At Fab Your Life Fitness in Markham, Ontario our physiotherapy team work with clients to help them regain mobility and return them to pain-free living. Many of our patients come to us for help following a sports injury or accident which has caused injury to one or more parts of their body. Some of our clients though come to us for assistance because they are dealing with a chronic health issue. Physiotherapy is often overlooked by people when dealing with chronic issues, yet physiotherapy can be one of the main building blocks to manage and maintain your health and well-being.
A chronic health condition or disease is defined as health problems that are: incurable, last a long time and tend to get worse as we age. The most common chronic diseases tend to be COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), diabetes, fibromyalgia, arthritis, high blood pressure, asthma, heart disease, obesity and depression. Many people also suffer from structural issues with joints and muscles that require a long-term rehabilitation plan. For people affected with a chronic health problem there can be far-reaching consequences for both themselves and their families. If your chronic illness is impacting your mobility you can become isolated and not able to take part in activities with the same level of activity and enjoyment you once did. Some health issues require frequent hospitalization which can deeply affect a person’s life. In 2017 it was reported that 500,000 people miss work each week due to mental health concerns. In the same report, 40% of Canadians polled said that their mental health has disrupted their lives in some way during the past year. Chronic disease can have a devastating impact on a person’s life.
Chronic health conditions can be challenging to manage. With some illnesses or injury, treatment is prescribed that will get you feeling better and back to a normal level of functioning relatively quickly. But with a chronic health condition or disease it may never go away. Many times, people with chronic conditions find they are withdrawing from their ‘normal’ life and this isolation can lead to feelings of sadness and depression.
Many Canadian’s also live with chronic pain; pain is natural as it is your body’s way of telling you something is wrong. When an injury heals the pain should stop, but chronic pain occurs well after an injury or surgery and your nerves are continuing to send your brain signals that there is a problem. This misfiring can create a chronic pain condition that requires management. Chronic pain can affect any part of the body and can be constant or intermittent. Overtime chronic pain can affect both your physical and mental well-being.
It is estimated that nearly 50% of all Canadians are managing chronic health conditions and diseases. Fortunately, general practitioners and other doctors often refer their patients with chronic health conditions and disease to physiotherapists who can do a great deal to treat the condition and help the person return to a higher quality of living. The goal of managing your chronic health issue isn’t to find a cure – as often one does not exist – but instead to develop a plan to slow the progression of the disease, reduce the pain and return mobility.
At Fab Life Fitness our physiotherapists have advanced understanding of how the human body moves and how to restore it to optimal mobility. Our team takes the time to meet with every client, review notes from your GP, and properly evaluate your situation. Many people have more than one issue and the co-morbidity of these issues can often exacerbate matters leading to greater discomfort. Our physiotherapists will work with you and develop a customized plan to restore your health; often this plan can include a combination of massage therapy and a fitness plan. We work with clients at all levels of ability.
Physiotherapists also work with you to prevent future health problems. A physiotherapy program can take on many forms and often includes:
- Supervised exercise regimen to improve strength, balance, coordination and range of motion.
- Manual trigger point therapy and active release exercises to release pain.
Our physiotherapists want to make sure you are involved in your treatment plan and will work with you for an appropriate length of time, we have had clients for weeks to months use our services to make sure you are benefiting from our physiotherapy plan. If your doctor or other health care practitioner has recommended the use of mobility aids or other accessibility equipment, we can also advise on this to make sure everything you use is helping, not exacerbating, your condition.
One of the main things that many of our clients report back to us is that often, after following their physiotherapy plan for even a short time, there is a great reduction in their pain associated with their chronic illness. Chronic pain can often lead to a constant stress reaction in the body that can increase a person’s blood pressure and heart rate. Overtime being in this state can lead to a person’s muscles being tense which creates more inflammation and pain.
Our physiotherapists can also develop a program that can help with shortness of breath and other symptoms associated with asthma or cardiovascular issues. By improving your breathing this can have a positive chain reaction that can help you return to a more robust life and enjoy the things in life without worry of pain or illness.
Some people don’t realize that physiotherapy is often covered as part of an extended health insurance plan through your workplace. If you have a referral from your doctor there may also be government funding available to cover, or partially cover, your treatment. Before booking your first appointment we advise clients to check with their insurance provider as to what is covered under your plan.
Fab Your Life is a private 2,000 square foot facility that is outfitted with state-of-the-art fitness equipment. We have to peaceful treatment rooms, private washrooms, shower facilities and an infra-red sauna. Fab Your Life is conveniently located in Markham, Ontario at 620 Alden Road, Suite 101. We are open every day of the week except Sunday and have evening appointment times available. Living with chronic health issues is treatable, contact us today to get your plan started!
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