DO YOU HAVE BACK PAIN????

Everyone experiences pain.   It is universal and a normal part of being human.
We all have specialized nerve endings throughout our body that registers pain, and sends pain signals to our brains.   While some pain is normal, it’s abnormal to be in pain all the time.

Almost everyone experiences some type of back pain during the course of their lives.  More than 70% of back problems begin during routine daily activities.  Accidents and other forms of trauma account for only 30% of back problems.

No one is immune to pain or injury, but physiotherapists recommend the following tips to help prevent injury at work and address work-related pain before it worsens or becomes chronic:

•    Maintain correct posture while working and be sure to take frequent breaks,
•    Change your position often and keep work items that you use most frequently within easy reach to reduce stress on your neck, back, and limbs.
•    If your work involves heavy activity, warm up before you start work,
•    Break up activity by doing simple stretches throughout the day, and
•    Use equipment such as a mechanical lift or a dolly to help reduce the amount of force required to transport or lift heavy items.

When you do get injured your body will go through 3 stages of healing after every injury, and your Physiotherapist will help you through each stage.

1.    Inflammation – Pain and swelling need to be controlled. Physiotherapists recommend: ice, activity reduction, ultrasound or electro-therapy to help with inflammation control and pain management.
2.      Repair – scar tissue formation occurs, which is how your body mends; at this stage your Physiotherapist will prescribe therapeutic exercise for range of motion or stretching.
3.    Remodeling – your body is rebuilding healthy tissue; your Physiotherapist will guide you through a strengthening or conditioning program.

When should I see a Physiotherapist?
•    If the pain from your injury does not subside after 24 hours
•    If the pain happening regularly
•    If the pain is severe
•    If the pain is getting worse

The Physiotherapist’s focus is to treat the problem quickly, reduce pain and return you to normal activity as soon as possible.  
Since so many factors can be the cause of back pain, physiotherapists offer a range of comprehensive treatment programs designed specifically for your individual case.

Regular aerobic exercise, such as walking or swimming will help prevent injury and provide the condition a healthy back needs.  A Physiotherapist will help you maintain your strength and fitness to minimize injuries and prevent re-injury.

Clinical research shows that early treatment of back pain prevents chronic back pain, and sufferers can return to work and other activity, enhancing their quality of life and general well being.

AIRPORT PHYSIOTHERAPY AND REHABILITATION IS NOW OPEN.

We are located inside the lower level of the domestic terminal at YVR.

Our team of therapists work together with our neighboring physicians to get rid of your pain and help your body heal itself.

To book an appointment today call: 604. 207.6900, or stop by in person.

Summer Vacation? Vaccines are a necessity!

Each summer many Canadians travel with family and friends on vacation. This is usually a time to relax and enjoy a little time away from the daily routine. While on vacation very few people consider the risks associated with travelling to different countries, never mind the thought of contracting a disease such as hepatitis A or B.

Hepatitis A and B are serious liver diseases with potentially serious consequences. Hepatitis A and B are common infections in many parts of the world where sanitation and sewage infrastructure is poor. Often people become infected by eating or drinking contaminated food or water. Of course, contracting such diseases are not necessarily limited to other countries, but can be contracted by other such means at home through unprotected sexual contact and through activities that can cause skin perforation with contaminated tools, including manicures, pedicures, body piercings and tattoos.

It is estimated that thousands of individuals contract hepatitis A each year and reports suggest that there are approximately 250,000 Canadians with chronic hepatitis B. Both hepatitis A and hepatitis B can result in serious illness. The signs and symptoms of hepatitis may include: jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes), fatigue, fever, nausea and vomiting and diarrhea.

To help reduce your risk of contracting hepatitis, it is important to adopt healthy hygiene practices such as washing your hands before preparing or eating foods and avoid sharing grooming products. Getting vaccinated against both hepatitis A and B is the best way to help protect yourself against these liver diseases and it is as easy as visiting your local travel clinic. Infants and children are vaccinated for hepatitis A and B but as adults we tend to forgot about the need and leave ourselves susceptible.

Twinrix® vaccine is the only combination vaccine that protects against both hepatitis A and B. It also provides long-term protection of at least 15 years when all scheduled doses are administered. The Twinrix® vaccine helps your body produce the specific antibodies that prevent hepatitis A and hepatitis B virus infection. It is usually given between two weeks to four weeks before departure. A booster should be given 6-12 months later to confer long-term immunity. The side-effects of Twinrix® are generally mild and may include soreness at the injection site, headache, and malaise.

The Vancouver Airport Clinic is available to answer any questions or concerns you may have regarding the proper vaccinations for travel. June 2010 will be vaccine awareness month and the Vancouver Airport Clinic will be offering discounts on Twinrix® vaccinations to promote the health and safety of our community. Travel consultations and risk assessments along with most vaccines are not covered by the provincial Medical Services Plan (MSP).

To book a travel appointment please call (604) 207-6900 or visit us on the lower level of the Domestic Terminal.

Occupational Health Services expand at YVR

For more than 10 years, Ultima Medical’s Vancouver Airport Clinic has provided walk-in medical services to thousands of travellers, airport employees and many local Richmond families. With the growth and expansion of YVR and businesses throughout Sea Island, the Vancouver Airport Clinic has expanded its services, teaming with physiotherapist Gordon Bohlmann, owner of Marpole Physiotherapy Clinics, to provide an all-inclusive model of occupational health assessments, treatment and return-to-work coordination for employee and employer. The services offered at the Vancouver Airport Clinic include physiotherapy assessment and treatment, functional assessments and evaluations for return-to-work planning, massage therapy, ergonomic assessment and recommendations, job demands analysis, travel consultation and vaccinations, podiatry and orthotics, an Acute Medical Intervention Program and psychological assessments and treatment. The Acute Medical Intervention Program (AMIP) is designed around globally recognized best practices that encourage the patient’s rapid recovery with a safe and timely return to work, providing a win-win for both employee and employer. An early return to the workplace has been demonstrated to assist the employee’s healing process, while providing significant cost savings to the employer, since every day a worker is away on sick leave the cost to the employer, including benefits, is at least three times the employee’s daily rate. At the initial AMIP visit, a patient is examined by one of the Vancouver Airport Clinic’s physicians for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning, followed by an assessment by the physiotherapist to identify level of functionality. The latter completes a detailed functional abilities form, which is provided to both patient and employer for return-to-work coordination. The patient is encouraged to book a follow-up appointment on a specific date with either their own or one of the physicians and physiotherapist at the Vancouver Airport Clinic for ongoing support and functional assessment through the transitional work process. The AMIP includes ongoing updates to both patient and employer on the level of fitness for work—by way of the functional abilities form—while maintaining medical confidentiality of the patient’s personal health information. The walk-in occupational health and executive clinic is located on Level 1 of the Domestic Terminal, and with the new Canada Line in operation individuals and families outside the Sea Island environment can easily access one of the physicians without the hassle of negotiating a parking spot.

Managing Corporate Disability Claims

The ‘True Costs’ of disability claims in Canada and their impact on employers are simply staggering. Statistics reveal that disability claims costs in Canada exceed ten billion dollars each year. Employers spend approximately 17 % of their payrolls on disability-related costs and between 8-12 % of the Canadian Workforce are off work due to injury at any given time from both occupational and non-occupational disabilities. Many employers are unaware of these costs and the financial impact upon their organization. WCB and non-occupational insurance premiums can be a major expenditure and often crippling the businesses ability for prosperity. A majority of disability claims are not managed properly and employers are left wondering what sort of coping mechanisms they can adopt to address this perpetual bleed upon their organization?

Michael Carr, VP of Disability Management with Ultima Medical Services Inc. assists employers establish disability management programs within their organization “Our unique methods have realized positive outcomes for both large and small organizations. Many employers have no idea how to adopt effective disability and case management programs within their organization. As a result their costs are continually rising and their HR departments are frustrated”.

Disability Management is a practical, Return-to-Work process for individuals suffering from injury/illness, which coordinates the activities of Labour, Management, Insurance Carriers and Healthcare Providers. An effective Disability Management Program is of benefit to all Stakeholders. The employer’s ability to retain experienced and valued employees decreases the costs for overtime, recruitment, training, and loss of productivity. At the same time, the worker feels their health concerns are being addressed and managed properly. The end result is a significant cost savings in Workers’ Compensation and non-occupational claims and a stronger organization from both an economic and social perspective. Employers must adopt proactive disability management initiatives to ensure that the welfare of their employees and the strength of their businesses are protected.

Ultima Medical Services

http://www.ultimamedical.com