This weekend Physiotherapists, Chiropractors, and Kinesiologists from across Western Canada gathered at our clinic for the McKenzie MDT Part A Lumbar Spine course. This was a great collaborative for both experienced and new clinicians as they learned hands-on techniques and assessment processes for helping patients with low back pain!
Big thank you to instructor Audrey Long for coming from Calgary to lend her knowledge and expertise, as well as all the patients who allowed participants of the course to evaluate and assess.
Momentum Health is hosting Part A of the McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT) course this weekend (Sept. 24 and 25) and we are in need of two patients for participants to practice assessment. We are looking mainly for patients who have low back pain that is not chronic in nature, pain/discomfort in the SI joints, piriformis, or sciatica that are not already familiar with the McKenzie method of treatment. Participation essentially includes a free assessment and a follow up with a faculty member of the McKenzie institute who is additionally a physiotherapist with 25 years of clinical experience. You will only be needed for an hour or so each day. If this is something you are interested in message us for more details or send us an email or phone call at the clinic! admin@momentumkelowna.com 778-484-6070
Registered Massage Therapy
Our skilled team of RMTs at Momentum Health have open spots available for booking! Early morning, evening, and weekend appointments are available. With a range of treatment types and injury knowledge we will pair you with an RMT to best suit your needs. We are located in downtown Kelowna with easy access and free parking and can provide direct billing to most major insurance companies.
Click the link in our bio to book or contact the clinic at 778-484-6070 or admin@momentumkelowna.com
Today’s Functional Friday is an updated highlight on thoracic mobility!! 🤸🏼♀️
Many people have limited mobility in their thoracic spine from the increased amount of sitting we do on a daily basis. Working on gaining back range of motion can provide relief from minor aches and pains and release tight/sore muscles in the back and shoulders.
Low back and hip pain can stem from stiffness in the thoracic spine, causing the lumbar spine to pick up the slack and compensating for the lack of movement. A lack of thoracic mobility is also linked to problems in the shoulders, neck, and elbows.
Improving mobility of the thoracic spine can lead to improved posture, pain reduction, and more efficient movement patterns.
‼️Use the stretches and mobility flows in the videos above to improve your thoracic mobility and stay limber!
✨PATIENT SPOTLIGHT✨
Momentum wishes best of luck coming up to Belinda as she treks off to Prague, Czechia to compete in the Master’s ball hockey world championships. B, as she is affectionately known in local ball hockey and hockey setting is a fixture on the BC selects provincial team which competes annually at the CBHA nationals and plays around the Okanagan as much as possible. At Momentum she see’s Dr. Nimchuk (who is intimately familiar with a variety of ball hockey related injuries) and a number of our super talented RMT’s. Good luck B! Kick butt!
✨Exciting news‼️
Dr. Sarah Creasor is now accepting new patients! Starting tomorrow (September 1) she is available at the clinic Tuesday through Saturday at varying times ➡️ swipe across to the second picture for schedule details!
•
Click the link in our bio to book or call us at the clinic and we will find a time that works for you!
Hip abductor strengthening in patients diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis – a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Hip abductor strength and activation are essential for maintaining postural balance during transfers and are related to joint loading a progression during weight-bearing activities. It is thought that strength deficits in hip abductors might cause a reduction in lower extremity force generation causing stress on the medial tibiofemoral joint (inside of the knee)
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative, localized joint disease that affects approximately 1/3 of all individuals – prevalence of the disease increases with age. The knee is the most commonly impacted weight-bearing joint with osteoarthritis.
It is known that the strength of the hip musculature directly affects knee joint loading, leading to the progression of the disease. Subjects with OA present with weak hip abductors which shows a subsequent decrease in their strength and explosive force. Hip abductor weakness is associated with functional decline.
RESULTS:
Hip adductor strengthening effectively relieved knee discomfort by lowering pain scores, improving self-reported functional outcomes, physical performance and providing an overall sense of well-being.
Hip abductors are important for supporting and stabilizing the trunk and assisting in limb placement control during functional tasks. Weakness of hip abductor muscles are known to compromise stability at the pelvis, leading to abnormal gait mechanics.
Targeted exercise regimen of the hip abductors might reduce loading on the knee joint’s medial compartment which could significantly improve knee symptoms. Exercise programs designed for a duration of 3 to 5 times per week with a length of 6 to 9 weeks known to result favourable outcomes. Other exercise plan parameters include: Intensity 50-80% of 1RM or 10RM; 3 to 5 times per week; 8-10 repetitions for 2-3 sets.
•
•
Reference: Thomas, D., et al. Hip abductor strengthening in patients diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis - a systematic review and meta-analysis, BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 62(2022), 23
🔆We are happy to announce a new practitioner to the Momentum Health team !!🤩
Dr. Sarah Creasor is a chiropractor from Parry Sound, Ontario. She completed her bachelor's degree in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Guelph, and then attended the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College where she received her Doctor of Chiropractic.
Sarah’s love for movement and the human body began at a young age through her participation in a variety of sports. She excelled in Nordic skiing and horseback riding which led her to compete in both sports at the varsity level. Sarah’s experience as an athlete gave her firsthand exposure to injury management, rehabilitation, and improving athletic performance. As an athlete, Sarah sought chiropractic care to help her deal with injuries and return to competition. This positive experience helped shape her career as a chiropractor.
Through training and clinical experience, Sarah has developed a well-rounded approach to treating both chronic and acute injuries. She employs a combination of hands-on therapy, such as manipulation, mobilization, and soft tissue therapy, along with exercise and lifestyle advice to help her patients. She works with each person to tailor a specific plan to help them achieve their fitness or lifestyle goals and get back to doing what they love.
Sarah has a deep love of the outdoors, and when not in clinic you can find her exploring local areas by foot, water, bike, or skis.
A wonderful review from a wonderful patient! Big thanks to our patient Colleen for leaving us a 5 star review!! 🥰
One last HIIT workout coming your way! 🏋️♂️
‼️ This week we put together an advanced level workout for you to try at your own risk! This will be a sweaty one and will definitely get your heart pumping 🥵
💪🏼As always, for more form tips or pointers on how to perform movements check out our previous Functional Friday posts!
↪️Follow a format for each exercise of 40 seconds on with a 30 second rest. Repeat each exercise 3 times through, and don’t forget to take a full minute rest between moving on to the next exercise. You can make it more intense by increasing seconds of exercise and decreasing rest!
1. High plank with shoulder taps
2. Burpee
3. Single-leg deadlift
4. Standard push up
5. Split squat
6. Renegade row
Momentum Health is proud to be hosting Part A of the McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT) course this September! There are still a few spaces left for registration. The McKenzie Method is globally recognized as a leading treatment for disorders of the back, neck, and extremities and focuses on helping patients take control of their pain and get back to the life they love. This is a perfect time to come and visit Kelowna, with September having the best weather to offer while being able to level up your patient diagnostic skills!
Click this link to register now and secure your spot: https://www.mckenzieinstitutecanada.org/canada-course-information.cfm?section=canada&COURSE_ID=CA22A009&ck=EBFFE16C0FF3CF549F78A043BA486656
Are you ready for some more HIIT workout inspiration?! 🏋️♂️
‼️This week Functional Friday is coming at you with some more exercises to combine an intermediate full body HIIT style workout! Perfect for people who have participated in HIIT style workouts or who have experience in working out.
💪🏼For more form tips or pointers on how to perform movements check out our previous Functional Friday posts!
↪️Follow a format for each exercise of 40 seconds on with a 30 second rest. Repeat each exercise 3 times through, and don’t forget to take a full minute rest between moving on to the next exercise. You can make it more intense by increasing seconds of exercise and decreasing rest!
1. Goblet Squat
2. Farmers Carry
3. Cross-Country Rows
4. Lunge into Jumps
5. Push ups from Knees
6. Good Mornings
Time to get sweating !!! (and not just because it is 40 degrees outside) 🥵
‼️This week’s Functional Friday combines the last six weeks of exercises to create a HIIT style workout! This is a beginner HIIT workout series of exercises, good for individuals just starting with HIIT style workouts or for a quick sweat!
💪🏼For more form tips or pointers on how to perform movements check out our previous Functional Friday posts!
↪️Follow a format for each exercise of 40 seconds on with a 30 second rest. Repeat each exercise 3 times through, and don’t forget to take a full minute rest between moving on to the next exercise
Exercise order:
1. Plank to pop-squats
2. Body weight squats
3. Bent over row
4. Dead bugs
5. Deadlift
6. Push-up from knees
Our skilled team of RMTs at Momentum Health have open spots available for booking! Early morning, evening, and weekend appointments are available. With a range of treatment types and injury knowledge we will pair you with an RMT to best suit your needs. We are located in downtown Kelowna with easy access and free parking and can provide direct billing to most major insurance companies.
Click the link in our bio to book or contact the clinic at 778-484-6070 or admin@momentumkelowna.com
This week’s Functional Friday is a bit different…some compound cardio moves to add into your workout! 🏋🏼♀️💥It seems to be a common theme of hating cardio, but there are many benefits to getting your heart rate up and the blood pumping.
🫁🫀Cardiovascular exercise can improve joint and brain health and releases endorphins that can give you more and lasting energy throughout the day (Cleveland Clinic 2020).
💫Compound exercises are a great way to sneak aerobic exercise into your workout routine. A compound exercise is defined as an exercise that uses several muscle groups collaboratively to perform a movement (Physiopedia 2022). They have additional benefits including helping improve flexibility and mobility, intermuscular coordination, and balance (Physiopedia 2022).
▶️Swipe through the videos above for some compound movement ideas and incorporate them into your gym routine !
Resources:
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/the-many-benefits-of-a-cardio-workout/
https://www.physio-pedia.com/Compound_Exercises
One of our patients presented in clinic with a primary complaint of glute/hip/groin pain that had been getting worse with golf and bike riding. After taking her through the Mckenzie lumbar spine assessment she was found to get some relief with extension (Repeated extensions!) but worse with flexion. Extensions in prone position and standing were prescribed based on a conditional lumbar derangement diagnosis.
As evident in the first video, she is very restricted going into this extension movement but the key is that is does not make her pain worse, doesn’t refer to her glute and actually eases her symptoms even though it is tough to move through.
The second video shows her progression in the same extensions a week later after being very compliant in doing 40+ of these each day. She clearly has much more range of motion into extension but most importantly has no referral symptoms at all. This is a great outcome for the patient who has something simple to work on away from the clinic to help manage their own symptoms during flare-ups.
The key take aways from this are
- Most hip/glute pain in absence of articular hip disorders are likely referral disc/nerve related issues in the low back
- Going through the proper assessment can not only rule out hip pathology but narrow the focus and find directional preferences of movements to help the patient manage their own problem
- The movements must be repeated in different directions 10-20-30 times to truly determine what movements are going to be most successful for the patient
As always, our goal at Momentum is to work with our patients to help their manage their injuries on their own as much as possible and to help them keep doing the things they love!
⚡️THE CORE 🥇
‼️The core is a very important part of movement as it transfers force between your upper and lower limbs. Having a strong core improves overall balance and stability, which will enhance all movement. The core is the center of what we do everyday and keeping it strong ensures proper movement and prevention of injury as we age.
▶️There are various ways to challenge your core muscles, with many different progressions and regressions for all skill levels.
💪🏻Use the exercises above to get started and start strengthening your core!
Our clinic will be closed Friday July 1. Back to regular hours on Monday July 4. We wish everyone a safe and fun long weekend !! ☀️🍁🇨🇦