How can I benefit from physiotherapy?

The purpose of physiotherapy remains the same, no matter what you are seeking its services for.
Perhaps you are still suffering from the lingering pain of an injury. Perhaps you are recovering from surgery and trying to get your range of motion back. Perhaps your joints simply aren’t what they used to be, and you are looking for relief.
Whatever the case may be, physiotherapists are dedicated to relieving your pain and getting you back to your peak level of physical health.
A physiotherapist is a movement specialist, educated in analyzing mobility issues with walking, running, jumping, bending, stretching, and almost every other form of physical activity.
Our physiotherapist can pinpoint problem areas and create a customized treatment plan aimed at improving those areas.
Through in-office sessions and at-home exercises, patients strengthen their muscles and joints, improve their balance, build endurance, and experience pain relief, all without the unwanted harmful risks of drugs or surgery.

So, what should I know about physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy is aimed at pain relief and strengthening, and our Ottawa physiotherapist will make sure that your treatment plan won’t bring you any pain or discomfort.
PT generally consists of three important phases: pain relief, strengthening, and functional integration. Some people are apprehensive toward physiotherapy because they believe it will hurt them; however, the opposite is usually true.
An active lifestyle is very dependent upon movement. Our physiotherapist will cater your treatment plan around specific movements designed to increase your strength, flexibility, balance, and overall mobility. He or she will assist you with many of these exercises, but will also provide some simple ones that can be done at home.
The end result of physiotherapy is living the life you want, free from painful limitations. That can only happen when you apply the concepts you learn from your treatments to the outside world.
Our physiotherapist is as dedicated as you are, and will encourage you to achieve all the goals you set forth in the beginning.

What does a physiotherapy treatment plan look like?

Everyone has different needs based on the conditions of their bodies. There is no cookie-cutter approach to health and wellness, as one treatment plan may not work the same for one person as it would for another.
Our physiotherapist will work closely with you to evaluate your mobility, balance, range of motion, and severity of pain. Your physical goals will also be taken into account when creating your treatment plan, as well as any health risks that may be holding you back.
At your initial evaluation, you may be asked to perform basic movements, such as sitting down, standing up, walking, lifting, stretching, or other motions.
Once our physiotherapist has a clear picture of what you need, he or she will begin constructing a treatment plan to help relieve your pain and achieve your goals.

Did You Know Physiotherapy Could Help With Those “Spins”?

We’ve all had the sensation of being dizzy – as if you can’t focus, can’t see straight, can’t stand upright without swaying or falling. You may even experience “tunnel vision,” where your peripheral vision goes dark for a few seconds.
Many of us recognize this sensation to be the same one we feel when we stand up too fast. It can certainly be very disorienting, however, it typically passes in a second or two!
However, does your dizziness do more than just disorient you for a few seconds after standing up? Is it impacting your daily life?
Dizziness is common and can have many causes. Vertigo, however, is a little different. While dizziness is typically synonymous with “lightheadedness,” which creates the illusion of being unsteady, vertigo is typically a response to a physiological factor that is causing a literal imbalance in your body.
Those experiencing vertigo have reported feeling as if they are “rocking” or “spinning,” even when they are sitting still.

Causes of dizziness/vertigo

A few of the many factors that can lead to dizziness include lack of sleep, poor nutrition, overexertion, or a physical ailment, such as a head cold or the flu. Dizziness can also occur from something as simple as standing up too quickly after an extended period of rest.

Some accompanying symptoms to dizziness may include:
Loss of balance
Feeling woozy or faint
Momentarily impaired vision (i.e. tunnel vision)
Lightheadedness or heavy-headedness

The best way to know the cause of your dizziness is to consult with a specialist. There could be another underlying cause you are not aware of.

You may also look out for these other specific symptoms as well in regards to vertigo:
Sweating
Abnormal eye movements
Arm or leg weakness
Difficulty seeing or speaking
Inability to focus or remain alert
Nausea or vomiting
Double vision

How do I know if I’m experiencing dizziness or vertigo?

Vertigo is most commonly caused by an imbalance in the inner ear, also known as the “vestibular system.”
Your vestibular system helps you maintain your balance and center of gravity by sending messages to your brain regarding your movement. When this is impaired, the necessary messages become blocked from your brain, and your movement becomes affected.
Those who experience vertigo may feel as if the world is spinning around them, they can’t focus their vision for prolonged periods of time, or they can’t stand/move properly without feeling like they are going to topple over. This can be very scary and frustrating to deal with, as it interferes with a person’s routine and lifestyle.

Some common causes of vertigo include:

Migraines
Migraines can impact your vestibular system, thus causing episodes of vertigo which may be coupled with a sensitivity to light or sound. Vision may also be impaired

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
This is the most common cause of vertigo. It occurs when the tiny calcium crystals located in your ears break apart and move around to different parts of the ear, where they are not supposed to be. This can cause sudden spinning sensations (vertigo) and inner-ear discomfort.

Stroke
A stroke affects movement in your whole body. If you recently suffered a stroke, you may experience waves of vertigo that may linger for extended periods of time.

Meniere’s disease
This occurs when fluid builds up in your ear(s). This typically includes “ringing” in your ear and sudden waves of intense dizziness that may last for hours. You may also experience momentary hearing losses.

Vestibular neuritis
This is an inner-ear infection that can cause vertigo.

How can physiotherapy and massage therapy provide relief for dizziness and vertigo?
Both dizziness and vertigo can hinder your daily life, limiting your ability to perform even the simplest of tasks. Thankfully, no matter what the cause of your imbalance may be, physiotherapy and massage therapy for dizziness and vertigo can help.

Anatomy Physiotherapy Clinic is very successful at diagnosing and treating both dizziness and vertigo with vestibular rehabilitation in Ottawa. Vestibular rehabilitation includes treatments such as the Epley maneuver and Cawthorne head exercises.

The Epley maneuver allows for canalith repositioning, in order to move the broken calcium crystals in patients experiencing BPPV. Cawthorne head exercises focus on decreasing nerve sensitivity and reducing the effects of vertigo.

What is massage therapy?
Massage therapy is commonly used in Ottawa to help those whose muscles may have experienced extended periods of overuse. It helps in loosening up any tight areas and making recovery quicker and easier.

Your soft tissues and you:

Your muscles are made up of many small, thin fibers that contract on command, working together to mobilize your muscle groups. These muscles are attached to your bones by connective tissues, called tendons, enabling them to move your body parts. Your bones are then connected by tough bands of connective tissue, called ligaments, for added stability. Your ligaments are covered by yet another connective tissue called fascia. All of these connective tissues can be referred to as “soft tissues.”

Soft tissues help to mobilize your joints and give your body the strength it needs to perform tasks. Your soft tissues provide you with the ability to do many things; however, they also limit you from pushing yourself too far – even if that’s your intention. These can be damaged by certain stresses, especially those caused by the repeated actions within athletic activity. Massage therapy can help to loosen up your muscles, and may even prevent future injuries from occurring.

How massage therapy will improve your life:

Massage therapy can be extremely beneficial for people of all again. A Ottawa therapist may recommend specific types of massage to complement your physical therapy treatments, including:

Deep tissue massage: This type of massage loosens up your muscles and their connective tissues.
Myofascial release: This type of massage creates room for tissues that may be trapped by distortions or fascial adhesions, freeing them from constriction.

Massage therapy promotes tissue healing, so you can get back to living your life as quickly as possible. By working to mobilize, loosen, and relax your muscles, you can help them stay limber. This will decrease your risk of future strains, sprains, and ruptures.

Your soft tissues work hard to make sure your body is functioning correctly, so it is important to help optimize their health and function. If you are in Ottawa looking for massage therapist, request an appointment from Anatomy Physiotherapy Clinic therapists are happy to discuss our massage service with you and how it will benefit your life.