What is Physiotherapy?
Physiotherapists assist people to restore, maintain and maximize their strength, function, movement, and overall well-being. Physiotherapists have in-depth knowledge of how the body works and specialized hands-on clinical skills to assess, diagnose and treat symptoms of illness, injury and disability. Physiotherapy includes rehabilitation, as well as prevention of injury, and promotion of health and fitness through strengthening and conditioning.
Physiotherapy Options
Physiotherapy is a health care treatment which assists people to restore, maintain, and maximize their strength, function, movement, and overall well-being.
HOW CAN PHYSIOTHERAPY HELP?
- Improving strength and flexibility
- Increase freedom of movement and mobility
- Breathe easier
- Reduce pain
- Stay active
- Prevent injury
PELVIC FLOOR PHYSIO
Pelvic health physiotherapy (also called pelvic floor physiotherapy or pelvic physiotherapy) is the assessment and treatment of various conditions that involve the pelvic floor or symptoms that manifest in this area. The pelvic floor includes muscles, ligaments, nerves and connective tissue. It plays an important role in the body by providing support for the bladder, genitals, uterus and anus.
Healthcare with Heart
East Meets West’s integrated, multidisciplinary team enables us to provide comprehensive and individualized care to our patients.
Physiotherapy Team
RORY MCMULLIN - B.SC., B.HSC., PT.
Physiotherapist
- Rory has been practicing physiotherapy in Lethbridge since 2013
- Has completed over 10 post-graduate courses in physiotherapy
- the McKenzie approach
- Mulligan concept
- Trigger Point Dry Needling (IMS)
Rory is passionate about movement and solving mobility issues. His strengths lie in exercise prescription and manual therapy. He loves working with our local active populations and helping patients get back to the activities they enjoy.
ASHLEY LOWE - B.SC., M.SC., PT
Physiotherapist
- Specializes in pelvic health physiotherapy for both men and women
- She has postgraduate training in the physiotherapy assessment and treatment of:
- urinary and fecal incontinence
- pelvic organ prolapse
- diastasis rectus abdominus
- coccydynia
- anorectal disorders
- pelvic pain
- postural control.
- She also has a specialization in facilitating safe and enjoyable engagement and return to exercise/sport during pregnancy as well as post-partum and post-pelvic surgery.
Physiotherapy FAQ
What are the benefits of Physiotherapy?
Benefits of physiotherapy can include: education regarding the nature of your injury, improved strength, improved flexibility and range of motion, and postural improvement. Physiotherapy assessments can help build a strategy to navigate your injury, condition, or illness.
How can physiotherapy help me?
Physiotherapy uses research-based assessment and treatment techniques to identify and resolve your health complaints which may include rehabilitation from injury/surgery, pain, and mobility issues. Treatment may involve therapeutic exercise to improve strength, range of motion and endurance to correct postural and muscle imbalance, joint mobilisation, manipulation and soft tissue massage, as well as stretching and trigger point therapy to reduce stiffness and to relieve pain.
What conditions do physiotherapists treat?
Physiotherapists can treat many different conditions and injuries. Some of these include muscle and joint injuries like strains and sprains, as well as back pain, arthritis, and sporting injuries. Physiotherapists can treat symptoms resultant from neurological conditions like weakness, poor balance, stiffness, and immobility. Pelvic health problems can be assessed and treated by physiotherapists; these can include incontinence, pelvic pain, and pain with intercourse.
How long is a treatment?
Prior to treatment, a thorough assessment must take place. All initial assessments are booked at 30-minute intervals but if there are multiple problems or injuries we recommend a 60-minute assessment is booked. Treatments booked following the assessment typically last around 30 minutes but depending on the nature of the treatment your therapist may ask you to book shorter or longer appointments.
What should I expect during my first assessment?
During your first assessment you and the therapist will talk about the history of your present complaint, discuss your past medical history and its potential relevance to your complaint. Following this discussion, the therapist may complete testing of the area or related areas of the body to help build a diagnosis. Once a diagnosis has been reached the therapist will discuss with you the relevant information about the diagnosis to help you understand what you are up against. At this point treatment options are typically presented and time is booked to carry out the desired treatment path.
Do I need a referral from my doctor to undergo physiotherapy?
Although we appreciate your doctor’s referral we do not require one, as physiotherapists are primary health care professionals who can form diagnoses and treatment plans independently. We do see value in keeping all your health stakeholders fully informed of everyone participating in the resolution of your health problems as there is value in a team of health professionals working together.
What should I wear for my first assessment?
We recommend you wear something comfortable that you can move in. Some assessments and treatments benefit from access to the injured area but your comfort comes first. You can change in the treatment room after you arrive if that is easiest for you.
How often do I need to come to physiotherapy?
Treatment frequency varies depending on the injury and condition. Simple strains and sprains may only require a few treatments but chronic conditions may require further follow ups and involve other members of our team to ensure we get you moving in the right direction in a timely manner. This will be discussed on your initial assessment. We understand that not one patient is alike and feel it is important that you participate in these decisions as well because you know yourself and your situation best.
What types of treatments do our physiotherapists offer?
Some of the treatments we offer:
- Intra-muscular needling including Trigger Point Dry Needling
- Exercise therapy including injury prevention screenings
- Active release techniques
- Balance and Proprioceptive Training
- Manual therapy
- Injury education
- Electrotherapies such as TENS and electro muscular stimulation
- Taping
What are common Pelvic Health Symptoms/Conditions?
- Incontinence
- Stress
- Overflow
- Functional
- Over-active bladder
- Enuresis
- Urgency
- Wet, dry
- Frequency > 8 voids/24 hours OR > 3 bowel movements/day
- Retention
- Difficulty emptying or incomplete emptying
- Pressure/heaviness
- Bladder, bowel or uterine prolapse
- Rectus Diastasis
- Separation of abdominal muscles
- Pelvic pain
- Anywhere from the umbilicus to the knee
- Dyspareunia (pain with intercourse)
- Coccydynia (pain around the tailbone)
- Dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation)
- Non-bacterial prostatitis
What do Pelvic Health Physiotherapy treatments entail?
Pelvic health physiotherapy treatments can include any combination of the following:
- Education
- Manual therapy
- Exercises
- Electrical Muscle Stimulation
- Biofeedback
- Bowel/bladder training
Plan a Visit
It’s time to treat your back pain, sciatica, shoulder rotator cuff injuries, neck stiffness, knee pain, etc. Contact us today for your next treatment.