What's New at Physio Sport Med

At Physio Sport Med of Oakville we believe in the value of education and expertise.  Today we launched a new page on our site under the "LEARN" tab, as a place to let you know "What you need to know" about key conditions that we often deal with.  We started with two articles written by our medical and therapist practitioners.

The first article is on Concussion, and provides some basic information for the general public on what concussion is, advancement in treatment, and how we can help.

The second article is on Osteoarthritis.  Likewise, this article provides some basic background on the condition and, again, how we can help in a variety of treatment options.

Over time we will add to this content, so visit our LEARN page frequently!

www.physiosportmed.ca/learn.html

Happy Valentines Day!  It is no coincidence that Valentines Day falls in the middle of Heart Health Awareness Month.   According to Public Health Canada, about 2.4 million people over the age of 20 live with heart disease.  Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Canada.   But there is good news- 8 out of 10 heart attacks can be prevented through healthy lifestyle changes.   But what can you do?

1. Eat well….    Make healthier choices when eating out or dining in.  Increase fruits and vegetables, while decreasing processed foods.
2. Get moving…  Try to be active for a minimum of 30 minutes a day.  But remember that it does not have to be 30 continuous minutes.   Take a ten-minute walk at lunch to start that heart pumping
3. Maintain a healthy weight….   Eating well and exercise will help to maintain ideal weight.  Remember that every bit helps.  Losing even 10% of your weight can reduce the load on your body
4. Reduce stress:   Take time daily to relax and do something you enjoy.  Although yoga and meditation are great, so is laughter and being around loved ones.   Try to recognize what stresses you so you can deal with it effectively.
5. Avoid tobacco:  As most of you know, reducing, or eliminating cigarettes and other forms of tobacco will significantly reduce heart disease.   It is challenging to do this alone, talk to a medical professional for help.
   

So…  take time tonight to enjoy your loved one, but instead of heading to a restaurant for some rich delights, try a heart healthy alternative.   Go dancing!  Challenge your loved one to bowling.   Bundle up and go skating at a local rink.

Happy Valentines Day from the team at Physio Sport Med of Oakville.   

I recently had the opportunity of attending a seminar on 'Concussion Spectrum of Disorders' at Toronto Western Hospital.  Dr Julian Bailes, who was played by Alec Baldwin in the movie 'Concussion', was one of the keynote speakers.

His talk was geared to football - especially timely with the Super Bowl recently played. His conclusion was that football is getting safer as rule changes occur and leagues recognize a need to change rules to reduce risk. This applies to many other sports as well (especially hockey at this time of year).

But - there is still a lot of work ahead!!

Dr. Chris Woollam  MD, Physio Sport Med of Oakville

1. Walk:  the one good thing about a warmer winter is that you can still get out and go for a walk without “your face hurting”.   What you do have to be very careful about is ice.   With frequent rains, and thaw, the ice on the sidewalks can be treacherous.    Using Nordic Poles or ice grips can be helpful to keep moving and to keep you safe.   
   
2. Indoor walking:   Many local community centers have added walking tracks to their facilities.  For a small fee, you can walk for as long as you like in warmth.   It is also very common that local malls will have walking programs early in day when it is not too busy. Find a friend and catch up while you stroll warmly and safely.
3. Skating:   The outdoor rinks may not be blade worthy, but check out community centres in the area for public skates.    If you are available during the day, there are often quieter times that are dedicated to toddlers and seniors.   Not a natural at skating?  There are clubs that will teach even seasoned adults some new skills.
   
4. Exercise videos:  If you are determined to hibernate until we are consistently above +10, do a youtube search for exercise videos that you can do in the comfort of your home.  There is something for everyone out there.    Remember that a good intensity of exercise makes you feel  are working, but you are still able to hold a conversation.
   

While you are on youtube, check our Dr. Mike Evans’ clip 23 ½ hours .   It is a short but great video explaining why we should all strive to be active 30 minutes a day, regardless age, sex and even snowfall.