Revival Rehabilitation Centre - Injury Rehabilitation

10/07/2022

Our team at Revival Rehabilitation Centre wishes you a Happy Thanksgiving! May yours be full of love, peace, and joy.

07/01/2022

Happy Canada Day 2022

06/03/2022

04/28/2022

Eating Healthy while saving money – Smoothies are your best friend. 🤑🤤🍹

Key ingredient #1: SPINACH 🍃💚
- Rich in Iron, Calcium, and Magnesium,
- Potassium content can reduce blood sugar
- Antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin benefit ocular health
- Mild flavour that pairs well with fruits and protein powder

Can't finish an entire package before it spoils? Next time you buy some, wash and clean out the spoiled pieces immediately when you get home. Spin or pat-dry and place leaves spaced apart on a baking sheet. Place in the freezer. Once frozen, you can transfer them into a convenient container and add single portions at a time to your smoothies. You can save even more money by picking up a package when it’s reduced for quick sale! 🧠

04/27/2022

How do you cope with stress?

Sometimes in the face of challenging times, people may develop struggles with irritability, relationship issues, trouble sleeping, loss of appetite, and decreased energy or motivation. Others may feel like their heart is racing, or find their hands shaking, overwhelmed with so many thoughts it feels like they'll never get ahead. Keeping up with your physio when you're stressed out seems like the last of your worries, but it may actually help you in more ways than you can imagine.

Challenging yourself physically can trigger the production of endorphins which can both relieve pain and create a general feeling of well-being. Aside from the physical outcomes, mentally overcoming an obstacle of your choosing may give you the reassurance and motivation to tackle the rest ahead of you.

04/25/2022

Have you tried osteopathy? 🤔🙌

Some patients report awesome results that they didn't get from Chiropractics/Massage alone. Every body is different, but Osteopathy may be particularly effective for you. Through a wide range of non-invasive manual techniques such as deep tissue massage, joint articulation, and manipulation the Osteopathic practitioner works with the body to enhance its natural ability to self-regulate and self-heal. 💚

Osteopaths treat the person as a whole rather than a specific disorder. For example, a knee injury might also affect the foot, hip, and spine.

Osteopathy can help relieve the symptoms of a range of conditions, including:

- General, Acute & Chronic Back Pain
- Neck Pain
- Headaches: Migraine & Tension
- Shoulder & Elbow Pain
- Joint Pains Including Hip & Knee Pain
- Sciatica
- Arthritic Pain
- Muscle Spasms
- Whiplash
- TMJ/Jaw Problems & Clenching
- Sports Injuries & Tensions

https://revivalottawa.com/services/

04/22/2022

If you’ve ever pulled your lower back lifting something heavy, you know this is an uncomfortable feeling that can make it difficult to sit at your desk or even sleep. Thankfully, a knowledgeable kinesiologist can create a custom treatment plan to strengthen and heal your lower back, supplemented with gentle at-home exercises.

We asked our wonderful Registered Kinesiologist at RRC, Sarah Nichols, to weigh in and explain how to treat low back pain after a car accident in-clinic and at home on our blog.

https://revivalottawa.com/low-back-pain-after-car-accident-treatment-and-exercises/

Low back pain is common after a car accident. Here is how to tend to it at home and how it can be treated professionally.

04/20/2022

Adding a little movement to your day can make a huge difference in your overall health and mood and you don't need to hit the gym for it!

Personally, we love daily yoga videos on YouTube to both strengthen the muscles, and meditate for the mind. Maybe your kids want to do some yoga too! 👨‍👧‍👦👩‍👧‍👦🧘🧘‍♀️ And you can even do regular stretches in front of the TV! 😊

04/18/2022

Wishing everyone a joyous Easter Monday! 💛🧡💚💙☀️

04/16/2022

April 16th is Advance Care Planning Day! 👏

But what is Advance Care Planning? 🤔

Advance Care Planning (ACP) is about having conversations with family and friends, especially your Substitute Decision Maker – the person who will speak for you if you cannot speak for yourself in case of a health emergency. It may also include writing down your wishes, and talking with healthcare providers and financial or legal professionals.

The Advance Care Planning Canada initiative, spearheaded by the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association (CHPCA) since 2008, focuses on an accessible Pan-Canadian Framework for Advance Care Planning. The ACP initiative works in collaboration with various sectors and professional groups to accomplish our goals.

Source: https://www.advancecareplanning.ca/individuals-families/

04/15/2022

Best wishes to all those who observe Good Friday! 💛🧡💚💙☀️

04/14/2022

We are hiring an Occupational Therapist to join our wonderful team of health professionals in Ottawa, Ontario! Please share with your networks.

Graphic from: The Balance Careers

04/13/2022

Is your driving posture putting you at risk? 🤔😳 Ensure Proper Ergonomics whenever possible for safety and physical health. 👇 (Part 2/2)

5. Lean Back (A Little)
The angle of your seat back should be a little greater than a perpendicular 90 degrees. At 100 to 110 degrees, the seat will put the least pressure on your back. Leaning too far back forces you to push your head and neck forward, which can cause neck and shoulder pain and tingling in the fingers.

6. Set Your Headrest
Set the top of the headrest between the top of your ears and the top of your head; it should just touch the back of your head when you’re sitting comfortably. The headrest is also important in reducing whiplash injuries in the event of a rear-end collision, says NHTSA—so important, in fact, that standards were developed for it.

7. Use Lumbar Support
If your car has adjustable lumbar support, set it (using both the front-back and up-down controls) so you feel an even pressure from your hips to your shoulders. If your car doesn’t have automatic support, a lumbar pillow or even a rolled-up towel can help.

8. Adjust Your Mirrors
Prevent neck strain by making sure your rear-view and side mirrors are properly adjusted; you should be able to see the traffic behind you without having to crane your neck.

9. Take Breaks
Even when you’re perfectly situated in the driver’s seat, fatigue will inevitably set in, especially when you’re driving for long periods. Listen to your body. And take periodic breaks: Park safely at a rest stop or other designated stopping area to get out of the car and stretch.

Source: (GEICO Living, 2021)

04/12/2022

Is your driving posture putting you at risk? 🤔😳 Ensure Proper Ergonomics whenever possible for safety and physical health. 👇 ( Part 1/2)

1. Support Your Back
Slide your tailbone as close to the seat back as possible. Aim for a two- to three-finger gap between the back of your knees and the front of your seat. If your vehicle doesn’t allow for the proper position, a lumbar or back cushion may help.

2. Lift Your Hips
If you can, adjust your “seat pan” (the part you sit on) so that your thighs are supported along their entire length and your knees are slightly lower than your hips. This will increase circulation to your back while opening up your hips.

3. Don’t Sit Too Close
You should be able to comfortably reach the pedals and press them through their full range with your entire foot. Safety is also a consideration here; this study suggested that drivers whose chests were closer to the wheel were significantly more likely to suffer severe injuries to the head, neck and chest in front- and rear-end collisions.

4. Get The Right Height
Make sure your seat raises your eye level at least three inches above the steering wheel while allowing sufficient clearance between your head and the roof.

Source: (GEICO Living, 2021)

04/07/2022

Today is World Health Day. From all of us here at Revival Rehabilitation, we wish you all the best of health, happiness, focus, and passion. Take care of yourself and others each and every day. ❤❤

04/06/2022

Chronic Pain Education Program done by Katie, our Registered Nurse, to facilitate understanding of chronic pain, to improve self-management of chronic pain and to learn coping strategies for better quality of daily life with pain. If you are experiencing chronic pain, please reach out!
https://revivalottawa.com/

04/06/2022

Manifesting and mantra reciting has been so popular recently but is there any truth to setting positive intentions? 🤔🧘🧘‍♀️

People generally talk about manifestation as the process of using thoughts, feelings, and beliefs to bring something into reality, but given the science behind manifestation, it seems important to also include actions as a key part of the manifestation process.

There actually IS science behind the idea of manifestation—that is, turning an idea into a real thing. 💡Here are some areas of research and how they lend support to manifestation:

1. A growth mindset can help you manifest your dreams and reach your goals.

Research by Dr. Carol Dweck clearly shows that believing you can do something makes it more likely that you'll successfully do it.

2. Self-fulfilling prophecies may explain manifestation

Research shows that our expectations, positive or negative, tend to be confirmed. This is what is known as a self-fulfilling prophecy. So if we expect to bring our idea to life or reach our goal, we're more likely to.

3. Self-fulfilling prophecies may explain manifestation

Research shows that our expectations, positive or negative, tend to be confirmed. This is what is known as a self-fulfilling prophecy. So if we expect to bring our idea to life or reach our goal, we're more likely to.

Source: Tchiki Davis, PhD., via PsychologyToday

04/05/2022

Let's talk about Weighted Blankets. After soaring in popularity the past few years, you may have heard about them. How do they work and what are the benefits of using one?

Using either densely woven yarn or knitted pockets of tiny plastic/glass beads, blankets are made to a desired heaviness. This creates a gentle pressure that can induce a sense of calm and ease certain symptoms. The inspiration for this product comes from a technique called "Deep Pressure Stimulation."

According to SleepFoundation.org, benefits include:

1. Providing Comfort and Security
2. Easing Stress and Soothing Anxiety
3. Improving Sleep Quality
4. Calming the Nervous System

Who can benefit from using a Weighted Blanket?

- People experiencing anxiety and depression
- People with Autism Spectrum Disorders
- People with some Sleeping Disorders

03/31/2022

At Revival Rehabilitation Centre, your first point of contact after a car accident is a social worker. They will meet with you in an accepting and comforting environment to complete an assessment to ensure your basic needs are met. A social worker will also recommend and conduct treatment referrals tailored to your unique situation, and provide necessary treatment. ✍️💡

We asked our wonderful Social Worker at RRC, Karissa Chaput, to weigh in and explain why social work is so important after a car accident. Find the blog on our website! Link here:

https://revivalottawa.com/how-a-social-worker-can-help-after-a-motor-vehicle-accident/

03/30/2022

Did you know we have an extensive network of health professionals we can refer you to for motor vehicle accident recovery? 🤝

We offer Occupational Therapy, Kinesiology, and Psychotherapy support here at the clinic. We also affer Social Work, and a Chronic Pain Educational Program provided by a Registered Nurse! And we have wonderful massage therapists and physiotherapists that we recommend to our clients. It truly takes a village and this community approach is so important for your individual needs and recovery plan. 💪

03/28/2022

We have a new website 🥳 We made it easier for you to discover the different injury rehabilitation services we offer and now it's easier than ever to get in touch with us ❤️

We look forward to hearing from you: https://revivalottawa.com/

Turn to Revival Rehabilitation Centre to learn new skills and rebuild lost abilities after injury or accident, and restore your quality of life.

03/28/2022

Concussions can be easy to miss compared to more "obvious" car accident injuries like bruises or broken bones. 🧠👩‍🦽 But even if you walked off with just scratches, it's still really important to make sure you don't have a concussion. 🚨We talk about the warning signs in our recent blog:

https://revivalottawa.com/how-do-you-know-if-you-have-a-concussion-after-a-car-accident/

03/25/2022

Did you know social work has many different applications? 🙌

According to the Canadian Association of Social Workers, “Social work is a practice-based profession and academic discipline founded on theories of social work, social science, and humanities. Social work focuses on the person within their environment and recognizes the importance of family, community, culture, legal, social, spiritual, and economic influences that impact the well-being of individuals, families, groups, and communities.” ❤️

More in our blog: https://revivalottawa.com/how-a-social-worker-can-help-after-a-motor-vehicle-accident/

03/24/2022

👩‍💻👨‍💻For those who spend a lot of time at a desk, this is a reminder to monitor your posture when sitting for extended periods. 👀

Ergonomics are important, and perhaps even more important is maintaining strength in your core. Exercise your abdominals and entire core to the best of your ability every day. Weakness leads to slouching, which can cause compression, tightness, decreased circulation, and beyond that contribute to discomfort, pain, or even injury! 🙇‍♂️

03/23/2022

We asked our wonderful Social Worker at RRC, Karissa Chaput, to weigh in and explain why social work is so important after a car accident. 🗣 Find the blog on our website! Link below: 👇

https://revivalottawa.com/how-a-social-worker-can-help-after-a-motor-vehicle-accident/

At RRC, our Social Workers are one of the first points of contact for clients who have been in an MVA. We assess the client’s needs, provide emotional support and meet them where they’re at in a safe and non-judgemental environment. We provide referrals, emergency support, customized treatment plans along with other important services by using a holistic approach that considers every area of the client’s life. Our holistic approach ensures we help the person in every facet of their life, so they can move forward on their recovery journey. 💪🤝

03/22/2022

Some Fallacies of Foam Rolling.🙅‍♂️🙅‍♀️ Don't make these mistakes! 🤦‍♀️

#1 - No pain, no gain. 🛑
You should feel discomfort, NOT pain. Wincing during foam rolling is a sure sign you have reached too high of a pain threshold to make actionable changes during your foam rolling - you shouldn't be making this face: 😫. Try a softer, more spongy roller to start and be mindful of the surface you are rolling on. The harder the floor, the harder the feeling of the roller.

#2 - Foam roll everything, everytime.
Foam rolling should be used to reduce apprehension in the muscle, for a window of time, so you can train that cleaner movement pattern. A full-body warmup/roll-out may be unnecessary and even counter-productive. Dedicated strength/mobility physio exercise may offer more lasting value than rolling repeatedly.🦵💪

#3 - It replaces a licensed massage therapist. 🙇‍♂️💆‍♀️
We have mentioned previously that a roller can certainly help, but it does NOT entirely replace the value of massage therapy. Instead of trying to self diagnose and fix what could be very detailed and intricate issues within your muscular system, you should refer out to the professionals who have a deep rooted understanding of how the system connects together.

https://getppsc.com/7-fallacies-of-foam-rolling-and-how-to-fix-them/

03/18/2022

Today, let's meet Jaclyn Benn!

Jackie is a Registered Psychotherapist and Registered Kinesiologist. Throughout the course of her career, she has grown and strengthened her appreciation for a holistic treatment approach, understanding that the obstacles to health are often multi-faceted. Her goal in therapy is to help individuals get back to living their most valued lives, whatever that may look like. Her experience is supported by a Masters in Counselling Psychology, a Master's degree in Exercise and Nutrition Science, and an Undergraduate degree in Kinesiology and Health Sciences.

As a psychotherapist, Jackie's aim is to support clients who are experiencing any combination of stress, anxiety, depression, life adjustment challenges and/or relationship issues. She is experienced in using techniques from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness, Behavioural Activation (BA), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). She has worked with adults who have presented with a wide variety of mental and physical health concerns, often in combination.

Jackie began her career as a Kinesiologist in 2009, working in a clinical setting alongside other health care professionals to create and deliver exercise-based programs for patients' acute injuries and chronic conditions. She simultaneously worked in a fitness facility, where she helped clients attain personal fitness and performance goals.

03/16/2022

Today, let's talk about celebrating progress! 😁🙌

In injury recovery, this is so important. It can be discouraging to not get back to your "old self" as quickly as you want but every small improvement is a step in the right direction that deserves to be celebrated! You will be more motivated with positive reinforcement rather than shaming yourself. Always remember, progress, not perfection.

Cheers to that!

03/14/2022

Winter work-from-home and wellness tip for your mental health:

3. Tidy up - no need to reorganize everything, but a messy environment can sometimes be subconsciously stressful. Symmetry and simplicity can be calming, so a clean environment can help you find and maintain focus.

This applies to your fitness area as well. For many, this may be the floor in your bedroom or living room. If you keep things clean and accessible, it will be easier to stay on top of your physiotherapy exercises for recovery!

03/11/2022

Winter work-from-home wellness tip for your mental health:

2. Fresh air - Get outside and breathe through your nose. If you can pair this with a walk or other light exercise to get the blood flowing, all the better!

Schedule it into your day and set boundaries - communicate to your team/clients that this is a priority for you, and even have them remind you to take this time for yourself.

03/08/2022

Happy International Women's Day to all women and our amazing team of health professionals! We feel so lucky and grateful to be surrounded by such a compassionate, positive, and empathetic team of women everyday.

03/07/2022

Winter work-from-home and wellness tip for your mental health:

1. Take a Vitamin D Supplement - Our bodies can't synthesize Vitamin D without sunlight hitting the skin directly (not through a window since UVB radiation doesn't make it through glass).

Since it's still cold and we stay bundled up, we aren't getting enough Vitamin D. This may be one of the most essential vitamins - prioritize it for your physical recovery, overall health and general mood/energy levels.

Vitamin D is fat-soluble, so its absorption is improved when it’s consumed with healthy fats. Too much Vitamin D can be problematic, however. Consult your physician to find the right dose for you!

03/05/2022

Revival Rehabilitation Centre is seeking an Occupational Therapist to join our team.

The successful Occupational Therapist will work independently, yet collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation team, providing both in a clinic and in the community occupational therapy services including assessments, treatment/program planning and implementation, consultations, equipment prescription and education to the clients and/or their caregivers to promote functional independence and enable the client to achieve and maintain optimal health outcomes.

Key Responsibilities:

- Provide comprehensive client therapy services to assist with injury management and rehabilitation
- Conduct Activities of Daily Living (ADL), workplace, ergonomic, attendant care, risk and functional assessments. Administers standardized assessment tools for the evaluation of cognition, as needed
- Develop and undertake case management strategies. This includes monitoring progress towards care plan goals, responding to changes in the client and involving the team in modification of care plan goals or interventions as indicated by the clinical situation.
- Create and implement functional rehabilitation programs
- Monitors clients’ goals and outcomes and initiates the planning process
- Communicates effectively with other team members to support client health, safety and goal attainment, through case conferences and other means.

Key Qualifications:

- A university degree in Occupational Therapy
- Current registration with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario
- Membership with the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists
- A minimum of three (2) years experience as an Occupational Therapist

03/02/2022

Smiles this big can only mean one thing: pain relief. 😁

Or a lottery win. We can't help improve your winning odds but our therapists can help find the source of your pain and help put you on a treatment path to offer relief and improved quality of life!

02/28/2022

The Foam Roller - a home version of massage therapy at your service! The foam roller is useful to provide muscle tension relief and spur recovery in a pinch. If you sit at a desk a lot, try rolling your lats to relieve tension that goes up through back into your neck and traps. Also, try rolling your thighs — if you are experiencing discomfort, there is a lot of tension there! You should feel discomfort, not pain. Focusing on this singular sentence is critical when it comes to long term buy-in for soft tissue work!! The more you roll, the less ache you may feel.

Available on Amazon and in your local sports store.

02/22/2022

Our injury rehabilitation nurse Katie staying active at home and demonstrating some exercises 💪 You can use equipment, like Katie has, or you can find lots of free workouts online that you don't need any machines or weights for! We also create custom programs for all our clients.

02/21/2022

From our families to yours!

02/21/2022

For many of us, frequent stress is inevitable. But with awareness and the right coping strategies, its negative impacts are not! Chronic stress may sometimes seem impossible to escape, but we have a suggestion on how to cope better:

Intentional Breathing -- thankfully, we breathe on autopilot most of the time so we don't have to constantly plan to inhale and exhale and remind ourselves to repeat this process. But when we decide to consciously FOCUS on controlling our breath, we can harness the power to interrupt our involuntary stress response and we establish better balance in our internal nervous system activation.

describes this 3 step approach to engage in intentional breathing:
1. Remember to breathe. When stress hits, it’s helpful to have a cue — like a simple sign saying “Breathe” — that reminds you to take a breath.

2. Begin breathing intentionally. Start with a couple of strong, long, and deep breaths. Try to notice the physical sensations that accompany these breaths.

3. Engage in resonant breathing. After a few of these initial breaths, move to a technique called resonant breathing, where the total time spent on each inhalation and exhalation together is 10 seconds, for a total of six breaths per minute. Resonant breathing is particularly helpful in accessing coherence. You may find it helpful to learn how to do this while walking; the pace of your steps can provide a regular tempo for your breath. Eventually the rhythm will continue on its own, and you can stop timing. Continue until your state of mind shifts and you feel a sense of control over your own reactions.

02/18/2022

Today, we are proud to introduce Patricia 👋

"I am a Registered Psychologist licensed to practice in the Provinces of
Saskatchewan ( #701 with an APE designation) and Ontario ( #5027) with
authorized areas of practice in Forensic Psychology, Clinical, Neuropsychology
and Rehabilitation Psychology for adult and couples.

I graduated with a Master’s Degree in Psychology from the joint Behavioural
Neuroscience program (Carleton University and University of Ottawa). I have
undergraduate degrees in Biology, Psychology and Psychology (hons) from the
University of Ottawa. I also completed courses in Cognitive Psychology and
Cultural diversity at Mc Gill University.

I maintain my current knowledge base by attending relevant workshops,
conferences, seminars and reviewing current research articles in psychological
journals. I am a member in good standing with the Canadian Psychological
Association (CPA), College of Psychologist of Ontario and Saskatchewan college
of Psychologist.

Currently I provide psychodiagnostic and supervision services on a part-time basis
to Revival Rehabilitation Centre."

02/15/2022

Kinesiology is the study of human movement, originating from the Greek word kinetics, to move. Kinesiologists help clients with:
💆‍♀️Injury rehabilitation
💆‍♀️Return to work planning
💆‍♀️Trauma rehabilitation
💆‍♀️Fitness and athletics
💆‍♀️Health promotion
💆‍♀️Public health
💆‍♀️Improving proper biomechanics and movement patterns

Here at RRC, we help rehabilitate clients who’ve experienced car accidents using kinesiology — helping them regain daily function and mobility, by taking into account their injuries and trauma to develop a personalized rehabilitation plan.