Category: Physiotherapy

Head in the Game: Concussion Baseline Testing for Safer Sports in Nanaimo and Parksville

In Nanaimo and Parksville, the well-being of our athletes is our top priority. We understand that safety is paramount, and that’s why we’re proud to introduce you to a game-changing approach to concussion management in our communities – concussion baseline testing. Let’s dive into the significance of this crucial tool, one that ensures athletes are thoroughly prepared for their sports journey.

At the heart of this initiative is Complete Concussion Management Inc. (CCMI), an organization dedicated to assessing, managing, and rehabilitating concussions. CCMI provides comprehensive training for certified Concussion Management Practitioners. This includes physiotherapists – equipping them with the evidence-based knowledge and tools required to deliver exceptional care.

Our team of physiotherapists undergoes extensive concussion management training, covering:

Understanding Concussion

Our physiotherapists receive in-depth education on all aspects of concussions, from the biomechanics of injury to the latest research findings.

Concussion Assessment Skills

They acquire essential skills for conducting comprehensive assessments, which include symptom checklists, balance tests, neurocognitive exams, and more.

Management Techniques

Our training ensures our physiotherapists can effectively manage and guide athletes through the recovery process, using the most up-to-date strategies in physiotherapy.

Return-to-Play Protocols

Our certified professionals are well-versed in developing individualized return-to-play plans, ensuring a safe transition back to sports while following physiotherapy protocols.

Concussion Rehabilitation Knowledge

Our physiotherapists understand how to implement evidence-based rehabilitation techniques to aid in the recovery process.

Let’s explore five compelling reasons why concussion baseline testing, conducted by our trained physiotherapists, is crucial for athlete safety:

Let’s explore five compelling reasons why concussion baseline testing, conducted by our trained physiotherapists, is crucial for athlete safety:

  1. Customized Concussion Care: Baseline testing after suffering from a concussion establishes a unique starting point for each athlete. Allowing our physiotherapists to tailor their care to individual needs using physiotherapy expertise.
  2. Objective Measurement: Baseline testing provides an objective benchmark for tracking an athlete’s progress during recovery, reducing the risk of premature return to play, an essential part of physiotherapy guidance.
  3. Early Concussion Detection: Baselines help identify subtle cognitive changes that may otherwise go unnoticed, facilitating early intervention if a concussion occurs, a key aspect of physiotherapy care.
  4. Educational Tool: Athletes and coaches gain a better understanding of concussions and the recovery process, promoting informed decisions and safer practices, backed by physiotherapy knowledge.
  5. Peace of Mind: Knowing that a baseline test is in place offers athletes, parents, and coaches peace of mind, knowing that their safety is a top priority, as upheld by our physiotherapists.

In Nanaimo and Parksville, CCMI’s Concussion Baseline Testing, conducted by our skilled physiotherapists, plays a vital role in safeguarding the well-being of our athletes. It’s a proactive measure that ensures a safer, more informed approach to sports participation, aligning perfectly with our commitment to healthy and thriving communities. 

Additionally, we’re proud to offer the services of four CCMI clinicians in Parksville and six in Nanaimo, ready to serve the needs of our athletes and the general population alike for all concussion-related concerns, providing comprehensive care with the expertise of physiotherapy.

BOOK YOUR BASELINE TEST TODAY

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In-Clinic Interventions to Treat Symptoms of Knee Arthritis 

As a physiotherapist, there are several interventions that can be used in the clinic to help a patient with arthritic knee pain.

In-Clinic Interventions to Treat Symptoms of Knee Arthritis 

  1. Manual Therapy: This can include joint mobilization, massage, and stretching to help improve range of motion of the knees and reduce arthritis pain.
  2. Exercise Therapy: A physiotherapist can design a tailored exercise program to help improve muscle strength and joint function, reduce arthritis pain, and increase range of motion of the knees.
  3. Taping or Bracing: The use of taping or bracing can help offload the knee joint, reduce arthritis pain and improve stability.
  4. Electrotherapy: The use of electrical stimulation, such as TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation), can help reduce arthritis pain and improve muscle function.
  5. Education and advice: A physiotherapist can provide advice and education on joint protection techniques, such as using assistive devices, and lifestyle modifications, such as weight management, to help reduce stress on the knee joint.

By incorporating these interventions into a comprehensive treatment plan, a physiotherapist can help a patient with arthritic knee pain improve their joint function, reduce pain, and improve their overall quality of life. We have locations in both Nanaimo and Parksville and a team of experienced physiotherapists who are available to assist you in managing your pain and improving your overall quality of life. Contact us today or book an appointment using our convenient online booking system.

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Managing Knee Arthritis

As a physiotherapist, I often see patients with knee arthritis seeking ways to manage their symptoms at home. While there is no cure for knee arthritis, there are several scientifically proven methods to help reduce pain and improve joint function.

Methods to Help Improve Symptoms of Knee Arthritis

  1. Exercise regularly: Regular low-impact exercises such as cycling, swimming, and water aerobics can help improve range of motion in your knees and reduce arthritis pain. Strengthening exercises for the muscles around the knee, such as the quadriceps and hamstrings, can also help reduce stress on the knee joint.
  2. Use heat or cold therapy: Applying heat or cold to the affected knee can help reduce pain and swelling. A warm bath, heating pad, or hot water bottle can help soothe sore joints, while an ice pack can help reduce swelling and numb pain.
  3. Maintain a healthy weight: Excess weight places additional stress on the knee joint, so maintaining a healthy weight can help reduce symptoms of knee arthritis.
  4. Use assistive devices: Canes, knee braces, or other assistive devices can help reduce stress on the knee and improve stability. Your physiotherapist can help you determine which device is best for you.
  5. Take anti-inflammatory medication: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, can help reduce arthritis pain and inflammation of the knees. However, it’s important to talk to your doctor before starting any new medication.

By incorporating these 5 scientifically proven methods into their daily routine, individuals with knee arthritis can effectively manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.

If you are suffering with knee pain due to arthritis, our team at Advanced Health & Sports Clinic is here to help. We have locations in both Nanaimo and Parksville and a team of experienced physiotherapists who are available to assist you in managing your pain and improving your overall quality of life. Contact us today or book an appointment using our convenient online booking system.

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COVID – 19 Update: Clinic Closed Until The End of March


Greetings valued patient,

Our team has been closely monitoring the developing COVID-19 situation and we are here to help assist you during this difficult time.  As a collective group, we decided that the most responsible and ethical way to support our patients and our community at large is to temporarily change the way we deliver healthcare.

From March 18 – 31st, Advanced Health + Sports Clinic, will not be offering in-person/hands on treatment to ensure patient and practitioner safety and to adhere to the Canadian Health Authorities recommendations for social distancing and to follow recommendations provided by our respective professional colleges.

In this interim period, we will be transitioning operations to offer services online via video conferencing. Maintaining continuity of care for our patients is paramount to us and by transitioning to services online, you will still have access to care and consultation from most disciplines including: physiotherapy, chiropractic care, and athletic therapy.

While we won’t be able to offer the hands on skills such as manual therapy and dry-needling we often use, we can still provide assessment, education, exercise instruction, coaching and advice. Certainly, these treatment sessions will look a little different than our typical appointments – but our team is still here to provide you with valuable support.

Please note
We will be offering in-clinic appointments for EMERGENCY cases ONLY, these will be decided on a case by case basis by the appropriate practitioner. If you have an emergency case (i.e. post-surgical, acute concussion, etc), please call us between 9AM and 3PM between Monday and Friday, Natalie and Tara will be able to take your request and process it accordingly.

Advanced Health + Sports Clinic places tremendous value on our communities health, happiness and safety and we want to make it clear that we are here for you. Hard times often necessitate hard decisions – temporarily closing our doors certainly was one of them, but we feel it was a decision made for the right reasons pertaining to safety and ethical considerations. During the next two weeks we will remain accessible via phone, email, and video chat to connect with you and help you in any way shape or form that we can.

How does Telehealth work?

You will be able to book “Virtual” assessments and subsequents via phone or via our JaneApp platform as of Friday March 20th, at 3PM . At your virtual appointment time, you will receive an e-mail invitation to Physitrack, all one has to do is press on the highlighted link and accept the prompt for the video call (very similar to Skype). We assure all our patients that Physitrack is HIPPA compliant and offers encrypted Telehealth/Video Calling to ensure your confidentiality.

  • For new patients, virtual assessments can be very valuable, please ensure to book a “Virtual Assessment” to ensure an hour block is reserved for your appointment.
  • For any returning patients that would like to check-in with their health care provider, to progress their exercise program for example, please ensure to book a “Virtual Subsequent”.
Please feel free to contact us for any inquiries.
Let’s grow together, learn together, take care of one another, and we are confident we can come out of this stronger and wiser. Have a wonderful rest of your week and we look forward to hearing from you.

Yours in Health,
The Advanced Team

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Run Into Spring: WITHOUT Plantar Fasciitis! Three Evidence Based “Injury-Hacks” to keep you on the move!

Spring is in the air! The birds are singing, the flowers are blooming, and the sun is starting to show its face more … what does all this mean? For us at Advanced Health + Sports Clinic that means running and hiking season is once again upon us! For those of us who have taken some time off over the winter months and have to “get back into it” we are speaking directly to YOU with this blog.

“Plantar fasciitis is the most common foot condition treated by health care providers. It has been estimated that plantar fasciitis occurs in approximately 2 million Americans each year and af­fects as much as 10% of the population over the course of a life­time.”
(Clinical Practice Guidelines, Journal of Sport Physiotherapy 2014)

 

When resuming running after a period of time off it is common to work through some mild discomfort as our muscles rebuild their strength and our cardiovascular system reconditions; however, experiencing significant pain that hampers our performance and cuts into our daily life is NOT something we want to encounter.

What is it? An irritation of the plantar fascia (or adjacent structures) on the plantar surface of the foot.

What are the main symptoms? Foot pain with weight bearing activities (running, hiking, walking) – particularly the initial steps after a period of inactivity (ie, after sitting at a desk for 4 hours) but also worse following prolonged weight bearing and often precipitated by a recent increase in weight-bearing activity (towards to end of a run or in the hours following).

What can I do about it?

1. STRETCH out your calves daily and feet daily! 

(2 sets, 30-60 seconds, twice daily)

2. SELF-MASSAGE techniques!

(1-2 mins, no more than 2-3 times daily)

What else?

Foot orthosis (orthotics):If there is a structural impairment of foot biomechanics which is contributing to ones symptoms (ex, collapsing arches) then using a device to keep the ankle and foot in a more balanced and neutral position can be quite helpful.

Load management: We need to use the ‘goldilocks principle’ when getting back into running – especially after an injury. We need to progressively add load to irritated tissues in a rational and step-wise fashion.

Too much too soon? NOT good … irritation awaits.
Too little and not enough? NOT good … no adaptation will occur.
Just Right? Intelligent progressive loading, with exercise adherence + rest days, with self management techniques = acceptable challenges to the soft tissues which results in strengthening, adaptation, and increased activity tolerance!

I’m already doing everything right but I’m STILL having difficulty!

When in doubt … get checked out!! An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. Getting a thorough assessment from a: Physiotherapist, Chiropractor, or an Athletic therapist can be an incredible help not only for the treatments they provide but for the education and rehabilitation plan they will provide you with. We are passionate when it comes to keeping our patients moving forward and doing the activities they love. Knowledge is power and at Advanced Health + Sports Clinic this is a pillar of our identity – a well educated patient is a patient with POWER moving forward.

Carolyn is NEW to Nanaimo but is a familiar face in the world of physiotherapy as alongside her husband she ran Parksville Physiotherapy Clinic for the past twenty years. Carolyn specializes in assessing and treating vestibular disorders including vestibular neuritis, labyrinthitis, Meniere’s disease, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), migraine associated vertigo, cervical vertigo and postural instability. Additionally, Carolyn also has skills and experience treating patients with neurological and musculoskeletal problems.

Carolyn is excited for a fresh start and to bring her wealth of experience in treating vestibular disorders to Advanced Health and Sports Clinic. If you are experiencing dizziness, imbalance, or vertigo, don’t hesitate to contact our office and see if Vestibular Rehabilitation is appropriate for you!

We look forward to bringing you all more helpful tips, exercises, and management strategies in the months ahead. But in the meantime, we wish you all a happy Easter and a healthy spring full of laughs, exercise, and fresh air!
Yours in Health;
Advanced Health + Sports Clinic Team
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Urgent Care Physiotherapy & Athletic Therapy in Nanaimo: Bumps and Bruises Clinic

 

Bumps and Bruises Clinic – Urgent Care Physiotherapy & Athletic Therapy in Nanaimo

We pride ourselves on being a clinic that takes great care of our community athletes – “Sports” is in our name!

During the high participation months of team sports in Nanaimo we have decided to provide urgent care hours to accommodate our community athletes. Athletes who compete on the weekends need to be assured that they can be PROMPTLY booked in to be assessed and treated when an injury occurs. Sprains, strains, concussions, contusions and anything in between … when in doubt – get checked out!

This system for quick assessment is vital in the diagnosis of acute injuries which is then followed by:

  • Treatment, rehabilitation, and return to sport plans
  • Referral for specialist/surgical assessment or diagnostic imaging (as needed)
  • Education and reassurance for the athletes
  • Communication with parent and coaches

Who is the Bumps and Bruises – Urgent Care Physiotherapy & Athletic Therapy Clinic FOR?

Our Bumps and Bruises – Urgent Care hours are reserved for MONDAYS and TUESDAYS between September and April and are designated for the following competitive sport channels in Nanaimo:

  • Teams and associations we are affiliated with
  • Minor sport associations (hockey, lacrosse, soccer, football baseball, etc)
  • Private and Community Sport Associations (ex, boxing, gymnastics, figure skating)
  • Highschool and Collegiate Athletes
  • Junior Sports (hockey, lacrosse, football)

CONTACT our reception staff first thing Monday morning (phones are open at 7:00am) to reserve your spot as they go fast!

(250) 585-8553

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