Knee Injuries

Knee InjuriesThe knee is a complex joint with many components, making it vulnerable to a variety of injuries.

The knee is made up of the lower end of the thighbone (femur),  which rotates on the upper end of the shinbone (tibia), and the knee cap (patella), which slides in a groove on the end of the femur.

The knee also contains large ligaments, which help control motion by connecting bones and by bracing the joint against abnormal types of motion.  The meniscus, is another component of the knee and is a wedge of soft cartilage between the femur and tibia that serves to cushion the knee  during motion.

Types of Knee Injuries:

ACL injury – Changing direction rapidly, slowing down when running, and landing from a jump may cause tears in the ACL.

MCL injury  – Usually caused by a direct blow to the outside of the knee. These types of injuries often occur during contact sports.

PCL injury  – Often injured when a person receives a blow to the front of the knee

Torn cartilage/mensicus  –  The mensicus is cartilage that is attached to the knee’s ligaments and acts like a shock absorber. Tears in the meniscus can occur when twisting, pivoting,  or decelerating.

Treatment of Knee Injuries:

A common method used to treat mild injuries is R.I.C.E., which stands for “rest, ice, compression, and elevation.” Rest the knee by staying off it .  Apply ice to control swelling. Use a compressive bandage applied snugly, but loosely enough so that it does not cause pain. Finally, keep the knee elevated.

Seek treatment as soon as possible if:

  • there is almost immediate swelling in the knee
  • the bones appear deformed
  • there is inability to bear weight
  • the pain is intolerable
  • there is loss of sensation below the injury site
  • the foot and ankle turn cold

At Diversified Health, our health care practitioners have many treatment options, such as Laser Therapy, Ultrasound, eToims, and Shockwave therapy for knee injuries.  A Rehab program will also be created specifically for you and will include strengthening exercises, joint mobilizations, myofascial work which will include the muscles surrounding the knee.

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Manage chronic pain in Victoria with eToims

Manage chronic pain in Victoria with eToimsIf you are living with chronic pain, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, or even shin splints, there is a non-invasive solution in Victoria that may help you reclaim your quality of life.

Diversified Health Clinic is offering a new kind of chronic pain treatment in Victoria called Electrical Twitch Obtaining Intra-Muscular Stimulation, or “eToims” for short.

The beautiful new Diversified Health clinic on Fort Street in the restored Mosaic Building is the only clinic in British Columbia that offers this new treatment.

“The eToims treatment targets so-called trigger points where nerves and muscles meet,” says Diversified Health’s Jessica Hall, a physiotherapist who specializes in eToims. “When you irritate or damage a nerve, muscle fibers close around the nerve fibers like a fist. eToims stimulates twitch contractions that stretch and relax damaged muscles at sites all over the body.”

Traditionally this treatment has involved the use of acupuncture needles (Trigger Point Dry Needling, or IMS) to relieve pain. However, eToims is a non-invasive procedure that doesn’t use any needles.

To treat many conditions, it’s common to come in for 3-4 sessions. For chronic conditions and chronic trigger points, 6-8 sessions may be necessary. Overall results will depend upon the degree and duration of nerve involvement.

“eToims is great for sports injuries or the mysterious soft-tissue injuries from auto accidents that typically stump health practitioners” says Hall. “Muscles can tighten so much that they put even more compression or vice-like grip around the nerve as it courses its way down your body, arms, or legs.”

Types of conditions considered for treatment:

Muscle & Myofascial Pain | Carpal Tunnel Syndrome | Back Pain | Sciatica | Tension Headaches | Repetitive Strain Injuries  | Sports Injuries | Fibromyalgia | Tennis Elbow | Whiplash | Tendonitis  | Degenerative Disc |  Bulging & Herniated Disc

Please contact Diversified Health to find out more about this new treatment to manage chronic pain.

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Victoria Clinic first in BC to use eToims | Needless IMS

What is eToims – Needless IMS?

Electrical Twitch Obtaining Intra-Muscular Stimulation (eToims) is aimed at alleviating pain and dysfunction caused by muscle and nerve injury. It involves the use of an electric current to produce a twitch in the muscle that is strong enough to stimulate or excite the deep fibers of a muscle.

Learn more about managing chronic nerve pain.

The eToims technique locates and diagnoses the presence of unhealthy and painful trigger point in the muscle. Very brief, repetitive stimulation is targeted at these trigger points to try to fatigue these points, thus making them relax.

 How do nerves and muscles work?

Nerves originate in the spinal column and run down your body, arms, or legs to supply an electric current to your muscles to make them twitch or contract. This is just an electrical cord supplying a lamp or appliance. However, if a nerve cannot carry enough electric current to muscles, the muscles actually start to shorten or tighten. Muscles can tighten so much that they put even more compression or vice-like grip around the nerve as it courses its way down your body, arms, or legs. This becomes a cyclical pattern between nerve and muscle. Most commonly muscle is irritated where the nerve enters the muscle at the neuromuscular junction (ie: trigger point).

How does eToims help?

The electric current produced by the eToims Technique penetrates deep enough at the trigger point to produce a strong contraction in the muscle. Basically “jump starting” the muscles to release, relax, and allow blood to follow to the muscles and nerve so that they can “breathe”.

What happens during a treatment session?

You will need to change into loose fitting clothing to allow the therapist access to your muscles. The current is conducted through moist pads placed on your skin. Muscles that produce the strongest contraction or twitch will be worked on first to start some flow through the nerve and stimulate blood flow in your body. The very tight muscles will be worked on next to try to get as much contraction as possible in these muscles. The more contraction elicited in the muscles, the more relaxed the muscles will become. As a result, there is less compression on the nerves, more blood flow, and more pain relief.

How many treatments will I require?

For diagnostic and more acute conditions, 3-4 sessions are necessary. For chronic conditions and chronic trigger points, 6-8 sessions are necessary. It should be noted that each case is very different and therefore number of expected treatments should be discussed with your therapist.

What should I expect post treatment?

You can feel a bit tired after a treatment or feel like you just did a workout. You are encouraged to drink plenty of fluids afterwards and avoid excessive activity immediately following treatment.

 Conditions considered for treatment

  • Muscle pain/myofascial pain
  • Musculoskeletal pain/discomfort
  • Frozen Shoulder
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Low back pain
  • Facet Syndrome
  • Piriformis Syndrome
  • Post surgical back pain
  • Tension headaches
  • Rotator cuff injuries
  • Tennis elbow
  • Shin Splints
  • Whiplash
  • Repetitive strain injuries
  • Sports injuries
  • Tendonitis
  • Degenerative disc
  • Bulging or herniated disc
  • Spinal Stenosis
  • Fibromyalgia

To find out more about this revolutionary technique, please contact us.

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Physiotherapy technology treatment options: an overview

Innovations in technology are giving health practitioners a new set of tools to treat musculoskeletal ailments. New equipment has enabled chiropractors, physiotherapists and other healthcare practitioners to offer healing and cessation of pain without the use of pharmaceuticals or surgery.

More Treatment Options with Modern Technology | physiotherapy victoria bc

Diversified Health Clinic

Spinal Decompression

At Diversified Health the state-of-the-art equipment & diagnostic tools can be used for evaluating range of motion, muscle balance, nerves or posture of your body, neck, arms or legs.  Chronic or acute back pain in the neck and lower back area can now be specifically targeted with a Spinal Decompression Table. This computerized table is set to manipulate only the area that has the problem. A series of traction and relaxation movements allows the disc to move back into its original place, taking pressure off the nerve and relieving pain.

Shockwave therapy

Accidents and sports injuries to soft tissue can now be treated with ultrasound , advanced laser and Shockwave therapy. These treatments penetrate into the deep tissue and ligaments, stimulating healing and cell regeneration.

Laser Therapy

Class IV Laser Therapy or “photobiomodulation”, is the use of specific wavelengths of light (red and near-infrared) to create therapeutic effects.  These effects include improving healing time, pain reduction, increased circulation and decreased swelling. Conditions treated include musculoskeletal injuries, chronic and degenerative conditions and wounds.

TENS Therapy

TENS (Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) – electrical current applied through two electrodes. This stimulation is usually very comfortable to the patient and provides immediate reduction of pain and muscle relaxation.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound is a sound wave that human year cannot hear. It is mechanical energy used to break down scar tissue, increase metabolism and decrease pain.

eToims

Electrical Twitch Obtaining Intra-Muscular Stimulation (eToims) is designed to alleviating pain and dysfunction caused by muscle and nerve injury. It involves the use of an electric current to produce a twitch in the muscle that is strong enough to stimulate the deep fibers of a muscle.

Spinal Decompression

Spinal Decompression is the therapeutic elongation of the spine in a slow, gentle manner in order to relieve pressure on compressed vertebrae and discs. This treatment is appropriate for those individuals who have low back pain that is caused by herniated discs or degenerated discs. To achieve the best results, spinal decompression is always combined with other types of physiotherapy such as active exercises and manual therapy.

The best technology

Modern technology and equipment used by Diversified Health is giving people more treatment options and empowering them to take control of their own well-being, while improving the quality of individual patient care.

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Diversified Health Explains Sprains & Strains

Diversified Health Explains Sprains & StrainsDiversified Health Clinic explains the difference between a sprain and a strain; which is one of the most frequently asked question regarding an injury.

Sprains:

A sprain is an injury to a ligament, the fibrous tissue that connects bones to other bone. Ligament injuries involve a stretching or a tearing of this tissue.

A sprain typically occurs when people fall and land on an outstretched arm,  land on the side of their foot, or twist a knee with the foot planted firmly on the ground. This results in an overstretch or tear of the ligament(s) supporting that joint.

The usual signs and symptoms of a muscle sprain include pain, swelling, bruising, and the loss of the ability to move and use the joint.

Strains:

A strain is an injury to either a muscle or a tendon which are the tissues that connects muscles to bones. Depending on the severity of the injury, a strain may be a simple overstretch of the muscle or it can result in a partial or complete tear.

A strain is caused by twisting or pulling a muscle or tendon. Strains can be acute or chronic. An acute strain is caused by trauma or an injury such as a blow to the body; it can also be caused by improperly lifting heavy objects which over stresses the muscles. Chronic strains are usually the result of prolonged overuse or repetitive movement of the muscles and tendons.

The usual signs and symptoms of a strain include pain, muscle spasm and muscle weakness. There can also be localized swelling, cramping, inflammation and some loss of muscle function.

Now that Diversified Health Clinic explains the difference between a sprain and a strain, remember to treat the injury as soon as possible with Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation for the first 24 to 48 hours after the injury.

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Are you living with chronic pain? eToims can help

Are you living with chronic pain? eToims can helpVictoria’s Diversified Health Clinic is the first location on Vancouver Island to offer eToims, a new non-invasive treatment for pain and inflammation in the body’s soft and connective tissues.

When you irritate or damage a nerve, muscle fibers close around the nerve fibers like a fist. eToims uses an electrical pulse that uncurls the fist from the nerve fibers, thus relieving your muscle pain & restoring function, mobility & quality of life.

What is eToims and how does it work?

Using specialized medical equipment, eToims sends very brief but strong electrical pulses to the areas of irritated nerves. This stimulation causes the muscle to twitch, or contract, and then relax. This focused exercising of the muscle at numerous points throughout the muscle relieves the associated pain.

Traditionally this treatment has involved the use of acupuncture needles (Trigger Point Dry Needling, or IMS) to relieve pain. eToims is a non-invasive form of the same treatment – no needles are inserted into the skin – and is available nowhere else on Vancouver Island, and now Diversified Health offers both treatments.

eToims is great for sports injuries or the mysterious soft-tissue injuries from auto accidents that typically stump health practitioners. It is quick to diagnose and fast to heal, getting you active and back on your feet faster than conventional treatments.

What happens during a treatment session?

The current is conducted through moist pads placed on your skin. Muscles that produce the strongest contraction or twitch will be worked on first to start some flow through the nerve and stimulate blood flow in your body. The very tight muscles will be worked on next to try to get as much contraction as possible in these muscles. The more contraction elicited in the muscles, the more relaxed the muscles will become. As a result, there is less compression on the nerves, more blood flow, and more pain relief.

eToims will treat the following conditions

  • Muscle pain/myofascial pain
  • Musculoskeletal pain/discomfort
  • Frozen Shoulder
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Low back pain
  • Facet Syndrome
  • Piriformis Syndrome
  • Post surgical back pain
  • Tension headaches
  • Rotator cuff injuries
  • Tennis elbow
  • Shin Splints
  • Whiplash
  • Repetitive strain injuries
  • Sports injuries
  • Tendonitis
  • Degenerative disc
  • Bulging or herniated disc
  • Spinal Stenosis
  • Fibromyalgia

Please contact our health care practitioners for more information about the eToims Technique.

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Orthotic FAQ | Advanced Health Care Products Victoria

Orthotic FAQ | Advanced Health Care Products VictoriaA custom orthotic is a biomechanical medical appliance designed to align the foot and ankle into the most anatomically efficient position.  Orthotics work by decreasing high-pressure areas, stabilizing foot alignment and cushioning the foot.

Custom orthotics reduce stress and strain on your body by bringing your feet back into proper alignment by re-aligning the foot and redirecting / reducing certain motion that take place during the gait cycle.

The longer you wear your orthotics, the more benefit you will get out of them. If your daily activities require that you change your footwear; you should have a second pair of orthotics designed for that specific activity.  The type of orthotic depends on many factors including lifestyle, athletic activities (i.e., walking, running), foot type, and the problems that are being encountered.  Remember that the orthotics will not permanently change your anatomy and will only “work” when you are standing or walking on them.

Custom orthotics are used to relieve symptoms of common injuries, such as plantar fasciitis, over-pronation, under-pronation,  and various foot and ankle injuries, as well as helping individuals with diabetes or arthritis. Orthotics complement other treatments such as physiotherapy and chiropractic.

The symptoms of poor foot mechanics can include any one of the following:

  • Localized foot pain
  • Bunions, hammer toes
  • Arch/heel pain
  • Leg/knee pain
  • Hip or back pain – even neck pain

Custom orthotics work to realign the structure of your foot, so you may feel pressure in some areas of the orthotic. When you start wearing your orthotics, it is normal for the orthotics to feel strange; however, properly fitted orthotics should not cause any new pain, blistering or redness.

Keep in mind that your shoes act as a foundation for the foot and provide a stable base for an orthotic to sit on. It is important to wear appropriate footwear, as the footwear itself is part of the treatment.  A foot orthotic can be rendered ineffective by placing it in an inferior shoe or runner.

Although symptomatic relief will not occur over night, consistently wearing your orthotics for a period of time will realign your foot, allow healing to occur and help position your foot so you will be using the right muscles at the right time, minimizing fatigue and allowing your muscles to be used more efficiently.

Talk to your health care practitioner and see if you are a good candidate for custom orthotics.

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Leg Pain & Treatment Options | Chiropractic Victoria BC

Leg pain can range from a mild irritation to an unbearable pain that makes it difficult to complete any day-to-day activities. Leg pain can take many different forms, from a dull ache to searing pain. Other symptoms that may also occur are a pins-and-needle sensation, numbness or weakness.

Leg pain can be caused by a problem in the leg, but often it starts with a problem in the lower back, where the sciatic nerve originates, and then travels down,  along the path of the nerve. For this reason, if you have leg/foot pain, or leg/foot weakness or numbness, you should have a health care practitioner include an examination of the lower back.

When a nerve root in the lower spine is irritated (sciatica) you can experience a searing pain that starts in the lower back area and radiates down to the leg. Sciatic pain can be a constant or intermittent pain, and for many people this pain can be excruciating and debilitating. Spinal decompression treatments can bring relief for this type of back pain.

Numbness can be another symptom of leg ”pain” and is frequently caused by a pinched nerve.  Numbness coming from a low back problem can interfere with movement, balance, level of fatigue and can be a symptom of something more serious such as MS or a stroke. Both chiropractic and physiotherapy can treat a pinched nerve.

If you sit or stand for long periods of time and you have leg pain, you might suffer from positional leg pain (spinal stenosis/facet joint, which is a problem of anatomy in the low back) this pain can usually be relieved by simply changing your positions.  You can also alleviate these symptoms by bending over, or with gentle stretching.

Other causes of leg pain can be due to either over-pronation/under-pronation of the foot; which can cause added stress on your leg and back muscles. A gait scan of your feet will diagnosis if you are a candidate for orthotics.

The types of leg pain experienced can vary widely from patient to patient, so it is important that you seek a diagnosis from a trusted health care practitioner.

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Intro to whole body vibration machines

Intro to whole body vibration machinesIn the last decade, vibration training was mainly used in the fitness industry, but the use of vibration equipment has now expanded and is widely used in physical therapy, rehabilitation, professional sports, and is increasingly used in beauty and wellness applications. There is an abundance of research worldwide that highlights the benefits of Whole Body Vibration. Studies have shown remarkable results for improved fitness and health in a fraction of the time, compared to traditional exercise.

How vibration machines work

Whole body vibration is implemented through the use of a vibrating platform on which static poses are held or dynamic exercises can be performed depending on the type and force of the machine. The vibrations are generated by a complex mechanism underneath the platform, and those vibrations improve flexibility/balance and strengthens bones/muscles.

Bone Strength

Loss of bone density affects many people at different age groups. One of the key benefits of Whole Body Vibration is that it can stimulate the release of natural hormones. These hormones can in many cases stop the loss of bone density and in some situations may even reverse the effects of osteoporosis. These beneficial claims are from the ground breaking study reported in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research in 2006.

Blood circulation

Increasing blood circulation can be beneficial in so many ways. With increased blood circulation, your cells receive more oxygen and nourishment. White blood cells help remove debris from broken down cells and from toxins that enter the body. The increase of the body’s lymphatic drainage system is a great way to improve overall health and strengthen the immune system.

Muscles

Regular use of our whole body vibration training machines can help exercise your muscles by increasing the force on the muscles. This is done without the damaging impact of traditional exercise on your joints. There is also little to no strain on ligaments and tendons when one uses a whole body vibration machine correctly.

Pain

Muscle, joint, and nerve pain are all debilitating problems that affect millions of people. Many whole body vibration machines have programs and exercises that help develop your core strength which can improve posture. A stronger core helps to eliminate the root of many muscle related ailments.  Strengthening bones and muscle will also help to reduce muscle aches and pain.

At Diversified Health, our physiotherapists and chiropractors use a vibration machine as a rehabilitation tool. Vibration training can help strengthen muscles without putting strain on joints and ligaments. Rehabilitation often involves an increase in blood flow which is one of the keys to repairing and regenerating soft tissue. Improved circulation also helps to drain fluid build-up from injured tissue.

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What is Myofascial Pain Syndrome? | Health Care Victoria

Myofascial pain syndrome is a chronic musculoskeletal pain disorder that can involve either a single muscle or a muscle group. It refers to pain and inflammation in the body’s soft tissues. Myofascial pain is a chronic condition that affects the fascia (connective tissue that covers the muscles).

The pain associated with this condition can range from burning, stabbing, aching sensations to include a combination of these symptoms.   With myofascial pain syndrome, excessive strain on a particular muscle, muscle group, ligament or tendon can prompt the development of a “trigger point” that, in turn, causes pain.

Where a person experiences the pain may not be where the myofascial pain generator is located. This is known as referred pain.  Myofascial pain symptoms usually involve muscle pain with specific “trigger” points which can be made worse with activity.

What causes myofascial pain & what are the symptoms?

Myofascial pain typically occurs after a muscle has been contracted repetitively. This can be caused by repetitive motions, injury to an intervertebral disc, or lack of activity (such as a broken leg).

The main symptom of myofascial pain is ongoing muscle pain, in areas such as the low back, neck, shoulders, and chest.  These symptoms may include a muscle that is sensitive or tender when touched, or a pain that feels aching, burning, stinging, or stabbing and does not lessen in intensity.  Another symptom is reduced range of motion in the affected area and a feeling of weakness in the affected muscle.

How is myofascial pain diagnosed?

Trigger points can be identified by pain produced upon digital palpation (applying pressure with one to three fingers and the thumb). In the diagnosis of myofascial pain syndrome, four types of trigger points can be distinguished:

  •  An active trigger point is an area of extreme tenderness that usually lies within the skeletal muscle and which is associated with a local or regional pain.
  • A latent trigger point is a dormant (inactive) area that has the potential to act like a trigger point.
  • A secondary trigger point is a highly irritable spot in a muscle that can become active due to a trigger point and muscular overload in another muscle.
  • A satellite myofascial point is a highly irritable spot in a muscle that becomes inactive because the muscle is in the region of another trigger pain.

How is myofascial pain treated?

Treatments may include any of the following:

  •     Massage Therapy
  •     Physiotherapy
  •     Lifestyle changes -adjusting your workstation, improving posture, avoiding muscle tension
  •     IMS | Trigger point dry needling
  •     Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation | TENS
  •     Laser
  •     Ultrasound

Often a combination of physical therapy, trigger point dry needling and massage are needed in chronic cases.  Please talk with one of our health care practitioners to discuss myofascial pain syndrome.

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