Services

Orthopedic Services

Orthopedic Services

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Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS)

IMS is a needling technique that helps to reduce adverse tone in tight muscle bands or trigger points that contribute to pain and dysfunction. By targeting localized areas of tightness with the needle insertion a reflex relaxation is produced in the muscle. This helps to relieve pressure on tender joint structures and in the muscles themselves which in turn influences pain and inflammation produced by the adverse tightness. The points are chosen by the certified therapist by conducting a neuropathic assessment. It is a dry needling treatment, meaning that nothing is injected. The needles used are similar to those of acupuncture. The average number of sessions required to create a sustained benefit is 7 to 8 sessions at a frequency of once a week.

  • Therapeutic Massage therapy.
  • Active Release Therapy {ART}
  • Occupational therapy
  • Manual Therapy & Myofascial Release. {MFR}
  • Spinal Manipulations.
  • Intra Muscular Stimulation [ IMS]

Manual Therapy

Manual Therapy involves the physiotherapist’s use of his or her hands to mobilize the joints of the spine and extremities, create movement in nerve tissue or facilitate the activation, flexibility and normal tone of muscle. Several different techniques can be used to restore normal motion (not too much, not too little) and regain control of that motion. This allows each region of the body to move fully, efficiently and safely.

Exercise Therapy

Exercise therapy involves eliciting motion of the body or its parts in order to relieve symptoms and improve function. Specific stretching, strengthening, and stabilization exercises are a critical part of the rehabilitation process for most musculoskeletal injuries. Continued exercise is an important component of injury prevention.

Athletic Taping and Bracing

Taping and bracing injured joints and body parts protects those areas from further re-injury and allows for an earlier return to activity. It also can supply support to an area, which will allow muscles, which have tightened or sprained to relax thus facilitating an earlier return of motion.

Therapists at  Emerald Hills Physio & Sport Clinic have the knowledge and skills to apply the taping and bracing in a manner best suited to achieve the above goals.

Electrotherapy

Electrotherapy treatments including;

  • Ultrasound
  • Interferential (IFC)
  • Transcutaneous Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
  • Neuro-muscular electrical nerve stimulation (NMES)

Acupuncture

Acupuncture needles are most often inserted at specific locations on the skin called acupuncture points. These points are located on specific lines outlined by tradition, referred to as meridians or channels. According to Chinese medical theory, there are 14 major meridians that form an invisible network connecting the body surface with the internal organs. These pathways are believed to be energy channels through which energy flows through the body.

Acupuncture works by restoring the normal energy balance within the body therefore allowing natural healing to occur. The insertion of the fine needle into the tissues also releases endorphins. Endorphins are made by the body and are one of the body’s own natural pain relieving chemicals. These endorphins block the passage of pain signals to the brain and therefore help to relieve or reduce pain within the body. When pain is reduced, the body can then restore normal biochemical balance and promote healing.

The physiotherapists who perform Acupuncture at  Emerald Hills Physio & Sport Clinic are certified through the Acupuncture Foundation of Canada Institute. They are also registered with Physiotherapy Alberta College+ Association to perform acupuncture and are actively on the Acupuncture Needling Roster.

Post Surgical and Post fracture Rehabilitation.

  • Total hip replacement
  • Total knee replacement
  • Open & Arthroscopic surgeries of all joints.
  • Carpal Tunnel syndrome
  • Tendon transfer.

Spinal manipulation

Spinal manipulation is a therapeutic intervention performed on spinal articulations which are synovial joints. It’s designed to relieve pressure on joints, reduce inflammation, and improve nerve function. It’s often used to treat back, neck, peripheral joints and headache pain.

In spinal manipulation, the practitioner uses their hands to apply a controlled, sudden force to a specific joint. Patients often hear popping noises, like when you crack your knuckles.

Suggested mechanisms of action and clinical effects

The effects of spinal manipulation have been shown to include:

  • Temporary relief of musculoskeletal pain
  • Shortened time to recover from acute back pain
  • Temporary increase in passive range of motion
  • Physiological effects on the central nervous system (specifically the sympathetic nervous system)
  • Altered sensorimotor integration
  • No alteration of the position of the sacroiliac joint

Common side effects of spinal manipulation are characterized as mild to moderate and may include: local discomfort, headache, tiredness, or radiating discomfort.