Tips to Foam Rolling for Training & Running
How do I use a foam roller? Fret not, here’s a guide to help reduce those tired, sore and tight muscles. Especially if you’re training for the Sun Run, BMO and other upcoming races. Foam rollers come in many different lengths and sizes, and it all depends on the body part you are wanting to […]
What happens to my pelvic girdle during a vaginal delivery?
Changes to the Pelvic Floor with Vaginal Delivery During a vaginal delivery your tissues become stretched to allow for the baby to pass through the vaginal canal. The stretching process leaves the pelvic tissue swollen and bruise similar to a pulled or torn muscle in another region of your body. Swelling and stretching of musculature can result […]
Body Changes in Pregnancy & How Physiotherapy Can Help
What happens to my body during pregnancy and how can Physiotherapy help? During pregnancy a woman’s body undergoes many physiological changes to allow for development and delivery of the infant. These physiological and anatomical changes affect the pelvic floor musculature, which stretch from your pubic bone to the base of your spine, and also include […]
Understanding Iliotibial Band Syndrome
IT Band Syndrome: Pain Along Outside of Knee Are you a runner, soccer player or a skater? Do you have pain along the outside of your knee while enjoying any of the above activities? Or do you have pain when walking or running downhill, but not uphill? Do you feel any repetitive snapping or “squeaking” […]
Pregnancy and Postpartum Diastasis Rectus Abdominis
What is Diastasis Rectus Abdominis (DRA)? Diastasis Rectus Abdominis (DRA), also known as abdominal separation, is separation of muscle bellies midline in the muscle, rectus abdominus along the fascial connection of the line alba. A study looking at DRA in pregnant and postpartum women showed at third trimester 66% and postpartum 53% of women had […]
Prevention of shoulder injuries in swimmers
What causes shoulder injuries in swimmers? Shoulder injuries are the most common injuries amongst swimmers. Several factors contribute to this. These include training errors, such as overuse (too much), misuse (poor technique), abuse (excessive force, such as when using hand paddles), and disuse (lack of use resulting in muscle weakening). The repetitive overhead activity of […]
Understanding The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) in Physiotherapy
What is the FMS? The FMS is a ranking and grading system that documents movement patterns that are key to normal function. By screening these patterns, the FMS readily identifies functional limitations and asymmetries. These are issues that can reduce the effects of functional training and physical conditioning and distort body awareness. The FMS is […]
How Physiotherapy Can Help with Painful Intercourse
What is Dyspareunia? Dyspareunia is pain that is persistent and reoccurring before, during or after sexual intercourse. Many women experience painful intercourse, studies have shown that it can affect anywhere between 20% and 50% of women. However, these numbers most likely underestimate the true prevalence of dyspareunia, many women do not seek medical treatment. What […]
Injury Rates & Gender Differences in Runners
Gender Differences in Runners Looking at research to reduce injury rates in runners I recently attended a presentation on some new research coming out of UBC that’s looking at gender as a predicting factor for injuries in runners. It is one of the first studies to look at the differences in rates and types of […]
Understanding, Managing & Treating Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Conservative management of Pelvic Organ Prolapse What is Pelvic Organ Prolapse? A pelvic organ prolapse is a systematic descent of a pelvic organ (uterus, cervix, bladder) pushing on the walls of your vagina and/or anus and is observed in 50% of postpartum woman (1,2). Descent of a pelvic organ may occur under various conditions such […]