Physiotherapy Blog

What is DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis? Diagram showing the 2 inflamed tendons (extensor pollicis brevis and extensor pollicis longus) DeQuervain’s tenosynovitis is inflammation involving 2 of the tendons in the thumb and along the side of the wrist. The names of these 2 muscles are the extensor pollicis brevis and the extensor pollicis longus, as depicted above. First, to break down the naming, the Latin name of the thumb is pollex, hence pollicis, while the “extensor” refers to the movement that the muscles create at the thumb, extension! Lastly, brevis and longus refers to how short (or brief!) or long the muscle…

According to the Ministry of Transportation, 2023 saw a total of 49 106 drivers involved in collisions. Of these thousands, it is estimated that up to 83% of individuals will develop whiplash after a car accident. Unfortunately, this makes whiplash the most common injury developed after a car accident and something Physiotherapists see all the time in practice. If you have had a recent car accident and are experiencing neck pain, read on to find out more about whiplash. What is Whiplash? Whiplash injuries, also known as Whiplash Associated Disorder or WAD, is an injury of the neck’s soft tissues.…

Feelings of dizziness can significantly interfere with your life and limit you from doing many of your normal activities. Many people are unaware of Vestibular Physiotherapy, and how it can help treat dizziness, sometimes immediately! Currently, most people when experiencing dizziness will go to seek medical attention. Unfortunately, one study showed only 8% of individuals received effective treatment in this route. In this blog, we will discuss Vestibular Physiotherapy, a lesser known specialty of Physiotherapy. Vestibular System and Dizziness Our vestibular systems, composed of the inner ear and the brain, are responsible for our awareness of head and eye movements…

Is there treatment available after a Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA)? Yes, treatments provided by Registered Physiotherapists are available to help you manage your pain and impairments after the accident. Usually, this process starts by contacting your insurance company and reporting the incident. In Ontario, individuals are entitled to $3500 of treatment which usually covers 4-5 months of treatment. Additionally, coverage may be extended more depending on the severity and extent of the injuries. Not every Physiotherapy clinic accepts MVA referrals, but PhysioNow is one of the leading providers of MVA rehabilitation across the GTA! What is MVA rehabilitation? Car accidents…

What are Tension Type Headaches? Tension type headaches (TTH) are one of the most prevalent types of headache. Unfortunately, they affect a significant portion of the population globally. When experienced, they feel like a dull, aching, type of headache that may wrap around the head. In fact, some patients describe it feeling like a tight band is compressing their skull. Unlike migraines that have symptoms like nausea, noise or light sensitivity, and visual manifestations, tension headaches do not have additional symptoms other than pain. Overall, frequent tension headaches could decrease one’s quality of life. What causes them? Tension Type Headaches…

At PhysioNow, we receive many inquiries from our patients about our direct billing services. If it is your first time using your insurance and are unsure about the whole process, this article should help you out. Additionally, you are free to reach out to us for more personal questions and our team of experienced administrative staff would be more than happy to help you out. What is direct billing? Direct billing means that the clinic can submit the claims on your behalf to your insurance provider. Ultimately, this results in a streamlined process for our patients as you no longer…

What is trigger finger? Trigger finger is a hand condition where the finger can get stuck in a bent position. Afterwards, it may straighten suddenly with a snap. Usually, the fingers most often affected are the ring finger and the thumb, but the condition can affect any finger. Depending on the severity, the locking and popping open of the finger may be quite painful. Why does it happen? The tendon sheathe becomes swollen and blocks movement. Trigger finger happens when the tendon that controls that finger can’t glide smoothly in the sheath that surrounds it. This may occur if part…

Anatomy of the 1st CMC Joint The 1st Carpo-meta-carpal (CMC) joint is more commonly referred to as the thumb joint. It is located at the base of the thumb between the carpal bones and the metacarpal bones. It is classified as a saddle joint, meaning it allows the thumb to move freely in many directions. As a result of this mobility, you can perform a wide variety of complicated tasks such as opening a jar, pinching an object, writing, and holding differently shape objects. What is Thumb Arthritis? Arthritis is a general condition that can affect any joint in the…

Don’t Forget About Biceps Rotator cuff injuries are a common cause of shoulder pain and dysfunction. It commonly affects athletes, manual laborers, and the general population alike. While the rotator cuff itself—the group of muscles and tendons stabilizing the shoulder joint—often takes center stage in discussions, the role of the biceps tendon in these injuries is equally significant yet frequently overlooked. This blog explores the relationship between the biceps tendon and rotator cuff injuries. It will shed light on diagnosis, treatment, and injury prevention strategies of the biceps tendon. Anatomy and Function of the Biceps Tendon The biceps muscle has…

What is Physiotherapy Taping? Physiotherapy taping, also known as athletic or kinesiology taping, is a type of therapeutic technique used for rehabilitation and for enhancing sport performance. First, strips of adhesive tape are applied to the skin with the location depending on the area of injury or the goal of the treatment. A physiotherapist can help you apply the tape and teach you how to tape yourself at home as well! Why do people receive Physiotherapy Taping? There are many benefits to using physiotherapy tape, we’ll describe some common applications of taping to help you understand why taping has become…