NorthShore Health Associates

Understanding Shoulder Impingement
With Barbara DeSerrano, Physiotherapist, RPT, CAFCI

Shoulder pain that gets worse when you reach overhead — or wakes you up at night? It may be shoulder impingement syndrome, and it's more common than you might think.

Shoulder impingement occurs when the tendons of the rotator cuff muscles become irritated as they pass through the subacromial space. It's particularly associated with tendonitis of the supraspinatus muscle, and can result in pain, weakness, and loss of movement at the shoulder.

A few things that may contribute:
— Repetitive overhead activities — swimming, baseball, tennis, volleyball, paper hanging, construction, or painting
— A minor injury, sometimes without an obvious cause
— Gradual wear on the rotator cuff tendons over time

What might you notice?
— Pain and stiffness when lifting your arm or reaching overhead
— Pain when bringing your arm back down
— Symptoms that tend to be worse at night
— In more progressed cases: significant sleep disruption, loss of strength and motion, or difficulty with everyday tasks like getting dressed or fastening a seatbelt

What can physiotherapy do?

A complete evaluation of your shoulder can help determine what's contributing to the problem. From there, your care plan may include:
— Postural assessment and correction
— Techniques to help decrease inflammation and pain
— Education on why it occurred and how to prevent it going forward

If you have questions or would like a shoulder evaluation completed by a registered physiotherapist, our team is here to help.

Call us at 519-583-0552 to book — no referral needed. Direct billing available. WSIB and MVA accepted.

Please note that NorthShore Health Associates will be closed on Monday, August 3 in observance of the Civic Holiday.

We'll be back to our regular hours on Tuesday, August 4.

Wishing everyone in Port Dover and across Haldimand-Norfolk a safe and restful long weekend — enjoy it.

From our team at NorthShore Health Associates.

NorthShore Health Associates is looking for a Clinical Counselor to join our growing team in Port Dover.

Mental health and physical health go hand in hand — and we're building a clinic that reflects that. If you're looking for a collaborative, multi-disciplinary environment with an established patient base and full administrative support, we'd love to connect.

What we offer:
— Established patient base
— Modern, fully equipped treatment rooms
— Administrative and billing support
— Collaborative team environment
— Flexible scheduling
— Competitive compensation / revenue-share options

Reach out to learn more or book a tour of the clinic.

DID YOU KNOW?

Interferential therapy — sometimes called IFC — is a form of electrical stimulation used in physiotherapy and chiropractic care to help manage pain and support tissue healing.

It works by delivering low-frequency electrical currents through the skin to the affected area. It's non-invasive, generally well-tolerated, and used as part of a broader care plan for certain musculoskeletal conditions.

If you're curious whether interferential therapy may be appropriate for your situation, our team is happy to help.

Give us a call at 519-583-0552.

If you're new to the area — or just haven't had a chance to stop by — here's a little look at what we offer right here in Port Dover.

Under one roof, our team provides:

- Chiropractic care
- Physiotherapy
- Registered Massage Therapy (RMT)
- Acupuncture
- VAX-D spinal decompression therapy
- Low Intensity Laser Therapy (LILT)
- Custom orthotics
- Ultrasound therapy
- Interferential current therapy
- Micro Therm / DiaPulse therapy

Whether you're recovering from a workplace injury, dealing with chronic pain, managing an MVA claim, or just looking for drug-free, hands-on care — we'd love to help you find the right fit.

No doctor's referral is needed to get started. We accept WSIB, MVA, and direct billing for most extended health benefit plans.

Give us a call at 519-583-0552 or stop in to learn more — we're your neighbours, and we're here when you need us.

Understanding Sciatica With Barbara DeSerrano, Physiotherapist, RPT, CAFCI

That sharp, shooting pain down your leg? It may be sciatica — and it's one of the most common reasons people come through our door.

Sciatica occurs when the Sciatic Nerve — the longest nerve in the body — becomes irritated or compressed. Depending on where the irritation is, you might feel pain, tingling, or numbness anywhere from your lower back through your buttock and down into your leg or calf.

A few things that may contribute: — Narrowing in the spine from arthritis or a bulging disc — Injuries to the low back — Insufficient core strength or prolonged sitting — Physical inactivity over time

What can physiotherapy do?

A thorough physical exam can help determine what structure may be affecting the Sciatic Nerve and where. From there, your care plan may include: — A home exercise program tailored to your condition — Education on posture, movement, and what to avoid during recovery — Coordination with your Family Physician if medication is needed during the acute phase

If you're dealing with low back pain or symptoms that travel down your leg, our team can help assess what's going on.

Call us at 519-583-0552 to book an appointment — no referral needed. Direct billing available. WSIB and MVA accepted.

At NorthShore Health Associates, your experience matters to us.

If you've visited our clinic recently, we'd love to hear how your visit went. Your feedback helps us continue to provide the best possible care to our community.

It only takes a few minutes — thank you in advance for taking the time.

Leave your feedback here: tinyurl.com/northshorehealth

Acupuncture is one of the services we offer at NorthShore — and one that's available through several members of our team.

Dr. Tom, Dr. Zach, Shannon, and Barbara are all certified in acupuncture through recognized programs. It's used as part of a broader, individualized care plan — not as a standalone treatment in isolation.

Acupuncture involves the insertion of very fine needles at specific points in the body to support the body's natural processes. It may be used to help address certain types of pain, muscle tension, and soft tissue conditions.

Curious whether acupuncture may be appropriate for your situation? Our team is happy to talk through your options.

No referral needed. Give us a call at 519-583-0552.

MYTH OR FACT?

Myth: If you have joint pain, you should avoid exercise.

Fact: For most types of joint pain — including osteoarthritis — appropriate movement is actually one of the most important parts of managing symptoms. The right kind of exercise can help maintain joint mobility, strengthen the muscles that support the joint, and reduce pain over time.

The key word is appropriate. What's helpful depends on the type and severity of the condition, which is why a proper assessment matters.

If joint pain has been keeping you from staying active, our team can help figure out what movement is right for your situation.

No referral needed. Direct billing available for most plans.

Movement is one of the most important things you can do for your long-term health — and that doesn't change as you get older.

For many adults, the challenge isn't motivation — it's pain, stiffness, or uncertainty about what's safe. A few things worth knowing:

— Regular low-impact activity like walking, swimming, and cycling can help maintain joint mobility, muscle strength, and balance.
— Strength training becomes more important with age, not less — it supports bone density and reduces fall risk.
— Pain during activity isn't always a reason to stop. Understanding what's causing it is the first step.
— A physiotherapy or chiropractic assessment can help identify what's limiting your movement and what's safe to build on.

If you've been slowing down because of pain or stiffness, our team can help you figure out what's going on and what to do about it.

No referral needed. Direct billing available for most plans. Call us at 519-583-0552.