Conditions We Treat – Injuries

Rotator Cuff Tear

What is a Rotator Cuff Tear?

A rotator cuff tear occurs when the rotator cuff tendon in the shoulder tears from a trauma or continuous traumas. The rotator cuff is a collection of muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint, keeping the head of the upper arm bone firmly within the shallow socket of the shoulder. Rotator cuff tears develop from the lifting of heavy objects or even incorrect posture when exercising.  

What causes a Rotator Cuff Tear?

Causes of Rotator Cuff Tear:

  • Lifting heavy loads
  • Incorrect posture and form during exercise
  • Falling on an outstretched arm
  • Swelling and bruising due to repeated damage and straining

What does a Rotator Cuff Tear feel like?

  • Symptoms of a Rotator Cuff Tear:

    • Recurrent pain around the shoulder
    • Difficulty sleeping on injured side
    • Grating or crackling sounds during movement of the arm
    • Decreased arm mobility
    • Muscle weakness

How can a Rotator Cuff tear be managed?

  • Treatments for a Rotator Cuff Tear:

    • Ultrasound, laser, TENS and IFC for pain and inflammation
    • Chiropractic and massage therapy
    • Rehabilitation exercises for shoulder and postural muscles
    • Manual therapy
    • ART and IASTM
    • Dry needling
    • Acupuncture
    • Physiotherapy

Running Injuries

What are Running Injuries?

Running injuries develop during an individual’s running routine. Running injuries can be caused by running longer distances, uphill running, improper footwear, and poor running techniques. All of these factors may lead to the increased risk of a running injury. It is recommended to stop running if uncomfortable symptoms are present in an individual’s day to day life.

What causes Running Injuries?

Causes of Running Injuries:

  • Abrupt change in an individual’s running routine
  • Running longer distances
  • Uphill running
  • Improper footwear
  • Poor running techniques
  • Poor recovery after running

What do Running Injuries feel like?

Symptoms of Running Injuries:

  • Pain in ankle, knee, and hip
  • Tenderness in a bone, joint, or muscle
  • Swelling, heat, and redness in lower leg, ankle, or foot
  • Decreased mobility
  • Weakness

How can Running Injuries be managed?

Treatments for Running Injuries:

  • ART and IASTM
  • Manual therapy
  • Dry Needling
  • Rehabilitation exercises
  • Acupuncture
  • Interferential Current & TENS for pain reduction
  • Chiropractic and massage therapy
  • Ultrasound
  • Laser Therapy
  • Osteopathy
  • Chiropody

Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Related Injuries

What are Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Related Injuries?

MVA related injuries are caused as a result of car accidents and can occur not only from impact, but also from related injuries to muscles, ligaments, and tendons. These accidental injuries also involve whiplash injuries or traumas to the neck, back, shoulder, hip, and knee.

What do Motor Vehicle Accident Related Injuries feel like?

  • Symptoms of MVA Related Injuries:

    • Whiplash
    • Mid & Low back injuries
    • Headaches
    • Rotator cuff injuries
    • Knee pain
    • Fractures
    • Concussion
    • Neurological system injuries
    • Dizziness
    • TMJ disorders

How can Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Related Injuries be managed?

Treatments for MVA Related Injuries:

  • Physiotherapy
  • Massage therapy
  • Chiropractic
  • Psychotherapy
  • Naturopathy
  • Acupuncture
  • Manual therapy
  • Osteopathy

Work-Related Injuries

What are Work-Related Injuries?

Injuries sustained in the workplace are commonly treated by Physiotherapists, Chiropractors, Osteopaths, and Massage Therapists.Work-related injuries range from repetitive strain injuries to muscles and tendons to fractures and mild traumatic brain injuries due to falling or tripping.

What causes Work-Related Injuries?

Causes of Work-Related Injuries:

  • Repetitive strain on muscles and tendons
  • Acute injuries such as fractures and concussions at work (i.e. falling, something at work hitting you in the head)
  •  Lower back pain due to prolonged sitting in the wrong posture, also known as the neck/upper back/upper limb injuries.

What are the types of Work-Related Injuries?

Types of Work-Related Injuries:

  • Repetitive sprain syndromes
  • Back injuries due to lifting and carrying
  • Falls and more serious injuries
  • Concussion or mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI)

How can Work-Related Injuries be managed?

Treatments for Work-Related Injuries:

  • Physiotherapy
  • Chiropractic services
  • Massage therapy
  • Naturopathy 
  • Osteopathy 

Stress Fractures

What are Stress Fractures?

Stress fractures are small fractures in the bone that are commonly developed during sports activities. These fractures are often found in the weight bearing bone that is primarily used during an individual’s designated sport. 

What causes Stress Fractures?

  • Causes of Stress Fractures:

    • Repetitive stress and pressure on a bone that is not strong enough or does not have enough strong muscle to sustain itself against the repetitive pressure. 
    • Osteoporosis and weakened bones (osteopenia)

What do Stress Fractures feel like?

Symptoms of Stress Fractures:

  • Consistent pain during physical activity
  • Point tenderness at or around the fracture site
  • Swelling
  • Reduced pain after rest

How can Stress Fractures be managed?

Treatments for Stress Fractures:

  • Rest, ice, elevation
  • Taping
  • Pain reduction using physical agents such as electrical stimulation
  • Bracing
  • NSAIDs
  • Massage
  • Strengthening exercises

Repetitive Strains

What are Repetitive Strains?

Repetitive strain injuries (RSI) is the name of the condition that occurs when an area of the body is overused or repeatedly used in a way that causes pain, swelling, and inflammation to the surrounding muscles and tendons. 

What causes Repetitive Strains?

Causes of Repetitive Strains includes physical stress in the wrist, elbow, and shoulder due to continuous movement of the same joint and muscles.

What do Repetitive Strains feel like?

Symptoms of Repetitive Strains:

  • Muscle weakness and fatigue
  • Shooting, aching or burning pain
  • Numbness, clumsiness, and tremors
  • Difficulty doing normal activities
  • Cold hand especially fingertips
  • Weakness in forearms and hands

How can Repetitive Strains be managed?

Treatments for Repetitive Strains:

  • Rest, ice
  • Taping
  • Stretching and strengthening exercises
  • Massage therapy
  • Physiotherapy
  • Osteopathy
  • Acupuncture
  • Cold laser therapy

Overuse Syndrome

What is Overuse Syndrome?

Overuse syndrome develops when there are continuous motions that cause injuries. These injuries differ from acute injuries because they take a long period of time to develop and are often not recognized as alarming enough to receive medical attention.

What causes Overuse Syndrome?

  • Causes of Overuse Syndrome:

    • Inflamed muscles and tendons 
    • Common in sports and workplaces requiring repetitive motion of the same body part and muscle group over a long period of time

What does Overuse Syndrome feel like?

Symptoms of Overuse Syndrome:

  • Tenderness and pain
  • Feeling warmth to touch
  • Mild to moderate swelling
  • Redness
  • Muscle weakness
  • Muscle tightness
  • Range of motion reduction in affected joints

How can Overuse Syndrome be managed?

Treatments for Overuse Syndrome:

  • Acupuncture and Dry Needling
  • Electro Therapies (Ultrasound, laser, and IFC)
  • Bracing
  • Kinesio Tape
  • Joint mobilization techniques
  • Physiotherapy
  • Massage Therapy
  • Cupping
  • Stretching and strengthening exercises

Compartment Syndrome

What is Compartment Syndrome?

Compartment syndrome, or chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS), is a condition that impacts the lower leg and its various compartments which are made up of nerves, muscles, tendons, and blood vessels. When there is significant pressure on one or more compartments, pain and loss of function can be triggered. 

What does Compartment Syndrome feel like?

Symptoms of Compartment Syndrome:

  • Tightness
  • Cramping
  • Pain

How can Compartment Syndrome be managed?

Treatments for Compartment Syndrome:

  • TENS
  • Dry needling
  • Acupuncture
  • Rehabilitation exercises
  • Chiropractic
  • Massage therapy
  • Physiotherapy
  • Osteopathy
  • Manual therapy

How can Repetitive Strains be managed?

Treatments for Repetitive Strains:

  • Rest, ice
  • Taping
  • Stretching and strengthening exercises
  • Massage therapy
  • Physiotherapy
  • Osteopathy
  • Acupuncture
  • Cold laser therapy

Muscle Strains, Sprains, and Imbalances

What are Muscle Strains, Sprains, and Imbalances?

Muscle strains are the overstretching of muscles that leads to tearing. They may develop in any muscle but most often occur in the neck, lower back, shoulder, and hamstring. Sprains develop when a tendon or ligament is overstretched and possibly affect joint stability. Muscle imbalances are when one muscle is stronger than its opposing muscle and influences the bodily function and posture.

What causes Muscle Strains, Sprains, and Imbalances?

  • Causes of Muscle Strains, Sprains, and Imbalances:

    • Sports Injuries
    • Accidents during various mobile and physical activities
    • Genetic Predispositions

What do Muscle Strains, Sprains, and Imbalances feel like?

Symptoms of Muscle Strains, Sprains, and Imbalances:

  • Soreness
  • Sudden onset of pain
  • Swelling
  • Discoloration or bruising
  • Muscle spasms
  • Weakness
  • Stiffness

How can Muscle Strains, Sprains, and Imbalances be managed?

Treatments for Muscle Strains, Sprains, and Imbalances:

  • Rest, ice, elevation
  • NSAIDs
  • Pain reduction using physical agents such as electrical stimulation
  • Ultrasound or laser to manage inflammation
  • Massage
  • Osteopathy
  • Naturopathy
  • Physiotherapy
  • Acupuncture
  • Taping
  • Bracing
  • Strengthening exercises for the knee, hip and core muscles

Shin Splints

What are Shin Splints?

Shin splints are a continuous strain injury impacting the muscles and fascia attached to the shin bone. They occur when the bone and tissue have not fully healed before more physical strain. Shin splints may also be classified as injuries located within muscles and tissue around the bone. 

What causes Shin Splints?

Causes of Shin Splints:

  • Workout routine changes
  • Running on uneven surfaces (i.e. Sand)
  • Ankle hypermobility
  • Improper footwear
  • Sudden vigorous running or walking
  • Working out on rough terrain
  • Lack of stretching
  • Overstriding while running

What do Shin Splints feel like?

Symptoms of Shin Splints:

  • Muscle soreness
  • Swollen muscles
  • Pain when using and or putting pressure on muscles in the front of lower leg

How can Shin Splints be managed?

Treatments for Shin Splints:

  • Rest 
  • Stretching 
  • Physiotherapy 
  • Osteopathy
  • Naturopathy
  • Acupuncture
  • Maintaining a regular exercise routine
  • Proper running form
  • Strengthening muscles in hips and calves to reduce strain

Groin Injuries

What are Groin Injuries?

    Groin injuries occur when the groin area is impacted and leads to a hernia, strain, or any additional traumas. These injuries are developed after a sprain or tear in the muscles or ligaments of the groin. Groin injuries may occur during quick motion activities such as kicking or sprinting.

What causes Groin Injuries?

  • Causes of Groin Injuries:

    • Direct impact to the groin area
    • Groin strain
    • Any other injuries to the groin

What do Groin Injuries feel like?

Symptoms of Groin Injuries:

  • Pain and sensitivity within the area of the groin
  • Pain when designated muscles of the groin are stretched
  • Pain when the groin muscles contract during various motions such as squeezing

How can Groin Injuries be managed?

Treatments for Groin Injuries:

  • Physiotherapy
  • ART and Chiropractic therapy
  • Acupuncture
  • Dry Needling
  • Retraining muscles
  • Massage therapy
  • Manual therapy
  • Joint Mobilization
  • Additional resting periods as needed