing a calf strain (and/or possible grade 1 Achilles strain). He was clearly not pain free, nor was he recovered from a metabolic and vascular standpoint in that calf to Achilles region. So, was the chance at a three-peat really worth risking the health and career of one of the best players in the league?
I guess now that we know the outcome of that decision, all members involved will have to carry that guilt. Just remember therapists, don’t lose your credibility as a health care practitioner with unrealistic outcomes for some championship trophy, financial gain, or anything to inflate your ego. Always do what you clinically know is right for your client, and PLEASE educate patients that no pain no gain is not a real motto.
Amrit Tiwana, M.Sc. PT
What is Autism?
Autism is a developmental condition, present from early childhood, that is characterized by great difficulty in communicating and forming relationships with other people and in using language and abstract concepts. It is also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). People with ASD have delays and limitations in many areas. They may have low muscle tone, or have a tough time with coordinated muscle movement with activities like running, kicking, throwing, etc. These issues can hinder the smooth functioning of day-to-day tasks and ASD is almost certain to interfere with physical and neurological development.
Also read, Physiotherapy Oakville
How can Physiotherapy help with Autism?
People with ASD often have physical symptoms that range from having difficulty with coordinated tasks to significantly lacking muscular strength. Physiotherapy can help children with ASD improve their basic motor skills like sitting, rolling, standing, and playing. They may also work with parents to show them techniques that can be used at home to help their child build strength and improve coordination.
For adults, physiotherapy may help in more advanced fine motor skills such as skipping, kicking, throwing, and catching. A physiotherapy session will assess the person’s overall motor function, identify difficulties, and provide an intervention to address the underlying difficulties. Strategies used as part of physiotherapy treatment can include:
- Specific exercises for building muscle strength and improving posture, endurance, motor skills, and balance.
- Recommendations to improve the person’s positioning, bracing, and taping skills.
- Feedback to improve body posture and range of motion.
- And complete support to participate in community-based physical activity programs.
Physiotherapists are trained specialists that deal with all the concerns related to Autism and can help teach a child or an adult to stretch shortened muscles or strengthen weaker ones. In some cases, a physiotherapy session can simply look like organized fun, and while it should be enjoyable, all of the exercises are geared towards functional improvement.