Physiotherapy

Manual therapy has a long history in our profession. Providing a hands-on approach to care has been shown to have positive effects on the physiological, biomechanical, physical and psychological aspects of pain and injury. All of our physiotherapists incorporate manual therapy into their assessment and treatment of most conditions.

Pelvic floor issues are incredibly common. Recent statistics suggest that 1 in 4 women suffer from pelvic floor dysfunction. And while pelvic health problems have received more attention from the medical community in general for women, men can also be very affected and pelvic health physio can help. Some conditions treated by a pelvic rehabilitation therapist include:

• Musculoskeletal aches and pains (involving the back, hips, sacroiliac joint, groin, abdomen and sometimes limbs)
• Bladder and bowel issues
• Incontinence including Post-Prostatectomy incontinence
• Erectile dysfunction
• Pelvic Pain including Chronic Prostatitis, Testicular and Penile pain syndromes
• Prolapse
• Painful sex or an inability to have penetrative sex
• Pregnancy & postpartum recovery

Your assessment will start with a detailed discussion about your symptoms, medical history, daily activities, and your goals.

If it is determined to be important to your assessment, you will have the option to consent to an internal vaginal and/or rectal exam. It is important to understand that, although an internal exam gives us a more complete picture of what is going on, trained pelvic health physiotherapists can also get an understanding of pelvic floor function by palpating externally. We recognize and respect the fact that an internal assessment could be triggering for our clients and want to make it clear that an internal exam is not mandatory; your physiotherapist will be able to offer you some suggestions even if you do not wish to have an internal exam.

Once your physiotherapist completes the exam, they will discuss their findings with you and will work with you to set out reasonable goals and an appropriate treatment plan.

Follow-up sessions are typically 55 minutes, depending on what you and your physiotherapist decide is appropriate. Much like other types of physiotherapy, we use exercise, education, and manual (hands-on) therapy to help relieve your symptoms and improve function, and may also use modalities such as dry needling or biofeedback.

Our approach to Concussion Management includes education, physical testing, recovery strategies, return to work preparation and return to activity support.  We recognize that concussion symptoms can stem from a breakdown in a variety of bodily systems that need to work together in a coordinated manner in order to process and react to the surrounding environment. Our therapists will assess your cervical spine (neck) to determine if there are issues specific to spinal mobility and stability that may be contributing to your concussion symptoms. In addition, we can assess how well your visual system works with your balance (vestibular) system and how this affects your symptom presentation.

We will work with you and your doctor, coach, teachers, employers and other health care practitioners to assist you in your recovery. We will assess and manage each individual as a whole and are committed to developing rehabilitative interventions that are specific to you and your injury.

Our Concussion Therapists:  Shaana & Sarah

Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) are a group of complex problems related to the jaw.   These may be the result of a variety of factors, including trauma (such as a car accident, a blow to the jaw, or a fall on the chin) and/or overuse (such as constant clenching or grinding of the jaw). Many people with TMD also suffer from neck pain, so an assessment and treatment of your neck is important.

Treatment can include manual therapy (joint mobilization, intraoral massage, soft tissue stretching), intramuscular stimulation (IMS) to the jaw and neck musculature, exercise prescription and pain reducing modalities.

Our Therapists who treat TMJ Disorders:  Joanne and Sarah

Have you been experiencing dizziness? Vertigo? Balance impairment? You may need to see a vestibular physiotherapist.

The vestibular system includes areas of the ear and brain. The brain sends and receives information to and from the eyes, ears, and position receptors in the body in order to help you maintain your balance. Sometimes these systems become impaired by head trauma (concussion), infection (vestibular neuritis or labyrinthitis), inner ear crystal displacement (BPPV) or through age-related changes. Our therapists will take a thorough history of your condition and will assess your cervical spine (neck), visual system, balance (vestibular) system, and overall function to determine the likely cause of your symptoms. An individualized rehabilitation program will be created for you in order to address your specific presentation.

Our Vestibular Therapists:  Meredith, Shaana, and Sarah

Our ergonomic evaluations begin with an onsite evaluation of the employee’s workstation and work habits. Job tasks are reviewed, occupational risk factors identified, modifications to existing workstations are performed onsite. Injury prevention solutions and preventative exercises are provided. A written report follows, containing a detailed description of the observed body postures, a job task analysis, recommended workstation changes and equipment if needed. Follow-up is always available at no additional charge.

Whether you are looking for a comprehensive program or a single evaluation of an individual’s workstation we can assist.

Foot biomechanics play a vital role in how the body moves and functions. A custom foot orthotic is a biomechanical insole achieving alignment of the foot and ankle into an anatomically efficient position.

Your orthotic evaluation will involve a thorough history and complete biomechanical assessment including a clinical gait analysis. A 3-dimensional mould of your foot will be made and your custom-made prescription orthotic will be unique to your condition, activity level, and the footwear in which you will use them.

Our physiotherapists have been certified by THE ORTHOTIC GROUP to examine you for the suitability of orthotics and orthotic footwear.

Incorporating Pilates into your physiotherapy treatments allows for the  integration of the principles of Pilates along with the expertise of it being taught by a Physiotherapist. This ensures that your pilates program is tailored to you, your needs, your current injury and your stage of healing.

Following a detailed initial assessment, and in conjunction with your treatment sessions, your physiotherapist will teach you specific pilates exercises using our reformer, tower, wunda chair and other pilates props and equipment.

Physio + Pilates is provided by Shaana Burgess and Meredith Murdoch. It is an adjunct to your physiotherapy session and is therefore billed under Physiotherapy.

IMS or Dry Needling is part of a system of treatment to address chronic pain that develops from nerve roots. It uses a very thin acupuncture needle that is inserted into tight bands of tissue to create a release of tension. It can be extremely beneficial for long-standing issues that have not responded to manual therapy and exercise alone.

Our therapists who are trained in IMS use it in conjunction with a physiotherapy appointment, not as a stand-alone treatment. Therefore it falls under our Physiotherapy Fee guideline. It is at the discretion of the physiotherapist to decide if IMS is appropriate for a particular patient and condition.

Watch our introductory video about Needling here.

Spinal decompression uses the force from a mechanical pulley machine to create an elongation of the spinal column in the neck and/or lower back primarily. This creates a therapeutic stretching of the joints, muscles and discs of the spine.

Some conditions that can benefit from traction are:

• Disc herniations or disc protrusions
• Nerve root impingements
• Sciatica
• Spinal Stenosis
• Low back and/or neck pain

Spinal traction is used within a typical physiotherapy appointment, not a stand-alone treatment. It is at the discretion of the physiotherapist to determine if this is an effective treatment for you and your condition.

Sometimes an injury results in the need for orthopedic surgery which can include a long road to recovery. The importance of a solid relationship with your physiotherapist and a comprehensive pre-op and post-surgical plan following an ACL or rotator cuff tear is critical for a good outcome. We have built relationships with many orthopaedic surgeons in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland who entrust us to take care of their patients both before and after surgery.

Some surgical conditions we treat:

• ACL tears – non-operative rehab and ACL reconstruction rehab
• Meniscal tears
• Foot and ankle surgeries
• Shoulder rotator cuff tears
• Clavicular (collarbone) fractures

Acupuncture is an ancient healing practice rooted in Chinese Medicine. Fine needles are strategically placed into the skin to encourage healing, reduce or relieve pain, and improve the function of affected areas of the body. Acupuncture stimulates the body to produce its own pain-relieving chemicals called endorphins and improves the body’s energy and biochemical balance.

Some of our physiotherapists are trained and certified in performing therapeutic acupuncture. For many patients, acupuncture is very effective in treating a variety of painful disorders, both acute and chronic.

Acupuncture is used within a typical physiotherapy appointment, if appropriate, it is not a stand-alone treatment. Therefore it falls under our Physiotherapy Fee guideline.

Watch our introductory video about Acupuncture and Needling here.

This evidence-based group exercise program is designed to help those with hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA).  Over 7 weeks, you will be educated about OA while you build the strength and stability in your body that will assist with pain relief and improved function.

No matter what your sport or level of competition, we have the knowledge and experience to get you back on the field and ready to play.  We have experienced physios who have worked at the provincial, national and professional level of sport in soccer, tennis, skiing, rugby, field hockey and ice hockey.

A virtual physiotherapy session is a convenient way to communicate with your physiotherapist without having to be physically present in the clinic.  It is a perfect tool for assessing a new injury. We can provide injury management advice and education, provide progressions to your home rehab exercises, evaluate your home work space, and more. It also saves you time!  No need to make the trip to the office or find a parking spot!

Electrical and physical modalities, such as ultrasound, laser, neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), and interferential current (IFC) are all designed to stimulate tissue healing, reduce pain and swelling, and to assist in the restoration of normal tissue function. Depending on your injury and stage of healing, we may use a variety of electrotherapy tools during your treatment sessions.

These modalities are used within a typical physiotherapy appointment, not a stand alone treatment. Therefore they fall under our Physiotherapy Fee guideline.