Athlete's Care Ottawa Blog 

Virtual physiotherapy? Our Ottawa physiotherapy and sports medicine clinics deliver safe and effective virtual physiotherapy treatment to many clients, from office workers to professional athletes.

Many people have questions about the benefits of virtual versus in-person physiotherapy, a treatment many automatically associate with hands-on procedures. But, the research shows it can be just as effective – and in some cases, even more so.

The definition of virtual physiotherapy is simple – therapy delivered online via video conferencing.

• The patient takes the lead in setting goals for themselves.
• The physiotherapist is on hand to guide, provide advice, experience, and knowledge.

Here’s a look at the benefits.

• Virtual physiotherapy, also called tele-rehabilitation, provides patients with the core benefits of patient care in the privacy of their own homes, from initial consultation through diagnosis, treatment, advice and education.
• What’s new is that appointments, maintenance and follow-up consultations can be much more easily scheduled according to your needs – there’s no travel time to worry about.
• Another feature that is unique to tele-rehabilitation is the ability of your Ottawa physiotherapist to see your living space, and customize treatment and exercise plans accordingly.
• That view of your environment may point to better ways of addressing any functional restrictions, and suggestions that will result in improved accessibility.
• Patients can be guided through soft tissue treatments such as self-trigger point release by their physiotherapist in a virtual appointment.
• Along with direct consultations with a physiotherapist, online treatment brings access to multimedia resources, including reports and other documentation, online diary-keeping to assess progress, and videos.
• A European research study found that the patients who reported the best results checked with videos after a session with the physiotherapists. A demonstration and then reinforcement with the video as reference brought effective treatment results.
• A follow-up via email can also be a way to provide descriptive images and detailed instructions that you can refer to later on.
• Your physiotherapist will be able to monitor your progress in a real-world home setting. It gives them a very realistic picture of how to fine tune your treatment plan.

A study from the United Kingdom assessed the results of 27,000 patients in a virtual physiotherapy treatment program. The positive results show that tele-rehabilitation should become a part of the regular options available for treatment.

• Patients reported a big thumb’s up when it comes to the issue of convenience – no travel time is needed, no time off work when appointments can be scheduled at their convenience. Naturally, safety during the pandemic is also a benefit of virtual physiotherapy.

Our Ottawa physiotherapists are ready to answer your questions about virtual physiotherapy and schedule an appointment at your convenience. Don’t hesitate to contact one of our Ottawa physiotherapy and sports medicine clinics today.

Shoulder pain is a common ailment, especially in the modern era of computers and portable screens. It’s one of the conditions that our Ottawa physiotherapists and sports medicine specialists treat the most often.

In many cases, when the pain begins as simply annoying, only getting worse over a longer period of time, busy people may tend to ignore it. That’s a mistake, but luckily it’s one that can usually be corrected.

Find the cause

The first step for our Ottawa physiotherapists and sports medicine specialists would be a thorough evaluation to find the cause. The shoulder is made up of several different bones, muscles, and connective tissues. Any of these areas and structures may prove to be the cause of the pain.

• Rotator cuff – where the bones of the arm and shoulder meet inside the socket, composed of muscles and tendons. Problems may include a partial or full tear of the tendons.
• Joint capsule – the ligament that encapsulates the bones of the shoulder. Disorders include adhesive capsulitis, or frozen shoulder, which has unknown origins.
• Arthritis – acromioclavicular osteoarthritis can can pain in the upper shoulder as well as the joint. Glenohumeral osteoarthritis is more common in older patients.
• Shoulder instability – this is found in patients with a history of multiple shoulder dislocations or subluxations.

Reduce the pain

Treatment depends on the cause, and your medical team will provide specialized advice. Treatment at our Ottawa clinics may involve physiotherapy or massage therapy. There is also a lot you can do on your own at home to help alleviate the pain.

• Rest and avoid – it’s only common sense to include resting from whatever activity is causing you pain, and avoiding it if you can. If you work at a computer, that may involve reorganizing your workspace to be ergonomic, and support your posture rather than strain it. In sports, it is often bad form that causes undue stress. Talk to a professional who can advise you on making improvements. When it comes to other activities, modifications and equipment may do the trick, such as using a grip rather than reaching to a top shelf.
• Medications – over the counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications can be used to provide temporary relief from pain and inflammation. Your primary medical professional may also prescribe stronger medications if necessary.
• Heat – applying moist heat for about 20 minutes a time, up to four or five times a day, can also provide relief to tired and overworked muscles.
• Exercises – your Ottawa physiotherapist or sports medicine specialist can advise you on specific exercises that can help relieve pain as well as strengthen the muscles and provide better support.

If you are experiencing pain in your shoulder area, don’t hesitate to contact one of our Ottawa physiotherapy and chiropractic clinics today. Our trained and specialized medical professionals are ready to help.

Simply click on the link below and scroll down to find a convenient location near you!

https://athletescare.janeapp.com/

We use our elbows every day – and that’s why it's one of the most common areas of injury treated by our Ottawa physiotherapists and chiropractors. There are 23 muscles involved in bending the arm at the elbow, along with the three major bones of the arm. There are many veins and arteries in the arm and elbow, and nerves that run down the length of the arm. It's a complex structure that we depend on.

The problem with elbows

Most issues with the elbow joint come from over-use. Many activities, including sports and job functions, require repeated movements of the hands, wrists, or arms. That makes it one of the most vulnerable areas of the body to injury and over-use. There are many common conditions that may cause pain and discomfort in and around the elbow.

• Bursitis (joint inflammation) – inflammation of the bursa, or sacs of liquid that lubricate and ease movement at the joints.
• Osteoarthritis – when the cartilage at the elbow is damaged or worn down over time, it means that bone hits bone.
• Rheumatoid arthritis – a chronic inflammatory disorder that causes pain and stiffness, and reduced mobility.
• Golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis) – inflammation of the tendons that connect the elbow to the forearm, with pain focusing around that bony bump on the elbow.
• Tendinitis – inflammation of the tendons due to sudden injury or over-use.
• Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) - inflammation of the tendons along the outside of the elbow, typically from over-use.
• Throwing injuries – if your sport is baseball or another game that involves throwing, the tendons on the inner side of the elbow (where it attaches to the humerus bone) can become inflamed.
• Trapped nerves – also called a pinched nerve, this can cause numbness, tingling, and pain in the elbow – typically involves the ulnar nerve, which runs along the outside of the elbow to the pinky.

Serious symptoms

Many conditions involving the elbow begin with mild pain and discomfort which may or may not get worse over time depending on how you take care of the area. However, there are certain symptoms where you should seek medical attention immediately. These include:

• Severe pain;
• Severe swelling;
• Bruising around the joint;
• An irregular shape or protrusion;
• Sudden difficulty moving normally.

What can you do?

In the absence of severe symptoms, you can start to help yourself with these measures:

• Protect the area from further injury, and rest – don’t keep doing the same old until it improves;
• Ice – for 15 to 20 minutes, three times a day;
• A compression bandage can help reduce mild swelling;
• Elevate the arm where possible to reduce mild swelling.

Anytime the condition persists with no improvement after a day or two, you should also seek advice from one of our Ottawa physiotherapy and chiropractic clinics.

Prevention tips

• Exercises that strengthen the muscles of the arm and shoulder, as well as flexibility, will help to reduce your risk of future problems;
• When you practice a sport, be sure to use the correct form to avoid excessive strain and the resulting risk;
• If you work at a computer or desk, make sure the keyboard is at a natural height, and try to rest to avoid over-use.

If you are experiencing pain in your elbow that won’t go away, our Ottawa physiotherapists, chiropractors, and other sports medicine specialists are ready to help. Don’t hesitate to contact one of our Ottawa clinics today.