Burnaby & Surrey Healing Sense Chiropractic Clinic

Department Details

Physiotherapy

What is physical therapy?

Physiotherapy is known to provide excellent vehicle accident treatment rehabilitation by presenting different therapeutic exercises, manual therapy, and other modalities. Physiotherapists help with pain management, increase range of motions, strengthening muscles, and improve balance after a car accident. It's not just about treating pain; it's about understanding the root cause of the problem and empowering individuals to take an active role in their recovery and long-term health. Physiotherapists work with people of all ages, helping them recover from injury, manage chronic conditions, prevent future issues, and improve their overall quality of life.

Treatments

Manual Therapy

Manual therapy is a specialized area of physiotherapy (and other healthcare professions like chiropractic or osteopathy) that involves hands-on treatment techniques to diagnose and treat musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. It is a highly skilled form of therapy where the practitioner uses their hands to apply pressure to muscle tissue and to manipulate joints. The core principle of manual therapy is to restore movement, reduce pain, and improve function by directly addressing issues within the body's soft tissues (muscles, fascia, tendons, ligaments) and joints. It's about feeling the tissues, identifying restrictions, and applying precise, controlled forces to facilitate healing and restore normal mechanics.

Conditions Treated by Manual Therapy
  • Spinal Conditions:
    • Acute and Chronic Back Pain (e.g., lower back pain, sciatica)
    • Neck Pain and Stiffness (e.g., whiplash, torticollis)
    • Headaches (tension headaches, cervicogenic headaches)
    • Disc-related issues (e.g., disc bulges, herniations)
  • Joint Conditions:
    • Shoulder Pain (e.g., frozen shoulder, rotator cuff issues)
    • Knee Pain (e.g., patellofemoral pain, post-surgical stiffness)
    • Hip Pain (e.g., impingement, bursitis)
    • Ankle and Foot Pain (e.g., ankle sprains, plantar fasciitis)
    • Elbow Pain (e.g., tennis elbow, golfer's elbow)
    • Wrist and Hand Pain (e.g., carpal tunnel syndrome, repetitive strain injuries)
  • Muscle & Soft Tissue Issues:
    • Muscle strains and sprains
    • Tendonitis/Tendinopathy
    • Myofascial pain syndrome (trigger points)
    • Fibromyalgia (for pain management)
  • Post-Surgical Rehabilitation:
    • Addressing stiffness and restoring movement after joint replacements, spinal surgeries, or fracture repairs.
  • Postural Dysfunction:
    • Correcting imbalances that contribute to chronic pain and poor posture.
Benefits of Manual Therapy:
  • Pain Relief: Directly addresses the source of pain by reducing muscle tension, decreasing joint stiffness, and influencing nerve pathways.
  • Improved Range of Motion: Helps to restore normal movement in joints that are restricted due to stiffness, scar tissue, or muscle guarding.
  • Reduced Muscle Spasm & Tension: Releases tightness and knots in muscles, alleviating discomfort and improving circulation.
  • Enhanced Tissue Healing: By improving blood flow and reducing mechanical stress, manual therapy can create an optimal environment for tissues to repair.
  • Decreased Swelling & Inflammation: Specific techniques can aid lymphatic drainage, helping to reduce localized swelling and inflammation.
  • Better Posture & Alignment: By correcting joint restrictions and muscle imbalances, manual therapy can contribute to improved body mechanics and posture.
  • Increased Function: Ultimately, by reducing pain and improving movement, patients can perform daily activities, work, and recreational pursuits with greater ease and less discomfort.
  • Reduced Need for Medication: Often, effective manual therapy can lessen reliance on pain medications.

The Result of Manual Therapy Treatment

Noticeable Improvement in Movement

You'll experience increased flexibility and a greater ability to move the affected body part.

Decreased Stiffness

Joints and muscles will feel less restricted and more supple.

Improved Sleep Quality

Reduced pain and tension can lead to more restful sleep.

Enhanced Body Awareness

You'll often gain a better understanding of your body's mechanics and how to maintain its health.

Greater Ease in Daily Activities

Tasks that were painful or challenging (like reaching, bending, lifting) become easier to perform.

Faster Recovery

By optimizing the healing environment, manual therapy can accelerate your overall rehabilitation process.

Long-Term Function

When combined with therapeutic exercises and education, manual therapy contributes to lasting improvements in physical function and a reduced risk of recurrence.

Exercise Therapy

Exercise therapy is a core component of physiotherapy and a specialized approach to rehabilitating injuries, managing chronic conditions, preventing illness, and improving overall physical function through prescribed physical activity. It involves a carefully designed and supervised program of exercises tailored to an individual's specific needs, goals, and physical capabilities. Unlike general fitness, exercise therapy is a therapeutic intervention based on scientific principles of movement, anatomy, and physiology. It's about using movement as medicine, guiding the body to heal, strengthen, and regain optimal performance.

Conditions Treated by Exercise Therapy
Exercise therapy is highly versatile and forms a crucial part of treatment for a vast array of conditions, including:
  • Musculoskeletal Injuries:
    • Back and Neck Pain (e.g., disc herniations, sciatica, muscle strains)
    • Shoulder Injuries (e.g., rotator cuff tears, impingement, frozen shoulder)
    • Knee Injuries (e.g., ACL tears, meniscus injuries, patellofemoral pain syndrome)
    • Hip Pain (e.g., bursitis, labral tears)
    • Ankle and Foot Problems (e.g., sprains, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis)
    • Arthritis (Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis)
    • Tendinopathies (e.g., Tennis Elbow, Golfer's Elbow)
    • Post-fracture rehabilitation
  • Post-Surgical Rehabilitation:
    • Joint replacements (hip, knee, shoulder)
    • Spinal surgeries (fusion, laminectomy)
    • Ligament and tendon repairs
  • Neurological Conditions:
    • Stroke rehabilitation (to regain movement and function)
    • Parkinson's Disease (to maintain mobility and balance)
    • Multiple Sclerosis (MS) (to manage fatigue and spasticity)
    • Spinal Cord Injuries (to maximize remaining function)
    • Balance disorders and vertigo
  • Chronic Pain Syndromes:
    • Fibromyalgia
    • Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
  • Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Conditions:
    • Rehabilitation after heart attack or cardiac surgery
    • Management of COPD, asthma, or cystic fibrosis
  • Postural Issues:
    • Scoliosis management
    • Kyphosis (rounded shoulders)
  • General Deconditioning:
    • Weakness or reduced fitness due to prolonged illness or inactivity.
Benefits of Exercise Therapy
  • Exercise therapy offers profound and lasting benefits that go beyond simple pain relief: -Restored Strength and Endurance
  • Improved Flexibility and Range of Motion: Targeted stretches and movements can restore lost joint mobility and muscle length, reducing stiffness.
  • Reduced Pain: By strengthening supporting muscles, improving circulation, and encouraging natural pain-relieving chemicals (endorphins), exercise therapy significantly reduces discomfort.
  • Enhanced Balance and Coordination: Specific exercises challenge stability, improving proprioception (body awareness) and reducing the risk of falls.
  • Accelerated Healing: Controlled movement promotes blood flow and tissue regeneration, creating an optimal environment for recovery from injury or surgery.
  • Prevention of Future Injury: Corrects muscle imbalances, poor movement patterns, and postural issues that can lead to re-injury.
  • Improved Cardiovascular Health: Aerobic components can boost heart and lung function, beneficial for overall health and recovery.
  • Better Posture and Body Mechanics: Strengthens core muscles and teaches efficient movement patterns, correcting postural deviations.
  • Increased Functional Independence: Enables individuals to perform daily tasks, work-related activities, and hobbies with greater ease and confidence.
  • Boosted Mood and Mental Well-being: Physical activity is known to reduce stress, anxiety, and symptoms of depression, enhancing overall quality of life.

How Does the treatment Work?

Sustainable Pain Management

Patients often learn to control their pain levels and reduce reliance on medication through active self-management.

Return to Desired Activities

The ability to get back to work, hobbies, sports, and daily tasks without pain or limitation.

Increased Confidence in Movement

Reduced fear of movement and improved self-efficacy in performing physical tasks.

Long-Term Injury Prevention

Equipping individuals with the knowledge and strength to prevent future episodes of pain or injury.

Improved Physical Fitness

General enhancement of strength, endurance, flexibility, and overall conditioning.

Better Quality of Life

Increased ability to participate in social activities, enjoy leisure pursuits, and maintain independence.

Empowerment

Patients gain control over their recovery and health, fostering a proactive approach to well-being.

Correction of Underlying Issues

Addressing the root cause of the problem, rather than just treating symptoms, for lasting results.