Following assessment, treatment may include any combination of the following:

 

Acupuncture

Detailed information regarding acupuncture is outlined below.

 

Manual therapy

Gentle gliding of joints to maximize range of movement and diminish pain.

 

Massage

Relaxing or therapeutic, the techniques can be referred to as deep tissue, myofascial release or trigger point therapy.

 

CranioSacral Therapy

Use of light touch to guide the nervous system towards homeostasis (a state of balance). Excellent technique to reduce headaches and migraines.

 

Relaxing passive stretching and muscle energy techniques.

Reduces stiffness and restores healthy movement to joints.  Improves conditions like frozen shoulder or neck pain and many more.

 

Cupping

Small suction cups are placed and moved along certain muscles.  This is an ancient but completely practical way to address myofascial tightness by distracting the tight tissues.

 

T.E.N.S

This is an electric therapeutic modality to reduce pain, and stop the "pain-spasm-pain" cycle.  Many clients describe this as the 'buzzing' machine.

 

Personalized exercise guidance:

Exercise is medicine!

At times you may do this in the clinic with my guidance, or you may need to do your exercises as part of your home program.

 

Taping

I use Kinesio-tape or Leukotape, depending on the goal we are trying to achive. Recommendations and prescription of supportive and protective equipment (such as braces) is available.

 

Education/information

Examples would be ergonomic set up of workstation, posture and gait re-training, proper pillow, footwear, and much more.

 

Acupuncture in more detail:

 

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a therapeutic method involving the insertion of very fine, sterile acupuncture needles into the skin at specific points on the body to achieve a therapeutic effect. No drug is injected. The needles alone create the beneficial effects of acupuncture.

Acupuncture is used to encourage natural healing, reduce or relieve pain and improve function of affected areas of the body. It is safe and effective. 

Acupuncture points (also referred to as ‘acupoints’) are places on the skin that have a lower resistance to the passage of electricity than the surrounding skin and are part of a network of points that were mapped centuries ago within Traditional Chinese Medicine. Most are found along ‘meridians’ or ‘channels’ that are believed to be the pathways by which energy or Qi (pronounced ‘Chee’) flows through the body.

 

How does it work?

Acupuncture works by stimulating the body’s neuroendocrine system to produce its own natural pain relieving chemicals called “endorphins”.  Evidence shows it also plays a balancing effect in the body (return to homeostasis).

 

What can I expect?

Accupuncture is a very gentle yet effective technique. Every person has an individual response to acupuncture. Most people feel only minimal discomfort during the insertion of the needles, sometimes not at all.  There may be a sensation of aching and warmth that occurs which often fades quickly. Some people notice an immediate effect, others may need 2-3 repeat treatments before noticing a change in their condition.  The needles are left in place for 15-30 minutes. 

 

Who benefits from acupuncture by a physiotherapist?

Examples of conditions treated with acupuncture are (but not limited to):

Pain from a pinched nerve, TMJ pain, tennis elbow, rotator cuff tendinitis, low back pain, sciatica, neck pain, headaches, muscle strains, ankle sprains, and many more.

Acupuncture is not recommended for women who are pregnant nor for people on heavy blood thinner medications such as Warfarin and Coumadin.

Your physiotherapist will advise you not to drink alcoholic beverages nor caffeine for 2 hours following treatment and to drink plenty of water.