Blog

NSPA Board Announces New Executive Director

2012-05-17T14:13:42Z

NSPA Awards Committee Launches NSPA Membership Prize for Recent Graduates

2012-05-16T15:04:44Z

May is Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month

2012-05-09T12:51:38Z

May is Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Awareness Month. Physiotherapy plays an integral role in the management of this chronic disease and physiotherapists are an important member of the CF team.

What is CF?

Cystic Fibrosis is a multi-system disease affecting mainly the lungs and digestive system. A build up of thick mucus in the lungs can lead to severe respiratory problems. It can be difficult to clear bacteria from the lungs, which can lead to infection and inflammation causing damage to lung tissue. In the digestive tract, mucus and protein can also build up making it difficult to digest and absorb nutrients from food. Cystic Fibrosis is the most common fatal genetic disease among Canadian children and young adults. There is currently no cure for CF.

Physiotherapy and CF

The majority of deaths of patients with CF are due to lung disease. Treatment for cystic fibrosis is dependent on the organ systems affected. Daily physiotherapy treatments are vital to keep the lungs free of congestion and decrease the risk of infection allowing patients with cystic fibrosis to breathe easier. Physiotherapy treatments include exercise and airway clearance techniques, such as percussion, vibration, and postural drainage. Alternative airway clearance techniques that can be performed independently include active cycle of breathing technique, autogenic drainage, and the use of positive expiratory pressure devices. Physiotherapists play an important role in the facilitation of regular exercise participation, which has also shown to enhance airway clearance in patients with CF.

To join the fight against Cystic Fibrosis this May, Canadians can participate or sponsor a walker in the The Great Strides^TM walk on May 27th which will be taking place in various locations across Canada. For more information and for Nova Scotia locations, visit The Great Strides^TM walk at http://www.cysticfibrosis.ca/greatstrides or visit Cystic Fibrosis Canada's website http://www.cysticfibrosis.ca.

May is National Physiotherapy Month!

2012-04-27T12:48:05Z

Health Council of Canada Report: Status of home care services in Canada

2012-04-23T20:08:57Z

National Physiotherapy Month 2012 - Get Involved!

2012-04-23T20:05:13Z

Parkinson’s: Maritime Physiotherapy Clinic Provides Support and Individualized Programming

2012-04-23T19:29:06Z

April is Parkinson Awareness month. This blog posting will look at how physiotherapists, such as those at the Maritime Parkinson Physiotherapy Clinic, can assist people with Parkinson's to maintain and/or improve motor function, and prevent secondary complications.

What is Parkinson's?

Parkinson's is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, which involves the loss of cells in a part of the brain called the substantia nigra. These cells are responsible for producing a chemical called dopamine, which acts as a messenger between the brains cells that control movement. It is estimated that by the time the diagnosis is made, approximately 80% of dopamine-producing cells have already stopped functioning. The resulting significant decrease in dopamine leads to the appearance of the symptoms of Parkinson's.

It is estimated that approximately 119,000 Canadians have Parkinson's, 8,400 of those living in the Maritimes. Symptoms generally appear around age 60, although it can present in much younger people. The number of cases increases with age.

The clinical appearance of Parkinson's is marked by four cardinal, signs:
1. Tremor (or trembling) at rest
2. Akinesia and Bradykinesia
3. Rigidity
4. Postural Instability

Other non-motor symptoms may be present, and can include sleep disruption, soft speech, stooped posture, changes in facial expression, and more (for more information on symptoms and medical diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease, visit http://www.parkinsonmaritimes.ca/inner.php?page=49)

How can Physiotherapy Help?

Although there is no cure, modern treatments and therapies can allow people with Parkinson's to lead active lives. Physiotherapy is one such treatment.

The Maritime Parkinson Physiotherapy Clinic provides non-medical support for people with Parkinson's who reside in the Maritime Provinces. Its goals are to:
• Assess and monitor functional performance.
• Communicate clinic findings to client's neurologist / family physician.
• Educate those with Parkinson's, their families, caregivers, support groups and other health care professionals regarding Parkinson's and new developments in its management.
• Prescribe, based on individual needs, home exercise programs and lifestyle adjustments to minimize the physical manifestations of Parkinson's.
• Refer to other health care professionals for specific problems.

The clinic focuses on physiotherapy intervention. Following an assessment that includes gait and balance, and discussion with each client, an individualized exercise plan can be developed. This exercise is based on each person's interests and hobbies. It may include exercises to music or advice on current activities.

Programs are developed based on each individual's personal needs, interests and lifestyles. The aim is to prevent secondary complications of Parkinson's. Families are essential to this process and are encouraged to be a part of it.

The Maritime Parkinson Physiotherapy Clinic is located at 7071 Bayers Road Suite 162, Halifax.

For more information on Parkinson's or to contact the Maritime Parkinson Physiotherapy Clinic visit the Parkinson Society Maritime Region website at http://www.parkinsonmaritimes.ca

NSPA extends thanks to the Parkinson Society Maritime Region for their assistance with this blog post.

Dr. Shirley Sahrmann Returns to NS in April 2013!

2012-04-03T14:07:50Z

NSPA AGM Celebrates Local Award Winners

2012-04-03T13:01:52Z

NSPA Releases 2011 Annual Report

2012-03-22T13:29:56Z

Are you at risk for a fall? Physiotherapists identify key factors for tumbles in older adults

2012-03-15T17:58:07Z

With icy streets and sidewalks lingering in Nova Scotia well into March, Nova Scotia's physiotherapists remind those at risk of a fall to take care! Often, awareness that you are at risk for a fall is the first step for prevention.

Falling is a potential hazard for anyone, regardless of age, fitness level or environmental conditions. But there are certain factors that can increase the likelihood an older adult may fall.

The Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA) Seniors' Health Division has developed these six simple questions to determine the risk.

1. Have you fallen in the last year?
2. Are you currently taking four or more prescription medications?
3. Do you have a history of stroke or Parkinson's disease?
4. Do you have any problems with your balance?
5. Are you unable to stand up from a chair without using your arms?
6. Have you limited your recreational or social activities due to a fear of falling?

A YES answer to any of these questions indicates an ELEVATED RISK for falls. Answer YES to THREE OR MORE questions, and there is a HIGH RISK of falls.

The checklist is a useful tool for determining the proactive steps necessary for fall prevention," says Adrian Salonga, a physiotherapist with CPA's Seniors' Health Division. "Considering how frequently older adults fall and the serious consequences that can occur, this issue is an important public health concern."

Approximately 30 per cent of older Canadians will fall at least once a year, and of those, half will sustain a fracture or strain. Injuries from falls can lead to disability, chronic pain, loss of independence, or reluctance to participate in normal activities.

The good news is that there are effective physiotherapy treatments available to prevent falls and to restore optimal function after a fall has occurred. Physiotherapists can prescribe balance exercises, strength-building activities and safe living tips to allow older adults to stay active and remain independent in their community.

More fall prevention tips are freely available for download and the public can find a physiotherapist at http://www.physiotherapyns.ca. You can find more information on falls prevention on our website: http://www.physiotherapyns.ca/tinymce/jscripts/tiny_mce/plugins/filemanager/files/Fall_prevention_Nov_2010.pdf.

Out-Patient Physiotherapy: What Does It Mean To You?

2012-02-22T15:39:33Z

Across Nova Scotia, citizens can access physiotherapy services through publicly funded out-patient clinics located in hospitals. These services provide a hugely valuable contribution to the effectiveness - and cost-effectiveness - of health care in Nova Scotia, and help to ensure that all Nova Scotians can access physiotherapy care regardless of their age, income, or geographic location.

Many physiotherapy services are simply not feasible or available in private settings:

• Treatment for conditions such as cerebral palsy, stroke rehabilitation, complex post-operative recoveries, and many chronic diseases are often not available through private clinics
• Complex paediatric out-patient rehabilitation is available almost exclusively through the public system
• Many rural regions of Nova Scotia do not have ready access to private physiotherapy
• Injured workers without WCB coverage commonly receive rehab through the public system, enabling them to return to work.
• Many of our most vulnerable citizens do not have any private coverage at all. Even for those with private health insurance, and with conditions treatable within a private practice care setting, coverage is commonly only $500.00 per year. At a typical private physiotherapy clinic, this would allow for less than 10 treatments. Many conditions can be successfully treated within this number of visits, but chronic or complex conditions often cannot. Once private benefits run out, individuals often rely on public out-patient clinics.

The benefits of receiving timely access to physiotherapy care are many:

• Access to physiotherapy improves health, reduces pain, and promotes functional independence in those suffering from both acute and chronic conditions.
• Patients can often be discharged from hospital faster when they have access to out-patient rehabilitation.
• When physiotherapists are involved in screening orthopaedic patients (e.g., hip and knee conditions), consultation and surgical wait-times are reduced, and patients receive appropriate care faster.

Publicly funded out-patient physiotherapy ensures that all members of our community have access to the care they need.

How has publicly funded out-patient physiotherapy helped you? We want to hear your stories! Send them to info@physiotherapyns.ca. We'll post them (without names) to our website as examples of the great physiotherapy care received by Nova Scotians.

NSPA Task Force Releases Out-Patient Fact Sheets

2012-02-15T18:27:25Z

Protect your Head on the Slopes!

2012-01-27T14:53:39Z

With winter upon us, Canadians are gearing up for another skiing and snowboarding season. The Nova Scotia Physiotherapy Association (NSPA) and Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA) are strongly encouraging Canadians of all ages to wear helmets when downhill skiing or snowboarding.

While helmets do not prevent all head injuries, they can minimize the effects of a blow to the head. The Canadian Standards Association has said wearing helmets on the ski hill can reduce the risk of head injury by 60 per cent. Helmets should be certified by a safety standard organization and fit comfortably but snugly.

Nova Scotia recently became the first jurisdiction in the world to make helmet use mandatory for snow sports. This new legislation comes into effect in November 2012.

NSPA strongly encourages skiers and snowboarders to make helmets part of their mandatory equipment even before the legislation comes into effect next winter.

"The consequences of a brain injury, even what seems like a minor one, can be devastating and can last for a lifetime," says Mary Solomon, the Chair of CPA's Neurosciences Division. "A brain injury can result in physical disability such as paralysis, but more importantly can result in changing the essence of the person - how they interpret and interact with the world. Personality, emotions, thinking abilities can all be affected; life is forever changed," stresses Solomon. "We need to protect our brains by protecting our heads, at all ages. Wearing a helmet is one good way."

You can also minimize the risk of falling and injuries by being in good physical condition, warming up, and taking breaks. NSPA has the following tips:

• Train your muscles by doing strengthening exercises that reflect the physical demands and movements of the sport (e.g., squats for skiing).
• Do a 10-15 minute gentle but dynamic warm-up, reproducing some of the movements of the sport you will be doing.
• Take rest breaks as needed. Avoid squeezing in an extra run if you are tired.
• Have even minor musculoskeletal injuries assessed and treated by a physiotherapist to prevent the risk of injury recurrence.

Above all, always wear a helmet! Help make the skiing and snowboarding season safer and more enjoyable for everyone involved.

When is it too cold to exercise outside?

2011-12-16T16:10:45Z

How to stay safe when you work out in sub-zero temperatures

This winter, thousands of Canadian skiers, skaters, snowboarders and runners will prove that it’s cool to exercise in cold weather. The key to staying fit as the temperature falls is proper preparation to ensure your workout is both productive and safe.

Before you even head outside for activity, pay attention to the weather forecast. The recommended cut-off for outdoor exercise is –30°C with the wind chill, due to the risk of frostbite and hypothermia, “At that temperature, the risk outweighs the reward of getting out there and exercising,” says Brad Spokes, a Saskatchewan physiotherapist and triathlete.

Fortunately, Nova Scotians don’t need to contend with temperatures of –30°C too regularly over the course of the winter. However, keep in mind that when exercising in any cold weather, muscles require more fuel at a faster rate and may fatigue more rapidly than anticipated. Make sure you have had a light meal an hour or so before your work out to ‘fuel up’.

Prepare for a cold weather workout with a dynamic warm up — running on the spot, lunges, squats and arm swings, for example — until you feel warm from head to toe.

Cold-weather clothing is crucial. “Dressing too warmly is one of the biggest pitfalls,” says Spokes. He suggests layers that can be removed or added in response to your body’s heating and cooling. A toque, gloves and warm socks will prevent heat loss, a winter face mask is helpful to moisten air travelling to the lungs, and shoes with gripping soles can prevent falls on the ice.

Don’t forget to stay hydrated. Even though thirst may be less noticeable in cold weather, sweating and the resulting dehydration can be a concern. A fuel belt that lies close to the body or a thermal water bottle can keep liquids from freezing.

Spokes recommends keeping warm until the end of your workout by gradually decreasing the intensity of exercise towards the end and doing the final cool-down indoors. “But probably the most important thing is to get out of wet clothes,” he says.

Most people can exercise safely in cold weather by taking these precautions, but if you have asthma, or other chronic conditions that affect your mobility, consult a physiotherapist to develop a routine that’s safe for you. Find a physiotherapist at http://www.physiotherapyns.ca