Vaginismus and Physiotherapy Vaginismus is a painful feeling of discomfort or inability when inserting a tampon, finger, penis or during a doctor’s internal pelvic exam. It occurs when there are involuntary contractions of the muscles in the outer third of the vagina. Primary Vaginismus: when a woman has never been able to have pain free intercourse due to pelvic floor muscle spasm. Secondary Vaginismus: pain that develops sometimes later in life after a traumatic event such as childbirth, surgery, or a medical condition. With Vaginismus, there is usually significant Connective Tissue Dysfunction that needs to be addressed first before any internal work. It is suggested that you follow up the self-help treatment for connective tissue dysfunction before embarking on the stretching exercises with the dilators. Pelvic floor exercises and Desensitisation techniques A physiotherapist may be able to teach you pelvic floor exercises, such as squeezing and releasing your pelvic floor…

Dyspareunia and Physiotherapy Dyspareunia is genital pain experienced by women just before, during or after sexual intercourse. Some women have always experienced pain with intercourse from their very first attempt. Other women begin to feel pain with intercourse or cyclically with menstruation. They can also have pain after an injury or infection . Sometimes the pain increases over time. When pain occurs, the woman may be distracted from feeling pleasure and excitement. Causes • vaginal dryness from menopause, childbirth, breastfeeding, medications • skin disorders that cause ulcers, cracks, itching, or burning • infections, such as yeast or urinary tract infections • spontaneous tightening of the muscles of the vaginal wall • endometriosis • pelvic inflammatory disease • uterine fibroids • irritable bowel syndrome • radiation and chemotherapy Other factors that affect a woman’s ability to become aroused can also cause dyspareunia. These factors include: • stress, which can result in…

A hip fracture is a break in the upper quarter of the femur (thigh) bone. The extent of the break depends on the forces that are involved. The type of surgery used to treat a hip fracture is based on the bones and soft tissues affected or on the level of the fracture. Older people are at a higher risk of hip fracture because bones tend to weaken with age (osteoporosis). Multiple medications, poor vision and balance problems also make older people more likely to trip and fall — one of the most common causes of hip fracture. ? Signs and symptoms of a hip fracture include: • Inability to move immediately after a fall • Severe pain in your hip or groin • Inability to put weight on your leg on the side of your injured hip • Stiffness, bruising and swelling in and around your hip area •…

Trochanteric bursitis   The Trochanteric Bursa is a fluid filled sac near the hip joint. It cushions between the bones and the muscle and acts as a shock absorber. Trochanteric bursitis is the inflammation of the bursa which is at the outside of the hip. When this bursa is irritated it causes pain on the outside of the hip and thigh.  Sometimes you may feel the pain down to the knee on the same side.  Another symptom is pain which will stop you from lying on your painful side.  It will be painful when you press on a specific spot on the outside of the hip.  The pain gets worse when climbing stairs, getting up from a low chair getting out of a car.  Sitting with crossed legs hurts.  Both  walking and running may also cause increased pain. Causes of Trochanteric Bursitis Any direct Injury to the outside of the hip…

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo(BPPV) Vestibular Systems • Comprises five sensory organs that provide your brain with information about head position and movements including head rotation, linear movements and static positions of the head relative to gravity • Five sensory organs including 3 semicircular canals and 2 otoliths   BPPV is a mechanical problem in the inner ear. It occurs when some of the  crystals that are normally embaded in gel in the ear become dislodged.  They then can move into one or more of the 3-fluid filled semicircular canals. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo(BPPV) is  one  of the most common causes of vertigo. It creates a false sensation of spinning. • Benign: it is not life threatening • Paroxysmal: it comes in sudden, brief spells • Positional: it gets triggered by certain head positions or movements • Vertigo: a false sensation of rotational movement   Symptoms a)      Dizziness b)      Vertigo (sensation…

Why is baseline testing Concussions important? There are no  special tests to diagnose and gauge the severity of concussions.  Athletes are recommended to undergo baseline testing before the beginning of the sports season. Baseline test results are helpful  for most healthcare professionals  involved in an athlete’s concussion care. This includes Physiotherapists, Physicians, Concussion Specialists, and Vision Therapists.  Baseline tests let the Physiotherapist compare the before injury  function to the results of post concussion baseline testing. It’s a great tool  to measure the severity of concussions.  It helps therapists to make  treatment goals.  Safe return to sports following concussions can be determined with this tool.   Components of Baseline testing  Concussions   Impact Test, This is the gold standard test.  It  looks at different functions of your brain before and after concussion. It is a computer based test. It usually takes about 30 minutes. The test assesses your ability to process information, and remember…

Prostatitis Prostatitis or Prostatodynia Physiotherapy Prostatodynia or Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS) is a pelvic pain condition in men. This means ‘inflammation of the prostate’. There are two basic types of prostatitis, acute and chronic. Acute Bacterial Prostatitis Acute Bacterial Prostatitis is an infection of the prostate. This type of Prostatitis causes chills and fever. In this case, you need your Doctor’s attention promptly! Nonbacterial or Chronic Prostatitis The other is Nonbacterial or Chronic Prostatitis. This can be treated with alternative treatments such as Pelvic physiotherapy, exercises, lifestyle modifications etc. Investigations in this case show that bacteria and yeast are negative. The physical examination does not usually show anything unusual. However, the prostate may be swollen. What can make the problem even more confusing is that often young, otherwise healthy men develop this condition. Antibiotics, pain-killers, and medications prescribed are often not effective. Many men have…

Golfers elbow Golfers elbow is the overuse injury to the wrist flexor muscles. The muscles travel from the inside of the elbow leading to pain with resisted wrist flexion and resisted pronation of the forearm. The cause of the Golfers elbow is repeated wrist bending, improper lifting, throwing and swinging movements. People involved in racquet sports, using tools as screwdrivers and working on computers are usually affected. Symptoms Symptoms include pain and tenderness around the inside of the elbow. They often also include pain with making a fist, stiffness of the elbow, and a weakened grip with downward movement of the forearm. Pain typically gets worse with a tight fist and picking things up with the wrist in a bent position. Check out this article for more information about Golfers elbow. Diagnosis The condition is usually diagnosed through special tests such as wrist flexion against resistance. Differential diagnosis from other…

strong>Foot Pain Treatment Mississauga Trending Now: Blue Jays’ Jose Batista on 15 day disabled list Blue Jays’ Jose Batista hurt his big toe during a June 16 game against Philadelphia. After running into the outfield wall, Bautista had to leave the game early because of pain. An MRI showed that he had suffered a sprain of his left big toe. He had to be in a walking boot for the time being. It may seem like it’s an excessive treatment plan for just a simple sprain. In reality sprains can sometimes be more complicated than a fracture. What is a Ligament? A ligament is a soft tissue structure that connects two bones together. Ligaments do not receive a good blood supply like muscles or tendons and as a result, they cannot heal as well. Types of Sprains A sprain is defined as a stretch or tear of a ligament. Furthermore,…

Physiotherapy : Total Hip Replacement – Do I really need it? Surgeons often recommend that patients seek out community Physiotherapy Surgeons often recommend that patients seek out community Physiotherapy : Total Hip Replacement services to continue with your recovery after you have had a total hip replacement (THR). You may wonder how doing extra treatment would help? – isn’t the surgery enough to correct your hip pain? What is important to remember is that the surgery does take care of the affected joint. However, there is still work to be done to get you back on your feet and back to your desired activities. The surgery involves a cut through the muscles that stabilize the hip. Also, the body has to relearn how to move and function with a new joint. Normally, the usual process for Physiotherapy: Total Hip Replacement surgery involves: • Receiving Physiotherapy : Total Hip Replacement as…