pt Health How to reach your health and fitness goals this year A new year often marks when new commitments are made to a health and fitness routine. Here are some tips to help you be successful in reaching your goals this year. Be intentional and specific An achievable goal often starts with being intentional…
pt Health Light therapy – what, why and how to do it As I sat down at my desk this morning with dreary skies outside my window, I found myself feeling very low – moody, and lacking motivation and concentration. Overall, I had extremely low energy, and I could feel my depression ramping up. It…
pt Health 8 easy tips that can help elevate your ski game Whether you are new to skiing or have extensive experience with the sport, there are proactive steps skiers of all levels can take to prepare for a better season. Here are 8 tips that can help you elevate your ski game, so you…
pt Health How to support someone struggling during the holidays Is someone you know struggling with their mental health? It can be difficult, scary, and stressful when someone you care about is dealing with a mental health problem. You might be wondering how you can support them. We often know what to do when they…
pt Health 5 tips to improve your self-care this holiday season The holiday season is here and there can be a lot of planning for the season underway! It can be easy to lose track of the self-care activities in which we engage throughout the rest of the year that keep us healthy and happy.…
pt Health Safety tips to prevent falls at home and around the house It’s always a good time to take a step back and review your home environment to lower your risk of injury. Though you can’t prevent ice and snow from coming this winter, you can be pro-active and take steps to prevent falls…
pt Health 7 suggestions to help you get ready for the holidays As we approach the holiday season, consider these 7 suggestions to help you get ready for the holiday season: 7 suggestions to help you get ready for the holidays 1. Participate in a gift exchange Instead of buying multiple gifts for multiple…
pt Health Looking for a new aerobic routine? Try the exercises in this video Note: If you have not been physically active or have any questions, check with your primary healthcare provider before starting a new activity program. If you feel dizzy or unwell while exercising, stop and rest before continuing. If the situation does…
pt Health Concussions: myths, facts, and recovery guidelines Lifemark registered physiotherapists Janine Ankenmann and Cregg Webber discussed how to identify concussions, myths around management, and steps to return to learning, home or work activities in a free webinar. Over half a million Canadians sustain one or more concussions each year, the majority of which result from falls and motor…
pt Health What exactly is vestibular rehabilitation? The vestibular system – it’s something most people have never heard of, we all rely on it heavily, and about a third of us will have problems with it at some point. This system consists of the organ in the inner ear which detects head position and…
pt Health 4 tips to safely carry your bag It’s that time of year again, when students of all ages get back to school, and a good time for the rest of us to review our day-to-day habits. As workloads increase, so do the weight of backpacks, totes, or messenger bags carried daily. Many students…
pt Health 5 fun ways to be active indoors Note: The exercises and/or stretches in this blog are not intended to replace the advice of your clinician. Starting a new exercise, stretch, movement, or activity may result in some expected stiffness and soreness. If you are unsure, please speak to your clinician before attempting any of…
pt Health A pain in the foot: what you need to know about plantar fasciitis ?? Plantar fasciitis, often thought of as heel pain, is one of the most common causes of foot pain and will affect nearly 10% of all people at some point in their lives. While most people experience pain in the…
pt Health 5 common summer injuries you should know about Summer is upon us, which for most means spending more time outside under the sun. As much as we love outdoor activities, they pose some risk of injury due to factors like footwear, body mechanics, and the outdoor environment itself. The good news is that…
pt Health When is the best time to stretch? Should you stretch before or after sports or exercise? As physiotherapists, we hear this question all the time. The answer: it depends, we need to consider the type of stretching, the goal to be achieved with stretching and the type of activity and/or performance. Let’s first…
pt Health 3 exercises to help improve foot pain with plantar fasciitis Note: The plantar fasciitis exercises and/or stretches in this blog are not intended to replace the advice of your clinician. Starting a new exercise, stretch, movement, or activity may result in some expected stiffness and soreness. If you are unsure, please speak to your…
pt Health 6 tips to reduce stress on your pelvic floor when exercising Note: You should consult a healthcare professional before starting this or any exercise program to make sure the movements are right for your needs. Experiencing low back pain, pelvic pain and discomfort, or leaking urine while exercising? These symptoms can indicate that…
pt Health The value of empathy in daily life Have you ever felt disconnected from others? Had trouble looking at something from someone else’s point of view? Or do you find yourself in conflict with friends, family, or coworkers at times? You are not alone! Practicing empathy may be helpful – read on to learn…
pt Health Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): How occupational therapy can help For some of us who grew up in the ‘80s, the words “Blue Monday” automatically bring to mind the iconic 1983 hit by the British New Wave group New Order. In recent years, however, Blue Monday also has become known as the name of…
pt Health What exactly is cupping therapy? Cupping therapy (aka myofascial decompression) can be traced back to ancient Chinese, Egyptian and Middle Eastern cultures. The technique is even described in one of the oldest medical textbooks in the world, the Ebers Papyrus, which means that ancient Egyptians may have been using cupping therapy as early as…
pt Health Feel your best for the holidays with these 5 stretches The year flies by and before you know it, it’s autumn heading into winter. As we rake leaves, put away outdoor furniture, and start our holiday shopping, we might be left with sore and overworked muscles. Before you find yourself rubbing your neck…
pt Health Anxious while driving? Occupational therapy can help. Does the thought of driving worry you? Getting behind the wheel and driving, or simply being in a moving car, can be an overwhelming and anxious experience for some drivers and passengers. Anxious feelings associated with vehicles may be the result of car accidents (whether you…
pt Health Osteoporosis: a silent disease Osteoporosis is a condition that causes bones to become thin and porous, decreasing bone strength and increasing the risk of breaking bones. It’s often called a silent disease because you can’t feel your bones weakening. For some people, breaking a bone is the first sign of osteoporosis. Others notice…
pt Health Avoiding injuries this fall Are those summer plants and flowers looking brown and overgrown? Is it time to rake some leaves? Whether you are tidying up the garage or cleaning up the yard, these tasks can involve stretching, lifting, pushing, pulling, climbing, twisting and turning, and most people tend to overextend themselves. Taking…
pt Health What exactly is occupational therapy? Throughout my career as a physiotherapist, a question that countless patients have asked me (and a question I was asking too) is “what is occupational therapy?” As my understanding of occupational therapists (OTs) grew, I came to appreciate the vast skill set these healthcare professionals possess, and the…
pt Health How to move on from low back pain Have you ever had a sudden onset of low back pain? Sometimes low back pain develops slowly, but often it seems to come from nowhere, for no particular reason. It may occur after bending over to put on your shoes or to pick up something…
pt Health Dizziness can be stubborn – what you need to know Dizziness is common, and can affect 20-30% of people in their lifetime. Vestibular problems are often the cause. Whether you’re experiencing dizziness for the first time or have reoccurring symptoms – we can help. What is vestibular rehabilitation? The vestibular system includes the…
pt Health Here’s why you should try pickleball What’s one the fastest growing sports in North America? It’s a game you may be unfamiliar with, pickleball! A mix of tennis, badminton and table tennis, this much-loved sport was invented in 1965 and has become widely popular in the last 5 years. More and more individuals…
pt Health 3 common foot complaints Are you ignoring pain in your feet because you keep thinking that it will subside and get better on its own? While common, foot pain is not normal. Depending on the cause of your discomfort, many foot issues can be treated effectively. Below are three of the most common…
pt Health First steps to help tame your sciatica It’s 8:00 am. You roll over in bed hoping today will be different. Maybe today the agony will subside and you will be free of the experience of pain. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen and getting out of bed presents the same challenges. Though it may not…
pt Health 4 surprising ways occupational therapy can help What is an occupational therapist? Occupational therapists (OTs) work with people of all ages to overcome challenges that impact their ability to do the things that they want to do, need to do, or are expected to do in their daily lives. The main goal that…
pt Health 6 concussion myths debunked Have you or someone close to you experienced a concussion recently? Don’t know what concussion information to believe? You are not the only one! Doing your own research can be hard, so here are 6 concussion myths we have debunked for you. Myth #1: You need to lose consciousness…
pt Health 5 common summer sport injuries you should know about Summer is upon us, which for most means spending more time outside under the sun. As much as we love outdoor activities, they pose some risk of injury due to factors like footwear, body mechanics, and the outdoor environment itself. The good news is…
pt Health What to expect during a pelvic floor physiotherapy assessment Pelvic floor physiotherapy is a specialized branch of physiotherapy which addresses a range of conditions related to the pelvic floor, such as: Post partum recovery Pregnancy related pain Pre-partum education and preparation Pelvic organ prolapse management Incontinence or bladder leakage Sexual dysfunction or painful…
pt Health How to prevent overuse injuries Have you ever felt a gradual onset of pain during work, exercise or continuous movement and immediately started wondering how and why this pain came to be? At pt Health, we see a lot of patients that come in describing this kind of pain. They’re usually unsure why…
pt Health 5 movements and exercises to prepare you for hiking As the days get warmer and longer, you may be thinking of going hiking, or an outdoor adventure with friends and family. Here are some tips that can help you get ready to hit the trails, make the most out of your time, and prevent…
pt Health What is causing my shin pain and how can I treat it at home? You might think that shin pain mostly happens to runners, but this issue can happen to anyone who has recently intensified their level of physical activity. Shin pain, also known as “shin splints”, is a condition caused by inflammation…
pt Health How to stay safe in the sun For most of us, winter feels long and brutal. When we finally hit those hot summer months, we want to make the most of them by spending time outdoors, but it is important to remember to take some precautions. Here are the most common drawbacks of…
pt Health How to avoid injury in your garden or yard With the nicer weather, you may have the urge to get your yard or garden in order. The bending and reaching involved in yard and garden work may get your body moving in ways you haven’t moved in a while and pain, discomfort and even…
pt Health May is National Physiotherapy Month. So what is physiotherapy? Did you know that May is National Physiotherapy Month? While many studies show that receiving the right care after an injury can make a big difference in your recovery, not everyone is familiar with physiotherapy. So what is physiotherapy? Also called physical therapy, physiotherapy…
pt Health Do you have low back pain? Try physiotherapy! Did you know that over 80% of people will experience low back pain at some point in their lives? With a prevalence rate that high, it’s no wonder that one of the most common complaints from patients seeking physiotherapy is that their lower back hurts.…
pt Health 7 tips to get you ready for golf before you tee off Now that it’s spring, tee-times will start to book up quickly. It has been a long winter so before you tee off, maybe consider heading to the driving range for some practice swings and follow these tips to get ready to…
pt Health 3 techniques that can help manage pain and reduce stress You have probably heard that pain is influenced by many things – but did you know that stress and/or feelings of worry can make the brain send danger signals even when there is no threat? When the brain thinks we are in danger…
pt Health How we’re putting women’s health first Many issues, like osteoporosis and pelvic floor dysfunction, disproportionality affect women. Clinicians at pt Health can address these issues, providing effective treatment through all stages of life. Learn about some of the ways we can help women live better lives below: Perinatal massage therapy Perinatal massage therapy…
pt Health Here’s how occupational therapy can help you live your best life Over the past century, the field of occupational therapy (OT) has continued to evolve in its efforts to help people deal with a wide variety of challenges. OTs can help deal with anything from (physical) injury recovery to mental health concerns –…
pt Health 6 benefits of cardiovascular fitness What is cardiovascular fitness? Cardiovascular fitness (also called aerobic fitness) is your body’s ability to use oxygen to produce energy during physical activity. This requires the coordination of multiple systems in the body: respiratory (lungs), cardiovascular (heart, blood vessels), and musculoskeletal (muscles). The lungs are responsible for bringing…
pt Health 5 fun tips to help you stay active indoors Looking for inspiration to help you get started on your fitness goals? It’s never too late. Here’s a friendly reminder that you don’t need fancy equipment to stay in shape. Keep reading to learn about five fun tips to help you stay active indoors.…
pt Health 4 benefits of tobogganing this winter Winter fun is a staple for living in Canada. It is a common sight to see people enjoying the great outdoors and doing activities like walking dogs, hiking, snowshoeing, skiing and tobogganing. Not only is outdoor activity a coping strategy for those long dark days of winter –…
pt Health Sore feet? Try these foot strengthening exercises Are you on your feet for work throughout the day? Do you walk or run for exercise? Do you play a sport that involves jumping, twisting or turning? How your body moves starts with how your feet respond when they make contact with the ground. Your…