Partnering with Local YMCA

Here at Tri City Physiotherapy we are proud to say that we have partnered with our local Cambridge YMCA to help promote cardiac health with the 120 over 80 campaign.

This campaign is aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle through diet and exercise to achieve an optimal blood pressure, leading to a reduction of in one of the risk factors associated with Heart Attacks and Strokes.

We are already partnered with the YMCA in Cambridge to provide continuity to the education and exercise program we give our Cardiac Rehabilitation patient and hope this new project will lead to an even healthier community.  Please visit their website or head over to our office or our local YMCA for more details.

YMCAs of Cambridge and Kitchener-Waterloo are offering a free 120 Over 80 Wellness Series at the A.R. Kaufman Family YMCA (333 Carwood Avenue, Kitchener) this fall. Learn from experts in a wide range of health topics. Each evening will be an interactive presentation where you can ask questions, discover community resources, and learn about yourself as you gather information to help you lead a healthier life.
Please check out www.120over80.ca for more information.

Arm Bike / Ergonometer is here

I’m very excited to announce that Tri City Physiotherapy will now offer a top of the line upper body ergometer to offer an even wider range of rehab options for our patients.  An upper body ergometer is best described as a bicycle for your arms. Your hands hold pedals and your arms move around in circles as if pedaling a bike. You can sit or stand in front of the ergometer for a no-impact cardiovascular workout that uses only your upper body.

Upper body (arm) ergometers aren’t a gym staple, but they’re becoming more readily available in many of the top physical therapy offices, hospitals, and universities. These machines are targeted to meet the fitness and rehab needs of individuals who cannot use their legs for physical activity, either due to an acute injury or chronic pain, or for those patients with an upper body injury trying to return range or motion or strength to their upper body.  These machines offer a great cardio workout that uses the upper body instead of your legs.

Who can use an upper body ergometer?

  • Individuals with spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, or lower body disability
  • Individuals with chronic pain in the knees, feet, ankles, or hips.
  • Individuals who need a low-impact exercise program
  • Individuals who are recovering from foot or leg injury/surgery and have clearance to continue working out, but can’t use their legs.
  • Anyone who wants to vary their cardio workout program

Shoulder Pain or Problems?  Just had upper body surgery?

No problems at all…  If you have shoulder pain, shoulder surgery, or any other upper extremity problem that may affect the strength or endurance of your arms, your therapist may choose to have you use the upper body ergometer while in the clinic. Also, if you have worn a sling while healing from injury, you may notice that the strength and endurance of your arms is impaired. The upper body ergometer can help you improve your strength and endurance to help improve the function in your arms getting you back to your regular self faster.

Is it Safe if I’ve had Heart attack, or Bypass Surgery?

If you have had a heart attack, cardiac problems, Bypass surgery, or pulmonary (lung) problems, your doctor may refer you to physical therapy for cardiac or pulmonary rehabilitation. The upper body ergometer may be used to help improve your cardiac endurance or pulmonary function so you can quickly get back to normal activities.

Bypass patients still have to follow the standard restrictions for upper body exercises for the first part of their rehabilitation.  Once these restrictions have been removed by the supervising therapist in conjunction with the supervising physician, the upper body ergometer can be safely added to the rehab process.

Sci Fit Pro

We have ordered the Sci Fit Pro 1 http://scifit.com/proseries/pro1.shtml there is lots of good information on their website as well as lots of details about the machine.  Some of the features are:

  • Adjustable tilt head for all heights and ranges of motion
  • True , adjustable step-through accessibility
  • Bi-directional exercise
  • Iso-Strength safe, accommodating strength program
  • Very low starting resistance
  • Wheelchair platform
  • Fully adjustable seat

This model is compatible with the polar straps, so our cardiac patients can still monitor their heart rate using their straps.   Our non-cardiac patients can buy or bring their own polar straps to use with our machines.

For those interested in any of the scientific articles and research behind the upper body ergometer, please ask one of our staff members and we’d be happy to provide them for you.

We’re all excited and looking forward to adding this great piece of equipment into your rehab routine.

Cardiac Rehabilitation Program

Hey guys! My name is Paige and I am the Kinesiologist at Tri City Physio. I am responsible for the patients who have experienced a cardiac event and are taking part in our cardiac rehabilitation program.

I provide each cardiac patient with an individualized exercise prescription, specific to their functional ability and their goals. When patients enroll in the cardiac rehab program, they will get one on one support and feedback from me to help them increase their fitness within healthy limits.

I also provide advice and education about eating a healthy diet, appropriate portion sizes and specific nutrient information that is important for cardiac patients, like watching how much sodium you are eating.

I co-ordinate YMCA referrals for the patients that have completed the cardiac rehab program and set up meetings with a dietician. It is my goal to make sure patients continue to exercise and live a healthy lifestyle to prevent secondary cardiac event.

I look forward to helping patients improve their lifestyle and overall health!

written by Paige Hall