SERVICES
OTHER PHYSIOTHERAPY SERVICES
Core Conditioning
Proper core function is important for your entire body, its movements, many internal functions and for peak athletic performance.
Dysfunction of the core can occur during pregnancy and postpartum and is common in people with back and pelvic pain, postural issues, etc. Since core dysfunction can lead to injury, pelvic and abdominal health conditions and pain, restoring proper core function is important in treating and preventing these issues.
Core conditioning involves retraining dysfunctional muscles of the inner and outer core as well as balancing the inner and outer core systems to properly manage intra-abdominal pressure.
The outer core is made up of the rectus abdominis, internal and external obliques, and the long muscles of the back. These are postural muscles that work to move the body in specific directions.
The inner core consists of the diaphragm, pelvic floor, transverse abdominis (deepest abdominal muscle), and multifidus (deepest back muscles). Unlike the outer core muscles, these muscles are not movement or direction dependent and are responsible for preparing the body for movement and creating dynamic stability around the pelvis, spine and ribcage. This creates a solid foundation for our bodies and all of their movements.
Core Conditioning can involve:
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Alignment changes of the pelvis and/or ribcage so that you have better access to your inner core muscles and so that the inner core system can work more effectively
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Establishing proper breathing mechanics throughout movement and exertion to prevent bracing of the outer core and to promote dynamic stability by the inner core
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Retraining dysfunctional core muscles:
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Learning to connect to and contract muscles that aren't firing
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Learning to fully relax muscles that are overactive and not letting go
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Improving muscle strength and/or endurance of muscles that are weak or under-active
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Down training muscles that are over-active
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Ensuring appropriate timing and sequencing of muscle contractions
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Ensuring that all of the above can be maintained with increasing loads and exercise progressions
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Orthopaedic Assessment
& Treatment
An orthopaedic assessment is a physical assessment that involves a number of special tests to rule in or out specific problems with the musculoskeletal system. More specifically, tests can be used to evaluate the integrity of tissues as well as the mobility of joints and nerves throughout the body. Once a diagnosis is made, orthopaedic treatment is used to promote healing and restore function in the areas of concern.
Manual Therapy
Manual therapy involves hands on techniques to restore the mobility of joints and soft tissues.
Treatments can include the following:
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Joint mobilization or manipulation
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Massage
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Soft tissue mobilization
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Scar Massage
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Myofascial or trigger point release
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Assisted stretching
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Functional range release
Functional Dry Needling
Functional Dry Needling (FDN), also know as trigger point dry needling, involves the insertion of a small filament needle into the skin and muscle. The aim is to release myofascial trigger points which are associated with pain, muscle weakness, and restricted range of motion. Additionally, when a twitch response is elicited, muscles that are hypertonic (high neural tone) or hypotonic (low neural tone) experience a “neural reset” thus helping to restore function.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is used to stimulate the balance and flow of energy (Qi) in the body which, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine, is considered essential to health.
Acupuncture involves the insertion of small filament needles into specific anatomical acupuncture points to relieve pain, increase energy, improve mood and body function, and promote tissue healing.
Exercise & Movement Therapy
As the name suggests, exercise and movement therapy involves the prescription of exercises and movements to improve strength, mobility and function throughout the body. Compensation patterns caused by injury, pain, repetitive movements and prolonged poor postures (including pregnancy), can also be amended with the restoration of proper alignment and the prescription of corrected movement patterns.
Taping
There are a number of different types of tape and taping techniques that can be used to:
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Relieve pain by unloading injured structures
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Improve joint stability
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Facilitate muscle action and movement patterns
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Provide postural support
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Enhance position sense (proprioceptive) awareness
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Improve blood flow and drainage
