Scoliosis

Physiotherapy Care

Scoliosis

Spinal Curvature

What is Scoliosis?
Usually a result of heredity or injury, scoliosis is a sideways curve of the spine that can lead to increasing back pain and stiffness. Scoliosis is seen more often in females than in males, and it usually begins in childhood. If left untreated, symptoms can become severe.

A Balanced Spine
From the front, the spine looks like a straight line from the neck to the hips.

An Unbalanced Spine
Vertebrae, the bones in your spine, are curved to the side instead of straight.

Discs, which absorb shock between vertebrae, may bulge, rupture, or wear down.

Nerves, which travel through the vertebrae and carry the body’s messages, may be pinched or irritated.

Muscles, may be overused on one side of your body and weak on the other side.

History, X-rays, and Physical Exam
You and your physiotherapist will discuss your symptoms, any injuries, your family health history, and your lifestyle, including your physical activities. X-rays, the “blueprints” of your spine, may be taken to reveal the condition of your vertebrae. During the physical exam, a series of other tests may also be done.

A grid test or postural analysis shows whether your ears, shoulders, and hips are level.

The bend-over test shows whether one side of your back is raised and the spine curved to one side.

Diagnosis
Based on the examination and findings, your physiotherapist may begin an individualized treatment program to stabilize your scoliosis or improve your spinal health. If needed, your physiotherapist will also consult with other medical specialists about your condition.

Special Exercises
Your physiotherapist may suggest exercises that can strengthen the weak side of your body and stretch the tight side. Be sure to do only those exercises that your physiotherapist recommends.

Other Treatments
To help stretch your spine and improve its alignment and mobility, your physiotherapist may recommend other types of treatment – such as moist heat, ice packs, traction, or orthopedic support.

What Can I Do to Help My Spine?
Smart Support
Strengthen your spine by staying aware of your posture. Whether standing, sitting, or lying down, keep your spine straight and supported. Be sure to continue any exercise program that your physiotherapist may have recommended.

To help mold and align your spine, lie down for 15-20 minutes a day with a rolled-up towel under your neck and lower back. Check with your physiotherapist before trying this.

Spinal Checkups
Just as you need regular dental exams, you also need regular spinal exams. Physiotherapy is one of the best ways to detect and control scoliosis. Your physiotherapist can help you and your family maintain healthier lives with healthier spines.

Visit http://www.physiotherapycentres.com/ for more information or call 604-941-3055 to book an appointment now.

What is Kinesiology. Kinesiologist. Kin.

Chances are you either know someone who has studied Kin, have seen a Kinesiologist yourself, or you’ve never heard of this. So what IS Kinesiology?? Simply, it is the study of human movement. And a Kinesiologist is someone who has completed a Bachelors Degree in Kinesiology and is a practicing member of the British Columbia Association of Kinesiologists (BCAK) and/or the Canadian Kinesiology Alliance (CKA). This means that your Kinesiologist has spent 4 years studying how the body functions and moves, and has become a specialist in movement and corrective exercise. Kinesiologists can help you by developing a specific exercise program to correct movement patterns when faulty movements are causing pain. For example, someone who suffers from chronic back pain may benefit from Kinesiology treatments by improving posture and core endurance, while helping to eliminate movements that may be causing pain. How would you know if movements are causing pain? Ask yourself, ‘Do I have better and worse days?’ If the answer is YES, then some movements or postures that you make are aggravating and easing your pain. A Kinesiologist can help you figure out what movements aggravate and eliminate or modify these movements! Seeking the advice of a Kinesiologist is also beneficial for individuals who are looking to increase their activity levels but may have a previous injury or may be unsure of how to exercise safely. While many Kinesiologists also work with athletes, anyone can benefit from Kinesiology treatment, and we welcome everyone to come see our Kinesiologists! No referral required! Come see: Courtney Perrson in Guildford and Langley Jamie Masaro in Guildford Marissa Joel in Burke Mountain and New Westminster Diana Doan in Coquitlam

Dear Kristan

Warm thoughts can make the sun a little brighter, the sky a little bluer, the world a little nicer. Dear Kristan, Thank you for a very informative interview. I have not experienced a group interview before. I would enjoy being part of your team and would be an asset to your company. Sincerely, A

Warm Thoughts

to the front desk team at Guildford, Thank you for being so pleasant. I hope to meet up with you again sometime. Sincerely, Annette Warm thoughts can make the sun a little brighter, the sky a little bluer, the world a little nicer.

Preventing Falls: What You Should Know

Falls are the leading cause of home injury among adults age 65 and older. In recent decades the number and frequency of fatal injuries caused by falls among older adults has increased dramatically throughout the world. Each year, more than 4700 Americans aged 65 and older die as a result of falls, and more than a million elderly Americans are admitted to hospital emergency rooms to treat injuries related to falls, according to the Home Safety Council. Falls generally result from an interaction of various risk factors and situations. Frequently, older people are not aware of their risks of falling and often do not recognize risk factors. Although no single factors cause all falls, the greater the number of risk factors to which an individual is exposed, the greater the probability of a fall and the more likely the results of the fall will threaten the person’s independence. Even a fall that does not cause an injury can limit confidence and the ability to be comfortable living independently. Risk factors responsible for a fall are considered to be either environmental (i.e. poor lighting, loose carpets, lack of bathroom equipment) or physical (i.e. leg weakness, poor grip, strength, visual problem, balance disorders). Many of these risk factors are considered to be preventable. As obvious as it may sound, a lack of knowledge about risk factors and how to prevent them contributes to many falls. Come people believe that falls are a normal part of aging, and such are not preventable. However, lack of knowledge leads to lack of preventative action, resulting in falls. For many elderly people, the home can be a hazardous place. Homes with loose throw rugs, runners and mats, curled carpet edges, poor lighting, slippery uncarpeted floors and stairs can turn into “booby traps”. A Yale School of Medicine study of people ages 72 and older living in and around New Haven, Connecticut, found that the most dangerous part of the house was the floor in the living rooms, bedrooms and hallways. Stairways were the second most dangerous zone, according to the study, published in the American Journal of Public Health, which went on to recommend the use of night lights and light switched at the top and bottom of the stairways as well as handrails. Bathrooms were also considered to be dangerous due to the fact that tubs and showers usually lacked non skid mats, abrasive strips and grab bars. In addition to poor lighting, toilets were typically too wobbly or too low for an older person to rise from safely. Kitchens were next on the list, with poor lighting , unstable step stools and storage areas that required an older person to reach high or bend low. Since one-third of all falls in the elderly involve environmental hazards in the home, it may be useful to conduct a walk-through of your home to identify possible problems that may lead to falling. A home visit by an occupational therapist might also be useful in that they are trained to identify risk factors and recommend appropriate actions. Recommendations are specific and comprehensive and often include measures to improve home safety such as the addition of grab bars in the bathroom, removal of loose area rugs, and using alternate colors to denote changes in the surface structures. Some of the reasons seniors tend to fall more often are result of physical changes such as lack of flexibility and muscle strength, especially in their legs. Failure to exercise regularly results in poor muscle tone, decreased strength, and loss of bone mass, which contribute to falls and the severity of injury due to falls. Recent studies have found that physical activity is an effective intervention strategy for preventing falls in older people. A supervised strength and endurance training program prescribed by a physiotherapist has been found to be effective in reducing the rate of falling by more than 30% according to the British Medical Journal. Physiotherapist play a key role in identifying those at risk of falling and providing interventions such as exercise to improve balance and strength, prescription of appropriate walking aids and activities to maximize endurance, fitness and bone density. For people at high risk of falling, they can also intervene to reduce the severity of a fall by prescribing injury- reducing braces such as hip protectors. Recent research has also identified that balance in women begins to decline after the age of 40 due changes in sensation and vision. Exercise programs incorporating vision and head movements can also improve balance in the ‘under 60’s’ to reduce the likelihood of future falls. Exercise groups and activity programs and activity programs designed and implemented by physiotherapist are also effective in optimizing balance and fitness for people with conditions that may restrict participation in general activity programs, such as those with diabetes, arthritis, or neurological dysfunction.

Welcome Bobby Edwards, PT

We would like to introduce Bobby Edwards, BHK, MPT. He is a physiotherapist with a strong interest in orthopedics and sports rehabilitation. Bobby will be working out of Guildford Physiotherapy & Hand Center. Bobby graduated from the University of British Columbia in 2009 with a Bachelor of Human Kinetics, with a Kinesiology and health science major. He completed his Masters of Physical Therapy in 2011 at UBC and is now entering private practice. Bobby is results focused and seeks to provide effective and time sensitive treatments. As a professional, he seeks to engage clients in an active lifestyle that extends beyond the duration of their physiotherapy treatment. Key success factors involve establishing trust and rapport with each individual client, taking time to understand and address their individual mobility goals.

Medical Compression Stocking Therapy

Reasons to Use Stockings - Deep Vein Thrombosis - Venous Diseases - Lymphodema - Lipodema - Lipo-lymphodema - Phlebolymphedema Recognize Symptoms Early for Best Treatment 1. Tired, heavy feeling legs 2. Leg pain from prolonged sitting or standing 3. Swollen ankles at night 4. Varicose or spider veins, especially during pregnancy 5. Tingling, numbness, burning, or cramping in legs and feet 6. Discoloration of skin 7. Open sores or ulcers on the lower leg 8. History of vein problems in the family If you have any questions, ask your therapist when you book an appointment at Helping Hands www.physiotherapycentres.com