TMJ Dysfunction

Argh! Did you wake up this morning with a headache or face pain? Do your jaw joints make noise? Do you have limited movement to open or close your mouth, or get “stuck” in one position during movement? Do your ears sometimes ring? Are you clenching or grinding your teeth? It’s possible you have TMJ Dysfunction or TMD.

TMJ is short for TemporoMandibular Joint. It is the ball and socket joint of your jaw that is separated by a thin, soft piece of cartilage, often referred to as the Articular Disc. These joints can be felt in front of your ears.

TMJ Dysfunction or TMD is the imbalance or change in normal function of the bones, ligaments, capsule, muscles, disc or nerve components of the TMJ complex.

Some signs and symptoms of TMJ dysfunction can include facial pain, headaches, joint noise (clicking, popping), and limited movement or locking. Other symptoms include ear pain/ringing, hearing troubles, tooth pain, neck or shoulder pain and facial tingling or numbness.

TMD could be caused by head/facial trauma, a motor vehicle accident, dental issues, stress induced clenching or grinding of teeth, poor postural habits, and many others.

Clinically, the most common disorders seen are related to muscular overuse and dysfunction, as well as disc displacement disorders creating abnormal positioning of the articular disc within the joint.

Proper assessment, diagnosis, and successful treatment rely on a skilled physical therapy practitioner, with expertise in TMJ management. Treatment of TMD is often focused on desensitizing muscles or improving joint mobility through hands-on mobilization; restoration of normal functional movement pattern through exercise; and providing education regarding prognosis and self applied maintenance. Treatment may also include other muscle re-education techniques such as Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS). We look at other mechanical influences such as neck disorder and posture, to assist in maximizing treatment management. In some cases, we work with your oral practitioner (dentist, orthodontist, oral surgeon) – and other practitioners who deal with behavioral modification – to optimize results.

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Rotator Cuff Injuries

Shoulders

Rotator Cuff Injuries

We’ve all heard of our rotator cuff, but what role does it play in our everyday movement and how does an injury affect us?

The rotator cuff plays a crucial role in moving and stabilizing the shoulder, allowing for a wide range of movements. It is vital for maintaining shoulder stability and enabling proper shoulder function. It helps keep the upper arm bone dynamically centred within the shoulder socket, allowing for smooth and coordinated movements. So, how do we injure it?

A rotator cuff injury refers to damage or tears in the group of muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint. Common causes of rotator cuff injuries include repetitive overhead motions, trauma or injury, and age-related degeneration. Whether it’s due to a sudden injury or gradual wear and tear, a rotator cuff injury can significantly impact a person’s quality of life, limiting their ability to perform tasks such as lifting, reaching, or throwing. It is often painful and can lead to weakness, limited range of motion, and difficulty performing everyday activities.

It is important to promptly seek appropriate treatment to alleviate pain, restore strength, and improve overall shoulder function.

Physiotherapy is an effective treatment option for rotator cuff injuries. A physiotherapist will evaluate the severity of the injury, assess the range of motion and strength of the shoulder, and develop a customized treatment plan.

Initially, treatment may focus on reducing pain and inflammation through techniques like ice therapy, electrotherapeutic modalities, and gentle exercises. As the healing progresses, physiotherapy will involve a combination of strengthening exercises to target the muscles of the rotator cuff, as well as stretches to improve flexibility. Manual therapy techniques such as joint mobilization and soft tissue massage may also be employed to enhance shoulder mobility and reduce muscle tension.

Through a progressive rehabilitation program, physiotherapy aims to restore strength, stability, and function to the shoulder, enabling individuals to regain their normal activities and prevent future injuries.

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Planter Heel Pain – Plantar Fasciitis

Foot and Ankle

Planter Heel Pain – Plantar Fasciitis

What Is PHP?

Plantar heel pain (PHP), commonly known as Plantar Fasciitis, refers to pain beneath the heel that is typically worse with weight-bearing activities. It is commonly characterized by pain on the first few steps in the morning, tenderness on the inside of the heel bone and increased pain walking barefoot on hard surfaces. The plantar fascia is thought to be the main source of this pain.

Why Is Treatment Important?

Planter heel pain affects up to 10% of populations and predominantly affects sedentary middle-aged and older adults. It is estimated to account for 8.0% of all injuries related to running. It is the most common foot condition treated in physiotherapy clinics.

How Do We Treat PHP?

A recent best practice guide¹ suggests treatment for people with PHP should include stretching, taping, and individualized education. Patients may also benefit from shockwave therapy, followed by custom foot orthotics.

How Can Physiotherapy Help?

Your Physiotherapists can diagnose your heel pain as well as identify the risk factors which can trigger plantar heel pain. They can help you through the management of this condition with individualized treatment such as stretching, manual therapy, taping, and modalities (ultrasound, electrical stimulation or shockwave therapy). At Sun City Physiotherapy, we use an evidence based practice to treat your Plantar heel pain and get you back to pain free movement!

¹Morrissey, D., Cotchett, M., J’Bari, A. S., Prior, T., Griffiths, I. B., Rathleff, M. S., … & Barton, C. J. (2021). Management of plantar heel pain: a best practice guide informed by a systematic review, expert clinical reasoning and patient values. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 55(19), 1106-1118.

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National Indigenous People’s Day

Events & News

National Indigenous People’s Day

Leading up to June 21st, 2023 – National Indigenous People’s Day – we acknowledge that at Sun City Physiotherapy we are privileged to work, play, and live on the traditional and unceded territory of the Syilx (Okanagan) Peoples.

The College of Physiotherapists in BC recently integrated Standard 21 – Indigenous Cultural Safety, Humility and Anti-Racism to the Practice Standards, which focuses on 6 core concepts. In 2020, a report called In Plain Sight was released outlining discrimination and prejudice in the health care system against Indigenous Peoples in B.C. This report was eye-awakening to the importance of declaring each clinic’s commitment to culturally safe care, and treating with humility. We also encourage everyone to look into this report and ways in which ones own bias may come into play as clients, patients, citizens, and practitioners.

As practitioners, we deeply value the one-on-one relationships – this includes embracing cultural differences. This is particularly important for individuals who may have had negative experiences with healthcare providers in the past, such as discrimination or bias. By understanding factors, such as social determinants of health, and addressing them in care, our practitioners can improve outcomes for their clients and contribute to a more equitable healthcare system in British Columbia.

On that note, being culturally safe is an integral aspect of healthcare, and we stand by this statement at Sun City Physiotherapy. Culturally safe care entails creating an environment that is respectful, welcoming, and culturally appropriate for our clients of all backgrounds. We believe that clients from all cultures deserve to feel comfortable and receive effective care to meet their unique needs, while feeling safe and respected. We hope you feel a deep trust in our Physiotherapists, RMTs, kinesiologist, dietician, counsellor, and client care team. Fostering this model of care can also help reduce disparities in healthcare outcomes.

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Shoulder Pain in Throwers

Shoulders

Shoulder Pain in Throwers

Each spring, at the beginning of baseball and softball season, people will develop pain and soreness in the arm and shoulder when throwing, or after throwing. This can linger or worsen as the season goes, potentially zapping their throwing strength and their ability to participate when it could easily be corrected.

Typically, this pain is a result of overuse or strain on the rotator cuff muscles. Throwing is a very demanding task on the shoulder and requires a sturdy foundation of strength within the rotator cuff muscle group and mobility of the entire shoulder. When we go from not throwing through winter (except maybe the odd snowball) to getting out on the field in spring, it can be a very abrupt change, and therefore, overworks these small supporting rotator cuff muscles. These muscles can then become very tense or tight, and the tendons can become painful from being over worked. Combine this with poor or limited range of motion or mobility and it becomes even more challenging to throw comfortably.

Prevention can be addressed by doing some simple exercises to strengthen the rotator cuff so that it can better support the high demands of the throwing motion. Taking care to warm-up properly is vital. The rule of thumb should be, “warm-up to throw, don’t throw to warm-up!”. This will make huge improvement to comfort and performance.

Try these four quick basic warm-up exercises.

Arm circles: starting small at shoulder height moving to large circles
over 30 seconds. Forwards and backwards
AROM IR/ER starting at sides gradually moving up to 90 abd 30 seconds
Banded IR @ 90 Abd 2×15
Banded ER @ 90 Abd 2×15

Through physiotherapy, we can address excessive tightness, and work to improve strength. Manual therapy and IMS, which can help reduce pain and restore the range of movement needed to throw. Modalities can be applied to settle any inflammation which may have developed.

Education is key to better learn how to warm-up properly for throwing. It is equally important to identify which muscles need to be strengthened properly and how to do it. Your Physiotherapist can guide you through the steps.