WHAT IS PILATES?

Pilates was created by the late Joseph Pilates as a mind-body exercise system composed of a series of movements and equipment to help prisoners of war regain strength and mobility. After Joseph’s immigration to the US,  it was often referred to as ‘Contrology’,  and widely known for its ability to prevent injury and improve strength while maintaining long and even muscle tone. Pilates is a well known and celebrated form of exercise for its emphasis on stability, controlled mobility, developing better body awareness and its role in preventing and recovering from injury.

We use a contemporary and rehabilitation based approach to integrating Pilates in your treatment. Sessions may include work using mats and small props/accessories, reformer and vertical frame/tower and/or the stability chair. Programming and exercise selection is based on your current rehabilitation and health and fitness status, and of course your treatment goals.

For more information you can view the below:
https://www.bodyharmonics.com/
https://www.merrithew.com/about/education-programs/stott-pilates

WHAT IS ELDOA?

ELDOA is the French acronym Étirements Longitudinaux avec Decoaptation Ostéo Articulaire, which can be translated to Longitudinal (axis) Osteo-Articular Decoaptation. Created by world renown Osteopath Guy VOYER DO, It aims to increase space by decompressing (decoaptation) of specific joint and regions of the body as appropriate for each patient. The result is an improvement in joint mechanics and mobility, increased blood flow, reduced pressure on the discs, a reduction of pain, spinal disc rehydration, improved posture, and a sense of well being and awareness.

For more information you can view the below:
http://www.guyvoyer.com/biographie.html

WHAT IS CONTEMPORARY MEDICAL ACUPUNCTURE?

All of our Physiotherapists, Chiropractors and some of our Registered Massage Therapists are trained in Contemporary Medical Acupuncture through the McMaster University Certificate Program - which is the gold standard for learning this modality. Additionally, some of our staff have taken additional Advanced Training provided by the McMaster Program, and our co-owner Kathryn Zbasky is an instructor in the course.

(Contemporary) Medical Acupuncture is synonymous with Neurofunctional Acupuncture, and often referred to as “electro-acupuncture”. It is a treatment modality where fine (individual use) acupuncture needles are inserted below the skin to target specific anatomical targets (i.e. nerves, muscles, tendons, joints, etc.) for the therapeutic goal of modulating the nervous system, in order to improve pain and function, promote circulation, healing and normalizing muscle tone (i.e. improve or reduce muscle activation, depending on the goal). This type of acupuncture is incredibly effective and the McMaster program teaches its graduates how to safely and effectively administer it as part of their patient treatments.

PLEASE NOTE: Acupuncture is NOT a required part of your treatment and cannot be administered without your informed consent. Just like with any other modality (joint mobilizations, manipulations, soft tissue  massage, cupping, etc.) your therapist will have a conversation with you about their assessment findings and suggested treatment interventions. You will have the opportunity to ask any question regarding the suggested intervention and your therapist will explain the risks and benefits of these interventions. Your consent must be given before we proceed with care. If you do not wish to receive acupuncture as part of your care after discussing with your therapist, it WILL NOT be administered.

For more information, please refer to the McMaster Contemporary Medical Acupuncture Program website below:
https://mcmasteracupuncture.com/about/what-is-contemporary-medical-acupuncture/

WHAT IS CONCUSSION INJURY MANAGEMENT

A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that affects your brain function. Typically, it’s caused by a direct impact to the head, neck and/or body. The effects are usually temporary,  but some individuals can go on to develop persistent symptoms. Concussion management has evolved significantly over the past decade, swinging from complete cognitive and physical rest to more limited rest and earlier return to cognitive and physical activity. While relative rest is recommended for the first 24–48 hours following an injury, the most recent international guidelines show that prolonged cognitive and physical rest can be detrimental. 

When you see one of our therapists that is trained in concussion injury assessment and management, they will conduct a comprehensive physical and neurological examination to evaluate your injury and help determine the right course of management. They will provide you with an action plan on how to manage your symptoms, and guide you through a gradual return to work, school or sport. Further, they will help evaluate your readiness for a return to full work or sport demands when the time is right.

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT DURING MY OSTEOPATHY SESSION?

Every session is different depending on the current condition of the patient. A session with our osteopath will typically run from 45-minutes to 1-hour. This is what you can expect during your session:

1. LISTEN

Your osteopathy will ask you questions to gain a thorough understanding about your chief complaint, medical history and lifestyle.

2. FIND IT

Your osteopath will observe and assess YOU, this includes an assessment of your general posture, and precise joint mobility tests, to find the root cause(s) of your complaints.

3. FIX IT

Your osteopath will use gentle and precise osteopathic manipulations such as cranial, musculoskeletal and visceral techniques, to work on targeting the cause(s) of your complaint.

4. LEAVE IT

Osteopathy embraces the philosophy that the body has an innate, natural ability to self-regulate (a.k.a self-heal). Our goal is to help the patient find internal balance by removing restrictions, and encouraging their power of self-healing.

WHAT IS PHOTOBIOMODULATION?

Photobiomodulation nourishes the brain and slows down the aging process by reducing stress and anxiety, while increasing mental acuity and improving overall memory.

What to expect:

When you come in for your photobiomodulation therapy session, you will be seated in a comfortable chair and the transcranial headset will be placed on your head. You will have the option to clip a specifically designed intranasal LED light to into your nostril. The session lasts 20 minutes. This treatment can be done separately or in addition to your regular sessions.

 We will choose between two settings:

• Alpha waves are correlated with the brain’s resting state, offering support for mental coordination, mindfulness and learning which helps you feel more relaxed, reduces anxiety, and improves sleep quality.

• Gamma waves help with increased memory activity, perception, cognition, focus and creativity.

Here’s how it works:

Our Photobiomodulation (PMB) transcranial-intranasal headset uses near infrared light energy that is absorbed by the mitochondria and converted into ATP for cellular use. It enhances the body's biochemical ability to store and use energy and increases blood flow, oxygen and nutrients triggering the body's natural healing processes.

PBM therapy stimulates the creation of new cells and provides protection to the brain.

PBM technology delivers optimized light energy to blood that flows through the nasal channels. These deep structures within the brain’s core have important functions, such as long-term memory and hormonal regulation.

Benefits of Photobiomodulation:

• Reduces inflammation

• Improves memory & cognition

• Regulates hormones

• Heals and repairs cells

• Stimulates neuron growth

• Improves cellular communication

• Improves blood circulation

• Boosts immunity

• Increases blood oxygenation levels

• Improves memory including long term memory

• Reduces anxiety

• Improves mental acuity

• Increases energy levels

• Enhances aerobic fitness

• Increases Nitric Oxide

• Improves sleep quality

This technology increases growth factors in the brain, creating new neural circuits to continue learning and enjoying life as we age.

WHAT IS PELVIC HEALTH PHYSIOTHERAPY?

Pelvic health physiotherapists have specialized training to assess and treat the structures that make up your pelvic floor and support your pelvic organs. It is considered the first line of defense for individuals experiencing pelvic dysfunction and is supported by effective, evidence-based treatment solutions. We are trained to treat ALL individuals for any pelvic concerns affecting the bladder, bowels, reproductive system, abdomen, and surrounding regions.

Common conditions treated may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Pre and postnatal care including labor prep, diastasis recti and ‘return-to-activity’

• Urinary frequency, urgency and incontinence

• Constipation, straining and bloating

• Hip, pelvic and low-back pain

• Prolapse and pressure management

• Sexual dysfunction, intercourse-related pain and vaginal atrophy/dryness

• Reproductive health, menstrual pain, endometriosis and PCOS

Your pelvic health practitioner will conduct an in-depth review of your history to comprehensively address your concerns and create meaningful goals for your rehabilitation plan. We believe education and empowerment to be an integral component of your treatment journey and will strive to exceed your expectations. An internal vaginal and/or rectal exam is considered the goal-standard method of evaluation and treatment but will only be performed with your informed consent.

WHAT IS LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE MASSAGE?

Brazilian Lymphatic Drainage is a type of massage focused on stimulating the natural drainage of the lymph nodes and lymphatic system, to eliminate inflammation and toxins from the body. This technique uses various pressures and rhythms to act on the lymphatic organs, and immediately reduce inflammation and bloating, improve circulation, digestion and energy levels. 

It can also be particularly useful for post operative, and pregnant persons, to encourage blood flow and reduce swelling.

Whether you are pregnant, recovering from surgery, or just looking to reduce inflammation, this treatment is for you! 

We Offer:

• Standard Lymphatic Drainage Massage for the Body

• Lymphatic Drainage Massage for the Face 

• Lymphatic Drainage Massage for the Body and FACE 

• Post-Operative Lymphatic Drainage Massage

• Lymphatic Massage combined with Thermotherapy (heat therapy)

• “Woodtherapy” - a specialized form of Lymphatic Drainage using wooden tools

 Here is a little more about the specialized services we offer!