Pes Anserine Bursitis, or "My knee hurts!"

Knee and back pain are kinda like a really good steak: everyone has experienced it, or at least knows someone who has. The types with flashy names like "runner's knee" (patellofemoral pain) or "lumbago" (lower back pain) get all sorts of attention, but what about poor old "hurt goose's foot"?! An awkward way of describing for anserine bursitis, it doesn't really tell you what's going with your knee, does it? Not to worry, that's what we're here for.

Because it often pops up right alongside other knee problems (MCL tear anyone?), this injury is often overlooked. The "goose's foot" refers to the pes anserinus, the conjoined leg tendons that connect to your tibia, just below your knee cap, on the inner side of your lower leg. They're most there to flex the knee, but also stabilize it side-to-side.

Guess it's not surprising then that pes anserine injuries are found most commonly in young individuals playing sports with lots of side-to-side movement. Risk is also increased in people with tight hamstrings, who overpronate when running, or who are obese. Pain normally creeps in when going from sitting to standing or climbing up stairs, but walking along a flat surface feels just fine. Especially when the injury is due to some feat of athletics, the pain can occur when stretching the hamstrings or reproduced with some stretches by your physiotherapist.

Not a young buck but still struggling with knee pain you think might fit that description? Pes anserine bursitis also occurs in older patients with articular cartilage damage. It often coincides with osteoarthritis of the knee, increasing the severity of pain and functional limitations.

So, hurty knees, what are you going to do? No matter the knee pain, it's important to have it diagnosed, since there are SO many different things that could be going on. If it is pes anserine bursitis the first thing you'll likely be prescribed is rest. Anti-inflammatory medications will help with swelling and pain, but won't fix the problem. Physiotherapy is what you'll need to correct the biomechanics that lead to your injury, and ultrasound or electrical stimulation will also help reduce inflammation.  Take action now and count your lucky stars: the need for surgical intervention is rare for this injury!

Thumbs...down. Skier's thumb is no fun.

Winter just. won't. end. Good! That means you're all still skiing, and today's post is still relevant. 

Kidding! Of course this post is relevant, it's about an injury commonly know as skier's thumb, but it doesn't actually discriminate. We're referring to a tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in the thumb after an extreme force pulls the thumb away from the palm of the hand. That extreme force could be you hurtling down a mountainside with a ski-pole in hand, bailing, and falling while holding onto the aforementioned pole. Or you could've been rock climbing, or you might've caught a ball funny, or were playing a ridiculously violent game of rock-paper-scissors. Doesn't matter how it went down, we're going to talk about your sore thumb.

About that thumb, it's sore, yeah? Feels weak when you pinch or pick things up? See a bit of bruising around the joint? Run your other hand along it and maybe feel a little bump? Take a deep breath, and don't panic. Our physiotherapists know just what to do.

If it's a minor tear and you get in right away, you'll probably be right as rain after a few physiotherapy sessions. You may need to immobilize your thumb with sports tape when doing activities, and your physiotherapist can give you some guidance. If your injury is more serious, you may need to immobilize the thumb with a "thumb spica" cast for a few weeks. Immobilization is important to let the ligament heal, and then treatment to help get your strength and range of motion back can begin.

Think you've got a case of skier's thumb? Give any of our clinics a call to see a physiotherapist. Otherwise, thumbs up for a few more days of skiing!

Old or recurring injuries? Stop 'em now!

If you've been injured in the past or exercise regularly, and haven't fixed the aches, pains, or sore spots that keep nagging at you, we hear you. Whether you've just tweaked a little something that keeps aching or have an injury that keeps on coming back for more, it's time to get them straightened out so you can be in tip top shape come the sunshine!

Injuries happen, and an ache or pain that dissipates in a few days is usually nothing to worry about. If it's lasting for weeks or months, or happens to reoccur, that's a sign that something isn't quite right, so it's time to stop ignoring it! Even if the pain is mild, don't try to be macho - pain can cause your body to alter it's mechanics which leads to unnecessary stress on joints, ligaments, muscles and tendons.

These pains are likely due to overuse or a small injury to a tendon or muscle. While taking something like ibuprofen can make you feel right as rain, it doesn't take care of the problem. Exercising through the masked pain and swelling can leads to chronic inflammation, causing weakness, tissue breakdown, more pain, more swelling and BAM! You're got yourself a nagging injury.

So what do you do? The first step is to apply heat before exercising, and use RICE (Rest Ice Compression Elevation) after training to help control the pain and swelling. It will help you control the symptoms best without having to slow down too much, but again, it's not going to fix the problem. It's time to see the physio, be evaluated and figure out what the issue is so you can say buh-bye to that pain-in-the-whatever.

Instead of quitting exercise because something hurts, your physiotherapist will set you up with a personalized treatment plan, including exercise options that won't aggravate your injury. The plan will also include advice on how to modify your training techniques so you can keep doing the activities you want, but pain free.

Once your physiotherapist helps make that pain a distant memory,  be sure to start ramping up your normal activity slowly. Again, most of these sorts of injuries are due to over training, so getting back at it too hard or too fast will land you right back in injury land!

Don't get shut out: preventing groin strain

With the Winter Olympics now in full swing, almost everyone in the country is thinking about one thing: HOCKEY! We know offsides and icing are common in hockey, but unfortunately so are groin strains.Whether you are a back yard rink rat or a 2018 hopeful here are some tips to keep you on the ice and off the injury reserve:

WARM UP: this is most often on the injury prevention list because it is SO important! Make sure to warm up completely, including dynamic or movement stretches. If you aren't sure what that means, ask next time you're in and your physiotherapist would be happy to explain these to you.

STRETCH THIGHS DAILY: stretch both the inner thigh and outer thigh muscles daily. While tight groin muscles can lead up to a strain, you should also stretch your hamstrings to keep your muscles balanced.

REGULAR MASSAGE & MANUAL THERAPY: regular massages from a massage therapist and regular manual therapy from your physiotherapist helps to keep your muscles flexible. They also help to break down old scar tissue and help with trigger points that could lead to injuries later on.

PRACTICE SPORT-SPECIFIC DRILLS: sudden changes of motion during play can cause groin strains, but practising the movements helps your muscles adapt and become stronger while doing them. Based on the sport your play, and the condition you are in, our physiotherapists can assign exercises specific to your needs. 

WORK ON CORE STABILITY: a strong core is a stable base for the movements you'll be doing no matter the sport, and can reduce the chance of straining your adductor.

IMPROVE YOUR PROPRIOCEPTION: proprioception is your body's ability to know what part of it is doing without looking at that part. That seems a bit confusing, but it's how you can walk up stairs without looking at your feet, or put food in your mouth without a mirror. That seems like the sort of thing you might not be able to improve, but it's based on balance, coordination and agility. Balance and sport-specific movement work improve your proprioception, improve your stability and all that helps to avoid injury.

STRENGTHEN THIGH & HIP MUSCLES: strengthening the muscles involved in the movement responsible for an injury increases your stability in that area. It is important for preventing injury, but especially for preventing a reoccurrence if you've already been injured. Your physiotherapist can determine where your muscle imbalances are, and assign exercises specific to your needs.

REST: make sure you rest! Over training leads to fatigue, which most definitely increases your risk of injury. Use it as your excuse to watch some of the games! Go Canada!

Don't get snowed in! How to Shovel Snow and Prevent Snow Removal Injuries

With all the snow we had this past weekend (and all that's surely still to come), many of you are probably best friends with your shovel. If you're lucky enough to have teenagers to do it for you, pass this on to some of your less fortunate friends. Those of us who are stuck  shovelling, huffing, and anticipating a hot cuppa afterwards often think of snow removal as just another of the joys winter brings, but in all seriousness, it can actually be dangerous! Every winter people are injured while shovelling or using a snow blower, so heed these tips to make sure you aren't one of them:

Look out: watch out for icy patches or uneven ground, since a fall could be worse than just having to shovel a bit of snow. Make sure to keep scarves and hats from blocking your vision, you need to watch where your shovel or blower is going too.

Warm-up: warm up with some light exercise inside for 10 minutes before you go exercise by moving snow outside. Once you're back inside warm up again with a nice hot drink.

Pace yourself: just like any other exercise, be sure to take breaks when you need them, and don't get dehydrated. You don't feel as thirsty when it's cold, but you need to stay hydrated all the same. If you've gone at it too hard and experience chest pain, shortness of breath of other signs that  indicate a heart attack be sure to stop immediately and call 9-1-1.

Pace your blower: snowblowers can help make quick work out of clearing a driveway, but if used improperly could leave you with a back injury. They are designed to move at a particular speed, so don't be trying to force your blower to go faster - it's already doing the work for you!

Pick your weapon wisely: if using a shovel make sure to pick one that is comfortable for your height and strength. Using a shovel that is too heavy, too long, or even too short is not only asking for injury but also makes shovelling less efficient.

Just don't do it: if you have a medical condition or do not exercise regularly, make sure to check in with your doctor before braving all that white stuff. Snow removal places high stress on the heart, and you might be better off hiring someone to remove the snow for you.

How to shovel snow without injury:

1. Push the snow, instead of lifting it, as much as possible
2. If you need to lift the snow, lift with your legs by squatting with your back straight; don't bend at the waist
3. Only scoop small amounts of snow at a time, and remove deep snow in pieces: holding a heavy shovel of snow with your arms outstretched puts strain on your spine
4. Walk the snow over to where you want it, do not throw it over your shoulder to avoid twisting your back.

That's it! We might not be able to make it fun, but with these tips and snow removal should be easy and injury free. If you've already hurt yourself dealing with snow this winter, be sure to give any of our clinics a call. Our physiotherapists would be happy to assess the injury and help get you back to pain free!

Avoid Winter Injuries

The ski hills are open, the canal is frozen, and you have to wake up 30 minutes earlier to shovel the driveway. Oh, what joy winter brings! All that snow and ice can also bring along injuries, so it's important to take extra care out there.

• Be careful: yeah, yeah, take care because it's slippery out, we all know that. Most of us don't heed that advice though. When winter strikes you get winter tires and drive more slowly on icy roads. You should take the same care with yourself. Wear shoes with good traction for walking around and keep an extra pair at the office to make sure you're still conforming to dress code. Allow a little extra time for getting around and moving a bit more slowly will help you avoid the embarrassment of slipping when you're out in public, and save you a bruise or two!
  
• Warm up: in this weather, the only warming up you want to do is by the fire with hot cocoa after a full day on the slopes. You should also be warming up before you start. Do the first 10 minutes of your skate/ski/snowshoe at a slower pace. Start with a few blue runs before you drift over to the black diamonds.
• Cool down: when it's cold outside your instinct is to dash into the chalet right after a session. Don't just stand about in the cold, but remember to dial down to a lower intensity before you finish up for the day. It signals to your body that activity time is coming to an end, and the drink you've earned is soon to come.
• Start slowly: New Years Resolutions and months of non-winter sports can lead to "too much too soon". Where does that get you? Very likely injured. Off-season cross training is the best way to make sure you're ready once the snow base builds, but not everyone has thought that far ahead. If you haven't, start slow. Or come in to see one of our physiotherapists: we can help identify any imbalances or instabilities you might have. Call any of our clinics so we can help you stay injury free now, instead of treating you for the rest of the year!

Plantar fasci-what-is?!

Lower back pain is something we can all imagine, but what does it mean if your plantar is fasciating (no, that's not actually a word)?! Today we're going to talk about plantar fasciitis, a common injury you have likely heard about in passing. Now you'll be able to do more than just steer the conversation towards the weather.

There's a band of connective tissue running along the sole of your foot, known as the plantar fascia.

Normally it just chills out supporting the arch of your foot, but if it gets stretched too far it can tear, causing inflammation. That inflammation leads to pain, and is referred  to as plantar fasciitis.

What causes plantar fasciitis? Good question. Sometimes physiological things like flat feet or high arches, if left to their own devices, can cause it to arise. Or a sudden change in how your feet need to support you, such as an increase in activity or increased weight gain might bring it on. It's a common injury in runners, especially after increasing training volume or switching from running on a soft surface to a harder one.

The pain is typically felt on the bottom of the foot, close to the heel. It might fade and reoccur in an unpredictable pattern, or disappear completely only to return after a single workout. So you've got some tenderness on your heel, how do you know if you've got plantar fasciitis? Ask yourself the following questions:

Does it hurt especially when you wake up in the morning?

Does the pain go into the rest of your heel or the arch of your foot?

Do you notice the pain when you've stood up after sitting/lying down for a long time?

Does the pain occur after/during activity?

If you answered yes to any of the above, you may very well have plantar fasciitis. Icing the site of inflammation, adding more rest into your daily routine or substituting your normal exercise with non-weight bearing activity (such as swimming) are all options to help reduce your pain. While some cases will be helped greatly just by stretching tight leg mucles, while others may need custom orthotics. So feel free to give us a call, and any of our physiotherapists can help diagnose the cause of your specific pain. Then we can recommend the course of action that you need to get moving again, pain free.

Don't cool off your exercise routine!

The weather around here is starting to get a wee bit chilly, and for most people that means hibernating for the next eight months until we see warm days again. DON'T DO IT! You can still play outside if it's cold, and your body will be all the better for it, cross our hearts. If you're not sure how to go about it without losing an appendage to frostbite, pay attention! Here are some tips for cold weather workouts:

LAYER: yes, it will be cold when you first get going, but you most certainly will warm up. Wearing layers means you can put off the chill before you start to get going, and can peel layers off as you start to warm up. You can also keep your gross, sweaty layers in close, but more importantly away from breezes that'll give you the chills.

WEAR MITTENS: you might think wrapping each individual finger would help keep them warmer, but mittens actually keep your hands warmer than gloves do. More often than not you've got to take your gloves off to unzip/button/snap/tie most things anyway, so all they're doing is robbing your digits of the warmth. Stick to mittens, kittens.

WARM UP INSIDE: do you hate leaving your nice, warm bed only to step into your cold, cold bathroom on chilly mornings? I bet you do, and you might be comparing that to warming up inside: "Why would I get all toasty just to dash out into the frigid wilderness?! You're crazy." Not so friend! Getting your warm on inside will be easier on your muscles, so when you do step out you'll be ready to get right to working out. You might not even notice the cold.

DRINK IT UP: hydration is important ALL the time. Just because you're not sweating as profusely as you might on a humid, sticky August afternoon, doesn't mean you aren't still losing fluids. You're still sweating, breathing, and producing urine (if you aren't you should probably stop reading this and get to a doctor, right now), so be sure to hydrate before, during and after your workouts.

WEAR SOMETHING FLASHY: colder temperatures = darker times ahead, so be sure to break out your brights! Bright colours, reflectors and lights can be the difference between being seen or being squished.

Play safe out there! Don't let the cold weather put a freeze on your playtime!

Back to the Grind: Posture Tips

Yes folks, summer vacation is over. The weather is cooling down, the leaves are starting to change colour, and we're once again chained to our computers to work, work, work. It's likely most of your have experienced back pain at some point or another in your life, since it's one of the most common reasons people come in for physio. If you've got back pain getting into see a physio ASAP is the first thing you should do, but what about preventing it to begin with? Check out these 4 tips to help keep your spine in line:

1. Don't sit still: if you're sitting at a desk all day there's increased pressure on your spine. Make sure to vary your position by getting up for a walk about every 30 minutes. It's a good excuse to fill your water bottle or grab a quick breath of fresh air, and the mini break might help you focus on your work as well. There are also lots of office stretches you can do, and any of our physios would be happy to show 'em to you.
2. Flexibility is key: Most people don't realize that a flexible spine is a healthy spine. How do you know where your flexibility is at? You can check it: sit up straight on a chair with your arms crossed over your stomach. It should be easy to turn both ways and see behind you. If both sides aren't even or your range or motion is limited (maybe you can only see to the side), you might want to give us a call. Our physiotherapists can assign the specific exercises to help get your mobility back to where it should be.
3. Core is the core: Weak core muscles can be the culprit when it comes to back pain or injuries. If you've hurt your back doing sports or raking leaves, it could be because your core muscles aren't pulling their weight. How do you strengthen them up? There are a variety of exercises, and they aren't about 8-minute abs. Once your injury has been treated, our physiotherapists can assign exercises that will actually help strengthen your "core" core muscles (and might help tighten your abs up as an added bonus).
4. Stop slouching!: alright, that seems obvious, but hear me out. We've all been told to stand up straight, but there are other postural habits that you should be working to avoid. Always leaning to one side, carrying your bag on one side, sitting cross legged, or slouching with your feet up are poor postures that might also indicate muscle weaknesses or stiffness in your body. Correcting them now is the first step to avoiding injury later.

Questions? Feel free to give any of the clinics a call. Now, get back to work!

Run. Stretch. Repeat.

We see a lot of runners come into our clinics, for a couple of reasons. First off, it’s one of the most accessible sports, and has become ubiquitous. Some days it might feel like you talk to more people who have run marathons than haven’t. Secondly, it’s one of the most accessible sports, so people just pick up off the couch and head out for a run…which can often result in injury. One thing that has been said time and again to help prevent injuries is stretching. Yep, be honest, you know you should be stretching, but do you? Well, if you’re diligent enough to be reading our blog you just might, but most people don’t. It’s hard enough to squeeze in the time for 10K, never mind having to tack on a yoga class at the end. Nope, no time to stretch.

Hey now! Turns out you don’t need a yoga class at all. Yoga for runners is great, but if you’re just looking for THE stretches you need to be doing as a runner, we’ve got them for you right here, Mathew approved. Just remember you want to be stretching WARM muscles, so use these to help cool down after a run. Make sure to do both sides, remember to breathe and hold each for at least 30 seconds.

1. Hamstrings: if you run you've probably complained about tight hammies more than once. So, lay down on your back w/ legs extended. Starting with one leg at a time, bend your knee into your chest, and grab the back of it with both hands. Slowly straighten that leg until you feel a gentle stretch, pulling it towards you, while you keep your hips flat on the floor. If it feels too intense you can always bend your knee a little.
2. Quadriceps: the big beautiful muscles on the front of your legs, this is the stretch you'll catch most people doing. Standing with your back straight, pick up one foot behind you with the hand of the same side. Be sure to keep your hips level and thighs lined up.
3. Piriformis: piriwhat? Not as talked about as the quads, but just as important, these muscles control hip rotation. They tend to tighten up in runners (what doesn't?!) so start by laying on your back with legs out straight, hips level. Bend one knee, place your foot on the floor, and cross your other ankle over your bent knee. Put both hands behind your bent knee and draw it towards your chest.
4. Piriformis: again! That should tell you it's pretty important to stretch these muscles out. Start lying flat again, bend your right knee into your chest, and grab your knee with your left hand. Place your right hand out to the side, like you were making a "T" shape. Keeping your shoulders on the floor, guide your right knee across your body towards the floor, as far as is comfortable, on the left hand side.
5. Calves: your calves might be small, but they are certainly important to your ability to run - those of us who run in minimalist shoes are especially aware. To give 'em a good stretch, start by facing a wall, standing back about a foot. Place your hands on the wall at shoulder height, keeping your elbows slightly bent. Keeping both feet flat, slide one foot back and press into the wall until you feel the stretch in your calf. The stretch will increase as you move your foot further back.
6. IT Band: if you've picked up a running mag you've certainly heard about the illotibial or IT band. IT's kind of a big deal...okay, let's just get to the stretch. Stand with your left side facing a wall, an arms length away, with your left hand on the wall. Cross your right leg (far leg) in front of your left leg (leg beside wall) and place your right hand on your hip. Lean your left hip towards the wall, bend your left elbow, and remember to breathe. Be sure to keep your legs and back straight.

That's it! Be sure to do these after each run to help keep loose, limber and injury free. If you've got questions about any of these stretches, or have a running injury that needs individual attention, any of our physiotherapists would be happy to help you out.

Mathew is now an FCAMPT! Holla!

You may have noticed it’s been pretty quiet around these parts recently. Despite being known as a time for vacations, we’ve been reeeeeaaaaallllllly busy! Mathew especially, and we’re proud to let you know he’s now a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Physiotherapy (FCAMPT). Congratulations Matthew!

FCAMPT is the highest orthopaedic designation possible for a physiotherapist (ie. it's kind of a big deal). Physiotherapists with the FCAMPT designation are all about the highest level of quality, patient-centred care combining clinical experience with evidence-based practice. Exactly what you’d expect from OPTSC. The designation requires extensive post-graduate education in the area of orthopaedics, including internationally-recognized qualifications in hands-on manual and manipulative therapy.

Orthopaedics doesn’t refer to shoe inserts, but muscle, nerve and joint problems. This means a CAMPT physiotherapist is going to do more than just look at your sore back and treat the area between L4-L5. You can expect an assessment that may measure many things: function, strength testing, analysis of your walking patterns, posture, balance, and joint movement to get a full picture of your condition. It's about the WHOLE picture, not just localized treatment.

When it comes to treating your issue, a CAMPT physiotherapist will use a combination of common physiotherapy techniques like acupuncture, tailored exercises and ultrasound in addition to manual and manipulative therapy. That might sound a little bit daunting, but it’s nothing of the sort. Manual and manipulative therapy refers to how your physiotherapist uses their hands to diagnose places where your movement is being restricted, and the gentle, hands-on techniques they use to treat you.

Struggling with headaches? Low-back pain? Knee arthritis? Ankle pain? Any muscle, joint or nerve condition: give us a call and Mathew, or any of our physiotherapists, would be more than happy to help get you back to pain-free!

OPTSC Presents: Nick!

With three busy clinics we’ve got quite a few physiotherapists kickin’ around OPTSC. Remember Andrew? Of course, how could you forget a face like that! Today we’re going to introduce you to another handsome member of our team: Nick Antaya.

That's nick!

 Nick decided to go into physiotherapy because he was inspired by his dad, but in a different way than you might imagine. His father wasn’t a physiotherapist, but a police officer. Unfortunately he was also the victim of a catastrophic accident; Nick’s father was hit by an 18-wheeler while standing next to his cop car. He broke every rib on the left, punctured a lung, and suffered head trauma as well as a multitude of other injuries. He spent 2 weeks in the intensive care unit where they didn't think he would make it. Don’t worry, this story has a happy ending! Nick’s father did intensive rehabilitation with physiotherapy. It was the impact physiotherapy had, not just on his father but the entire family, that led Nick towards life as a physiotherapist.

In 2007 Nick completed and undergraduate degree in Health Sciences (Honours) at the University of Ottawa. Instead of just froshing and keg stands, he also completed his personal training certifications. Yep, he’s ambitious, and completed his Masters Degree in Physiotherapy at the University of Ottawa in 2009. Even with all that training Nick didn’t slow down, and is currently one of the youngest physiotherapists in Ottawa to have competed his Level Three’s in manual therapy. Nick really knows his stuff.

What are his favourite injuries to treat with all that knowledge? He loves any injury to do with running! Whether it is a back, knee or ankle injury, running injuries are truly unique to each individual. Nick enjoys the challenge of running injuries, since you must look at many factors to determine what could be contributing to the issue. Oh, and runners will typically also run even if you tell them not too, so it always make things...interesting.

That's Nick...running!

How does Nick know runners so well? He’s an avid long distance runner himself. Nick recently completed a personal best at the most recent Ottawa Race Weekend half marathon, cracking the top 300 finishers! He’s hoping to qualify for the Boston Marathon in the next year. Want someone to empathize with your shin splints or your “NEED” to get your 50 kms in this week? Nick’s your guy.

He might be a runner, but Nick’s got all types of injuries and imbalances covered. Having seen the affect of intensive physiotherapy first hand, you better believe he truly understands the process. His biggest tip: follow the recommendations that are given to you by your physiotherapist, and yes, that means your exercises! Right from the man himself: “a large part of the rehabilitation process is the homework we give people for home. I can guarantee your progress will be much faster if you stick to our plan.” If you want to hear more of Nick’s great advice, be sure to tune into CTV’s “Ask The Expert” on July 8th. He’ll be stealing the limelight from Matthew and happy to answer any of your physiotherapy related questions.

Oh , and don’t fret, Nick’s not ALL business. He also loves to golf, fish, wakeboard and snowboard. Oh, and he’s got a 14 month old daughter, Mackenzie, if you want to talk about on/off sleep deprivation. “Thank goodness for coffee...and the occasional glass of wine.”

Nick works exclusively out of our Barrhaven location. To book your appointment with Nick, please give us a call at: 613-825-8548

Today we learned: shoulders are complicated things!

Today we learned: shoulders are complicated things. Here you are thinking it’s just a joint, but it’s actually a complex. Mmm hmmm, there’s a bunch of joints and bits in there, which means shoulder injuries are tricky. Gardening, golfing, swimming, home renovations, working out…now especially with the debut of this gorgeous summer weather, shoulder injuries are starting to flare up. Not so surprising, since it’s essentially impossible to do something with your arm and not move your shoulder. No wonder they end up getting all injured.

Remember how your mother told you not to slouch? It's not just because she wanted you to look smart. It's because she didn't want you to have chronic shoulder problems. Posture has a huge impact on the health of your body! Work at a desk all day? Experience shoulder pain? You're most certainly not alone. Here is Matthew's take on it:

The neck joint's connected to the shoulder joint, the shoulder joint's connected to the elbow joint...and everything's connected by nerves! Pain in one place isn't necessarily indicative of an injury there, so how do you figure out where the issue actually is? Well, we know a few physiotherapists that would be pleased as punch to help you out:

The last of our "ask the expert" segments is scheduled for July 8th, so be sure to start brainstorming.

Ottawa Race Weekend! The aftermath...

CONGRATULATIONS RUNNERS! Another Ottawa Race Weekend over, and we hope many of you hit some new PRs! Now that it’s been a few days we also hope you’ve taken some time to relax and let the soreness dissipate. Wish you would’ve stretched a bit better? Matthew made some stretching recommendations on Ask The Expert this week:

Still feeling sore? In might be more than just general after-race aches. Wondering if you should come in and see us? In this next segment Matthew talks a little bit about if you should be booking an appointment. Frustrated that you’re hurting despite all your training? Don’t sweat it – totally normal and Matthew outlines why:

Arthritis, doctor’s referrals, and did you know we have subsidized rates for people without insurance? All in this last segment:

That’s it for now. The next segment will be June 17^th, so be sure to jot your questions down!

Ask The Expert: Running Evaluations

Did you miss out on Matt's CTV performance? Not to worry, we've got all the clips from his "Ask The Expert" segment on running evaluations right here:







If you'd like to catch Matthew live you'll have another chance coming up next Monday, May 27th when he'll be talking all about shoulders. Tune in at 9:00 AM for the show, and don't forget to submit your questions:


E-mail: Ottawa.morning@ctv.ca

Facebook

Twitter

Phone: 613-789-6559 ext. 2803

Look Ma! We're on the TV!

Been watching TV recently? Then you might’ve seen the happy, smiling faces of our team in this delightful little clip:

Hmm, remember a little more than that? Don’t worry, you weren’t just dreaming about more of Jason’s face. You might’ve seen this full-length version:

Neat, huh? TV is a new thing for OPTSC this year, but Matthew’s especially enjoyed his little taste of show business.

So much so, in fact, that starting tomorrow he’ll be doing a series of segments for CTV’s “Ask the Experts.” It’s a segment that happens every Monday morning after 9:00AM where you have the chance to ask a particular expert your questions via e-mail, Facebook, Twitter or by calling in live to the show. This week Matthew will be talking about running evaluations, so all you Ottawa Race Weekend runners can get your last few questions in before the big day! That’s right, no appointment required.

Want to ask a question? Here’s how:
E-mail: Ottawa.morning@ctv.ca 

Facebook

Twitter
Phone: 613-789-6559 ext. 2803

Be sure to tune into to CTV Morning Live for the answers!

Best physiotherapy clinic IN THE UNIVERSE!

That's a pretty tall claim, and we certainly aren't making it. We just want to talk a little about what a good physiotherapy clinic is. Every day, people are using Google to search "best physiotherapy clinic Ottawa." They're hoping to find a clinic to help them address their needs effectively and efficiently. Instead they're getting a list of clinic names with nothing but location to distinguish one from another. Instead of telling you why we're the best, we're going to give you some things to look for in a good physiotherapy clinic. So whether you're in Ottawa or Saskatoon, you'll be making an informed decision when choosing where to seek treatment.

SEE A PHYSIOTHERAPIST: When you're going to see a physiotherapist, you should be seeing a physiotherapist, right? Right. A lot of clinics have assistants, and while it helps them deal with a larger number of patients, it compromises client care. Assistants aren't physiotherapists. Not just anyone can be a
physiotherapist, and if they could you wouldn't need to look for the best one anyway. So when you're choosing a clinic, make sure you're going to be working one-on-one with a trained physiotherapist.

ACTUAL TREATMENTS: When you go to see a physiotherapist, it's likely they may recommend
something other than just physiotherapy such as massage therapy, ultrasound, intramuscular stimulation or leprechaun magic. Alright, you probably wouldn’t go to a physiotherapist that recommends leprechaun
magic, but make sure you ask about the types of treatment an office uses. We'd strongly recommend a clinic that utilizes treatments proven to work (we’re talking treatments based in science, with studies and numbers to back the claims). Take passive based physiotherapy for instance: in our opinion it has limited validity. However, don't just take our word for it! Look up a treatment's effectiveness or ask the clinic lots of questions to see it it's the type of physio you want.

If you’re having a hard time choosing a clinic in Ottawa, feel free to call us at any of our three locations: Barrhaven - 613.825.8548; Westboro - 613.728.4160; Orleans - 613.830.3466. We’ll be more than happy to answer any questions you might have.

Spring has spRUNg

 

Well, almost anyway. If you’re crazy brave enough to run out-of-doors you’ll notice the number of people joining you has increased. Maybe it's just 5 others running along the canal instead of 1, but there’s no doubt the slight rise in temperature means running season is just around the corner. 

Most people take to spring running to help shed the pounds gained from a winter of hibernating, but there are a multitude of other benefits. Increased cardiovascular health, decreased stress, increased energy, prevention of bone/muscle loss and the increased ability to survive during a zombie apocalypse are just a few. Oh, and stomping your time from last year’s Ottawa Race Weekend is a good reason to lace up the trainers sooner rather than later. So let’s get to it, shall we? 

No matter if your past running experience is 20 marathons or 20 minutes, the best thing you can do for yourself now is to START SLOW. After 4 months of sitting around (conveniently the span of the worst parts of an Ottawa winter), you’ve lost enough endurance to merit starting out at a beginner level. Don’t think all that snowboarding counts either – running is a different ball game, using different muscles in different ways. Your lungs and heart might be in good shape, but we want to keep your joints and tendons like that too. 

So how do you start running slowly? Try 20 to 30 minutes at low intensity, two or three times a week. Low intensity is different for everyone, so listen to your body. Once you’ve got 30 minutes down no problem, start increasing the time in 5 minute intervals, or increasing the intensity by about 5%. It might seem slow, but d’you know what else is slow? An injured runner. 

Will starting slowly guarantee you won’t be injured? Unfortunately not, but it’s a great place to start. Another great way to detour around injury town is to partake in a running evaluation. Performed at any of our three clinics, it’s spread over two sessions. The first is a clinical evaluation, which delves into your previous running/injury history, takes a good look at your current level/goals, and identifies any physical factors that may impact your running biomechanics. 

The second session is a running evaluation, where your technique is assessed on an outdoor track. Based on your movement patterns, recommendations are made to make you the best runner you can be, while minimizing injury. If this is the year you want to have your fastest time, the detailed training plan we’ll provide will certainly get you there. This isn’t a generic week-to-week program! Running is a highly technical sport and a personalized plan will definitely help bring out your best. 

Now go get running! Race Weekend is only 12 weeks away!

I’m sorry, a what of health professionals?

A smattering folks. OPTSC houses a smattering of health professionals. With a name like Ottawa Physiotherapy and Sport Clinic you might think:

a. We’ve got physiotherapists
b. We probably have people who know something about sports
c. Physiotherapists know something about sports

You my friend, are correct, but we’ve got so much more!  While physiotherapists can perform a multitude of services, we’ve also got some specialized professionals on deck to help those of you who are injured get back to your lifestyle pain free, and keep those of you who are healthy right there.

DIETICIAN SERVICES:
Getting your body to a happy, healthy point is about more than just doing your physio exercises. You are what you eat isn’t just a saying. You might not think of OPTSC when pondering how to lower your cholesterol or lose weight but you should! Registered Dietitian Meghan Barnes works out of our Westboro clinic, and she can help you with both of those things. She can also help with your food allergies, get your diet tuned up for optimal sports performance, or just get you on the healthy eating train in general.

It’s $90.00 for the initial one-on-one consultation, where you’ll go through a nutritional assessment, discuss goals and develop an eating plan. 30 minute follow-up visits to keep you on track are $45, or you can opt for a package at $260 (initial consultation + 5 follow-ups)

MASSAGE THERAPY:
Nope, spas aren’t the only place to get a relaxing massage. Registered Massage Therapist Jason Walsh will take you from stressed to blissed in a matter of minutes. Stress is bad news, and has been linked to negative moods, heart disease, gastrointestinal disorders, memory loss, and decreased immune function. Not things you’d find in a healthy body.

If you’ve suffered an injury you’ll know massage makes a big difference not only with pain management, but also the healing process. If you’re injured and haven’t tried massage, ask your physiotherapist if it might be appropriate for your situation.

Massage is also beneficial for the un-stressed, un-injured yet active person. The first ski³bike³kayak of the season often leaves you with aching muscles, and massage is great to help loosen you right up. By keeping muscles mobile and healthy you not only feel less like a rusty joint, but are way less prone to injury. It improves circulation, helps with flexibility, and reduces après workout recovery time. Go massage!

Massage sessions start at 30 minutes for $51, and go up in 15 minute increments. 45 minutes is $68, 60 minutes costs $85, and if you’re lucky enough to have the time a 90 minute massage is $125.


 So those are a couple of non-physiotherapy services we offer, but as you can see there are many, many more. Curious about anything in particular? Ask us next time you’re in, or feel free to send an e-mail if you’d like to see it on the blog: info@optsc.com

Welcome back to the OPTSC blog!

Hello!

Welcome to the OPTSC blog! We took a bit of a hiatus, but now we're back and ready for action.

You might wonder why a physiotherapy clinic would need a blog. If you've been into one of our clinics for treatment you'll know what we do is a very personalized thing. That said, we've all got bodies that are made of essentially the same bits. Now add the fact that we all use computers, drive our cars, and slip on the ice in the same fashion. See why our blog might make some sense?

We'll be using the blog to answer some of the most common questions our physiotherapists get. For the weekend warrior to the over-worked, we'll have info and advice to help anyone move through their life a little easier.

With three busy clinics and a smattering of health professionals there's a lot going on with OPTSC. We'll also use the blog to keep you updated on our services and clinic news, so you'll know all about the latest and greatest options for treatment available to you.

Something you'd like us to write about? General comments you'd like to make? Let us know! E-mail info@optsc.com and your query might be the subject of our next post.