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Why Virtual Services?

It has been nearly a year since the world stood still here in Saskatchewan. Prior to the pandemic we had the technology to provide virtual services, but it was still considered best practice to see people in-person for all services. This changed rapidly March 18, 2020. In practicing virtual services since this time for the vast majority of the time, we wanted to highlight some of the answers to “Why Virtual Services?”

No need to worry about exposure

The most obvious reason for those that are more conservative is your reduced exposure. You can have your service provided from the safety of your home. There is no need to worry about who all has been in the building.

Childcare Barriers are Reduced

Our biggest struggle is following the recommendation that people should come independently to appointments. We LOVE helping mommas, kiddos, and babies. Not being able to share our toys and baby containing options for families has been a big challenge for us. Having virtual options for services allows us to still see those with busy families; while reducing your costs and eliminating childcare costs!

No Drive Time

YES! We are able to see anyone in Saskatchewan that is a resident of Saskatchewan (for physiotherapy), and greater expansion across Canada (counselling and nutrition services). This allows us to significantly reduce the time away from work or family and increase the efficiency of appointments.

We Still Get a Lot Done!

There are very few appointment types that can’t be done virtually! Especially when it comes to the first appointment. This is where we are gathering information on what happened and how everything is feeling. Getting some movement and visual observation can go a long way. If it isn’t an appropriate issue, injury, or area to be seen virtually, it is our responsibility to ensure that you know and we continue with alternative options – which we hold ourselves highly accountable for.

Remember, the most important piece to improvement is not what we DO, it’s what YOU do!

We see people for anywhere from one appointment every few weeks, to once a week. We impact change from our knowledge and applying to your homework to do between appointments.

“I have been treating people virtually since March 2020 and I am really loving the option for people. It has allowed me to get to know my clients even better, as well as work within the restrictions with a variety of health limitations for my clients.” ~Haylie

If you want to learn more about our virtual services check out our other publications!

Virtual Services

Tele-Wha? Telehealth Services

 

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Easing into the New Year

It is another New Year. A time of change and reflection. Last year we wrote our New Year blog with the knowledge that the year was going to be VERY different. Forced changes were happening even as the holidays were gearing up. What we didn’t know is how much of a collective experience having control snatched away would be!

This year it feels that instead of jumping into new resolutions and generalizations of what the year has in store, we are all keeping a close eye on 2021. The new puppy that you aren’t sure won’t wreck those shoes or pee on the carpet. Whatever 2021 had had in store for you, we truly wish that 2021 brings the growth and expansion of happiness and health to all our clients and communities.

Eloquence and gushing are not something that many people find comfortable, including us, however this reflection begs some serious accolades. This past year has shown us that our team is rock solid. We have phenomenal staff. Not only were they able to pick up the slack for Haylie stepping back for her own treatment, but they were able to do this AND navigate a pandemic! Our team had nothing but the health and well-being of our clients and community at the forefront throughout the entire process.

It is for these reasons that we are grateful to 2020. It showed us:
  • We can do hard things (very VERY hard things)
  • Everyone has each others back
  • Continuing as a team and supporting our clients remained a top priority
  • Striking a work/life balance made a big difference in our ability to show up for our clients
  • The adaptability and mental flexibility to move from in-person to virtual services was phenomenal
  • Our values and mission has held strong and true through this whole endeavor

Changes are inevitable. Such massive changes as a collective society is less common. Beyond a shadow of a doubt that we are proud of our clients and community to make this pivot in our social and professional interactions. We have also discovered that some massive changes will not waiver the core values.

Warman Physio will continue to provide:
  1. Exceptional comprehensive and compassionate care
  2. A family friendly and welcoming environment where you are heard
  3. Services across a wide span of providers to best suit your needs

So even though we are all watching our backs waiting to see what 2021 has in store for us, we still plan on going out and exploring the ways we will grow this year.

 

P.S. Did you know we have some new services? Check them out and see how to book:

Virtual Services: Physiotherapy, Dietitian, Counselling

In-person: Fitness, Physiotherapy, Massage, Occupational Therapy, Dietitian, Counselling

Return of Haylie to Practice: Virtual exclusive

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Jaw Pain and Physiotherapy

Have you experienced jaw pain/TMJ pain? Did you know that physiotherapy can help treat jaw disorders? You may have read our previous article Do You Have TMJ? and are thinking this will be more of the same… however, jaw pain is complex and there are enough details for countless blogs on the jaw! Let’s dive in…

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain may present itself with some varying symptoms depending on what is going on.

TMJ dysfunction often looks and feels like (one, some, or all of):

  • jaw pain often worse with opening the mouth wide/yawning
  • restricted range of motion (difficulty moving the jaw in various ways)
  • may be clicking present – which may be painful or non painful
  • pain/difficulties with chewing harder/chewy foods
  • locking of the jaw (getting stuck open, closed or somewhere in between)
  • ringing in the ears/feeling stuffy
  • neck pain and headaches

There is a large connection between the upper neck and the TMJ therefore often times people with TMJ issues also present with some dysfunction of the upper cervical spine and may also have neck pain/headaches. At times there can be some associated ear symptoms such as ringing of the ears/stuffiness.

Some causes for the TMJ dysfunction could be if the articular disc inside the joint is not gliding properly within the joint (internal derangement), tension of the muscles of the jaw/neck, arthritis of the TMJ joint, due to a connective tissue disorder causing hypermobility or due to a trauma to the joint (such as a fracture or an acute arthritis). Quite often, there is some associated mechanical dysfunction of the upper cervical spine alongside the TMJ disorder.

Jaw pain can be closely connected to the function of the neck. We ensure to look into this possible connection

What is the TMJ?

The temporomandibular joint consists of the articulating bony surfaces of the condyle of the jaw bone (mandible) and a groove in one of the bones of the head (temporal bone). There is an intraarticular disc inside the joint which when functioning properly glides between the two boney surfaces. Various muscles attach either to the disk or around the joint. There is connective tissue that surrounds the joint forming the joint capsule.

Depending on what the cause of the TMJ pain is, physiotherapy may be able to help! Contact us for more details and get started on your road to recovery TODAY!

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Perineal Tearing Reduced – Avoiding Coached Pushing During Labor

We have mentioned before about the predicament with completing ‘kegels’ (or the contraction phase of the kegel alone is what most end up doing). This has an inherent potential impact on labor and delivery, and perineal tearing.

Now there is new research out of the European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology about the impact that there can be had when removing what is often referred to as ‘coached pushing’ during labor and delivery in addition to a few other key factors.

At Warman Physio we want to set women up for the best success possible during labor and delivery, and know that knowledge is power!

So let’s run through some of the background here.

The Facts From the Research

An article in Return to Now outlined the results from EJOG in a thought-provoking post. There is an 85% reduction in 3rd and 4th degree tears (the ‘worst’ of the available 1-4 scale) when women are not coached to push during labor. The amount of severe vaginal tearing was reduced from 7% to 1% within the study.

The researchers completed a review to determine what the main contributing factors were for third and fourth degree tears, and implemented a series of measures to try and reduce these risks.

Some of the risks include a larger than average baby, baby being born ‘face-up’, forceps use, previous perineal tear history, as well as maternal age and weight

This program is referred to as STOMP (Stop Traumatic OASIS Morbidity Project) and implemented within the hospital unit by the midwives and OB GYN teams over the following year. This program includes laboring in different positions to deliver the baby such as squatting, kneeling, and standing, as well as breathing through contractions instead of pushing and applying counter pressure to the perineum during delivery of the baby.

A total of 3902 vaginal deliveries occurred during the 1 year following the launch of full STOMP implementation, with the most significant and immediate results occurring in the first 5 months.

What Does This Mean?

We have seen before in a video demonstration how the uterus does it’s job to push a baby out, coached pushing is shown to lead to closure of the perineum on the descending baby. Allowing women to follow their instincts, without coached pushing, is proven to reduce severe perineal tearing. This will not eliminate all perineal tearing, but gives additional information into how we can best support mothers during labor and delivery.

Physiotherapists are uniquely positioned to assist with mothers during this phase of life, particularly pelvic floor physiotherapists.

Although seeing a pelvic health physiotherapist is not the standard of care here in Canada, there are many women choosing to see one prior to labor and delivery for a variety of reasons such as leaking, pelvic pain, pain with intercourse, and low back pain or sciatica among others. There is also a large trend to see women post-natally as well due to the same reasons in addition to injuries sustained during labor and delivery such as perineal tears.

 

How can Physiotherapy Help?

Pelvic floor physiotherapists, like those we have at Warman Physio, are able to provide prenatal evaluation of the pelvic floor muscles, coordination, and information on labor and delivery preparation activities. Many women will have been practicing kegels throughout their pregnancy since there still is a significant amount of mis-information regarding what is ‘best’… (remember, a tight pelvic floor isn’t really what we are going for, a functional pelvic floor is what we want!)

In Saskatchewan women are provided an immediate referral to physiotherapy if they have received a third or fourth degree tear (which is GREAT!), however, any woman who has been pregnant into the second trimester may benefit from seeing a pelvic floor therapist after delivering baby.

We have seen that in France, the standard of care is that every woman who has a baby is entitled to Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy appointments postpartum.

Reducing injuries during labor and delivery, and having research to support theoretical working knowledge is critical to advancing health and wellness for women of childbearing years.

Wonder if Physiotherapy can help you for labor and delivery? We recommend an appointment 32-34 weeks gestation. (For those with contraindications to a pelvic exam, we would complete various education and external assessment components).

 

Our Pelvic Health Therapists:

Kendra Usunier – at the Warman Clinic

Haylie Lashta – at both Warman and Evergreen

 

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Family Focused – What does that MEAN?

We see many people talking about being family friendly, kid friendly, family centred, or family focused in their business. What does this truly mean at Warman Physio?

When looking to start the clinic, I had worked in several places that were “family friendly”, but didn’t have any change tables, toys, or ways to keep kids occupied. This puts the onus 100% on the parents to remember to bring things for the kids (who may unpack the bag before you leave), and check to make sure that everything is charged (as we sometimes discover that technology requiring a charge isn’t always charged when we want it…) and the snacks are the snacks that the kids will actually eat (and hopefully not make a a colossal mess). Which is a huge undertaking when you are a new mom, or just frazzled trying to get the kids out of the house!

What I wanted to achieve at the clinic is a family friendly environment for everyone. I want each person who comes to the clinic to feel like family, sort of like coming home. The goal is for everyone, regardless of what service, issue, or injury they may be coming in for to get this ‘vibe’. For me, it has been a critical focus that when adding new therapists and staff that we stick to this value – being warm, welcoming, and compassionate. (It is written right into the clinic vision and mission statements!)

At the clinic you will find toys, games, books, swings, chairs, wraps, and carriers all intended to help keep babies and older children happy and content during appointments (regardless of what mom remembers to bring!)

The clinic treats babies and children right up to older adults; we truly are able to help everyone across the lifespan!

Ensuring that everyone is treated like an extended family member is the environment you can expect at Warman Physio.

The biggest reason why I wanted this particular feel is because I often heard that people would avoid going for needed appointments because they were unable to afford childcare; or they didn’t have support around to help watch their children while they attended their treatments. Not because they couldn’t (or were told they couldn’t) bring their babies to appointments, but because the environment of acceptance that sometimes babies cry and appointments don’t go as planned made bringing their kids to appointments difficult and uncomfortable. Now don’t let me give you the wrong impression – the therapists want the kids and babies to come, but when it’s not the “norm” it can be a difficult distraction to overcome!

Seeing prenatal and postpartum women, infants and children at the clinic has been the clinic ‘niche’ from the beginning – we just do it a lot! So having that colicky baby that cries the whole time? We’ve got this. Having that baby that needs to lay on momma the whole time? No problem. Having the two big kids that for some reason just NEED to both be on the blue chair? We can figure that out too. Our therapists will hang onto babies, use the swings, and help older kids problem solve during appointments, and sometimes (when mom is comfortable), Laura will snag some of the babies and wander around with them so the mommas can focus on their appointments. It is wonderful to have the content babies and kids in at the clinic, but the kids that are more ‘challenging’ aren’t any less welcome. We enjoy seeing all the kids that come in and want them to feel welcome as well!

So if you have been waiting until you’re back at work, have been putting off coming because you can’t afford childcare, or simply just didn’t know what to do with the kids for your appointments, don’t hesitate to book in with us! We even have kids attend massage appointments with parents sometimes (but I get wanting to be able to get into fully relaxed mode!) 😉

We are here to welcome you into our Warman Physio family – wherever you may fit!

Haylie has been practicing pelvic health and focused in prenatal and post-partum care since graduating from the U of S MPT program in 2011. She now adds to this education and treatment, her knowledge and experience in pediatric pelvic health providing workshops and presentations in addition to assessment and treatment. Haylie has been advocating for treatment for women, ensuring appropriate and effective care throughout pregnancy and post-partum, and helping all expecting and post-partum moms since she started practicing. This ultimately brought her to open her family-friendly clinic in 2014.  At Warman Physio clients are encouraged to bring their infants and children to treatment if they need. Haylie was recognized as YWCA Women of Distinction finalist for Health & Wellness in 2017, the ABEX Young Entrepreneur Award Recipient in 2018, and a finalist in the 2019 SABEX and WMBEXA Awards.
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