Maya Physio & Health Inc.

Do I need Custom Made Orthotics?

Commonly, people who have an improper arch height or other abnormalities in their feet, do not realise it. High or low arch in the feet may lead to chronic pain and fatigue, especially after prolonged standing or walking. It can also result in twisting of the shin bone in or out, eventually causing pain and discomfort in ankle, knee, hip and lower back. It is recommended that you examine your feet and compare the arch with other’s to see if you notice any abnormalities. If you feel fatigue or discomfort in your feet after a long day of standing/walking, or if you see callus developing on your feet, you must consult with your family doctor or your physiotherapist. These issues can be corrected with treatment and custom made orthotics in most cases.

Read More: https://mayaphysio.ca/blog/do-i-need-custom-made-orthotics/

Five Things About Concussions

Concussions should never be taken as a light injury and must be attended to. Here are five things about concussions.

1.A concussion may be caused by a direct blow to the head, face, neck, or impact elsewhere that transmits force to the head.
2.A concussion can occur from falling, or a car or bike accident. There is a greater risk of occurring in sports that involve body contact, collisions, and/or moving at high speeds.
3.A concussion can be difficult to diagnose because clinical symptoms and signs can change and may evolve over time. The diagnosis of a concussion is based on the assessment of a range of symptoms (i.e., headache, difficulty concentrating, or brain fog), signs (i.e., loss of consciousness or balance disturbance), cognitive

Learn More: https://mayaphysio.ca/blog/five-things-about-concussions/

Pregnancy and DeQuervain’s Syndrome

De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, also known as “Mommy Thumb” is a condition that causes swelling and inflammation of a tendon in the thumb. This leads to intense pain and limitation of mobility and function of the hand, which worsens over time if untreated. It is common for new mothers to experience this, due to how the thumb is positioned while holding the baby’s head, especially while breast feeding. Prevention of De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, and treatment is very important for avoidance of this syndrome and its complications.

Prevention:
Overuse of the thumb in extension leads to Mommy Thumb. Listed below are some common techniques that can help you to avoid this condition.

Avoid repetitive motions which cause the extension of the thumb (making a “L” with your index finger and thumb).

Read More: https://mayaphysio.ca/blog/pregnancy-and-dequervains-syndrome/

Two Types of Arthritis: How They Impact You and What You Need to Know

Arthritis is a common joint condition that involves inflammation of a joint. Two common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Let’s compare similarities and differences.

OSTEOARTHRITIS
Osteoarthritis is characterized by “wear and tear” of the cartilage on either end of the bone. Osteoarthritis typically affects individuals over 65 years old. Injury, overuse and genetic factors may speed up the process. With osteoarthritis, you might feel morning stiffness, pain that decreases with movement, swelling, and clicking or cracking within the joint itself.

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that can affect the body, causing inflammation with possibly damage to joint cartilage and bone. Rheumatoid arthritis typically affects females around the ages of 30–60 years old. Although the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are similar to osteoarthritis, your pain and stiffness in rheumatoid arthritis generally does not improve with movement or exercises.

Read More: https://mayaphysio.ca/blog/two-types-of-arthritis-how-they-impact-you-and-what-you-need-to-know/

Could Computer Cause My Pain?

Today’s technology is mostly related and dependent on computers. Majority of all office workers will suffer from neck pain sometime this year, with women at particle risk, according to a recent comprehensive review of neck studies.

Poor posture is partly to blame; the ever-increasing dependence on computers doesn’t help either. Neck pain is a pain experienced anywhere from the base of the skull at ear level to the upper part of the back or shoulders. People who spend most of their working time sitting down are twice as likely to develop neck pain at some point in their lives. Duration of computer use, frequency of breaks, and poor neck posture; where neck flexion is exaggerated (slumped forward) are associated with increased upper trapezius muscle activity and with neck and shoulder discomfort in office workers.

Read More: https://mayaphysio.ca/blog/could-computer-cause-my-pain/

A Sedentary Lifestyle May Contribute to Osteoporosis

A sedentary (low activity) lifestyle can contribute to overall poor bone health and increase the risk of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a condition which is characterised with a very low bone density. This lack of density could lead to bone fractures and can be detrimental to your mobility. Just like your muscles, your bones are a tissue which can become stronger or weaker over time. Physical activity that is weight-bearing increases bone mass and density. Lack of activity prevents this process from occurring and increases the aging process of the bone.

The best type of exercise for bone health is dynamic loading which involves high intensity movement while bearing weight. This causes stress on the bone, increasing bone strength. Exercises for increasing bone health should also be done in short repetitions. Over time, the process of bone strengthening will diminish if the intensity is low. Short vigorous exercises will be the most beneficial for improving bone health.

Sports such as swimming and biking may improve overall health however, patients diagnosed with osteoporosis need to include dynamic loading in their exercise regimen. Activities such as light weight lifting and jogging are better suited for improving bone density. It is recommended to consult a physiotherapist while determining an exercise plan to treat your osteoporosis or even lower your risk for this condition.

Read More: https://mayaphysio.ca/blog/a-sedentary-lifestyle-may-contribute-to-osteoporosis/

Tennis Elbow: Causes and Prevention

Tennis elbow (or lateral epicondylitis) is a common injury caused by inflammation of the tendons that connect the forearm muscles to the outside of the elbow.

Causes
Tennis elbow is not limited to athletes. The root cause of tennis elbow is repetitive extension of the wrist or elbow. Constant repetition of this movement will cause inflammation and requires treatment. Activities that involve repetitive movement of the wrist, such as; overuse of the computer, weightlifting, gardening and cooking have been heavily linked to developing tennis elbow.

How to Prevent Tennis elbow
It is important that you avoid putting strain on the elbow to help prevent tennis elbow or stop symptoms from getting worse.

With activities such as using the computer, setting up your mouse and keyboard ergonomically is best for avoidance of tennis elbow. Use a keyboard that can be reverse...

Read More: https://mayaphysio.ca/blog/tennis-elbow-causes-and-prevention/