The shoulder is a complicated area of the body and includes the humerus, scapula (shoulder blade) and clavicle (collar bone) as the bones. Then there are the multiple muscles that produce and control movement requiring a high degree of coordination.

An injury to this part of the body is one of the most commonly seen at physiotherapy clinics and the rotator cuff is often involved. This set of four muscles, coming from the scapula to the ball portion of the humerus, is important in controlling the position of the ball in the socket. When this is compromised a painful compression within the joint may develop limiting movement and function of the arm.

Each individual receiving treatment for shoulder pain will be assessed considering all portions of the shoulder to determine the cause of pain.

Low back pain is one of the most common injuries seen at West Side Physiotherapy. It will affect 80% of adults at some point in their life. No one is immune from the potential for an injury to the low back.

An  assessment will take place looking at all potential sources of pain and a treatment plan will be made using the latest evidence-based treatment approaches.

Some of the interventions you can expect are:

Manual therapy techniques to reduce pain, exercise program (core strengthening). Pain control modalities (TENS, taping, acupuncture, heat/cold).

Your physiotherapist will listen carefully to your description of injury and pain, work to help symptoms resolve and educate you to help prevent future recurrences.

Whether you are a highly competitive athlete or a weekend warrior, if you have an injury as a result of playing your sport or one that is holding back your performance we can help. Our physiotherapists have all played competitively in various sports so we can identify with your goals and frustrations with injury.

An analysis of your footwear and gait pattern may be beneficial in the case of a low back or lower limb injury. The position of your foot as it contacts the ground influences the way forces are transmitted up through your leg. This can alter the stresses applied to the ankle, knee, hip and back potentially causing injury and pain. In physiotherapy, all these factors can be considered to get to the bottom of your injury and find a solution to get you back into the game and feeling better.

Strain of the muscles and other soft tissues of the neck may occur after being involved in a motor vehicle accident due to the rapid and sudden movement of the head and neck. The result is pain, tenderness and possibly loss of movement. The majority of whiplash injuries are Grade I (tenderness and pain) or Grade II (includes loss of neck movement) injuries and are temporary.

Signs of serious injury, such as a fracture, are usually evident early and your physiotherapist is alert for them. If present you would be referred back to your family physician for further evaluation.

Continuing to do as many of the normal activities you do typically helps in recovery. We would work with you toward this goal helping determine the difference between “hurt and harm”.

Osteoarthritis is a common condition which may lead to stiffness, swelling and often pain. It usually affects those over the age of 50 and is more common in women. For the vast majority of individuals with arthritis, exercise and pain management strategies are appropriate.

West Side Physiotherapy offers a specialized program tailored to arthritic conditions such as osteoarthritis. Treatment that will include hands on techniques to reduce pain and improve mobility, specialized modalities or taping to assist with symptom resolution and muscle function and a review and progression of the home program.

Repetitive strain injury (RSI) is a term used to describe a variety of painful conditions which may affect muscles, tendons and other soft tissues. The cause of these injuries is highly repetitive activity. Typically they are related to work and may affect computer users to machine operators. RSI may also affect those playing sports or musical instruments.

If you are experiencing symptoms such as pain, swelling, numbness or tingling, a physiotherapist can help you.

It is important you contact your Physiotherapist or Doctor as soon as you feel that a problem may be due to RSI. Treatment will then focus on reducing pain, swelling and other symptoms your may have.