PhysioMatters

10/07/2024

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint condition characterized by the breakdown of cartilage that cushions joints, leading to pain, stiffness, and decreased mobility. While often linked to aging, it can also result from joint injury or overuse.

Nova Scotia Health operates Orthopedic Assessment Clinics (OACs) across the province to assist patients with hip and/or knee arthritis in managing pain and improving their quality of life. Physiotherapists play a key role in assessment and rehabilitation, guiding patients in managing their arthritis and determining the most effective treatment strategy - whether conservative or surgical. They provide critical support for patients not yet eligible for surgery, offer pre-habilitation to optimize surgical outcomes, and focus on enhancing mobility before and after surgery. Through targeted exercises and techniques, physiotherapists help improve joint flexibility, strengthen muscles, and overall relieve pain. By creating personalized treatment plans, they empower individuals to maintain mobility, manage symptoms, and enhance their overall quality of life.

For more information about Orthopedic Assessment Clinics, including where to find them, visit: https:// www.nshealth.ca/clinics-programs-and-services/
Orthopedic-assessment-clinic-oac

For more information about physiotherapy in Nova Scotia, please visit https://www.physiotherapyns.ca/

To find a local physiotherapist near you, please visit http:// www.physiotherapyns.ca/find-a-physio

Image ID: A promotional graphic by the Nova Scotia Physiotherapy Association highlights how physiotherapy can manage osteoarthritis (OA). It features pictures of physiotherapists working with patients on their knees and hips, with text emphasizing the benefits of physiotherapy. Social media icons and the association's logo are included for branding.

07/12/2024

From — Doctors tell us that they receive several requests a day for referrals to see physiotherapists, massage therapists, or chiropractors.

You likely don’t need one.

Help free up doctors’ time by heading straight to the allied health professional.

05/27/2024

05/04/2024

The NSPA is thrilled to announce the 2024 Congress Bursary award winners! These bursaries are awarded to NSPA members who have demonstrated outstanding volunteerism within the physiotherapy community, specifically within the NSPA and CPA.

Jessica Bergevin has dedicated a significant amount of time and effort volunteering with the Canadian Physiotherapy Association as well as the NSPA. She has served as the CPA Reproductive and Pelvic Health (formerly Women’s Health) Division Chair from 2018 to 2021 and has also served on the NSPA Board of Directors and Advocacy Committee during that time.

Keltie Cheney began volunteering with the Canadian Physiotherapy Association back in 2003 as the student representative with the CPA and she also served as the CPA National Student Assembly President. She went on to serve on the NSPA Board of Directors from 2004-2010. She has now returned to the NSPA Board of Directors and also volunteers with the NSPA Public Relations Committee.

The NSPA is so glad to be supporting Jessica and Keltie with their trip to CPA Congress. We can rest assured that the Nova Scotia Physiotherapy community will be very well represented! Congratulations, Jessica and Keltie!
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For more information about physiotherapy in Nova Scotia visit https://www.physiotherapyns.ca/

05/02/2024

May is National Physiotherapy Month!

We want to take a moment to celebrate and thank the over 27,000 registered physiotherapists who work across Canada.

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WHAT IS A PHYSIOTHERAPIST?

Physiotherapists are primary health care professionals that play a key role in health promotion and the treatment of injury and disease.

Physiotherapists combine their in-depth knowledge of the body and how it works with specialized hands-on clinical skills to assess, diagnose, and treat symptoms of illness, injury or disability. All physiotherapists registered to practice in Canada are qualified to provide safe and effective physiotherapy treatment.

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WHAT DO PHYSIOTHERAPISTS DO AND WHERE DO THEY WORK?

A physiotherapist’s goal is to get you moving. That means getting you to a place where you can be at your best functional capacity, maintaining that and then helping you to prevent future injuries.

They work in private clinics, general and rehabilitation hospitals, community health centres, residential care and assisted living facilities, home visit agencies, workplaces, and schools.

Physiotherapists work in all kinds of different areas, including orthopedics, pediatrics, pelvic health, neuro rehabilitation, cardiorespiratory rehabilitation, geriatrics, sports and more!

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This year, the focus of National Physiotherapy Month is scope of practice. An excellent example of physiotherapists being able to work to their full scope of practice is the advocacy work by the NSPA around physiotherapists across the province being able to order x-rays for their patients.

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For more information on the advocacy work of the NSPA, please visit https://www.physiotherapyns.ca/advocacy

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For more information on physiotherapy in Nova Scotia, please visit http://www.physiotherapyns.ca

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To find a local physiotherapist near you, please visit http://www.physiotherapyns.ca/find-a-physio

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03/10/2024

Good info for Nova Scotians looking to stay active!

02/08/2024

Starting in early Spring, all qualified physiotherapists in Nova Scotia (including those working in private practice), will be able to refer patients for x-rays.

www.nshealth.ca/news-and-notices/physiotherapists-across-nova-scotia-will-soon-be-able-request-x-rays

“This announcement will optimize the scope of practice for Nova Scotia physiotherapists who work in private practice and as a result, improve timely access for patients needing general radiography,” says Monica MacDonald, President of the Nova Scotia Physiotherapy Association. “It will save patients from unnecessary additional appointments to get a requisition if an x-ray is deemed necessary. We are excited to better support our patients and help them efficiently navigate the healthcare system.”

It is encouraging to see reductions in system barriers that will expedite diagnosis and treatment, in turn leading to improved outcomes for patients.

Physiotherapists working to their full scope of practice are able to help alleviate the strain on our healthcare system.

01/19/2024

What are Orthopedic Assessment Clinics?

Orthopedics Assessment Clinics (OACs) are operated by Nova Scotia Health and are located throughout the province to help patients with hip and/or knee arthritis better manage their pain and increase their quality of life. Their team of health care providers includes physiotherapists and rehabilitation assistants, as well as a host of others to help support people with hip and/or knee arthritis.

After receiving a referral from your primary care provider (family doctor, nurse practitioner, etc.) the OAC team, including the physiotherapist, will complete a medical and physical assessment to help you make an “Arthritis Action Plan.” This plan may include non-surgical options such as Conservative Management or going on to see a surgeon to see if joint replacement surgery may be the best option.

OACs provide a lot of benefits to patients, including supports to help patients manage their arthritis, better supports for patients who are not yet candidates for surgery, pre-habilitation run by physiotherapists (with the help of rehabilitation assistants) to help optimize patients for surgery, and a greater focus on mobility, before and after surgery.

If your primary care provider believes you may benefit from joint replacement surgery, they can make a referral to an OAC. After receiving the referral, the OAC team will schedule an appointment with you directly.

For more information about Orthopedic Assessment Clinics, including where to find them, visit: https://www.nshealth.ca/clinics-programs-and-services/orthopedic-assessment-clinic-oac

For more information about physiotherapy in Nova Scotia visit https://www.physiotherapyns.ca/

12/08/2023

It’s coming up to that dreaded time of year again - shoveling season! Before we get too much snow here in Nova Scotia, let’s talk about shoveling safety tips to help prevent injury. Shoveling can be great exercise, but we want to ensure that it is done in a safe way.

1. Warm up - you're less likely to injure muscles and joints when they're warmed up.
2. Take it slow - pace yourself. Being safe is more important than being fast. Consider taking a break after 20-30 minutes of shoveling.
3. Break it up - consider shoveling more often but for shorter periods of time. This will mean that the snow doesn’t build up as much and you can avoid moving large amounts of snow at once.
4. Protect your back - lift with your knees, not your back. If possible, avoid lifting altogether and push the snow instead.
5. Choose your shovel wisely - an ergonomically designed shovel can decrease the amount of bending you need to do and a lighter shovel will decrease the amount of weight needing to be lifted.
6. Avoid repetitive twisting motions - try to push the snow in straight lines instead.
7. Have your phone handy - keep your cell phone in your pocket and call 911 if you are experiencing an emergency.
8. See a physiotherapist for specific advice or to help if you do get injured.

To find physiotherapist near you, visit www.physiotherapy.ca/find-a-physio

For more information about physiotherapy in Nova Scotia visit https://www.physiotherapyns.ca/

11/02/2023

Neck stiffness is uncomfortable and distracting and may become painful if not resolved. Tension in the muscles around the neck is likely caused by holding one position (looking straight ahead, chin in mid position) like when looking at a computer screen all day, driving a car or watching a long movie. Even when the neck is in this “neutral” position, stiffness will occur because we aren’t meant to stay there for long periods. There are so many muscles, nerves, and joints in the neck that need fresh blood and oxygen to stay healthy and the only way to get that is through movement. It is like if you hold your arm up for a high five it isn't a bad thing, but if you held it there for 20 minutes the shoulder would certainly not feel good! The neck is no different.

Physiotherapists see a lot of sore necks, and one of the best pieces of advice they give is to stay moving for optimal health; for less pain or stiffness in the neck, make sure to move your head up, down, left and right, as far as comfortable (don’t go into pain) for 45 seconds every 20 minutes. You may need to remind yourself for the first couple days with an alarm on your phone or watch. Or make new patterns in your day like move a bit during every TV commercial, after every email sent, at every red light. Quality of movement is key. Do it well, but often.

For more information on how to help your neck be less stiff or painful, visit a physiotherapist who is trained in how to help you resolve neck issues.
For more information about physiotherapy in Nova Scotia visit https://www.physiotherapyns.ca/

To find a local physiotherapist near you visit http://www.physiotherapyns.ca/find-a-physio

10/26/2023

Staying active has been shown time and time again to be necessary to enjoy optimal health. If you stop moving, you stop living your best life.

Staying active doesn’t have to be complicated or boring and it can be part of daily life without even thinking about it. Getting out in your garden or raking leaves, walking your dog an extra block, taking the stairs at work, parking farther from the store entrance, listening to a book on your headphones while walking instead of holding the book, doing some stretches or squats while your coffee is heating up. Get creative!

Moving your body reduces stiffness in your joints, increases blood flow to all your muscles to help them stay strong, increases your energy levels while helping your sleep quality, promotes healing, improves function of all your organs including your brain, and gives us happy hormones!

So why not take a few extra steps, stand up and bend over to touch your toes a few times, reach above your head and stretch a bit more? Your brain and body will thank you for it!

For more information on how physiotherapy can help you learn safe, effective, and fun ways to get moving, visit www.physiotherapyns.ca

To find a physiotherapist in Nova Scotia, visit https://www.physiotherapyns.ca/find-a-physio