By Roshni Ravi, Pelvic Health Physiotherapist
Endometriosis is a condition in which the tissue that lines the uterus grows outside of it, on other organs or structures in the pelvic cavity. This tissue, called endometrium, acts just like the lining of the uterus and thickens, breaks down, and bleeds with each menstrual cycle. However, because this tissue is located outside of the uterus, it has no way to exit the body, which can lead to pain, heavy bleeding, and the formation of scar tissue and adhesions. Endometriosis can also affect fertility.
What is Endometriosis?
The cause of endometriosis is not well understood. It is usually treated with hormones, pain medication, and surgery. The average delay from symptom onset to diagnosis is 5.4 years in Canada, because of the uncertain etiology. Patients wait for an average of 3.1 years from the onset of symptoms to seeking consultation with their physician.
Some causes for endometriosis may possibly include:
- Retrograde menstruation: some of the endometrial tissue flows backwards through the Fallopian tubes and into the pelvic cavity, and attaches to other organs and structures.
- Embryonic cell growth: develops from cells in the embryonic stage that grow into endometrial tissue instead of into other tissue types
- Immune system dysfunction: some women may have a dysfunction in their immune system that allows endometrial tissue to grow outside the uterus
- Hormonal factors: hormonal imbalances contribute to the development of endometriosis
- Genetic factors
So what can I do about it?
Medical treatment includes surgery, hormonal therapy and medicated pain management. Other alternatives are acupuncture, herbal supplements and pelvic floor physiotherapy.
Pelvic floor physiotherapy can be beneficial for endometriosis. It can help alleviate pain, improve mobility and flexibility as well as reduce the formation of adhesions and scar tissue. Treatment targets the muscles and soft tissue in the pelvic area through techniques such as manual therapy, trigger point release and myofascial release to relax the muscles and thereby alleviate pain. There are a variety of pelvic floor exercises that can also contribute towards alleviating pain and improving symptoms.
Unsure of what to do next but experiencing these symptoms? Consult a pelvic health physiotherapist to see if pelvic floor physiotherapy is right for you. Our Mississauga Pelvic Health Physiotherapists are experienced and qualified to help you through this diagnosis. Book an appointment here.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be used for self-diagnosis.
“Recognizing the early signs of endometriosis is crucial for effective management and care. Triangle Physiotherapy offers expert pelvic health services across the GTA, including Physiotherapy in Etobicoke, Oakville, North York, Toronto, Lawrence Park, Queens Quay, Erin Mills, Mississauga, and Liberty Village. Our experienced physiotherapists provide personalized treatment plans to help you manage endometriosis symptoms and improve your quality of life.”
Golfer’s elbow and Tennis Elbow are both tendonitis. The difference is Golfer’s elbow occurs on the inner side of the elbow while Tennis Elbow occurs on the outer side of the elbow. Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis is the inflammation of the tendon that connects the forearm muscles to a bony prominence on the outside of the elbow known as the lateral epicondyle. Golfer’s elbow, on the other hand, is known as medial epicondylitis because the inflammation is on the tendons which are attached to the medial epicondyle.
How Is Tennis Elbow Diagnosed?
Your physiotherapist will evaluate tennis elbow by reviewing your medical history, performing and reviewing your medical history. A doctor may recommend a X-ray, EMG or MRI to assess the severity of the condition.
A physiotherapist can also conduct a detailed assessment of your elbow and the surrounding structures in order to create a personalized treatment plan for you. Special tests such as Cozen’s and Mills Test can also be used to diagnose Tennis elbow.
What are the complications of a Tennis Elbow?
Complications of Tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis may include tendon rupture, recurrence of the injury, chronic pain, nerve entrapment in the forearm, and failure to improve despite both nonsurgical and no surgical treatment.
Cause of Tennis Elbow and Treatment
What causes a Tennis elbow and who might get a Tennis Elbow?
Some causes of Tennis elbow are:
- weak wrist muscles,
- use of tennis racquets that are too short,
- weakened muscles of the shoulder and wrist,
- repetitive hand motions,
- poor tennis technique,
- frequent use of hand tools,
- lifting heavy objects, and
- excessive gripping activities.
Despite the name, Tennis elbow is not only for tennis players although they tend to often develop tennis elbow because of the repetitive muscle use and gripping activities the sport entails. People whose professions involve repetitive use of the wrist and forearm are more likely to develop lateral epicondylitis.
Some professions, such as painters, dentists, plumbers, carpenters, musicians, and cooks, may develop Tennis elbow which can also be caused by the repetitive use of a keyboard and mouse.
What Is The Best Treatment For Tennis Elbows?
The majority of tennis elbow cases can be successfully treated without surgical intervention. How a tennis elbow is treated may vary depending on which medical professional you choose to see.
Research has shown that physiotherapy is the most effective treatment of the Tennis elbow.
Tennis Elbow Physiotherapy Treatment
- Therapeutic Ultrasound
- Acupuncture
- Tennis elbow treatment exercises
- Deep tissue massage
- Shockwave therapy
- Taping or brace
- TENS
- Modified activities
- Hot and cold packs
How does massage help heal Tennis elbow?
Tennis Elbow Massage Treatment helps improve circulation, stimulate collagen production, and increases mobility in the affected area.
What Can I Do To Prevent Tennis Elbow?
There are many ways to prevent Tennis elbow such as:
- Stretching regularly.
- Strengthening of the forearm muscles.
- Modifying activities that contribute to pain.
- Warming up before playing tennis and other sports and ensuring the stability of the wrist.
What are some Tennis elbow exercises which can be done at home to help prevent recurrence?
Specific Tennis elbow exercises to strengthen as well as stretch the muscles that are attached to the injured tendon will certainly help speed up healing which then increases its resistance to repetitive stress… Some of these Tennis elbow treatment exercises are Stress ball squeeze, finger stretch, wrist extension, flexion stretch, forearm extension, flexion, supination, and pronation strengthening exercises.
Are there any natural Tennis elbow treatments I can do at home while I wait to see a physiotherapist?
Resting and avoiding activities that aggravate your pain can be beneficial. You may also try to apply an ice pack for 15 mins three times a day.
What is the best treatment for chronic Tennis elbow?
The most effective treatment for chronic tennis elbow has always been physiotherapy and exercise. If physiotherapy does not fully heal it, however, steroid injections, braces, and surgery may also help.
Our physiotherapists in Toronto, Midtown Toronto, Mississauga, North York and Oakville can help you with tennis elbow. Book your appointment here.
“Effectively treating tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow requires specialized physiotherapy care. Triangle Physiotherapy offers expert services across the GTA, including Physiotherapy in Etobicoke, Oakville, North York, Toronto, Lawrence Park, Queens Quay, Erin Mills, Mississauga, and Liberty Village. Our experienced physiotherapists can help you recover from elbow pain and regain strength with personalized treatment plans.”
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.
Book your appointment for an ART session here.
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. 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.
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 in its approach.
Ultimately, it shouldn’t matter which term is used as long as you see someone who is registered with the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario. Find a professional who will provide you with the proper treatment and care to help you with your condition and improve the quality of your life.
At Physiotherapy Oakville, all our therapists are registered with the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario, ensuring you receive the highest standard of care. By joining Physiotherapy Oakville, you can trust that you are in capable hands, dedicated to helping you achieve optimal health and well-being. Connect with our expert team today to start your journey towards a better quality of life.
Similarities:
- Both Physiotherapy and Physical Therapy aim to help patients recover from injuries and conditions that affect their mobility and independence.
- Both professions use a variety of manual therapy techniques, exercises, and other treatments to help patients regain strength, flexibility, and range of motion.
- Both Physiotherapy and Physical Therapy are concerned with improving the quality of life for patients and helping them return to their daily activities as soon as possible.
Differences:
- Geographical Location: Physiotherapy is a term used primarily in the UK, Europe, and other parts of the world, while Physical Therapy is used primarily in the United States.
- Education: Generally, the education is no different for both titles.
- Scope of Practice: This may differ based on the country of practice but in North America the socpe remains the same.
- Specializations: Physiotherapists have the option to specialize in specific areas of practice. They can specialize in sports, women’s health, cancer rehab and pediatrics. Physical Therapists also have the option to specialize, but the options may differ depending on the country they practice in.
Our More Locations
Physiotherapy Etobicoke | Physiotherapy Oakville | Physiotherapy North York | Physiotherapy Toronto | Physiotherapy Lawrence Park | Physiotherapy Mississauga | Physiotherapy Queens Quay | Physiotherapy Mississauga Erin Mills | Physiotherapy Liberty Village
Book your appointment to see a physiotherapist here.
“While physiotherapy and physical therapy are often used interchangeably, both involve similar approaches to improving movement and reducing pain. Triangle Physiotherapy offers expert services across the GTA, including Physiotherapy in Etobicoke, Oakville, North York, Toronto, Lawrence Park, Queens Quay, Erin Mills, Mississauga, and Liberty Village. Our experienced team is here to provide personalized care tailored to your specific needs, whether you refer to it as physiotherapy or physical therapy.”
| Definition/Layman’s terms for the condition | Sacroiliac joint dysfunction is a term used to describe the pain derived from the joint. It can be caused in issues with movement and alignment. It usually presents as low back pain. |
| Cause/MOI | SI joint dysfunction can be present during pregnancy when there are many changes to the body (physically, hormonally, etc). It can also be present after trauma to the area by landing on your back or landing with a straight leg causing forces to travel up the leg. |
| Common symptoms | Pain is usually localized over the buttock area where the SIJ is located. It may be a sharp or shooting pain that can refer down the back of the leg, but usually not past the knee. Most people will complain of pain when sitting down, climbing stairs |
| How is it diagnosed clinically? Diagnostically | Clinical diagnosis is based on a combination of subjective history and clinical cluster of objective tests. Subjective history may include pregnancy, direct trauma to the area, landing on a straight leg, pain localized to the buttock area or referring down the leg but not past the knee. Objective tests include a series of maneuvers that may provoke the pain or may show the clinician changes in motor control around the SIJ. |
| Treatment options? | Treatment options usually are conservative in nature and thus physiotherapy is a mainstay in addressing SIJ dysfunction. Pain medications, corticosteroids, taping and braces may also be implemented to help with daily functioning. |
| How physiotherapy can help? | Physiotherapy can help by reducing pain and inflammation, strengthening your core and mobilizing your SIJ. |
| Typical physiotherapy treatment approach-manual therapy, modalities, exercise, etc | Physiotherapy treatment may consist of manual therapy, exercises, education, and modalities. Manual therapy may consist of low back mobilisations, SIJ mobilisations and manipulations to help with pain relief.Exercises may consist of core strengthening and lower extremity strengthening, all in an effort to help provide stability to the area and increase pain free mobility. Contact us to book an appointment for a physiotherapy assessment. |
| Other treatment options | Other treatment options include braces, taping, corticosteroids. |
| Prognosis | SIJ dysfunction has a good prognosis and pregnancy-related SIJ dysfunction will usually resolves within 12 months post-partum. |
| Consequences of not getting it treated/long term effects | Ongoing pain, trouble with sitting, walking/running, trouble with daily activities that involve your lower extremities. |
| Braces that can help | Pelvic belt, SI joint belt. We offer the Sacroloc. |
Click HERE to book an appointment with a physiotherapist or chiropractor at one of our eight locations.
- Physiotherapy Etobicoke – Triangle Physiotherapy Etobicoke
- Oakville Physiotherapy Clinic – Triangle Physiotherapy Oakville
- Physiotherapy North York – Triangle Physiotherapy North York
- Mississauga Physiotherapy Clinics – Triangle Physiotherapy Mississauga
- Downtown Physiotherapy Clinics – Triangle Physiotherapy King West
- Uptown Physiotherapy Clinics – Triangle Physiotherapy Lawrence Park
- Physiotherapy Clinic Downtown Toronto – Triangle Physiotherapy Queens Quay
- Physiotherapy Clinics Mississauga – Triangle Physiotherapy Erin Mills
“Effectively managing SI joint dysfunction requires targeted physiotherapy and expert care. Triangle Physiotherapy offers specialized services across the GTA, including Physiotherapy in Etobicoke, Oakville, North York, Toronto, Lawrence Park, Queens Quay, Erin Mills, Mississauga, and Liberty Village. Our experienced physiotherapists can help you alleviate pain and restore proper function through personalized treatment plans.”
What Is Bell’s Palsy?
Bell’s palsy, also known as idiopathic facial palsy, is a sudden weakness or paralysis on one side of the face. It is caused by inflammation on the facial nerve, which is usually temporary.
What are the symptoms of Bell’s palsy?
- The most common symptom of Bell’s palsy is the sudden weakness or paralysis on one side of your face causing it to droop.
- Drooling.
- Eye issues such as excessive tearing or a dry eye.
- Altered taste.
- difficulty eating and drinking
- Sensitivity to sound.
- Pain in or behind your ear.
- Numbness in the affected side of your face.
- Dry mouth
What are the causes of Bell’s palsy and what Is the main cause of Bell’s palsy ?
Bell’s palsy is facial nerve paralysis of unknown cause but it’s often related to having a viral infection. Viruses that have been linked to Bell’s palsy include viruses that cause:
Some viruses which have been believed to be common Bell’s palsy causes are:
- Cold sores and genital herpes (herpes simplex)
- Chickenpox and shingles (herpes zoster)
- Mumps
- Flu
- Infectious mononucleosis (Epstein-Barr)
Other conditions that may cause Bell palsy are:
- HIV infection
- Lyme disease
- Middle ear infection
- Sarcoidosis
What is the best cure for Bell’s palsy and what happens If Bell’s palsy Is untreated?
Most people with Bell’s palsy fully recover even without treatment. But some medications or physiotherapy can help speed up Bell’s palsy recovery. Some studies showed that about one third of untreated Bell’s Palsy patients suffered from long term effects such as facial spasms and disfigurement, and chronic pain.
The best Bell’s palsy treatment will vary between individuals but most will be prescribed corticosteroids to reduce the facial nerve inflammation of the facial nerves. Some patients may be prescribed antiviral drugs like acyclovir to speed up the recovery process.
What Is The Best Treatment For Bell’S Palsy?
Bell’s palsy improves without treatment. Still, your healthcare provider may recommend one or more of these therapies for symptom relief and a faster recovery:
Another effective Bell’s palsy treatment is eye care which is crucial in protecting the eyes from injuries and irritants. If your eye does not close completely, the use of glasses or goggles is beneficial. An eye patch can be used at night.
Decompression surgery to ease nerve pressure eases pressure but it is rarely done because it may cause permanent nerve damage and loss of hearing.
Another beneficial treatment for Bell’s Palsy is Physiotherapy.
A registered physiotherapist can assist with providing education and support during recovery in order to reduce secondary complications.
- Electrical muscle stimulation is used to stimulate the nerve fibers in order to help maintain some of the strength, which then promotes faster recovery,
- Daily exercise regimen
- Soft tissue massage can be applied to the head and face to help with aches and help stimulate repair of innervation for the facial muscles.
Recovery from Bell’s Palsy
In general, people whose paralysis is less severe tend to start to improve with or without treatment after a few weeks, with complete recovery of facial function within six months. If symptoms start to improve within the first 21 days, chances are there will be complete recovery with no residual facial muscle weakness.
At Physiotherapy Oakville, we understand the importance of early intervention and personalized care in facilitating recovery. Scientific studies have shown that timely physiotherapy can enhance the recovery process for facial paralysis, minimizing residual muscle weakness and improving overall outcomes. By joining Physiotherapy Oakville, you gain access to expert physiotherapists who provide evidence-based treatments tailored to your specific condition, supporting a faster and more complete recovery.
What are the complications Of Bell’s palsy?
Some of the complications of Bell’s palsy are:
- Irregular regrowth of nerve fibers and irreversible damage to your facial nerve which can result in synkinesis. Synkinesis is a condition in which moving one part of your face causes involuntary contraction of another.
- Excessive eye dryness on your affected side, which can lead to eye infections or even vision loss.
- Some people don’t fully recover and are left with long term facial paralysis and drooping.
Bell’s Palsy versus Stroke
Cause
The cause of Bell’s palsy is uncertain but some viruses like herpes zoster, herpes simplex, and mumps have been believed to be connected to Bell’s palsy.
Stroke is caused by high blood pressure, heart disease, high cholesterol, previous stroke.
Diagnosis
Bell’s palsy does not require any specific testing. Your doctor may ask you to perform specific facial movements such as eyebrow raising, frowning, smiling, and eyes closing. At times, EMG or MRI may be conducted to rule out stroke.
Diagnosing strokes is dependent on several factors. Some imaging scans are used to assess the brain and its blood supply.
Treatment
Treatment of Bell’s palsy are corticosteroids and antiviral medications, pain medications, and physiotherapy.
There is a more complex approach in treating stroke and its treatment is dependent on the type of stroke.
Our More Locations
Physiotherapy Etobicoke | Physiotherapy Oakville | Physiotherapy North York | Physiotherapy Toronto | Physiotherapy Lawrence Park | Physiotherapy Mississauga | Physiotherapy Queens Quay | Physiotherapy Mississauga Erin Mills | Physiotherapy Liberty Village
Click HERE to book an appointment with a physiotherapist at one of our eight locations.
- Physiotherapy Etobicoke – Triangle Physiotherapy Etobicoke
- Oakville Physiotherapy Clinic – Triangle Physiotherapy Oakville
- Physiotherapy North York – Triangle Physiotherapy North York
- Mississauga Physiotherapy Clinics – Triangle Physiotherapy Mississauga
- Downtown Physiotherapy Clinics – Triangle Physiotherapy King West
- Uptown Physiotherapy Clinics – Triangle Physiotherapy Lawrence Park
- Physiotherapy Clinic Downtown Toronto – Triangle Physiotherapy Queens Quay
- Physiotherapy Clinics Mississauga – Triangle Physiotherapy Erin Mills
“Addressing Bell’s Palsy and related back pain requires a comprehensive approach, including specialized stretches and physiotherapy. Triangle Physiotherapy offers expert services across the GTA, including Physiotherapy in Etobicoke, Oakville, North York, Toronto, Lawrence Park, Queens Quay, Erin Mills, Mississauga, and Liberty Village. Our experienced physiotherapists can help you manage symptoms and improve your quality of life through personalized treatment plans.”
What is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar Fasciitis is a type of foot pain resulting from inflammation of a band of connective tissue located on the bottom side of the foot known as the Plantar Fascia. This band of connective tissue runs from the heel of the foot, all the way to the base of each toe, and it functions to support the arch of the foot, especially during weight-bearing.
The pain associated with Plantar Fasciitis is located on the bottom of the foot, with it often manifesting around the heel and along the inside of the foot. It is common for this pain to be at its worst first thing in the morning, and it is usually accompanied by other symptoms, such as stiffness, weakness, swelling and decreased proprioception.
What is the Plantar Fascia?
The plantar fascia is a flat band of tissue that connects your heel bone (Calcaneus) to the base of the toes (Metatarsophalangeal joints). This ligament assists in supporting the arch of your foot.
What causes Plantar Foot Pain?
People experience this when they have strained the connective tissue from repetitive overloading to the area. Repetitive overloading causes little tears to occur, and over time this produces inflammation and other associated symptoms, as described above.
Plantar Fasciitis is more common in people who can relate to the following:
- Have flat feet or high arches
- Have tight calf muscles
- Wear improper footwear
- Engage in repetitive physical activity (overtraining)
- Suddenly changed activity levels (increased frequency, duration or intensity)
- Suddenly changed activity or training environment
- Work in an environment that requires prolonged standing
Plantar Fasciitis is one of the most common reasons people experience foot pain and seek Physiotherapy treatment to solve it.
How can a physiotherapist at Triangle Physiotherapy help with plantar foot pain?
A Physiotherapist at Triangle Physiotherapy will do a thorough assessment of the fot to ensure a proper diagnosis is obtained. This will include getting a detailed history, observing the area and how you function, and running through a series of specific tests. From there, an individualized treatment plan will be made for you to help you achieve your goals and assist you on your road to recovery.
If you think you might have Plantar Foot Pain, contact us to book an appointment with one of our Physiotherapists today!
“Managing plantar foot pain effectively requires targeted physiotherapy. Triangle Physiotherapy offers expert services across the GTA, including Physiotherapy in Etobicoke, Oakville, North York, Toronto, Lawrence Park, Queens Quay, Erin Mills, Mississauga, and Liberty Village. Our experienced physiotherapists provide personalized care to help alleviate pain and improve foot function, ensuring you can get back on your feet with confidence.”
Physiotherapy and Physiology 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 well-being; 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 the 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, and maintain detailed reports of future exercise planning.
- Prepare an evaluation document, and 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’s 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, and make thorough observations over time to deliver results to the physician.
- Use medical equipment and machinery when going through the exercise of the 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 Physiotherapist
- 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.
- Physiologists provide prescriptions 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, and guide you through self-massage techniques as well.
- Physiotherapists evaluate the injury diagnosis and prognosis, whereas Physiologists receive the injury diagnosis and deliver the rehabilitation prognosis.
- 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.
- 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
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 arthritInjury Cycle – Acute Phase
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 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 Physiotherapist and how can they 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 a physiotherapist 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 well-being. The key takeaway is to choose the right professional based on your stage of recovery. If you are in the acute stages of rehabilitation, a physiotherapist is the ideal person to seek treatment from. However, if you are in the sub-acute, recovery, or chronic stage of rehabilitation, receiving treatment from an expert physiologist who can provide a specific and individually tailored exercise program is what you need.
At Physiotherapy Oakville, our team collaborates with both physiotherapists and physiologists to ensure you receive comprehensive care at every stage of your recovery. Scientific evidence supports the importance of tailored treatment plans in achieving optimal health outcomes. By joining Physiotherapy Oakville, you benefit from a multidisciplinary approach that addresses your unique needs, ensuring effective treatment and a smooth recovery process.
Click HERE to book an appointment with a physiotherapist at one of our eight locations.
- Physiotherapy Etobicoke – Triangle Physiotherapy Etobicoke
- Oakville Physiotherapy Clinic – Triangle Physiotherapy Oakville
- Physiotherapy North York – Triangle Physiotherapy North Yor
- Mississauga Physiotherapy Clinics – Triangle Physiotherapy Mississauga
- Downtown Physiotherapy Clinics – Triangle Physiotherapy King West
- Uptown Physiotherapy Clinics – Triangle Physiotherapy Lawrence Park
- Physiotherapy Clinic Downtown Toronto – Triangle Physiotherapy Queens Quay
- Physiotherapy Clinics Mississauga – Triangle Physiotherapy Erin Mills
“Understanding the differences between a physiologist and a physical therapist is crucial for choosing the right care for your needs. Triangle Physiotherapy offers expert services across the GTA, including Physiotherapy in Etobicoke, Oakville, North York, Toronto, Lawrence Park, Queens Quay, Erin Mills, Mississauga, and Liberty Village. Our skilled physiotherapists are here to provide personalized treatment plans tailored to your specific health goals.”
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.
Reasons to include exercises in your recovery
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.
Physiotherapy Oakville offers a host of services to help you recover from injury or medical conditions. You can visit our clinics in the GTA for your specific requirements or consult our physiotherapists online through a secure video conference platform from the comfort of your home or office.
Based on your condition, our physiotherapist will develop a detailed and personalized program targeted to your needs. This program will include various physiotherapy exercises aimed at addressing the difficulties you experience. Joining Physiotherapy Oakville ensures you receive tailored care that fits seamlessly into your lifestyle, promoting effective recovery and overall well-being. Connect with us today to start your personalized physiotherapy journey.
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 focuses on –
- Correcting neural pathways
- Motor control
- Balance and coordination
Your physiotherapist will suggest 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.
Spondylolisthesis is a condition that leads to back pain caused by the instability in the vertebrae. According to an article published in Spine, 6 to 11.5% of the adult population experiences this condition. People who are involved in football or gymnastics are at a higher risk. While we understand that it’s a painful condition to be in, we don’t want you to stop doing what you love and therefore, we suggest you to book an appointment with our expert Physiotherapists at any of our nine rehabilitation clinics across the GTA ( Physiotherapy Etobicoke, Physiotherapy North York, Physiotherapy Mississauga, Physiotherapy King West, Physiotherapy Lawrence Park, Physiotherapy Erin Mills, Physiotherapy Queen Quay, Physiotherapy Oakville, Liberty Village).
When it comes to spondylolisthesis, exercise plays a very important role in improving the condition. However, one must remember here that not all exercises are safe and can even further damage the spine. We are going to make you learn Spondylolisthesis exercises that must be avoided for an effective Spondylolisthesis treatment. Before we move to exercises to avoid in spondylolisthesis, we must first understand what is spondylolisthesis.
Spondylolisthesis – an overview
Is is usually caused by degeneration of the vertebrae or disc, due to trauma, injury or genetics. It makes a piece of the spinal bone, also known as vertebrae slips out of alignment and onto the bone below it. Spondylolisthesis usually occurs at the fifth lumbar vertebrae. As reported by the Cleveland Clinic, spondylolisthesis is one of the most common causes of back pain for teen athletes. Having said that, degenerative spondylolisthesis also results in low back pain in people older than 40 years.
Specific spondylolisthesis exercises are suggested to alleviate the pain and discomfort thereby improving the function and quality of life. Let’s now talk about the symptoms of spondylolisthesis.
Symptoms of Spondylolisthesis
Most of the spondylolisthesis symptoms include pain in the lower back that gets worse with standing and hyperextension. The pain may appear like a muscle strain. There are some other symptoms of spondylolisthesis that one must look out for –
• Tightness in hamstring
• Pain in posterior buttock
• Neurological changes including tingling down the legs and numbness
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms or have recently occurred an injury, consult our experienced physiotherapists at our rehabilitation clinics in different locations in GTA.
After a through examination, the physiotherapist suggests a personalised program to help reducing the pain and discomfort caused due to spondylolisthesis. Usually, the physiotherapists classify spondylolisthesis as low grade or high grade, depending on how much the vertebrae have slipped forward. Patients with lesser symptoms and low-grade slips respond well to conservative line of treatment, like exercise. However, patients who experience high grade slips witnessing numbness or tingling in the legs may require surgery.
Considering the potential risks, it is very important to know what exercises must be avoided in spondylolisthesis to prevent further damage or injury.
Spondylolisthesis Exercises to Avoid
If you are looking to rehabilitate a non-operative spondylolisthesis after consulting with the physiotherapist, expect it to take three to six months to heal, according to Sanford Orthopaedics Sports Medicine. It is suggested that the patient must take a break of at least three months from sports and athletics. The patients are also suggested to wear a brace for continuous stretch of time.
Other than rest and bracing, there are many other things to avoid in spondylolisthesis. We are now listing spondylolisthesis exercises to avoid to ensure proper and speedy recovery. These include lumbar extension movements that can take your spine past the neutral position. The lumbar extension movements may increase the pain and slow down the healing of the affected vertebrae.
Some other exercises to avoid in spondylolisthesis include –
- Prone press-ups (Push-up while lying on the stomach)
- Standing extensions
- Prone leg raises (Lifting legs while lying on the stomach)
- Back extension machine at the gym
It is also suggested that yoga asanas must also be avoided in spondylolisthesis. Yoga includes various back extension postures, like cobra and swan pose, which may not be safe to practice in spondylolisthesis.
There are some other exercises that must be avoided in spondylolisthesis. These includes weightlifting, exercises that need you to twist or bend, high impact activities that put a lot of stress on the healing back, like jumping rope or box jumps.
Now that we have learnt what exercises should be avoided for spondylolisthesis, we must also understand are the best to treat spondylolisthesis. Just like all the other injuries, physiotherapy is beneficial in the treatment of spondylolisthesis. Mostly, the rehabilitation focuses on increasing the core muscles without going past neutral along with hamstring stretches. One should expect up three to six months of rehabilitation before returning back to normalcy.
Spondylolisthesis Exercises to Do
We suggest the following spondylolisthesis exercises for a speedy and efficient recovery. We also suggest you to consult with your physiotherapist and not undertake any of these exercises without his approval.
- Pelvic tilt exercises – These exercises help in reducing the discomfort by stabilising the lower spine in a flexed position. Depending upon the pain and your preference, pelvic tilt exercises can be done in various positions.
- Crunches – Patients suffering from spondylolisthesis often face instability and pain caused by weak abdominal muscles. This can be strengthened with powerful crunch exercises. You must try to focus on proper form and moving slowly to engage the core muscles. Spondylolisthesis is a painful condition to be in and therefore we suggest not to force the body to move through full range of motion. This may increase the pain and slow down the recovery time.
- Hamstring stretch – Spinal instability often causes tension in the hamstrings to those suffering from spondylolisthesis. Hamstrings are the large muscles that run down the back of the thigh. Stretching hamstrings sitting on the ground can help to relieve tension and tightness caused due to spondylolisthesis. It also reduces the lower back pain.
- Multifidus activation – Multifidus muscles are the small but very important muscles lying next to the spine. These muscles help in bending and twisting movements thereby increasing the stability of the spinal joints. If suffering from spondylolisthesis, activating multifidi will ease the pain and provide the much-needed comfort.
- Double knee to chest – This spondylolisthesis exercise is suggested to decrease the instability and improve the strength. It works on the core muscles of the torso and is thus beneficial in spondylolisthesis.
Check with your physiotherapist before starting any exercise program for spondylolisthesis while recovering from this injury. You can aim for a gradual return to physical and sports activities, depending on the severity of the injury and how string your core is. Post healing core strengthening is also suggested to prevent future injuries.
Click HERE to book an appointment with a physiotherapist at one of our eight locations.
- Physiotherapy Etobicoke – Triangle Physiotherapy Etobicoke
- Oakville Physiotherapy Clinic – Triangle Physiotherapy Oakville
- Physiotherapy North York – Triangle Physiotherapy North York
- Mississauga Physiotherapy Clinics – Triangle Physiotherapy Mississauga
- Downtown Physiotherapy Clinics – Triangle Physiotherapy King West
- Uptown Physiotherapy Clinics – Triangle Physiotherapy Lawrence Park
- Physiotherapy Clinic Downtown Toronto – Triangle Physiotherapy Queens Quay
- Physiotherapy Clinics Mississauga – Triangle Physiotherapy Erin Mills
For those managing spondylolisthesis, seeking guidance from professional physiotherapists is essential. Whether you are looking for physiotherapy in Etobicoke, Oakville, North York, Toronto, Lawrence Park, Queens Quay, Erin Mills, Mississauga, or Liberty Village, there are specialized clinics available to help you avoid harmful exercises and support your recovery with personalized treatment plans.
