Services Offered:

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is a health care profession dedicated to:

• Improving, restoring and maintaining your ability to move and function
• Managing and preventing pain
• Promoting fitness, health and wellness

Our physiotherapists employ a wide array of treatment techniques and approaches to help you move better, recover from injury or reduce the pain you may be experiencing. These include amongst others:

• Manual ('Hands On') Therapy
• Exercise Therapy to improve your movement and strength
• Biophysical Agents (e.g. shockwave, ultrasound, electro-stimulation, laser, heat, ice, paraffin wax etc)
• Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM)
• Ergonomic Advice
• Taping Techniques
• Dry Needling
• Medical Acupuncture
• Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS)
• Education On Your Condition
• Virtual/Telehealth Physiotherapy

Registered Massage Therapy

Massage Therapy encompasses hands on mobilization of the human body's soft tissues (i.e. muscles, skin, connective tissues, tendons, ligaments and membranes). Massage Therapy helps restore natural balance directly through mechanical manipulation of the soft tissues and indirectly through the soothing effects of touch on the autonomic nervous system.

Massage Therapists are only "registered" after finishing an intensive training curriculum, successful completion of provincial examinations and registration with the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario. Massage Therapy can help in conjunction with physiotherapy or as a stand alone treatment. Gift certificates for Massage Therapy are also available at the clinic and they make a thoughtful gift for family and friends!

Medical Acupuncture

Acupuncture has traditionally been used as a method of balancing the body's energy by inserting needles under the skin at specific points along energy pathways (meridians), to prevent or cure diseases and/or disorders. The modern Western medical or 'neuroanatomical' acupuncture approach, however, recognizes that needles inserted at acupuncture points induce biochemical changes in the body, such as the release of pain relieving endorphins. A medical approach to acupuncture uses the therapist's knowledge of anatomy and neuro-physiology in relation to your condition to guide the selection of points in contrast to the Traditional Chinese Medicine approach, which uses the meridian system.

Our physiotherapists have acupuncture training from either Acupuncture Canada (formerly the Acupuncture Foundation of Canada Institute) or McMaster University's medical acupuncture program which are both well recognized organizations that train already practicing health professionals in the area of acupuncture within their scope of practice. We only employ acupuncture to treat conditions that we would normally already treat using other physiotherapy approaches.

If you are interested in receiving acupuncture as part of your physiotherapy treatment at our clinic, please mention this when booking your appointment to ensure that you are seen by one of our physiotherapists trained in medical acupuncture.

Dry Needling and Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS)

(from istop.org)

Dry needling and Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS) are both treatments that involve the insertion of very thin needles (without the injection of any substance) into shortened muscles in order to help them relax, loosen and function better. These painful muscles containing tight bands with tender 'knots' (known as trigger points) can feel ropey and are implicated in many presentations of soft tissue pain when there are otherwise no signs of injury, ongoing tissue damage or obvious inflammation.

IMS is a specific type of dry needling that aims to address the muscle pain and shortening that's often a primary feature of "neuropathic pain" resulting from minor irritiation of nerves that supply the involved muscles. Please click here for more detailed information on IMS and the concept of neuropathic pain.

If you are interested in receiving dry needling or IMS treatment at our clinic, please mention this when booking your appointment to ensure that you are seen by one of our physiotherapists trained in these approaches.

Custom Foot Orthotics

If abnormal foot mechanics or alignment are contributing to your pain, then you may be a candidate for custom fabricated foot orthotics. Examples of problems that typically respond favourably to orthotics are: heel pain or spurs, plantar fasciitis, foot pain e.g. arch and 'ball of foot' pain and achilles tendonitis, amongst others. Some cases of knee, hip or low back pain may also benefit from custom foot orthotics. Your therapist will be able to tell you if he/she feels that you may benefit from this service. As well, you may book an appointment directly with our onsite consultant chiropodist, Josee Day, D.Ch, to determine the need for orthotics. She will be able to cast you for custom orthotics if needed, and provide you with the necessary paperwork e.g. prescription, biomechanical assessment and claim letter to ensure coverage for insurance purposes.

Active Exercise Programs

Specific exercise prescription is a major component of all physiotherapy treatments and is crucial in obtaining sustained benefits and preventing recurrence of pain/injury. It is also a great way of taking control of your own condition and gaining independence in the long term in treating your problem.

Exercise Therapy may involve: stretching/flexibility training, muscle strengthening or endurance training, core stabilization, postural re-training or cardio-vascular conditioning. We always try to prescribe exercises that can be duplicated on your own at home and strive to design time efficient programs that can fit into your busy schedule. For patients who have gym/fitness memberships, we will advise you on how to work the routine into your program with or without equipment or provide advice on modifying your present program. We also have various forms of equipment in our gym for strength/stability training, aerobic conditioning and balance re-training that may be used during your sessions depending on your condition.

Remember, everyone regardless of age or condition can benefit from some sort of movement or exercise, ranging from gentle bed exercises to high performance athletic training.

Advanced Orthopaedic Manual and Manipulative Physiotherapy

Please click here to learn more about manual and manipulative physiotherapy.

Pre/Post-Surgical Rehabilitation

Following orthopaedic surgery, you will likely require focused physiotherapy and rehabilitation in order to regain your mobility, strength and optimize your physical function. Your physiotherapist will be sure to work in conjunction with the goals of your surgeon/medical team and communicate with them as required in order to ensure a team approach and optimal results.

We also suggest that you consult a physiotherapist prior to your surgery in order to receive exercises that will maximize your pre-operation strength and flexibility which will help with a more speedy recovery.

Bracing and Supports

We offer a wide range of ready-made and relatively inexpensive supports/braces that may benefit your specific situation. Your therapist will let you know if there is an available support to help you function more effectively.

In the event that a custom brace is required e.g. post surgery, one of our physiotherapists can fit you with a custom fabricated brace or we can arrange to refer you to a qualified orthotist/technician if needed.

Ergonomic Consultation/Education

As a major focus of our treatment is to 'help you help yourself', we may give you advice on how to properly modify your environment e.g. setting up a computer workstation, in order to minimize any stresses placed on your body during your activities of daily living.