Blog

TENS machines feel weird.  Usually they create a buzzing, or tingling sensation to the skin, and they may even cause muscle twitching.  So why do we sometimes use them?  These hand-held machines are commonly used to treat pain, both in clinics and at home.  TENS stands for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, which means the machines transmit electricity through the skin to stimulate your nerves.  The idea is that by stimulating the nerves under your skin with...

Pregnancy and childbirth are the most common causes of injury to the pelvic floor muscles.  Since controlling urine flow is one of the things the pelvic floor muscles muscles do, it's very common for newer and experienced moms to experience urine loss ("peeing my pants") post-partum.   But just because urine loss is common after pregnancy and childbirth doesn't mean it's normal!  Urine loss doesn't have to be your new re...

People often ask what the difference is between acupuncture and dry needling. Both techniques use acupuncture needles, but the treatment method is quite different. In acupuncture, the needles are inserted into specific locations called acupuncture points.  These points were originally established based on Chinese medicine, which set the points along "meridians" (channels of energy) that run throughout the body. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, this flow of energy is considered essential to...

At River East Physiotherapy, one of our valued partners is U-Turn Parkinson's - a wellness centre in Winnipeg that empowers people living with Parkinson's in their pursuit of wellness.  As physiotherapists, we know how important high-intensity exercise is for improving Parkinson's symptoms, and we work with people living with Parkinson's to improve their mobility and achieve day-to-day movement goals.   U-Turn Parkinson's is a registered charity, and it's turning 5-years old th...

You're trying to get enough exercise and sleep.  But really, how much is enough?  Our clients come from all walks of life - including high end athletes, middle-aged gym-goers, "weekend warriors," and yes, sedentary folks.  We get a lot of questions, such as: I'm really busy - how long do my workouts have to be to see results? Do I have to be 'working out', or does housework count? And if housework counts, what sort of housework?  I can't exercise as much as I did when...