monasteryh, Author at Villanova Physiotherapy

Low Intensity Laser: A Treatment Option for Slow to Heal Injuries and Persistent Pain

As physiotherapists, we try so hard to meet our clients’ goals and achieve treatment success for all. It is as disappointing for us, as it is frustrating to our clients, when injuries are slow to heal or we can’t get a handle on persistent or chronic pain. (Thankfully, not so many!). It is for this reason that we would like to introduce you to the Laser Program available at Avalon Laser Health Physiotherapy and Wellness (ALH).

The Laser Program

The program does not require that you also attend physiotherapy at Avalon Laser Health. In fact, if possible, the best arrangement would see you continue physiotherapy with your own physiotherapist. This program is covered by MVA and third party insurance in some circumstances, but otherwise is an out-of-pocket charge. To ease costs, a 10-session package, at a discounted rate is available. Ask your physiotherapist for details, or consult the ALH website. An option for out-of-town clients, or for those who are house-bound or otherwise anticipate difficulties accessing their clinic regularly, is the Laser Rental offered in association with Meditech Inc (Bioflex Laser). Check with Avalon Laser for these details.

https://avalonlaserhealth.ca/service/bioflex-laser-therapy/ or call 709-753-0155.

How it Works

Low intensity laser, or just ‘laser’, produces a photobiomodulation effect on injured and diseased cells. This is the process by which light energy stimulates cell function. The light energy needed to create such an effect is of specific wavelengths, and low power. Examples of photobiomodulation at work include the photoreceptors in our eyes which allow vision, and those in the skin which initiate the production of vitamin D from ultraviolet rays. Another well known analogy is photosynthesis, the process through which plant life uses light energy for growth.

All human cells contain a specialized light sensitive protein (cytochrome c), which when stimulated, increases the production of ATP (cell fuel). Laser directly targets these light sensitive proteins in injured and diseased cells. Its impact on muscle, joint and nerve injuries is to stimulate healing and provide pain relief. For more information, check out the attached document. BIOFLEX Science | BIOFLEX Laser Therapy

When it hurts to move, you have to deal with the painful motion in order to recover. The laser program will provide pain relief to make it possible to move and exercise; and it will stimulate healing. There’s no avoiding the restoration of normal or best muscle function if you want a lasting recovery. For this reason, best results are achieved when you work with your physiotherapist throughout and following the Laser Program.

Please share this information with family and friends!

Avalon Laser Health: 709-753-0155 eMail: info@avalonlaserhealth.ca

Villa Nova: 709-834-1785 eMail:info@villanovaphysio.com

What is a foot care nurse and when should you seek out the services of one?

Foot care nurses are a vital part of our healthcare system in providing quality care and education to clients. A foot care nurse is a Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse and will have familiarity with conditions and common concerns of the feet. They will have completed an independent course in foot care which has a theory component focusing on anatomy, physiology, diseases, etc. as well as a practical component where they provide foot care to clients in a supervised setting.

Foot care nurses can practice either independently or with a clinic, and services can be provided in a setting most convenient to the nurse and client. A foot care nurse will complete an initial foot assessment, and ask questions about your health to assist in best determining a plan of care. They will help identify any foot issues, and make recommendations for care. They will care for nails and any calluses, corns, or other concerns that require attention. Most importantly, they will educate the client as they work, so that some components of foot care can be done at home, if the client is able. And if there is a need for more advanced care, they can refer to the appropriate provider.

Most major insurance companies will cover the cost of the services of a foot care nurse, and these services can also be tax deductible.

Using the services of a foot care nurse should not be just for when you have issues or difficulties- proactivity can go a long way in preventing issues from ever starting. In my practice, I see many clients who are diabetics, have arthritis or another reason why they cannot reach their feet, impaired eyesight, poor circulation, are taking blood thinning medication, are having active treatment for cancer, or other health concerns. However, I also have a population of clients who have no health concerns, but understand that their feet are their foundation and will last much longer when they are well cared for.

Massage Therapy- no pain doesn’t always mean no gain

Good hurt is more of a soreness that could be caused by the manipulation of the muscles. Good pain usually occurs after exercise or a massage and stops after the activity is finished or within 24-48 hours after the stop of activity. Good hurt doesn’t restrict the ability to carry on with your day to day activities; you may be sore and be doing them a little slower than usual but you should still be able to function and do the activities. Bad hurt is unbearable pain or pain that is too much to handle. When you reach bad hurt it’s causing more damage to muscles and further injury. During a massage the muscles should be effectively worked into so that there shouldn’t be pain.

Pain during a massage is caused by the release of muscle tension but it can also be caused by poor technique from the massage therapist if they work too deep which can damage the muscle tissue. There are also a couple of massage techniques that are fairly painful themselves, but there should be communication throughout the massage to ensure there is no harm being done to the client.

Some of the techniques that are painful are the fractioning technique which breaks up scar tissue/adhesions and trigger point therapy which is the releasing of the painful, hyperactive nodules found throughout some muscles. If soreness occurs after the massage then you should keep moving around so you don’t stiffen up, put heat on the area and drink lots of water to help flush out the toxins which were moved throughout the massage.

What is Kinesiology?

Kinesiology is defined as human kinetics, or the scientific study of human movement. The term is derived from the Greek word kinesis, which means “to move.”

A Kinesiologist applies exercise and movement science to promote optimal health and well-being; prevents, manages, and rehabilitates injuries; treats illness and chronic disease; restores function; and optimizes human performance in the workplace, clinical settings, sport, and fitness.

Kinesiologists work with people of all ages and physical abilities to help them achieve their health and wellness goals. They work in a variety of indoor and outdoor settings- gyms and fitness centres, rehabilitation clinics, work sites, hospitals, and private wellness clinics.

Kinesiologists improve quality of life, often using interventions that include physical activity. Depending on the individual situation, kinesiology therapy can take between 4 and 12 weeks to show effectiveness. Sometimes, people require a correction or adjustment in movement which results in a shorter rehabilitation period, but could often be longer because the chief concern is related to other body parts or underlying health conditions.

There are numerous benefits to kinesiology, including recovery from injury or an accident; managing chronic pain; increasing strength and mobility; optimizing sports performance; and stress relief. The kinesiologist will complete an initial health history and assessment, and work with clients to meet individual goals for treatment. Throughout the course of treatment, progress and goals will be continually evaluated and adjusted as needed to ensure maximum benefits are achieved.

While kinesiology services are not covered under the NL provincial medical care plan, some private health insurance plans do cover this under the scope of practice of kinesiology. Often, kinesiology gets confused with personal training. While kinesiologists do provide personal training to clients who wish to improve their health and fitness level, their training and focus is much more in depth than a non-kinesiologist trainer. A kinesiologist is required to complete a bachelor’s degree, while the education of a personal trainer is based around courses and workshops of a shorter duration.

Ingrown nails

Ingrown nails….they make it hard to stand or walk, they’re often complicated, and they’re definitely annoying.

Ingrown nails are caused when the edge of the nail grows into the skin instead of over it. They will typically cause tenderness, swelling, redness to the affected toe, and sometimes infection (paronychia) if the nail pushes through the skin. The great toe is usually the most affected toe,

and while ingrown nails account for approximately 25% of visits to a foot care provider, they are often preventable.

Ingrown nails occur when nails are not cut straight across; when they are cut too short; when you wear ill-fitting shoes over long periods of time that squish your toes together; when you have unusually curved nails; trauma to the foot or nail; or infections of the nail

While care from a qualified provider is recommended, there are some at- home remedies that you can do while waiting for your appointment

– Soak feet 10-15 minutes once a day in warm water (for people who have decreased sensation in your feet, use a thermometer to gauge the most appropriate temperature) – Tuck a small piece of cotton ball or dental floss under the nail to encourage the nail to grow out and away from the skin. This should be changes daily

– Does there appear to be an infection? If so, it’s important to see a doctor to determine whether you require an antibiotic.

If you are a diabetic or have impaired circulation, it is advised to seek treatment quickly as you are more prone to complications from an ingrown nail

There are risk factors that you should be mindful of, whether you’re prone to ingrown nails or not. They are much less painful to prevent than to treat.

Sweaty feet make nails softer; cutting nails too short; not cutting nails straight across; inability to properly care for your feet; activities that put your feet at risk of injury (repeated kicking or pressure on the foot, such as ballet, kickboxing, soccer); medical conditions that restrict or decrease the circulation to your feet; and poor-fitting footwear, including high heels

With these risk factors in mind, you can prevent ingrown nails by inspecting your feet daily; cutting nails straight across and not cutting them too short- they should be even with the tip of the toe; wearing properly fitting footwear and socks that allow the toes to move; wearing protective footwear if you are at risk of injuring your feet; and keeping feet clean and dry change your socks throughout the day if necessary

Your foot care nurse will treat your ingrown nail and show you how to properly care for and manage it as it grows out.

Ask Us: What is dry needling?

1) Why does dry needling hurt?
The insertion of an acupuncture needle into the muscle causes minimal discomfort. If the
needle hits a trigger point there is a twitch response. The twitch response is uncomfortable
and difficult to explain. The twitch response is also something desired by the practitioner as
it is associated with better outcomes.
Theoretically an active trigger point undergoes constant repetitive contraction. This causes
a build up of metabolic waste. A twitch response will allow the metabolic waste to dissipate
into the muscle. This creates an acidic environment, thus for 6-48 (96 hrs in extreme cases)
hrs post treatment there will be some residual soreness that could be compared to delayed
onset muscle soreness (DOMS) post work out.

2) How long do the effects of dry needling last? And what should the frequency of
treatment be?
If the dysfunction or pain is associated with myofascial tension, then dry needling should
have significant effects with one treatment. Usually only 2-3 sessions over a month is
needed for this type of client. More complex pain patterns, ie whiplash or repetitive
strain/desk job, are harder to predict. A reduction of symptoms is expected but full
resolution through dry needling alone should not be expected. A multi-focal treatment with
focus on exercise should be used with this type of client. If dry needling provides relief but
for only a couple of days it indicates that the trigger point is the result of some other
dysfunction, usually the neck or back.

3) Are there certain activities that should be avoided post dry needling?
Post needling movement is better than no movement. If the pain has been present for
longer than a month there will be a tendency for a rested muscle to creep back to the
hypertonic state. Movement provides feedback to the central nervous system of restore
muscle length and tone which helps with maintenance of outcomes. If the post needling
soreness is enough to make a person avoid movement, a day of rest is ok. I would not
recommend deep tissue massage within 24 hrs of dry needling. Effleurage like massage
would likely be beneficial.

4) Can dry needling be combined with other modalities and/or therapies?
Dry needling can be combined with all other modalities and therapies, with caution of
deep tissue massage 24 hrs post. Anecdotally, massage therapists have reported easier
ability to release tension and chiropractors have reported more success of
manipulations when combined with dry needling. A recommended spacing of 48 hrs in
between dry needling and massage or chiropractic treatments is satisfactory.

Dry Cracked Feet – How do you treat it, and how do you prevent it from continuing to happen?

We’ve all been there….heels so rough that they could slice open the leg of your bed partner and skin so flaky that it looks like it’s snowing when you take your socks off. Then one day, the sun comes out and shines warm on your face, and you start thinking ahead to summer. And with summer comes sandals and bare feet. And you have feet that require some treatment and TLC.

Over the winter, we often spend more time indoors, wearing fuzzy socks and blasting the heat. While it may be cozy and comfortable, it can be doing some damage to your feet in the form of dry skin and cracked heels. Dry skin is a given in the cold winter months- and your feet are no different. The cold air, combined with the increased indoor temperatures, leave your feet dehydrated and begging for moisturizer.

The question becomes – how do you treat it, and how do you prevent it from continuing to
happen?

First of all, it is important to ensure that you do not have an underlying medical condition
contributing to your foot issues. Sometimes, dry skin and cracked heels are linked to psoriasis, eczema, diabetes, thyroid issues, or biomechanical concerns such as flat feet or heel spurs.

The temperature of your shower or bath is one consideration. Hot water can damage keratin in the outer layer of your skin, preventing skin cells from retaining moisture. A cool or warm
shower is always best for your skin.

Do you soak your feet? Research shows that foot soaks can have relaxing and soothing
benefits, but can also contribute to dry skin. Foot soaks should be in warm water, and for no
longer than 10 minutes a couple of times a week. Epsom salts added to the water can assist with exfoliation of dead skin cells.

How about thick, calloused and cracked heels? There are a number of factors that can
contribute to split heels, including dry skin secondary to extreme temperatures (either hot or cold), diabetes- which can impair blood flow, barefoot walking, obesity, the use of harsh soaps and cleansers, standing for long hours and wearing shoes that are ill-fitting. But there are also ways to manage this before it begins to cause soreness and discomfort, and interfere with your quality of life.

Our certified foot care nurses can help you manage dry skin and cracked heels, especially if you have difficulty reaching your feet safely; have issues with your eyesight and cannot see your feet properly; if you are considered high risk (if you have diabetes, are taking blood thinning medication, an oncology client, etc.); or if you have broken skin on your feet. You likely require more specialized care and treatment than you can provide yourself at home.

We can file and remove calloused skin that causes cracked heels, and recommend products that will help keep things under control, which in turn, leads to happier, healthier feet.

Ever wondered why you need to present your MCP card to get blood work done?

Let’s take a trip through the lab process shall we?

It all starts with you, as a patient which you probably just finished seeing the doctor, and he hands you over a requisition for Lab. So you make an appointment or walk- In into a blood collection location and stop at the front desk. You are then asked for your requisition and MCP Card. You think to yourself well my MCP number is on the Requisition? Do you still need my MCP? Hmmm….?

The answer is Yes.

The receptionist, medical lab assistant, or nurse uses your MCP Card to verify the information on your card like your first name, middle name, last name, date of birth, MCP number, and even the expiry date on the card. We make sure all the information on your card matches the information on your lab requisition.

Yay! Everything matches!

Now we can take that information and make labels to correctly label your lab specimens such as your blood tubes, urine cup, or swabs. Your specimens are now ready to be processed in a Laboratory. All your specimens will be processed and resulted with all the right information back to the doctor. All thanks to you, as a patient for providing your MCP card.

What is medical foot care and how does it differ from a pedicure?

Medical Foot Care Villa Nova Physiotherapy

Medical foot care is provided by a health care practitioner (registered nurse or licensed practical nurse) and focuses on general foot health, and issues that people have with their feet. These practitioners have the experience and education to work with clients with complex care needs (ex. Diabetes, clients on blood thinning medication, etc.) and who can identify signs and symptoms of infection, skin pathologies, and nail abnormalities, including, but not limited, to ingrown, thickened and brittle nails, calluses, corns, hardened or thickened skin, and wounds and ulcers.

While both medical foot care and pedicures tend to the toenails and skin of the feet, the purpose and details of the treatments vary. A pedicure is a cosmetic procedure that focuses on the beauty and therapeutic treatment of the toenails and feet, while medical foot care involves the assessment and treatment of nail and skin pathologies of the foot.