Fall Prevention: Simple Home Safety Tips for Seniors

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Falling is the number one cause of injuries among seniors, and many of these accidents happen at home. This is a scary thought, but the good news is the majority of these falls are preventable if the right measures are taken.  

Dangerous falls can lead to potentially life-altering injuries, but becoming aware of your living environment and making the necessary changes can dramatically reduce the chances of having an accident at home. 

Seniors will feel a lot safer when they:

  1. Install non-skid bath mats

Self-adhesive slip-resistant strips are also very effective and should be placed in tubs and showers to prevent falls in the bathroom.

  1. Install solid handrails on all stairs

Going up and down stairs can be very dangerous, but placing solid handrails on both sides will provide seniors with stability and allow them to climb stairs a lot more easily.

  1. Make sure the home is well-lit

Darkness can lead to falls, and seniors need to be able to see their surroundings. Proper lighting throughout the home is a must, as this will make it easier for seniors to navigate through their space, and they will be able to detect potential tripping hazards.

  1. Make sure rugs are slip-proof

Getting your foot caught in a rug is very common, and this is even more problematic for seniors who cannot catch their fall. All rugs in the home should be slip-proof, and taping them to the floor is highly recommended.

  1. Remove items that are easy to trip over

They must be removed, whether it’s an ottoman in the middle of the room, electrical cords or a pile of books. Clutter is a significant concern due to the potential trip hazard and subsequent injuries. A senior whose structural integrity and bone health may already be compromised could be at high risk for serious injury due to slips, trips and falls. Removing unnecessary clutter will establish a clean environment that is far less accident-prone.

  1. Install safety grab bars in the shower and next to the toilet

Seniors may have difficulty lowering themselves onto the toilet, but a grab bar will provide support. They will be able to lower and lift themselves with the help of this tool, and installing one in the shower is also highly recommended. This bar will prevent seniors from slipping and falling on the wet surface. 

  1. Install anti-slip safety treads on all stairs

This consideration applies to stairs on the interior and exterior of the house. Treads should be placed on all stairs to provide seniors with a better grip.  

  1. Make any necessary repairs

Loose floorboards, for example, should be repaired immediately, and any other components that can cause accidents should be dealt with immediately. 

These simple yet effective steps will positively impact daily routines and reduce the likelihood of a serious fall for seniors.

Conclusion

Are you in pain as a result of a fall? Our team here at Apex Physiotherapy & Chiropractic can provide relief through the various treatments we offer. Chiropractic care and physiotherapy can help you move comfortably again after an accident. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!

Can Orthotics Help with Sciatic Pain?

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Custom orthotics can help alleviate lower back pain, and if you suffer from sciatica, this is an effective device you can consider. Custom orthotics provide foot support and are designed to cushion your heel, toes and foot. You will experience relief from discomfort and pain caused by sciatica, a symptom of any common lower back problems. 

Those who suffer from sciatica will feel numbness, weakness, tingling or pain that will start in the lower back and travel through the buttock to the large sciatic nerve that runs down the back of your leg.

How Orthotics Can Help with Sciatica

Lower back pain falls into two categories; chronic lower back pain, which is any ache or pain that lasts longer than three months and acute lower back pain, which refers to pain that starts after an event like lifting a heavy object. Custom orthotics can help both categories and is known to significantly improve pain and discomfort. 

With sciatica specifically, custom orthotics can help by:

Controlling Foot Movements

Your orthotic device can be used to control motions of your foot that may be transferred up the leg and to the lower back. Excessive movement of your foot beyond its range of motion can transfer into rotational movement of the leg. This rotation will then transfer up to your knee and lead to pain, or it can pass through the knee up to the hip and cause the muscles in your lower back to work overtime to stabilize. Custom foot orthotics can be used in these cases to control the movements of your foot and reduce the cascading effect up your leg to your lower back. 

Reducing Impact on Joints

An orthotic device can also be used to reduce impact forces while you walk. When the joints in your foot have reduced ranges of movement, the force of your heel striking the ground can be transferred through your foot and up your leg to your hip and lower back, and this problem is more common with individuals who have high arches and a rigid foot structure. Your custom orthotic will provide cushioning and distribute the pressure beneath your feet evenly, reducing some of the impact forces associated with walking. 

Custom orthotics are designed to the individual needs of the person and their feet. They are specific to your feet; every factor will be considered to ensure your orthotics can help with your sciatica. Custom orthotics can be adjusted or modified if your needs change to ensure your continual, optimal comfort in your day-to-day activity.

Conclusion

Are you ready to say goodbye to sciatic pain? Custom foot orthotics may be the answer, and our team here at Apex Physiotherapy & Chiropractic can provide you with more information. We will discuss all of the benefits custom orthotics provide, and you can contact us any time to schedule an appointment!

5 Ways to Prevent Falls at Home and Elsewhere

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Fall prevention is very important because an accident can happen at any time, and a fall can result in serious, sometimes even life-threatening, injuries. 

The following tips will help you prevent falls and stay safe:

  1. Stay As Healthy As Possible

Practicing good self-care is one of the best ways to avoid falling, which means you must stay active and well-nourished. You must also take good care of your feet and eyes and understand how certain medical conditions and prescription medications impact the risk of falls. This knowledge will allow you to apply the best prevention strategies tailored to your condition and lifestyle.

  1. Do Not Be Afraid to Use Assistive Devices

Many people do not use assistive tools because they think it’s a sign of weakness, but putting your pride aside will allow you to remain safe. Assistive devices and corrective lenses will allow you to remain independent and feel safe because you will avoid slip and fall hazards. You will feel steadier on your feet as these devices provide balance and stability assistance.

  1. Turn on the Lights

You are far more likely to bump into things when you can’t see where you’re going in your own home, potentially tripping over items in your path during evening hours. A well-lit home is a lot safer as it will lower the risk of falls, and you can easily navigate through your home. Add lighting to your hallways and stairwells to see where you’re going and ensure nothing is in your way. 

  1. Keep Your Home Clutter-Free

Magazines, cords, ottomans and loose carpeting can all cause dangerous falls, and you need to eliminate such hazards from your home. Remove these items and create clear paths to prevent slips and falls, and do your best to ensure your home is organized with ample walking space. You shouldn’t have to walk around furniture or piles of books, and your floors should be clean and clear.

  1. Make the Necessary Changes

Whether it’s loose floorboards or the installation of stair grips, some fall-prevention improvements will require extensive effort, but these projects are worth your time. Installing handrails in bathrooms is a smart idea, as is installing non-skid flooring. Stairways should have sturdy banisters, and anything that seems even remotely dangerous should be fixed. 

Taking a few precautions will minimize your risk of falling, and your home will be a safe and risk-free environment. Falling can affect your independence and health, which is why you need to take all of the necessary steps to avoid accidents from occurring.

Conclusion

Are you experiencing pain and discomfort as a result of a fall? Whether you fell at home or elsewhere, physio and chiropractic care can help, and the experts at Apex Physiotherapy & Chiropractic can help provide relief. We will find the source of your pain and provide compassionate, comprehensive treatment. 

Contact us today to schedule an appointment!

How To Avoid Injury In Your Garden or Yard

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There are lots of things to do once the warmer weather arrives, and gardening is one activity many homeowners love. Once spring arrives, it’s natural to want to elevate your garden as this will improve the look of your property. 

While gardening can be both therapeutic and fun, it also involves a lot of bending and reaching, and your body may have to move in ways it is not used to. These unfamiliar movement patterns can lead to pain, discomfort, or even injury, so you must take appropriate precautions.  

You may be surprised that back pain is one of the most common problems during the spring because of gardening, so it can happen to anyone, regardless of age or experience. 

If you get the urge to get your hands dirty come spring, you have to remember the following tips to avoid lower back pain injury:

  1. Do not try to carry one large load of dirt or debris, and try carrying several small loads instead. Not only will this tactic reduce the risk of lower back injury, but it will also prevent you from struggling throughout the process.
  2. Keep heavy loads close to your body when lifting and use a wide support base. 
  3. Ask your family members or friends to help because teamwork will not only make gardening easier it will also make it more enjoyable. 
  4. Sit on a step stool when doing low-level work as this will limit low back strain.

These simple steps will make a very big difference, so no matter how excited you may be, you need to take the time to do it right; otherwise, you may end up with an injury. Selecting the right tools is equally as important as this, too will help you avoid a lower back injury. Buy a watering can with a long spout, as this will allow you to access your plants more easily without having to hold heavy loads away from your body. The use of knee pads or portable cushions is also highly recommended as these will protect your joints when kneeling. Always stretch before and after gardening and take breaks to ease muscle strain.

You should also be mindful of sunburns, and heat stroke, so use lots of sunscreens and drink plenty of water. Wear a hat to help reduce dehydration and try to garden early in the morning or late in the day if possible.

If you do experience lower back pain as a result of gardening or any other activity, you will have to seek treatment from a reputable physiotherapist—the experts at Apex Physiotherapy & Chiropractic can help! We will provide you with the best treatment, and our techniques, skills and experience will help manage your pain. We provide comprehensive physiotherapy services, including acupuncture. If you are looking for a physiotherapist near you in Pickering or Ajax, contact our clinic today!

Shoulder Pain Treatment

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Shoulder pain will cause everyday activities to become painful, and even simple tasks like reaching for an item or throwing a ball will become challenging. If you cannot lift your child or reach for an item from a kitchen cabinet without pain, it is time to seek help, and the good news is that there are treatments that can help eliminate shoulder pain.

Physiotherapy and acupuncture are both effective in this regard, and these treatments do not involve painkillers or medication, so they are worth trying. We will consider your injury type, lifestyle, and any additional risk factors. We will then create a customized treatment plan based on this information.

Types of Shoulder Pain

Frozen Shoulder

Stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint are symptoms of a frozen shoulder that can last several months. Acupuncture and physiotherapy will help manage your pain through manual therapy and specific exercises. A physiotherapist will work with the stabilizing muscles and on muscle balance and patterning. They will consider the severity of your pain and help you modify your activities at work and home. The recovery process will be gradual so expect slow and steady progress over time.

Rotator Cuff Tendinitis

Pain and stiffness when raising or lowering your arm are symptoms of this injury, as is minor pain present both during activity and while resting. Sudden pain with lifting and reaching movements and pain radiating from the front of the shoulder to the side of the arm are also signs of this condition, usually resulting from an injury that will set off a cycle of inflammation and pain. 

Acupuncture is very effective and can be combined with other therapeutic approaches like transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), moist heat, and ice. A physiotherapist will improve the active and passive range of motion through exercise and manual therapy to help you manage your pain. You can expect a rapid healing phase, so do not wait to seek treatment if you suffer from this condition.

Shoulder Tendon Tear

Pain or weakness when lifting or lowering your arm with specific movements and pain while resting or at night are symptoms of this condition, as is a crackling sensation when moving your shoulder in certain positions. There are two kinds of tears; a partial one that will damage the soft tissue without completely severing it and a complete tear that will split the soft tissue into two pieces. Repeating the same motion over and over again can cause repetitive stress, and this can lead to tendon tears. Baseball, tennis, and weightlifting can put you at risk, as can routine jobs and chores.

A physiotherapist will apply the same approach as tendonitis for a partial tear, although a full tear would most likely require surgery. A physiotherapist can work with post-surgical patients to ensure optimal recovery.

Here at Apex Physiotherapy & Chiropractic, we can help treat shoulder pain, so you can rely on our services. If you are interested in acupuncture or are looking for a reputable physiotherapist near me in the Pickering or Ajax areas, contact us today to schedule an appointment!

Why Are Shin Splints the Most Common Injury for Runners

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According to new research, about 27% of runners experience injuries in their first year of participating in the sport, and a majority of those injuries were shin splints. Danish researchers followed 933 new runners for a year to observe them and see how many got injured, what injuries they got, and how long it took them to recover from their injuries. The researchers considered someone a new runner if they had not run for more than 10 kilometres in the year before. They defined running injuries as running-induced pain in the legs or lower back which were severe enough to prevent them from training (in distance, duration, pace or frequency) for at least a week.

Of the 933 runners, 254 met the researchers’ definition of having a running injury in their first year. Of the runners who were injured, 15% reported medial tibial stress syndrome (or shin splints) and 10% had patellofemoral pain (or runner’s knee), 9% had a meniscus injury, 7% had Achilles tendinitis, and 5% had plantar fasciitis or a soleus injury.

Stress fractures were relatively uncommon, usually because the new runners’ mileage was on the lower end in their first year, which did not create significant risk for this type of injury. 75% of the injuries happened during a runner’s first 201 kilometres in the sport.

Healing times had varied greatly among all injured runners. Those who had calf strains were back to their normal running routine on an average of 30 to 40 days. Those that suffered from shin splints required an average of 72 days to recover fully. Plantar fasciitis took the longest time, averaging 159 days for runners to fully recover from.

The researchers found that their findings emphasize the importance of new runners being more mindful of shin splints.

How to Prevent Shin Splints

Gradually increase your mileage

Shin splints are known as an overuse injuries because they typically happen when runners, especially new runners, increase their mileage or intensity too soon and don’t allow their body the proper time to recover. One important thing to remember is not to run through the pain. Always listen to your body and decrease your running when you start to feel any pain. Medical experts recommend that you shouldn’t go back to running until you are pain-free for two weeks. 

Run on Softer Surface

Running on hard surfaces like concrete can put more strain on your muscles, joints and bones. It’s important to have some variation on your running surfaces. Try to run on grass or dirt trails, especially if you are planning to run for a long period of time. You might also want to opt to get on a treadmill run once or twice a week. Running on a treadmill is much easier on your body than running on roads or sidewalks.

Physiotherapy will help you manage your shin splint pain properly. APEX Physiotherapy & Chiropractic can help with your pain, so if you are looking for a physiotherapist or chiropractor near me in the Pickering or Ajax areas, contact us today!

What Conditions can be Treated Using Naturopathic Medicine?

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Naturopathic medicine can be very effective, and natural remedies are used to help the body heal. Herbs, massage, acupuncture, exercise and nutritional counselling are different kinds of therapies that are part of naturopathic medicine whose goal is to treat the whole person and heal the root causes of their illness. Treatments will focus on the mind, body and spirit and will do more than just stop the symptoms.

Naturopathic doctors will spend a lot of time examining the patient and will ask questions about everything from your health history to your lifestyle habits. Once they have this information, they will then discuss your personal health plan and will focus on education and prevention.

There are a number of conditions that can be treated using naturopathic medicine, and the following are some of the most common health issues that are treated by this practice:

Fatigue

If you feel tired all the time and want to boost your energy levels, naturopathic medicine can help. The causes of fatigue will be different for each patient, but your naturopathic doctor will ask about your health history in detail to identify specific contributors and to provide you with more energy.

Digestion

This contributes to every kind of health condition and is a must for good health, and naturopathic medicine can help you improve this aspect.

Difficulty Sleeping

Dietary changes and stress management will be discussed with patients who are experiencing sleep difficulties, and you will have to provide specific information so that you can be treated accordingly. Some patients can’t fall asleep while others can’t stay asleep, and it’s also possible to be struggling with both and these specifics matter because it will dictate how you will be treated. Naturopathic medicine will treat the root cause of this problem to provide you with long-lasting solutions.

Stress

This can affect every aspect of your life and will impact your health negatively. You may experience high blood pressure and cholesterol along with weight gain and sleep difficulties, so stress must be eliminated from your life, and naturopathic medicine can help in this regard.

Food Allergies

Believe it or not, it is possible to overcome food sensitivities through testing, food elimination and gut healing, so you can turn to naturopathic medicine if you suffer from allergies.

Anxiety and Depression

Nutritional, botanical or supplemental remedies can help you cope and will address the underlying issues of your anxiety or depression so that you don’t have to suffer any longer.

Weight Management

Naturopathic medicine will investigate and address the underlying causes of weight gain and your inability to lose weight. Improper digestion, food sensitivities and hormonal imbalances are common causes of weight gain, but this practice will help you manage this aspect.

These are just some of the conditions that naturopathic medicine can help with, and the experts at Apex Physiotherapy & Chiropractic can provide you with more information. Whether you are looking for a naturopathic doctor, a chiropractor near me or are interested in shockwave therapy, we can help, so if you are in the Pickering or Ajax areas, contact us today!

Shockwave Therapy: What You Need to know

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If you’ve heard of shockwave therapy but are not entirely sure of what this means, this guide will tell you everything you need to know about this very common treatment option. The most important thing to understand is that you will not be physically shocked, so don’t be alarmed by the name as it can be misleading. Shock wave simply means sound wave, so there is no need to be concerned because it’s essentially just another term that refers to this non-invasive treatment option that you can consider.

What is Shockwave Therapy?

Shockwave therapy is a non-surgical method that will provide you with results, and you will start to feel better after only a couple of sessions. This treatment option has actually been around for a while, and high-energy audible sound waves are introduced to the painful areas of your body during this treatment. This can include your shoulders, legs and arms, and if you suffer from acute or chronic pain, this type of treatment would be ideal as it is effective in reducing pain, and most patients will feel a difference after their sessions. Shockwave therapy can reduce pain, and while some patients will experience mild discomfort, you will notice an improvement in your quality of life, so this treatment is definitely worth a try.

How does Shockwave Therapy Work?

Shockwaves will speed up a patient’s healing process and will reduce pain because introducing sound waves to the body will cause one’s blood to become stimulated, and this will increase circulation, and your metabolism will become accelerated as a result. Tissue is regenerated after only a few sessions, and this would allow you to heal a lot faster than a patient who did not seek shockwave treatment. This form of therapy can help treat a number of conditions, including tendonitis, heel pain, tennis elbow, acute and chronic pain, muscle tension, neck pain, and so much more.

Is Shockwave Therapy Effective?

For the most part, shockwave therapy is very successful, and most patients will experience pain reduction after only a couple of sessions. Your healthcare professional will discuss your progress and provide you with their professional opinion regarding when to stop treatment.

If you are interested in shockwave therapy, Apex Physiotherapy & Chiropractic can provide you with more information. We will discuss your pain, and our team of experienced professionals will provide you with the relief you need. We will create a treatment plan based on your needs and conditions specifically and will reduce your pain while restoring your function and improving your performance. Whether you are looking for a naturopathic doctor or a chiropractor, we can help, so if you are in the Pickering or Ajax areas, contact us today to schedule an appointment!

Why to Choose a Naturopathic Doctor

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The holistic approach to wellness is known as naturopathy, and it has been known for a long time as nature’s gift to healthiness and harmony between our bodies and nature. Many of us want to be the healthiest versions of ourselves. This means that we want to be able to have access to healthy services and products at the click of a button. There is no doubt that traditional prescription medications will always play a role in our health. However, many Canadians are reaching towards a more balanced approach to their health between synthetic and natural. This is where naturopathy comes in. So here are some great reasons why you should consider visiting a naturopath.

Naturopathy focuses on prevention instead of giving a solution when a health issue arises. Naturopathy will focus on the underlying causes of a condition. It applies treatments that will work in alliance with the natural healing systems of our body rather than override them or work against them. Your naturopath will not only treat your health, but will also help you by discussing clear strategies that you can use to empower yourself and improve your life and overall well-being by minimizing your chances of illness from the get-go.

Naturopathy can assist with a variety of prevalent health conditions that are facing many people today. Naturopathy services can help you deal with health conditions like cardiovascular health, hormonal imbalance, fertility, menopause or degenerative illnesses like arthritis and it can also help you implement preventative health strategies.

Naturopathy uses non-invasive treatments and natural treatments. Your naturopath will use non-invasive and natural treatments to help tap into your own body’s natural healing capabilities. Your physical symptoms will be examined as well as your lifestyle and your overall health. Nutrition that incorporates whole foods and superfoods will be used to strengthen and nourish your body to give it everything it needs to heal itself. There are a range of practitioner-only administered products that are very safe to use and have a lot of research to back them up.

Naturopathy can work together with traditional western medicines. If you can locate a naturopathic practitioner who is able to work along with pharmacists and GPs to safely and effectively integrate evidence-based natural medicine with western approaches to medicine, then you can get the best of both worlds. Getting both types of approaches to health and medicine will be able to give you a treatment plan that is completely tailored to your health needs.

Combining prescription medicine and natural medicine might seem very complex at first, but if you go to trusted experts and get the right advice from them, then you can accomplish a successful health strategy. The key here is to do your research thoroughly so that you know what you are getting yourself into and so that you can be very well-informed. If you can find a pharmacy that works closely with naturopaths, you can achieve an optimum patient outcome and get the best of both worlds.

Shockwave Therapy at Apex Physiotherapy and Chiropractic

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Here at Apex Physiotherapy and Chiropractic, one of our treatments, which we take a lot of pride in, is our Shockwave Therapy. Therapeutic shock waves have been around for decades, and were first introduced as a medical treatment that can eliminate kidney stones. A shockwave is an intense, acoustic wave that can travel faster than the speed of sound. As of today, shockwave technology has been used on millions of people around the world. It has helped to treat a myriad of musculoskeletal, neurological and soft tissue disorders. In addition, it also showed benefit in the treatment of certain tendon disorders, including rotator cuff tendinopathy, calcific tendinopathy, elbow tendinopathy, plantar fasciopathy, and Achilles tendinopathy. All of that being said, is shockwave therapy really worth it?

Results of a Large Systematic Review

A large 2015 systematic review investigated the efficacy and safety of shockwave therapy, and provided a review. It includes the following findings:

  1. Based on this study, Shockwave Therapy is effective. In fact, 88.5% of the trials that were observed exhibited better results than placebo or other alternative treatments.
  2. Shockwave Therapy is completely safe. No serious side effects were reported.
  3. For certain conditions, like plantar fasciopathy, non-calcific supraspinatus tendinopathy and calcifying tendonitis of the shoulder, Shockwave Therapy shows better effectiveness compared to other treatments.
  4. If local anesthesia is given during a Shockwave Therapy treatment, it can negatively affect the end result.
  5. At Apex Physiotherapy and Chiropractic, we use radial and focused shockwave therapy devices. Both devices have been found to be great, successful options.
  6. The notion that radial shockwave devices are ‘lower energy,’ while focused shockwaves produce a ‘higher energy,’ is false.
  7. It is best to spread the treatment across three sessions, once a week. 2,000 impulses should be applied each session, and it is to be done at the highest possible setting, one that the patient is able to tolerate.

Shockwave Therapy is a great solution for certain musculoskeletal conditions and has scientific evidence supporting it. It may cause some discomfort for patients, but it has been proven to be safe and no serious side effects or issues have been found either. Treatments don’t require a very long time or many appointments.


We offer many excellent, successful treatments at Apex Physiotherapy and Chiropractic. Our Shockwave treatment in Ajax, Pickering, provides quick sessions and rapid results. If you’re in need of an appointment, we can guarantee that we will give the best shockwave treatment, thanks to our reliable staff and trusted expertise. Call us today at (905) 492-2739.