SERVICES
Transcend Physiotherapy and Wellness is pleased to offer Physiotherapy and/or Acupuncture to its patients. We believe that a comprehensive assessment and one-on-one, individualized treatment sessions are vital to helping our patients move beyond their injury. For this reason, ALL of our sessions (whether an assessment or a treatment visit) are a FULL HOUR in length, and take place at your location, for your maximum convenience.
Most of our patients who have previously attended physiotherapy at “traditional” clinics immediately notice the difference in the comprehensiveness and quality of our care. We simply have more time to spend with you! It is often possible to be treated just once per week, instead of the inconvenience of travelling to a clinic for a much shorter appointment twice or more per week.
At Transcend, we don’t just cater to patients who are elderly or home-bound; our in-home services are also ideal for:
- Stay-at-home moms who find it difficult to bring their children to a clinic appointment;
- Employees and business owners who work from home
- Patients who are non-drivers or those who find public transportation inconvenient
- People who prefer to remain indoors during inclement weather
- Those who prefer a quieter environment without the noise and crowding of a traditional clinic
- Patients who desire a one-on-one appointment from a Registered Physiotherapist from start to finish. Transcend Physiotherapy does NOT employ physiotherapy assistants or kinesiologists.
PHYSIOTHERAPY
Physiotherapy is a primary care, autonomous health profession dedicated to improving quality of life by:
- Promoting optimal mobility, physical activity, and overall health and wellness;
- Preventing disease, injury, and disability;
- Managing acute and chronic conditions and activity limitations;
- Improving and maintaining optimal functional independence and physical performance;
- Rehabilitating injury and the effects of disease or disability with exercise programs and other interventions;
- Preventing reoccurrence, re-injury, or functional decline
Registered Physiotherapists use a variety of interventions and modalities to assist patients to obtain relief of symptoms and to address the underlying root causes of these symptoms. Some of these technique are:
Manual Therapy:
The use of “hands-on” techniques to address restrictions in the mobility of joints and/or soft tissues in the body. These techniques may include: myofascial or trigger point release, joint mobilizations or manipulations, scar tissue break-down, and neural tissue mobilization.
Individualized Therapeutic Exercises:
The prescription of specific exercises to correct the underlying biomechanical causes of a condition or injury. Examples include: strengthening, stretching, plyometrics, proprioception, balance, core building, and sport-specific conditioning.
Electrotherapeutic Current:
The use of various forms of electrical current (e.g. Interferential Current, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, and Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation) to modulate and relieve pain or to produce a muscle contraction.
Therapeutic Ultrasound:
The use of high-frequency sound waves to reduce inflammation and to increase local blood flow, with the effect of stimulating and expediting the healing process.
Kinesiotaping and Sport Taping:
The application of athletic or kinesiotape to provide support to injured structures, and to encourage use of appropriate biomechanics during functional activity or sports.
Acupuncture:
The use of fine, sterilized needles in specific points of the body to reduce pain and inflammation, and to promote improved circulation and healing. It can be used by physiotherapists within their scope of practice, as part of a comprehensive patient treatment plan; or, it can be provided as a stand-alone treatment by a Registered Acupuncturist. Please see the acupuncture section for a more detailed explanation.
ACUPUNCTURE
Acupuncture originated in China over 2500 years ago, and is now practised throughout the world. There are 2 main types of acupuncture currently in use:
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Acupuncture:
In TCM, the body’s blood and energy (known as “Qi”, pronounced “Chee”), flows in channels called Meridians. Disease and injury are caused by blockage or imbalance of the flow of Qi. Very thin needles are inserted into specific acupuncture points in the body to “unblock” the flow of Qi, and restore healing and harmony to the body. Many different types of conditions can be treated by TCM Acupuncture, for example: pain, nausea, fatigue, depression, weight loss, smoking cessation, dysmenorrhoea, insomnia, and asthma.
Medical (aka Contemporary) Acupuncture:
Medical Acupuncture is an adaptation of the Chinese method, using current knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathology. In modern acupuncture, fine needles are inserted into specific tissues in order to stimulate the nervous system and to cause endorphin release (the body’s natural pain killer). It is primarily used to relieve pain, to stimulate nerve function, to normalize adverse muscle tone, and to improve local circulation.
At Transcend, our therapists have training in both TCM and Medical Acupuncture, and will often use a combination of the two based upon the unique needs of the individual patient. Some patients request acupuncture as a stand-alone treatment, while others prefer to do acupuncture in conjunction with physiotherapy.
THINGS TO KNOW PRIOR TO YOUR FIRST ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT:
Prior to your first acupuncture treatment, your acupuncturist will take a detailed health history and perform a physical examination. You will be advised about the anticipated risks and benefits of treatment, and given an opportunity to ask questions. You will also be asked to sign a consent form. Your acupuncture treatment will be more effective and comfortable if you refrain from alcohol, nicotine and caffeine for 2 hours prior to and 2 hours after your treatment. You should eat a small snack prior to acupuncture, to help avoid nausea and light-headedness. Dress in loose, comfortable clothing.
Acupuncture is extremely safe, and has very few side effects. Sterile, disposable needles are used for each patient, and Stanhexidene is used to prepare the skin prior to needle insertion to minimize the chance of infection. During the treatment you will be monitored frequently, and you should immediately inform the acupuncturist if you begin to feel unwell. If the acupuncture is for a painful condition, you are advised not to perform vigorous physical activity for the following 24 hours.
It may take several sessions of acupuncture before you begin to notice a substantial difference in your symptoms. In very rare cases , the condition will get a little bit worse before it gets better. Keep your acupuncturist informed as to the effects you are noticing.