Rundle Physiotherapy

The following is a description of physiotherapy according to the Canadian Physiotherapy Association in 2012:

Physiotherapy is a primary care, autonomous, client-focused health profession dedicated to improving quality of life by:

• Promoting optimal mobility, physical activity and overall health and wellness;
• Preventing disease, injury and disability;
• Managing acute and chronic condition, activity limitations, and participation restrictions;
• Improving and maintaining optimal functional independence and physical performance;
• Rehabilitating injury and the effects of disease or disability with therapeutic exercise programs and other interventions; and
• Educating and planning maintenance and support programs to prevent re-occurrence, re-injury or functional decline.

Physiotherapy is anchored in movement sciences and aims to enhance or restore function of multiple body systems. The profession is committed to health, lifestyle and quality of life. This holistic approach incorporates a broad range of physical and physiological therapeutic interventions and aids.

For more information on physiotherapy, please visit http://www.physiotherapy.ca

IMS is a dry needling technique used to diagnose and treat myofascial pain syndromes. A needle, very similar to an acupuncture needle, is used to release muscle shortening, which presses on and irritates the nerve. IMS is very successful at treating chronic pain. Usually, 4-8 treatments are required, spaced about a week apart. Depending on your injury, IMS may be used regularly (ie once a month) to maintain function and manage pain levels.

The administering of IMS can be uncomfortable, but it is brief, and usually there are immediate objective and subjective changes following the treatment. The needles are inserted and removed immediately. The needling process can last from 5 – 30 minutes, depending on how many body sites are being treated. After the treatment you can expect to feel some soreness in the muscles. This can last for up to a day or two.

For more information on IMS, please visit UBC Gunn IMS

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture stimulates the balance and flow of Qi energy, which is essential to health. When the body is healthy, Qi flows freely through the meridians (a conceptual network of pathways throughout the entire body). When there is injury or illness, there is often a stagnation in the flow of Qi through these meridian. Acupuncture uses small needles inserted into points along the meridians to open up this flow of Qi.

Acupuncture used by physiotherapists is primarily musculoskeletal in nature. It is used to treat both acute and chronic pain, improve body function and increase energy. It works by stimulating the release of endorphins, the body’s natural pain-relieving neurohormones, and promotes the body’s natural healing abilities.

The needles are usually left in for 15 minutes.

For more information on acupuncture, please visit http://www.acupuncturecanada.org

We are proud to be offering Pelvic Health Physiotherapy services at Rundle to anyone with a pelvis! This specialized area of physiotherapy not only addresses issues specific to the pelvic floor, but takes the whole patient into perspective. Just like in any other aspect of physio, our goal is to help you achieve your goals and help you live your active life in comfort and with confidence.

What our Pelvic Health Physiotherapist treats:

• Urinary and bowel problems - stress, urge, and mixed incontinence, difficult or painful voiding.
• Pelvic pain and discomfort - for example, this could present as low back pain, pain around the hips or groin, or pain with sexual activity.
• Pre and post-natal education, assessment, and treatment in order to provide you with a safe and healthy transition through pregnancy and postpartum (including birth preparation, diastasis recti management, and exercise guidance)
• Pelvic organ prolapse
• Recovery after abdominal or pelvic surgeries (including c-section and hernia repair)
• Post Prostatectomy management and non-bacterial prostatitis symptoms

Our clinic provides a safe, clean, and private environment where our clients can feel at ease. At the initial assessment, our therapist spends a lot of time listening to the patient and getting to know the source of their concerns. After seeing how the patient moves throughout their back, hips and abdomen an internal exam (vaginally and/or rectally) may be conducted with your consent if indicated so we can get the best picture of what is going on with your pelvic floor.

If you think pelvic physio might be for you but you have more questions, feel free to email our pelvic therapist Leah Forrestall directly at leahforrestall@rundlephysiotherapy.ca.

Vestibular rehabilitation includes the treatment of dizziness or vertigo, visual disturbances, headaches and balance issues related to a dysfunction of our vestibular systems including our inner ear and visual components. This dysfunction may be related to head trauma, ageing, inner ear infections or medication.

Treatment will include an assessment by a qualified physiotherapist trained in vestibular treatment, followed by a comprehensive rehabilitation program. This may include manoeuvers to ‘reset’ the inner ear, balance exercises, visual exercises, creation of management strategies and training of alternate systems to assist the vestibular system.

Concussions are an injury to the brain that can occur in many sports or everyday life often related to a fall or impact. Concussions are injuries that need to be treated seriously. Acute treatment of a concussion will include assessment by a qualified physiotherapist and treatment, including education and creation of a structured plan to return to activities of life and sport. Symptoms may include headaches, dizziness, sensitivity to light and sound as well as decreased ability to concentrate.

In post-concussion syndromes, symptoms are similar but continue to persist beyond typical timeframes. Treatment may include vestibular treatment for balance disturbances, visual re-training exercises, education and creation of management strategies to control symptom onset, and introduction of appropriate aerobic training techniques.

For more information on post-concussion rehabilitation, please visit Parachute - Concussion and Retrain Pain Foundation

Custom orthotics are used to place your foot in the optimal biomechanical position. They are created specifically for your foot and made based on a thorough assessment of your foot, gait and posture by a qualified physiotherapist.

Custom orthotics can often be of benefit in individuals who have foot biomechanical problems such as over-pronation, plantar fasciitis or forefoot pain, history of ankle sprains, knee pain and low back pain. Additionally, they may be of benefit in positioning an individual’s foot in the optimal position for activities such as running, skiing or cycling.

Your extended benefits often cover the full cost or a portion of the cost of the orthotics. In some cases a doctor’s referral is required by insurance companies for re-imbursement.

Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive procedure that uses acoustic waves to produce micro-trauma at the injury or treatment site. Micro-trauma helps start the natural healing process, promoting cell growth and blood flow to repair bones, muscles, joints and tendons. It also helps reduce pain and inflammation to improve mobility and functionality.

Shockwave therapy has proven effective in the treatment of many conditions, including plantar fasciitis, tendonitis, bursits, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, trigger point and fascial pain and scar tissue.

For more information on shockwave therapy please visit https://shockwavecanada.com/

Compression garments apply a graduated compression to help alleviate swelling and pain in the lower limbs. Swelling can be caused by a variety of conditions, such as varicose veins, diabetes or pregnancy. Compression socks may also be used to prevent swelling in the legs when travelling or in situations that require long periods of standing.

Compression wear is also effective in sport performance and can be used for running, hiking, xcountry skiing, downhill or backcountry skiing.

We offer medi products as they provide high quality and effective compression stockings for medical grade stockings as well as for sport performance.

For more information on medi products, visit https://www.medicanada.ca/ or check out their sport performance line, CEP, at https://www.medicanada.ca/products/cep/

Book in for a free consultation or fitting.

Alberta Health Services (AHS) offers funded physiotherapy services for Albertan with specific physical concerns to help improve their function, better understand their condition and what they can do to be healthy and independent. The services cover concerns including:

• General joint or muscle conditions or injuries
• Recent fracture or orthopedic surgeries (eg. Bones and joints)
• Recent hip or knee replacements through group intervention

Accessing AHS-funded physiotherapy

Albertans do not need a referral from a physician or healthcare professional to access AHS-funded physiotherapy. Here’s how to access services for each concern:

For general joint or muscle conditions or injuries:

Call the Rehabilitation Advice Line for general advice. Low-income Albertans may be eligible for virtual or in-person services. Call 1-833-379-0563 for more information (available Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.). For more information, visit ahs.ca/ral.

For fractures and orthopedic surgeries

You can book online or call the clinic at 403-679-1245

NOTE: Fracture and orthopedic surgery happened within the last 12 weeks. Physiotherapy clinics must have AHS approval if care needs to start later than 12 weeks.

For hip and knee replacements:

You can book online or call the clinic at 403-679-1245 to book your initial assessment or to book in for a group session following your assessment.

NOTE: Surgery happened within the last 12 weeks. Physiotherapy clinics must have AHS approval if care needs to start later than 12 weeks.

Exercise prescription & personal training that fits your lifestyle. Nicole Struthers uses her expertise in exercise science along with coaching skills to help design, and implement a program you are confident in.

For more information or to contact Nicole Struthers, visit https://www.nicolestruthers.com or book online at https://rundlephysiotherapy.janeapp.com.