Author: hpc_admin

We would like to welcome Christina Randell to our team. Christina is a Registered Massage Therapist, and an active member of the College of Massage Therapists of New Brunswick.

She has a Bachelor’s Degree from St. Thomas University with a double major in Criminology and Psychology followed by 2 years at University of New Brunswick for her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology.

She graduated from the Atlantic College of Therapeutic Massage with additional certifications in:

• Sports Therapy
• PregnancyMassage/Doula Certified (Birthing Support Coach)
• Infant and Adolescent Massage
• Cranial Sacral Therapy

Aside from work, Christina has spent 10 + years coaching competitive swimming working with a wide range of physical abilities. She is very athletic and loves the sport of swimming and finds herself in and out of the pool and open water.

She is available for morning, early afternoon and evening appointments. Give us a call on 738-8299 to book your appointment.

From injury prevention to improved performance and mental state, massage offers a broad range of benefits. It uses a variety of techniques, including myofascial release, neuromuscular and connective tissue manipulation and is a beneficial form of treatmentfor anyone in need of soft tissue work.

Christina Randell RMT,

Christina is a Registered Massage Therapist at the Human Performance Centre. You can contact her at 738-8299.

PELVIC PROBLEM – CAN I EXERCISE?

Separated abdominals; pelvic organ prolapse (POP); urinary incontinence; exercising while pregnant. These terms may sound scary to some.

Research has shown that exercise is good for ALL of us.
It is the ‘pill’ for good health, reducing the risk of illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, colon cancer, depression and dementia by up to 30%. The risk of breast cancer can be reduced by 20% while hip fractures can be reduced by 68%. That’s an easy pill to swallow!

In the case of separated abdominals (diastasis recti) due to pregnancy, there is no research to show which is the best or worst exercise for this.

Physiotherapists do know that human tissue will adapt to the demands placed on it, and with specific techniques, they know how the tissue can be trained to adapt to the increased demands without injury. This includes helping people change their beliefs and feel secure about what is an appropriate or safe exercise. The ‘SCAR’ acronym– STRONG, CABAPABLE, ADAPTABLE and RESILIENT- is the foundation that physiotherapists use to help create that positive change. In the case of diastasis recti, we can help women understand how to exercise or work with the best possible control of her abdominal muscles or in the case of POP, work the pelvic floor muscles.

The 2019 Canadian Recommendations on Exercise for Pregnant Women has found that once cleared for any contraindications to exercise by their GP or Obstetrician, pregnant women should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise over at least 3 sessions per week. In these sessions, at least 2 sessions should have whole body strengthening. These guidelines are actually the same for adults age 19-64. For pregnant women, the sessions should take into consideration required body positions, avoiding those activities that have a high chance of falling or contact sports. As well, avoiding environments of high humidity or high altitude if living in low altitudes and scuba diving.

In the interest of women’s health, physiotherapists can provide support, education and evidence-based exercise prescription to help them pursue their needs and desires.

Patricia Sennett, PT

Patricia is a physiotherapist at the Human Performance Centre. She has an interest in female pelvic floor problems. You can contact her at 738-8299

Managing slippery ice and reducing your risk of falling – How physiotherapy can help…

December 21st – The first official day of winter. Some of us would argue that it’s been here for quite some time already.

Winter brings with it a new set of obstacles and problems to solve. At the Human Performance Centre we often see an increase in the number of injuries related to falling or slipping on ice. Would you be excited to hear that there are ways to help reduce your risk of falling during the winter months?

Tip 1: Walk like a penguin. By taking short steps and keeping your feet under your body you’re ensuring that your base of support remains under your centre of gravity. This significantly reduces the risk of your feet slipping out from underneath you.

Tip 2: Use ice cleats over your shoes and/or boots. These accessories can significantly increase the traction between your shoes and the outside surface. Just remember to take them off when going indoors as the metal cleats have a tendency to slip on firm, indoor surfaces such as concrete or tile.

Tip 3: Seek advice from your local physiotherapist. Physiotherapy not only helps following injury, but we can often help prevent injury by reducing your risk of falling. The risk of falling increases with reduced balance, a loss of strength and a loss of mobility. Through exercise prescription, physiotherapy can help improve your balance, increase your strength, and get you moving – all of which can help reduce your risk of falling.

Call us at the Human Performance Centre, 738-8299, to start your path on a more active and injury-free winter.

Trevor Watson, PT

Trevor is a physiotherapist at the Human Performance Centre. You can contact him at 738-8299.

The hundredth anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended the First World War has come and gone. I attended the Remembrance Day ceremony and as I walked home I reflected on the history of my profession as a physiotherapist. Over 100 years ago physical therapy was originally a profession developed out of the need to treat soldiers that had been injured in World War I. The first physical therapists were known as reconstruction aids.

The profession has come along way since then but the role of what we do is very much the same. Physiotherapists are mobility specialist. We help people get back to what they need, want and love to do.

Physiotherapists are trained to understand soft tissue dysfunction, to rehabilitate patients with physical or neurological injury/disease and to keep our patients moving. We receive this training by first obtaining a Masters in Science degree in physical therapy which includes classroom, lab work and clinical specific education. The four of us at the Human Performance Centre have a combined 27 years of university education! We are also required to hold a license from the College of Physiotherapists of New Brunswick to practice in the province. We take at least one and often two or three continuing education courses yearly throughout our career. At HPC we meet weekly to take online courses, discuss the latest research or problem solve complex cases. To say that we are perpetual students would be an understatement.

Physiotherapy is one of the most gratifying and satisfying professions. It can be difficult at times because we are dealing with people in pain and with physically broken or malfunctioning bodies. Seeing someone walk out of our clinic pain- free and moving normally makes it all worth it. If you have a mobility issue that is limiting your walking, running, eating, dressing, working, cooking, or parenting give us a call. Between the four of us (Trevor, Geoff, Trish and myself) we have 65 years experience and we would love to help get you moving better so that you can “achieve your best”!

Earle Burrows, PT

Earle is a physiotherapist and CEO of the Human Performance Centre. You can contact him at 738-8299.

Women have multiple roles and responsibilities between work and home- life. Pelvic pain interferes with these responsibilities, negatively affecting self- esteem, relationships, and lifestyle. The benefits of physiotherapy for pelvic pain is relatively unknown by most Canadian women. In France, it is regular practice for women to be referred for physiotherapy after delivering a baby. This practice can abate problems such as incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and pelvic pain when addressed earlier rather than later.

Female pelvic pain can result from trauma when delivering a baby, intestinal problems, abdominal or gynecological surgery, dermatitis or lower back problems among other sources. 10-15 % of North American women suffer with pelvic pain during sexual activity.

Physiotherapists are experienced practitioners in helping people with pain. Traditionally, care of patients with pain has been management of symptoms. However, current research on how the brain perceives pain has opened new avenues of treatment protocols, creating a more individualized program of therapy. Physiotherapists work with other professionals to cover all bases of care of the patient with pain, of which the most important member of the team is the individual suffering from pain. It takes courage to face the problem of pain, with often many other associated personal challenges. Don’t let pelvic pain, fear, and uncertainty hold you back from your full potential. A physiotherapist who specializes in pelvic floor therapy is part of your rehabilitation team.

Patricia Sennett, PT

Patricia Sennett practices in pelvic floor physiotherapy for women at the Human Performance Centre.  You can contact her at 738-8299

Has your New Year’s resolution faltered? Maybe you weren’t ready to change…

It’s May 2018, 4 months have already passed since most of us set our New Year’s resolutions. Why is it that this year is no different in that we have already stopped following our resolutions?

The truth is that the concept of behaviour change is very complex. One model that most healthcare practitioners use to help describe behaviour change is called the Stages-of- Change model. The theory behind the Stages-of-Change model is that people may fall on different stages in their readiness to change. Quite simply, if you are not ready to change then setting yourself a goal to try and force this change will not be successful.

Why do so many of us fail with New Year’s Resolutions? If you’re like me, then setting a New Year’s resolution seems like the right thing to do. It’s the start of a new year, why shouldn’t it be the start of a new you? For many of us this decision is forced upon us by the time of year; rather, than based on how prepared we are to make a permanent change.

There are 5 stages of change: 1) Pre-contemplation. 2) Contemplation. 3) Preparation. 4) Action. 5) Maintenance.

It is not until we reach the 2nd stage of Contemplation that we give any thought to making a behaviour change. However, progressing from contemplation to taking action towards a new behaviour can often be difficult and it presents with many obstacles. This is where most of us fail with our resolutions. We think about making a change, but often we do not know how to start or sustain the change over time.

Let us help you with making your positive behaviour change. Whether it is to start exercising, eat healthier, or get over those pesky injuries, we at the Human Performance Centre are here to help you make a successful behaviour change.

Trevor Watson, PT

Trevor is a physiotherapist at the Human Performance Centre. You can contact him at 738-8299