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 […]
Understanding & Treating Tennis Elbow
What is tennis elbow? Tennis elbow also called Lateral Epicondylalgia is one of the most common overuse injuries in the elbow. This involves injury to an extensor muscle of the forearm; this muscle goes from the top of wrist to the outside of your elbow. Tennis elbow commonly occurs with repetitive use of the wrist […]
Lower Back Pain Acupuncture Therapy
Acupuncture for Low Back Pain By physiotherapist, Stephanie Harrap, B.HK (KIN), MPT, CAFCI What is Acupuncture and how does it work? Acupuncture is a form of Chinese medicine that can be traced back at least 2,500 years. The general premise behind acupuncture is that the body contains patterns of energy flow known as Qi (pronounced “chee”) […]
Understanding the Rotator Cuff: Common Shoulder Injuries & Treatment
I have a Rotator what? Rotator who? Rotator what? Recently, I have encountered numerous patients asking about their rotator Cuff, specifically, tears, pulls and strains. But what is a Rotator Cuff? Is it that new fancy kitchen wear item off The Shopping Channel for $9.99? Can I buy another one if mine tears, pulls or […]