Stop the Cycle!

The Next Generation in achieving maximum Performance is at WE-FIX-U

 

Maximizing your performance is EASY…if you know what areas to train.  Most of us think  that working out hard at the gym riding our bike faster each day or running daily at our highest maximum heart rate, is the best way to maximize our performance in our sport of choice.  But, what if it was a lot easier to reach your goals than pushing your body to its max each day?

 

Our body is symmetrical in nature therefore what one side does the other does as well.  The problem is, over time our body learns to compensate for the bumps and bruises, muscle tears and ligament sprains, falling off a bike or recovering from a car accident.  Our brain teaches our body new ways to function to avoid pain, and over time these compensations become our normal way of movement.  Worst of all, we think we are symmetrical, therefore unable to train our true areas of weakness or lost function.

 

 Imagine how much easier training would be if someone told you where your body was compensating for your areas of weakness or dysfunction.  Your goal to reach maximum performance/function would definitely be a lot easier to reach.   For example, you would never reach maximum performance if you did not know how your body is compensating  for your right leg which was 15% weaker than your left,; how you compensated for a tight hamstring by shortening your stride on the right, which then caused your mid-back to over rotate (increasing back pain), which then took away your ability to keep your stride over your base of support, which means your stride will be less effective and fatigue will set in a lot sooner, which in turn causes you pain and a slower race than you have trained for. 

 

This is not your fault,- you train hard and to the best of your ability.  The problem is, people cannot see their own small compensations that have developed over the years.  If you are willing to change your old ways of training,  and demand for improvement,  then there is hope! The technology used by Olympic and Professional athletes is here in Northumberland!   OPTOJUMP NEXT and the experienced health experts at WE-FIX-U have been helping athletes of all levels reach their maximum performance/function and the results speaks for themselves.  We have the ability to test you with OPTOJUMP NEXT, which can tell us your areas of compensation, weakness, power, decreased muscle and joint function, fatigue-ability, reaction time, speed, and stride length.  Along with this data OPTOJUMP NEXT uses Video Analysis to help our Health Professionals see your compensations and poor technique at a speed (1000milasecond) that most would miss with the naked eye. Its precise appraisal of movement means that problem areas can be addressed long before they turn into injuries, and it makes possible a crucial, objective evaluation of an athlete's preparedness to return to play after injury.

 

Discovering your areas of compensation and getting to the root of why is so important when training for an event or just to reach maximum pain free function.   OPTOJUMP NEXT gives the accuracy and details needed to give us the best diagnosis, which means you get results fast, that last.

 

OPTOJUMP NEXT can be used on anyone who wants to improve or maintain an optimal fitness level,  and/or decrease current compensations which can lead to losses in performance/function and pain.

 

Call us to inquire more about how OPTOJUMP and the team of  Experienced Health Professionals at WE-FIX-U can help you achieve your goals.

Have You (or Someone You Know) Had a Heart Attack?

Are you a victim of a heart attack?  Are you scared to go for a walk with a friend, your spouse or your dog?  Are you afraid to play too much with your grand children? Are you scared to play sports, laugh too hard, be intimate with your partner, or return to work?  Do you avoid doing the things you used to love to do, because you fear having another heart attack?  Are you or your family constantly watching for the warning signs of another heart attack? 

If you are reading this and you feel lost in the world of what to do or not to do, we have good news for you.  There is HOPE!  We have the answers you need, and we can get you back to being active again.  Cardiac rehabilitation reduces the risk of dying from another cardiac event by as much as 50 percent.  It also improves quality of life.

 At We-Fix-U Physiotherapy and Foot Health Centres, our team understands the anxiety and stress heart disease creates, which is why we are thrilled to announce our expanded Cardiac Rehabilitation program at our Cobourg location, at 727 William Street. 

Our scientifically proven approach is suitable for people who have known heart disease (angina, coronary artery disease, have had an angioplasty), have had heart surgery, a heart attack or minor stroke. It is also suitable for people with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, overweight or obesity and diabetes.

Our program is medically supervised, and our professional staff work with you to develop an individualized program, which combines exercise, education and lifestyle change, with the support of our multidisciplinary team.  And even better, once you graduate from the program, we are here to help you maintain your progress with ongoing support.

 

If you would like a safe and effective way to overcome the physical complications of heart disease, limit your risk of developing further heart trouble, and to return to an active lifestyle, then this program is for you.  Call 905-373-7045 to set up your no-obligation free consultation to see if this program is suitable for you.

 

 

Shovelling Snow and Saving Your Back

After a fantastically mild winter so far, Jack Frost is finally nipping at our toes, showing us the truism of Canadian winters – SNOW! Our shovels are out folks, and that means that snow–shovelling injuries are underway.  While most people recognize that shovelling snow is hard work, few realize that it can actually be quite dangerous.  Experts say it requires as much energy as running 9 miles per hour! Snow-shovelling also creates enormous amounts of stress and strain on your back.  So, as winter “sets in”, I have outlined several tips for how to keep you back healthy this winter:

How to Avoid Hurting Your Back While Shovelling

·         Don't shovel soon after you wake up. A slipped disc injury is much more likely to occur in the morning due to the build-up of fluid in the disc from lying down all night.

·         Warm-up before you start shovelling.  Cold, tight muscles are more likely to strain than warm, relaxed muscles.

·         Choose a snow shovel that is right for you! : Your shovel should have a curved handle, which allows you to keep your back straighter when shovelling.  The handle should be correct for you – you should be able to slightly bend your knees, flex your back 10 degrees or less, and hold the shovel comfortably in your hands at the start of the shovelling “stroke”.  When you grip the shovel, make sure your hands are at least 12 inches apart. By creating distance between your hands, you increase your leverage and reduce the strain on your body. . A smaller blade will require you to lift less snow, putting less strain on your body.

·         Push the snow, don’t lift it.  Pushing puts less strain on your spine than lifting.

·         If you must lift the snow, make sure you lift properly: Squat with your feet about hip width apart for balance and keep the shovel close to your body. Your knees should be bent and back straight.  Lift with your legs (bend from the knees, not from the back).  Do not bend at the waist.  Tighten your stomach muscles as you lift the snow. Scoop small amounts of snow into the shovel and walk to where you want to dump it. Pick the right shovel for you

·         Never throw snow over your shoulder:  avoid twisting movements.  If you need to move the snow to one side, reposition your feet to face the direction the snow will be going.

·         Try to scoop a lot of little loads instead of fewer big ones. 

·         Pace yourself by taking frequent breaks to gently stretch  your back, arms and legs.

·         Use slip-resistant boots or wear ice shoes

·         Spray or rub some type of lubricant on the shovel blade to keep snow from sticking to your shovel.

·         Most importantly, listen to your body.  Stop if you feel pain.