Rankin Physiotherapy • Vancouver, BC

01/03/2024

Happy 2024 to you all! I hope you all had an opportunity to relax, play and get ready for a great year to come.

I’m very excited to be moving to Westside physiotherapy and Hand clinic this year. There are 4 other facial therapists working in the Healthone group of clinics. My role will include training new facial therapists and mentoring, in addition to working with peripheral facial palsy patients.

Address: 1245 West Broadway, unit 230, Vancouver.
Tel 604-731-6225
On-line booking: westsidephysio.janeapp.com

02/02/2023

Non-preservative eye drops are usually recommended post facial palsy if you use them 4 or more times a day. It is quite easy to develop an allergy to the preservative in eye drops when using them frequently and daily. Check with your optometrist, Ophthalmologist or pharmacist to make sure you’re getting good quality drops.

This warning came out from the CDC in the US about Ezri Care eye drops.

"Stop using" EzriCare Artificial Tears, the CDC warned, after one person died and other people were blinded after they used the over-the-counter product.

12/19/2022

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas/Hanukkah/holiday and a fantastic New Year.

Wednesday December 21st is my last day at Canopy Integrated Health and I will be taking a much needed break. Starting in January 2023 I will be working out of Inner Circle Physiotherapy in Burnaby. Look forward to seeing you there either virtually or in person.

10/18/2022

I’m excited to tell you that I’m moving to Inner Circle Physiotherapy, Jan 1, 2023!

The address is: 207 - 3825 Sunset Street,(Sunset Medical Building),Burnaby. My profile and schedule will be going up soon.

As of 2023 I will be seeing people for facial neuromuscular retraining only.
Looking forward to seeing you there or continuing our virtual appointments.

Innercirclephysio.janeapp.com (to book)

Inner Circle Pelvic Health, Physio and Wellness - Burnaby's Pelvic Floor Clinic

09/30/2022

Eagle flies up so high it looks down and sees all of humanity as one, cannot see our various nations or small differences, Eagle just sees us as one people. When we hold a feather, we remind ourselves of that perspective, and can speak with respect and honesty to each other like the family that we all are.

– Aaron Nelson-Moody / Tawx’sin Yexwulla, Artist

This was posted on the college of Physical Therapists of BC site and is so beautiful that I’m posting it here in honour of Truth and Reconciliation day tomorrow! Remember that this is a day of reflection not just a holiday!

08/31/2022

Interesting overview of a lot of different causes of tinnitus posted by the Acoustic Neuroma Assoc of Canada.

If you ask a hundred tinnitus sufferers to explain how the ringing in their ears affects their qu...

07/28/2022

There will be an in-person Facial Neuromuscular Retraining (FNMR) Foundation course in Vancouver for PTs, OTs, & SLPs on November 4, 2022. Please go to this link for more information or to register:

https://www.rankinphysio.com/facial-neuromuscular-retraining-vancouver-nov-2022/

I’m also looking for patient models for the practical course on November 5 and 6. If you’re interested contact me at rankinphysio@gmail.com

07/28/2022

Anatomy of the vestibular system.

This short clip gives a clear picture of the anatomy of the vestibular system and it’s functions.
Have a look!

The human balance system works through a constant process of position detection, feedback, and adjustment between the: brain ears eyes skin, muscles, joints It is an automatic…

07/25/2022

Lyme disease is one possible cause of facial palsy. Unlike Bell’s palsy, where facial paralysis is the main presenting sign; facial palsy may only develop months to years after onset of Lyme disease along with many other symptoms. Facial Palsy UK have developed a good summary about Lyme disease:

Lyme disease is a tick borne condition which can spread to the nervous system and cause facial paralysis.

07/03/2022

Guillain Barre is a rare but devastating condition. Most of the GBS patients I have seen have had bilateral (both sides) facial palsies. This poses an additional challenge since the brain doesn’t have an unaffected side to compare to or to learn from. Eating, drinking and speaking are all challenging, although fortunately the ability to close the eyes seems to resolve in most people.

Facial Palsy UK posted this informative overview about Guillain Barre syndrome (GBS): https://buff.ly/39YJU7N

Guillain-Barré Syndrome is a condition affecting the nerves that control our sense and movements including the facial nerve.

06/17/2022

As many of you have seen and heard Justin Bieber has Ramsay Hunt syndrome. This is a less common form of peripheral facial palsy caused by the herpes zoster (chicken pox/shingles) virus. It can present with a rash or vesicles in or around the ear or in the mouth OR there can be no rash. The no-rash form is called zoster sine herpete and is often misdiagnosed as Bell’s palsy. It is distinguishable from Bell’s palsy by presenting with intense ear pain, vestibular symptoms (dizziness/imbalance) and hearing loss on the affected side. Bell’s palsy may have a slight ache behind the ear for a few days and then goes away. Ramsay Hunt syndrome is usually treated with corticosteroids and antivirals within 72 hours but the earlier the better to prevent pressure on the facial, balance and hearing nerves.

Wishing you well Justin and hope you have a full recovery!

https://globalnews.ca/video/rd/af6d205a-e904-11ec-8ea0-0242ac110005/?jwsource=cl

Watch Justin Bieber reveals he has facial paralysis as a result of Ramsay Hunt syndrome Video Online, on GlobalNews.ca

06/02/2022

The acoustic neuroma association of Canada posted this great reminder. It’s important to recognize that in addition to hearing loss, vestibular issues (balance, dizziness) and possibly facial palsy; there are also impacts on mood and cognition with acoustic neuromas. Make sure to get support for these symptoms too.

Check out this article to learn more: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DbAa2KvlQhqY870z6xgsHBmqW5nMuwW7/view?usp=sharing