Blog - Activa Physiotherapy Ottawa

Activa Approach to Healing and Relieving Pain

The origins of physiotherapy (physical therapy) as a profession date back to the 19^th century when Per Henrik Ling, “Father of Swedish Gymnastics” founded the Royal Central Institute of Gymnastics (RCIG) in 1813 for massage, manipulation, and exercise.

Modern physiotherapy (physical therapy) was established in Britain towards the end of the 19th century. In Canada, the Canadian Association of Massage and Remedial Gymnastics (CAMRG) was incorporated in 1935 by the Dominion Charter and renamed the Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA), which works to advance the profession of physiotherapy in order to improve the health of Canadians.

Treatment through the 1940s primarily consisted of exercise, massage and traction. Manipulative procedures to the spine and extremity joints were also practiced in the British Commonwealth countries during the early 1950s. Later that decade, physiotherapists started to move beyond hospital-based practice to outpatient orthopedic clinics, public schools, colleges/universities, geriatric settings, rehabilitation and medical centres.

Today, physiotherapy (physical therapy) consists of Manual Therapy, Modern Electrotherapy and Modalities. Activa Physiotherapy Ottawa’s approach to physical therapy combines healing and long-term injury prevention.

5 Ways to Reduce Risk of New Year’s Resolution Injuries

Happy New Year from Activa Physiotherapy Ottawa! It’s that time for New Year’s resolutions so we encourage you to be careful and reduce risk of injury if you’re pursuing an ambitious fitness plan after time away from regular exercise.

A rapid increase in physical activity and intensity often causes common injuries including achilles and gluteal, calf and hamstring strains, lower back and neck strains, and rotator cuff injury.

Consider these 5 ways to reduce risk of injury so you can follow through on your New Year’s resolutions to improve your health and fitness while sustaining wellness throughout 2017 and beyond.

Happy Holidays from Activa Physiotherapy Ottawa

Activa Physiotherapy Ottawa staff wishes you and your family all the best during this Holiday season, a time to enjoy with loved ones and reflect on the year that has passed.

Please be advised that physiotherapy treatment will not be available from December 23, 2016 until January 3, 2017. Massage therapy is available as per regular scheduling — if you would like to book your appointment, please call 613-744-4188.

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Are Intense Workouts Harming Your Immune System?

Do you exercise rigorously on a regular basis? Consider a healthy recovery training program, just like a competitive athlete.

For your muscles the be strong, you need to exercise to the point of tearing muscle fibres, as exercise increases your ability to take in oxygen. Studies show that if your intense workouts aren’t followed by easy workouts, you may be suppressing your immune system to colds and increased chances of injury.

Consecutive hard workout days reduce white blood cells, which are there to protect you from germs and infections. As overtraining increases muscle pain and prolonged exhaustion, it can affect your immunity to illness, infections and muscle recovery.

Piriformis syndrome: More than a pain in the butt?

Piriformis syndrome, also know as “pain in the butt,” is commonly seen in individuals who spend long hours sitting. People who work at their desk all day, drive long distances and ride motorcycles can experience this discomfort. Long-distance runners, cyclists and skiers are also at high-risk.

Piriformis muscle is deep under gluteal muscles, running across the pelvis area outwards and attaching to the thigh bone. When the hip is extended, it’s an external rotator. When the hip is flexed, it’s an internal rotator. Any injury, irritation or tightness to the Piriformis muscle may lead to neurogenic symptoms down the limb.

Symptoms

Spring Gardening: 7 Tips to Prevent Back Injury and Muscle Strain

Spring gardening season is here! Before you start planting your favourite flowers, make sure you keep safety in mind to avoid muscle strain or back injury. Small changes to your movements and gardening habits will allow you to enjoy spring gardening and the beauty it brings.

Gardening is a physical activity so think of it as one that requires training, similar to preparing for running a marathon. Consider gardening as hiking — your first time out for the season shouldn’t exceed a few hours. Lifting and digging can put stress on your back and other muscles and the morning after a day filled with planting will activate muscles you likely haven’t used all winter.

Knee pain: 4 common reasons

Did you know that knee pain can result from conditions that you might not associate with your knee? People often seek orthopaedic consultation for knee pain, although not all knee pain requires surgery.

Knee pain is complex and can be the result of a number of factors involving surrounding joint dysfunction. We often associate knee injury with sports injury or overuse of the knee, but there are a number of reasons why you can experience knee pain. Your flexibility, joint mobility, strength and posture can cause poor joint mechanics resulting in knee problems. A holistic approach in physio assessment and treatment helps to determine possible causes of this condition.

Continue reading “Knee pain: 4 common reasons”

What to Expect from Physical Therapy

Your First Appointment at Activa Physiotherapy Ottawa

At Activa Physiotherapy Ottawa, you begin with an extensive assessment with Registered Physiotherapist Barbara Stefanska. We start by reviewing your health history then evaluate your pain and movement patterns, strength, joint range of motion, reflexes and sensation.

Based on your assessment, your Physiotherapist establishes a diagnosis and partners with you to determine the most suitable Physical Therapy treatment to relieve your pain, optimize your function and movement, and improve your physical condition. You will also be provided with video instruction to help you follow your exercise program at home.

Preventing Wrist Fracture this Winter

Look at all that snow, Ottawa! Activa Physiotherapy Ottawa recommends that you protect yourself when walking on snowy walkways and participate in sports this winter season to prevent injuries that may cause a wrist fracture.

Did you know? The medical term for a broken wrist is a wrist fracture. Your wrist has eight bones connecting to the radius and ulna – two long bones in your forearm. A broken wrist can happen to any of your 10 bones but the most common fracture is in the radius.

Continue reading “Preventing Wrist Fracture this Winter”

8 Easy Stretches to Prep for Downhill Skiing

Ski Season is Here, Ottawa!

Ski season is here and if you love to hit the slopes, make sure you prepare for the demands of this winter sport. Whether you’re an athlete or weekend warrior, we recommend that you stretch to avoid minor aches, pains or a serious injury.

The most common injuries that we treat at Activa Physiotherapy Ottawa among skiers are torque-type injuries to the lower extremities (hip, knee, ankle joints and bones of the thigh, leg and foot). Twisting of the upper leg one way while the lower leg rotates in the opposite direction can result in tears to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), which can be avoided by stretching in advance of physical activity.

Did you know that all of the major muscle groups in your body are used for skiing? Continue reading “8 Easy Stretches to Prep for Downhill Skiing”

The origins of physiotherapy (physical therapy) as a profession date back to the 19th century when Per Henrik Ling, “Father of Swedish Gymnastics” founded the Royal Central Institute of Gymnastics (RCIG) in 1813 for massage, manipulation, and exercise.