Five Effective Ways to Maintain Correct Posture at the Workplaces

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You may not realize it but slouching over at desks at the workplace ruin your spinal health gradually. Meeting targets is important in the corporate sector. But, taking care of yourself has equal importance. In fact, according to an expert physiotherapist in Calgary, poor posture is the main cause of strain injuries and back pain. 

You cannot stop working to fix the posture. Also, the sedentary lifestyle may not allow you to spare time for workouts at gyms. So, here are some tips to take care of posture while working. 

Listen to Physiotherapist in Calgary | Fix Posture while Working

Maintaining a good posture reduces strain on the muscles and ligaments that support the spine. It is better to visit a physiotherapy clinic in Westbrook Calgary if the back pain seems unbearable. However, here is what a physiotherapist in Calgary recommends:

  • Keep the body in alignment while sitting 

It is easy to distribute your weight evenly to the front, back and sides of the feet while standing. While sitting, however, you need to put in the effort to maintain the alignment. 

Keep your back straight and align your hips, ears and shoulders in one vertical line. Do not sit in one position for too long. You can, for example, shift forward to the edge of the seat at times to ease the pressure off your back. 

You can use a balance ball to sit in the office instead of the office chairs. It helps you maintain a naturally balanced posture. However, you should avoid crossing legs unevenly, hunching your shoulders forward or leaning to one side. 

  • Use ergonomic office chairs

You are most likely to find ergonomic office chairs whenever you visit a reliable physiotherapy clinic in Westbrook, Calgary. These chairs have adjustable back support that helps you maintain a good posture. 

Here are the tips to remember to make the most of office chairs:

  1. Portable lumbar back supports or footrests 
  2. Purses and backpacks that reduce back strain
  3. Proper eyewear that adjusts the computer screens to the natural eye position 
  • Get up and move frequently

A poor posture already exerts immense pressure on the neck. Consistent slouching and slumping contribute to the pressure. Change your positions frequently to release the pressure. It is important to maintain a relaxed yet supported posture even in workplaces. 

The right way to prevent the build-up of tension in muscles is to take a break from sitting. Get up and move around every 30 minutes for two minutes. Stretch stand and walk around to ease the strain on the back, neck and shoulders. 

  • Keep feet flat on your floor

The position of your feet plays a critical role in determining your overall posture while sitting. Crossed or elevated feet compromise your posture. The motive is to distribute the weight evenly across your hips. And the best way to achieve that is by keeping your feet flat and properly levelled. 

  • Take the time to connect with your body

It is normal to forget the right posture when you have to juggle emails and projects at the same time. But you have to learn o be mindful of your posture throughout the workday. It is important that you take mental breaks from the work. Take some time to focus on your body, mood, posture and overall body. 

You know you can always type ‘physiotherapy clinic near me’ on Google and hire a professional physiotherapist in Calgary. But, maintaining the above-mentioned tips can help you keep the posture correct even while working.

Physiotherapy VS Medicine: Which Is More Effective For Arthritis?

Physiotherapy VS Medicine: Which Is More Effective For Arthritis?

For most of us, performing regular activities like climbing steps, walking or running is something habitual. We don’t need to give extra effort to any of them.

However, if you’re living with arthritis, these everyday activities seem to be daunting. Studies showed that arthritis is the leading cause of disability among adults in Canada, affecting more than 4.6 million Canadians.

Arthritis is a common health issue that caused inflammation of the joints. Usually, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects smaller joints such as in your hands, knees and feet.

Arthritis causes severe pain and swelling around the joints. Left unchecked, it may lead to permanent joint damage.

Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in Canada, affecting more than 4.6 million Canadians.

Common Symptoms of Arthritis

Since your knees carry most of your body weight, these are the most common target for arthritis. Some of the most common symptoms of arthritis are:

  • Extreme joint pain
  • Tenderness and swelling of joints
  • Joint stiffness
  • Limitations in joint mobility

Arthritis symptoms can be mild, moderate or severe. The pain caused by arthritis can eventually become chronic. As a result, patients often face difficulties to perform daily activities like walking, running or climbing stairs.

For severe cases, arthritis also causes permanent damage to the joints. While some damages are physically apparent, others are only visible through X-ray.

Apart from these joint pains and damages, arthritis can also affect some vital organs such as lungs, kidneys, hearts, skin and eyes.

Symptoms of arthritis may vary from mild to severe and causes several effects such as movement difficulties, joint pain and stiffness, etc.

Does Medicine Only Help To Reduce Arthritis Pain?

The truth is arthritis treatments are a multidimensional approach. Hence, the treatment should be focused on managing pain, increasing joint mobility and strength.

At the same time, we need a comprehensive plan to limit the further progression of this disease.

Once someone is diagnosed with arthritis, you may visit a rheumatologist or orthopedist, based on the type of arthritis you have.

Similarly, medications used for its treatment may vary depending on the arthritis type.

Some of the common medications are:

  • Painkillers
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
  • Counterirritants – varieties of creams and ointments

Doctors often prescribe painkillers and other ant-inflammatory medicines based on the type and severity of arthritis.

Side Effects of Arthritis Medicines

Numerous medicines can be prescribed for arthritis, and most of them may cause side effects and risks.

We cannot ignore the fact that the reactions of each drug may vary from person to person.

It’s always strictly recommended not to do self-medication. Before taking any medications for arthritis, you should consult a doctor (Orthopaedics/ General physician) and have only the medicines prescribed by him/her.

Your doctor can also suggest ways of minimizing the side effects of arthritis medicines along with dosages and timing.

Like other drugs, arthritis medications may bring some side effects or risks, depending on the condition of the patients. Self-medication should always be avoided.

How Can Physiotherapy Be An Alternative Way for Arthritis Treatment?

For those who are tired of taking painkillers consistently to manage their arthritis pain or the drugs are simply not helping to reduce pain, physiotherapy can be an effective alternative.

Arthritis physiotherapy treatment can help manipulate affected joints to improve their mobility. This way, physiotherapy helps them to become more active.

Professional physiotherapists usually teach necessary skills to reduce chronic pain and its triggers altogether.

Sometimes, it has been noticed that non-invasive physiotherapy techniques were more effective than pain medications for some patients.

Physical therapy is also effective for arthritis as it helps to reduce pain and stiffness within the joints and enhance mobility.

As a result, patients benefit by eliminating the need for medications to some extent and, hence, their adverse side effects.

Physiotherapy is a commonly recommended treatment for arthritis as it is proven to strengthen weakened joints and reduce joint pain and inflammation.

When Should You Consider Physiotherapy for Arthritis?

If you ever face issues in performing your daily activities, you may consider visiting a physiotherapist.

Similarly, after taking medications for a long time, if you find these are not working effectively as they used to do earlier, you should try thinking about physiotherapy – an alternative way for arthritis treatment.

However, it is advisable to consult with your general physician before visiting any physiotherapy clinic in Calgary.

For effective arthritis physiotherapy treatment, you should be prepared to undergo several sessions to achieve optimal pain management.

Final Thought

The solution for managing arthritis often includes a combined strategy of different treatments, including medications, physiotherapy, guided exercise, hot and cold therapy and other effective therapy options.

For most patients, these all-inclusive treatment strategies can do wonders as arthritis remedies for joint pain.

If you are looking for a reliable and WCB Approved physiotherapy clinic in Calgary for your arthritis problem, you may also ask your general physician or orthopedic for a recommendation.

Try to choose a renowned physiotherapy clinic such as Prompt Physiotherapy. Here professional therapists will diagnose the stage of your arthritis and accordingly plan your personalized treatment strategy.

Spoiler Alert! 5 Common Summer Sports Injuries: Prevention & Treatment With Sports Physiotherapy

5 Common Summer Sports Injuries: Prevention & Treatment

Summer is perfect for outdoor activities and sports. The warm, bright weather keep people motivated to engage in sports and other activities in parks, fields, summer camps or summer leagues.

Unfortunately, summer is also prime time for several sports injuries. After the prolonged winter doldrums in Canada, most people suddenly start running, swimming and playing contact sports. As a result, they often invite summertime injuries.

Are you one of them who love to exercise outdoors or dive into their favourite sports in summer? In that case, you should remember that summer is also the time to be cognitive about your body’s limitations.

After all, no one wants to miss the summertime fun sitting on the sidelines!

Let’s have a look at five common summer injuries. Also, we’ll let you know about the preventions and treatments of these injuries with effective sports therapy.

1. Sprains and Strains

  • Problems:

Most of us have experienced muscle sprains and strains at some point. It may be a pulled hamstring, sprained ankle or sore shoulder that can lead to pain and discomfort.

To be more specific, a sprain triggers the stretching or tearing of your ligaments, while a strain refers to stretching or tearing of your muscles or tendons.

  • Solutions:

Before any physical activity, sport or exercise, it is highly recommended to practice proper stretching. This helps the muscles, tendons and ligaments loose and flexible and prevents injuries.

For severe sprain or strain cases, your doctor may recommend you to wear a brace and consult a sports therapist from any certified physiotherapy clinic.

  •  IN A NUTSHELL

Sprains and strains are common issues in sports. A little stretching exercise before activity or sport can be effective prevention.

2. Overuse Injuries

  • Problems:

Lower back or overall back pain is one of the most common sports injuries in soccer, or gymnastics due to overuse. This happens when a player trains beyond the recovery ability of his or her body.

Apart from lower back pain, players often face the problem of knee pain due to overuse.

  • Solutions:

Performing proper warm-up and cool-down exercises under the guidance of a sports therapist can be helpful to prevent such injuries.

  • IN A NUTSHELL

Overuse injuries are common in both adults and kids. Crafting a training program with warm-up and cool-down exercises is essential to avoid these sports injuries.

3. Knee Injuries

  • Problems:

Our knees take a beating in most outdoor activities and while taking part in sports. Hence, knees are more prone to injuries than other parts of our body.

Knee dislocations, ligament injuries and tendon tears are some of the common sports injuries.

  • Solutions:

To prevent knee injuries, you can wear supportive sports shoes, practise warm-ups before starting exercises or sports and avoid overtraining.

While some knee injuries heal in their own way within a short span, severe injuries such as ACL injuries may take months.

If you face such severe conditions, it is in your best interest to consult a sports injury therapist or visit a Calgary physiotherapy clinic for effective therapy.

  • IN A NUTSHELL

Proper warm-up routine before any activity is the best way to prevent knee injuries in sports. However, effective physiotherapy by professional is helpful for severe knee injury cases.

4. Concussion

  • Problems:

Another common sports injury is a concussion that occurs due to a blow to the head. Studies showed that about 22% of all injuries in soccer are concussion-related.

Disorientation, dizziness and imbalance are the most common symptoms of concussion.

The overwhelming majority of sportspersons who suffer concussions also experience neck pain.

  • Solutions:

Since a concussion is common in all contact sports, it is highly recommended to avoid them during recovery time.

However, complete bed rest is no longer advisable. Active rehab programs offered by concussion management clinics in Calgary are proven to treat this sports injury and severe neck pain.

  • IN A NUTSHELL

Concussion brings significant impact to the head, face, neck, or body of any athlete. Concussion management with effective physiotherapy is the best way to treat this common sports injury.

5. Tennis Elbow

  • Problems:

Around 7% of sports injuries are involved in our elbows. Tennis elbows lead to painful conditions when tendons in your elbow are overloaded due to repetitive motions of the wrist and arm.

  • Solutions:

For mild cases, icing the elbow to reduce pain and swelling is an effective step.

You can use an elbow strap to protect your tennis elbow from further strain.

For severe cases, you may treat this injury with RICE or physiotherapy by professionals.

  • IN A NUTSHELL

During summer, tennis elbow occurs a lot due to the popularity of sports like golf and tennis. Icing, elbow strengthening exercises and physiotherapy are effective measurements for the treatment of this sports injury.

Key Takeaways

Summer seasons welcome new possibilities for sports and activities. However, it’s important to remember your health and safety in mind.

We don’t want you to stay away from summer sports due to any injuries. If this does happen, don’t hesitate to contact a reliable physiotherapy clinic in Calgary for effective sports injury treatment.

At Prompt Physiotherapy, our certified professionals follow several therapies to treat injuries quickly and restore original mobility.