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Manual therapy is a type of hands-on treatment used by physiotherapists to help relieve pain and improve movement through neurophysiological effects. It involves skilled techniques applied to the body's soft tissues, joints, and the nervous system.

Imagine your body is a complex machine with many moving parts. When something goes wrong, these parts can become stiff, painful, or stuck. Manual therapy is like a tune-up for your body!  

What does it involve?

Soft tissue mobilization

This can be done with a physiotherapist's hands or utilizing an instrument-assisted technique.

Joint mobilization:

Appropriate grades of mobilization are applied to your joints to increase range of motion and reduce stiffness.

Joint manipulation:

A more specific technique involving a precise, high-velocity, low-amplitude movement to restore joint mobility.

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Important to note: Manual Therapy is a highly skilled technique and should only be performed by a qualified physiotherapist trained in this method. It is not an appropriate treatment technique for all people or all conditions.

Your physiotherapist will be able to guide you through appropriate options for your presentation after a thorough assessment.

Gunn IMS is a specialized form of dry needling developed by Dr. Chan Gunn and taught out of his facility in UBC. It's used to treat chronic and acute pain conditions that often involve muscle tightness and nerve sensitivity.

How does it work?

Targeting trigger points:

IMS involves inserting thin needles into specific points within the muscle called trigger points.

These points are often tender and can contribute to pain and muscle tightness.

Muscle relaxation:

When the needle is inserted, it causes a local twitch response in the muscle.

This is thought to help release muscle tension and improve blood flow.

Neuromuscular re-education:

IMS is believed to help re-educate the nervous system and reduce abnormal nerve signals that contribute to pain.

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Important to note: Gunn IMS is a highly skilled technique and should only be performed by a qualified physiotherapist trained in this method. It is not an appropriate treatment technique for all people or all conditions.

Your physiotherapist will be able to guide you through appropriate options for your presentation after a thorough assessment.

Exercise prescription is essentially a tailored workout plan designed by a physiotherapist to address a specific health condition or goal. It’s like a prescription for movement, taking into account your individual needs, abilities, and limitations. This is a part of all our treatment plans and the core of rehabilitation approach.

Physiotherapists use their knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics to design exercise programs that are safe, effective, and enjoyable. The goal is to improve your strength, flexibility, endurance, balance, and overall function.

Strength and conditioning is a broader term that encompasses exercise prescription but often focuses on improving physical performance and preventing injuries. It’s commonly used in sports training but is also beneficial for general health and rehabilitation.

Physiotherapists use strength and conditioning principles to:

Rehabilitate injuries:

Building strength and endurance can help you recover from injuries more quickly and effectively.

Prevent injuries:

Strengthening the muscles that support your joints can reduce your risk of injury.

Enhance performance:

Whether you’re an athlete or just want to feel more energetic, strength and conditioning can help you achieve your goals.

Manage chronic conditions:

Exercise can help manage conditions like arthritis, back pain, and diabetes.

By working with a physiotherapist extensively trained in these areas, you can develop a personalized strength and conditioning program that fits your specific needs and goals.

Pre + Post-operative physiotherapy is a crucial component of preparation for and recovery after surgery. It involves a tailored exercise program and manual therapy techniques to help restore function, reduce pain, and prevent complications.  

Goals of Pre + Post-Operative Physiotherapy

Pain management: Reducing discomfort and improving quality of life.

Swelling reduction: Managing inflammation to promote healing.

Scar tissue management: Preventing restrictions and improving flexibility.

Range of motion improvement: Restoring joint and soft tissue movement.

Strength building: Strengthening muscles to support the joint and restore function.

Balance and coordination: Enhancing stability and preventing falls.

Return to function: Helping patients regain independence and resume daily activities.

Common Physiotherapy Techniques

Manual therapy:

Hands-on techniques to improve joint mobility, soft tissue flexibility, and assist with pain management.

Exercise prescription:

Tailored exercises to address specific needs and goals for the phase of post-operative rehab.

Modalities:

Therapeutic treatments like that can be used to reduce pain, inflammation, and restore muscle activation.

Education:

Providing patients with knowledge about their condition, recovery process, and self-management strategies.

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Important to note: The specific treatment plan will vary depending on the type of surgery, the individual's condition, and their goals. It's essential to work closely with your physiotherapist to achieve optimal outcomes.  

Physiotherapy is a vital component of the rehabilitation process for many workplace injuries. In Saskatchewan, physiotherapists play a crucial role in helping injured workers recover and return to work.

How it works:

1. Injury occurs: If you are injured on the job, you should report the incident to your employer immediately. The worker should seek immediate medical attention if it is severe.

2. WCB claim: Your employer will report the injury to the WCB. The worker is required to submit a W1 report to initiate the claim, this can be done online or through a paper form.

3. Physiotherapy referral: Once your claim is submitted, injured workers can then go directly to a physiotherapist. There is no need for a referral from a doctor to access services.

4. Physiotherapy treatment: The physiotherapist will assess your injury, develop a treatment plan, and provide care to help you recover.

5. Return to work: A key goal of physiotherapy is to help you return to work safely and as soon as possible. The physiotherapist will work with you and your employer to develop a return-to-work plan.

6. WCB billing: Physiotherapists in Saskatchewan can direct bill the WCB for approved services, making it convenient for patients.

Important considerations:

Not all physiotherapy services are covered by the WCB.

There may be limitations on the number of physiotherapy sessions covered.

It's essential to follow your physiotherapist's treatment plan and communicate with the WCB to ensure a smooth recovery process.

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Important to note: Workplace injuries and coverage can be complex, please reach out to WCB and our clinic if there are specific questions.

SGI (Saskatchewan Government Insurance) provides insurance coverage for residents of Saskatchewan. If you're involved in a car accident and sustain injuries, SGI's auto injury claims process can help cover the costs of your recovery, including physiotherapy.  

How it works:

1. Accident occurs: You should seek immediate medical attention if the injuries are severe.

2. Reporting the accident: Contact SGI's injury claims centre to report your injuries. SGI will assign a personal injury representative to your case.

3. Benefit application: You'll need to complete an application for benefits form and receive an auto injury claim number prior to accessing physiotherapy services.

Physiotherapy and SGI

Physiotherapy is a crucial part of recovering from car accident injuries. SGI recognizes this and covers the costs of approved physiotherapy treatment as part of your auto injury claim.

Choice of physiotherapist: You have the freedom to choose your physiotherapist and clinic, we only provide primary care SGI services.

Treatment coverage: SGI can be direct billed for the cost of your approved physiotherapy sessions.

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Important to note:

There might be limitations on the number of physiotherapy sessions covered by SGI.

It's essential to provide necessary documentation to SGI to ensure timely claim processing.

Auto injuries and coverage can be complex, please reach out to SGI and our clinic if there are specific questions.