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Advanced Manual Therapy

At Excite, we value hands-on treatment. We have dedicated years of post-graduate training to hone our hands-on skills to provide you with very specific and advanced manual therapy techniques.

How can manual therapy help?

Hands-on manual therapy is intended to produce any or all of the following effects:

  • improve tissue extensibility
  • increase range of motion of the joint complex
  • mobilize or manipulate soft tissues and joints
  • induce relaxation
  • change muscle function
  • modulate pain
  • and reduce soft tissue swelling
  • inflammation or movement restriction

Advanced manual treatment can affect muscles, joints, ligaments, and nerves.

Techniques

Manual therapy techniques can include:

  • soft tissue and joint mobilization
  • joint manipulation
  • instrument-assisted soft tissue techniques (IASTM)
  • traction
  • massage
  • trigger point therapy
  • active release techniques (ART)

Active range of motion and passive range of motion, stretching, and nerve mobilization.

The joints of the Cervical (Neck), thoracic(mid-back), and lumbar spine (low back) are often at the heart of any injury. They can become stuck or stiff. Our specific hands-on techniques including mobilization and manipulation can ease joint and spine pain and restore movement and mobility.

Let the expert staff at Excite Physio ease your pain with advanced manual therapy.

Physio Barrie

Intramuscular Stimulation

IMS can be an effective treatment when other treatments have failed. We often see patients with chronic pain that have seen many other practitioners and tried other therapies. They may even have tried “IMS” or other dry needling techniques before.

What sets us apart at Excited Physiotherapy is that by utilizing our experience, expertise and a variety of treatment techniques we can get great results. IMS can be an effective treatment for acute and chronic pain of neuropathic or nerve origin.

What is IMS?

IMS is a form of dry needling. “Dry” meaning nothing is injected. We use a fine, flexible needle that is often used for acupuncture.

After finding the root cause of your issue we will insert this needle into tight bands of a muscle caused by the nerve dysfunction. This releases the muscle and in turn calms the nerve, and allows the nerve and muscle to heal.

The goal of treatment is to release muscle shortening, which presses on and irritates the nerve. Supersensitive areas can be desensitized, and the persistent pull of shortened muscles can be released.

IMS is very effective for releasing shortened muscles under contracture, thereby causing mechanical pain from muscle pull. IMS, in effect, treats the underlying neuropathic condition that causes the pain.

When competently performed, IMS has a remarkable success rate, as proven by the amelioration of symptoms and signs, even for chronic back pain with sciatic nerve referral.

Clinical Yoga Therapy

Yoga is a mindful practice of physical movement, breathing, relaxation and meditation aimed at improving health and happiness.

A yoga routine consists of low-impact exercises or poses, which are held for some time while focusing on proper deep breathing to increase strength, flexibility, balance, circulation and relaxation.

Yoga can be used as a restorative and preventative practice, and is accessible to everyone, regardless of age, weight, flexibility or fitness.

Introducing a regular yoga practice can assist with pain relief, stress management, athletic performance, respiration and vitality. 

Techniques

Clinical Yoga therapy melds traditional yoga practices with medical physiotherapy treatment to utilize postures, breath work and meditation as part of your treatment plan.

A detailed assessment by one of our qualified Physiotherapists will help determine your individual needs.

Working with Physiotherapy Assistants, we will design a program using Yoga to work on specific impairments that you may have.

We strive to have you moving better and feeling better. We will build a foundation and give you the confidence to carry out your Yoga practice when you graduate from treatment.

Virtual Physiotherapy

The landscape of Physiotherapy is pivoting, as are most areas of our lives. Virtual therapy can be a rewarding way to access great service from the comfort and safety of your home.

What will happen during the appointment?
We will dedicate time to get to know you and your important history. We will look for any red flags or reasons to refer you to other care. Then we do a movement assessment to identify limitations, restrictions and asymmetry.

We put the pieces together and determine your specific issue. From there we will educate you about your injury, give recommendations and a home exercise program.

Christine recently completed a virtual session with a fellow cyclist. He was experiencing numbness issues as well feeling like his reach was too long. Using video she was able to see his exact setup and guide him through various drills and exercises.

Women’s and Pelvic Health

Both Christine and Brandon enjoy working with women’s health issues. Having had a baby herself, Christine has a great understanding of the issues faced by women during fertility, pregnancy, post-partum and in the years after.

So what do we mean when we say women’s health? We are dealing with the times when a woman becomes pregnant after delivery and in a few months and years after having a baby.

How can we help? We will take the time to get to know you and your specific problems. Together we can identify that maybe you need help with your pelvic floor, or maybe that you have a prolapse. You might need help building up your core muscles. Other areas of issue could include sciatica, low back, hip and sacroiliac joint pain.

Will you do an internal exam? At Excite we are trained only on external treatments for the core, pelvic floor and hips. We believe that we can find lots of ways to help without any invasive treatments. If we feel that more is needed to help, we can refer you to the appropriate professionals.

Motor Vehicle Accident
& Whiplash treatment

Whiplash is one of the more common issues faced after being in a car accident. After a car accident you may be scared, and feeling pain in areas where you haven’t had problems before. By booking one on one sessions we can help ease your fears and have you back to doing the things you love in no time.

What is whiplash? Whiplash associated disorder (WAD) details the pain, stiffness, muscle ache and headache that accompany a sudden acceleration and deceleration injury from a motor vehicle accident.

How can Excite Physiotherapists help? Christine and Brandon are experts in evaluating whiplash injuries. They will treat you with expert hands-on therapies including active release, dry needling (IMS) and joint mobilization. They will give you helpful advice such as how much activity to do when to rest, and whether to use heat or ice. When it is appropriate, they will give you specific exercises to help you recover from your whiplash injury fast.

Ergonomics / Work Injury Prevention

One of the most common changes that we have seen over the past year is the way that people work. Working from home can bring challenges such as workspace.

Even though you may be working at the kitchen table, we can make recommendations on how to optimize your setup. It’s not only about the setup, it’s also important to see your body position.

We will give you movement and stretching recommendations to do throughout your day.

Sports Injury and Prevention

Having worked with high-level athletes we understand the unique demands that are placed on your body. We also know how important it is to get you back to your sport as quickly as possible.

In some cases, we can keep you playing while we work together to heal your injury. Christine has worked with national-level athletes in sports such as wakeboarding, baseball. She works with lots of varsity athletes in sports such as basketball, hockey, soccer and wrestling.

We love helping high school athletes who are working to compete at a higher level. Brandon has worked with national, varsity and high school athletes. He has also worked with dancers, stunt athletes, Olympic and powerlifters. By breaking down the individual demands of your specific sport, he can find faulty movement patterns and give specific training to help you compete at your best. 

Core Strengthening

What is the “core?” the core refers to a collection of muscles that work together to stabilize and control the movements of your spine. At the top is the diaphragm, the bottom is the pelvic floor, the front is a large flat muscle called Transversus Abdominis. Lastly, at the back is the Multifidus, which is a collection of small muscles that connect one vertebra to the next. They don’t create any specific movement, rather they turn on in anticipation of movement, this provides stability to protect your joints.

Who may benefit from core training? Anyone with low back or spinal pain would benefit from a specific core program from their Excite Physiotherapist. New moms can almost always benefit from core strengthening due to the impact of pregnancy and labour and delivery on their core and pelvic floor muscles.

A strong core doesn’t only benefit those with low back pain, it provides a stable base for the limbs. Those with shoulder, knee, hip and ankle Injuries would also benefit from this type of rehabilitation.

Your Excite Physiotherapist will work with you one on one to develop a program specific to your individual needs. This will be progressed over time as your strength and control improve. Once you have achieved your goals, you will be discharged and sent home with some exercises that you can continue with for years to maintain your spinal health.

CrossFit and Training Injuries

CrossFit and other high-intensity interval training workouts are notoriously known for causing injuries. This doesn’t have to be the case. Often pieces are missing in the athletes’ training program. We identify these issues and work toward your training goals. Uniquely, we do our best to allow you to continue to train while rehabilitating your injury. We may have to make modifications, but we want you in the gym just as much as you want to be there. It’s important to find exercises that you can do and to keep moving.

Movement assessment for healthy athletes, and athletes without pain. This can help identify limitations before they turn into injuries. By finding and fixing faulty movement patterns we can help you to train and perform at higher levels.

Physiotherapy

Our Physiotherapists are highly trained and skilled healthcare professionals who utilize various techniques and interventions to assess, diagnose, and treat a wide range of conditions and injuries.

The primary goal of Physiotherapy is to optimize movement and function, alleviate pain, and promote overall health and well-being. We work with individuals of all ages and can assist in the management of acute or chronic conditions, injuries, and disabilities.

What do Physiotherapists do?

  1. Assessment and Evaluation: We perform comprehensive assessments to evaluate you movement, strength, flexibility, posture, balance, and overall physical function. This helps us in identifying specific impairments or limitations.

  2. Treatment Techniques: Our Physiotherapists incorporate a variety of techniques and interventions tailored to your individual needs. These may include therapeutic exercises, advanced manual therapy (such as joint mobilization and soft tissue techniques), Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS, GunnIMS), and other specialized modalities.

  3. Rehabilitation and Recovery: Physiotherapists develop customized treatment plans to address the identified impairments and promote recovery. They provide guidance on exercises, stretching, and strengthening programs to improve mobility, restore function, and prevent further injuries.

  4. Pain Management: Physiotherapy can help manage pain through techniques such as manual therapy, therapeutic exercises, electrotherapy, and education on pain management strategies.

  5. Education and Prevention: Physiotherapists educate individuals about their conditions, provide advice on injury prevention, and promote healthy lifestyles and habits.

Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is a hands-on therapeutic approach that involves manipulating the soft tissues of the body to promote relaxation, relieve muscle tension, enhance circulation, and improve overall well-being.

Massage Therapy is a form of manual therapy that involves the use of various techniques, such as kneading, rubbing, and pressing, to manipulate the soft tissues of the body, including the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The goal of massage therapy is to reduce pain and muscle tension, and improve circulation and range of motion. Registered Massage Therapists use a variety of techniques to achieve these goals, such as Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, and sports massage. Massage Therapy can be used to treat a wide range of conditions, including Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ, TMD), tension headaches, and chronic pain. To learn more, check out our blog.

Here are some key aspects of massage therapy:

  1. Techniques: Massage therapists utilize various techniques to address different needs and goals. These techniques may include Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, sports massage, trigger point therapy, myofascial release, and many others. Each technique involves specific strokes, pressure, and movements to target different areas and address specific conditions.
  2. Benefits: Massage therapy offers a range of potential benefits. It can help reduce muscle tension, relieve pain, improve flexibility and range of motion, enhance blood circulation, promote relaxation and stress reduction, support rehabilitation after injuries, and aid in overall physical and mental well-being.
  3. Assessment and Customization: A massage therapist typically begins by assessing the client’s needs, medical history, and any specific concerns or goals. Based on this assessment, they customize the treatment to address the individual’s unique requirements and preferences.
  4. Environment: Massage therapy sessions are usually conducted in a calm and comfortable environment. The massage table or chair is used to support the client’s body during the session. The therapist may use oils, lotions, or creams to reduce friction and facilitate smooth movements.
  5. Professionalism and Ethics: Massage therapists adhere to a code of ethics, which includes maintaining client confidentiality, ensuring client comfort and safety, obtaining informed consent, and maintaining professional boundaries.

Massage therapy is commonly sought out for relaxation and stress relief, as well as for addressing specific conditions such as muscle pain, sports injuries, postural imbalances, headaches, and chronic pain. At Excite Physiotherapy Barrie, we use a collaborative approach integrating Massage Therapy Barrie with other healthcare professionals.

Myofunctional Therapy

Myofunctional therapy, also known as orofacial myofunctional therapy, is a specialized form of therapy that aims to address and correct improper orofacial muscle function and coordination. It focuses on the muscles of the face, mouth, and throat, including the tongue, lips, and jaw.

The goal of myofunctional therapy is to optimize the balance and function of these muscles, which can affect various aspects of oral and overall health. The therapy primarily targets the correction of dysfunctional oral habits and improper swallowing patterns, which can lead to a range of issues.

Some common conditions and problems that myofunctional therapy can help address include:

  1. Tongue thrust: A pattern of swallowing in which the tongue pushes forward against the front teeth instead of resting against the palate. This can lead to dental malocclusions, speech issues, and swallowing difficulties.
  2. Incorrect breathing patterns: Myofunctional therapy can help individuals who have a habit of mouth breathing rather than nasal breathing, which can affect facial development, dental alignment, and overall health.
  3. Incorrect posture and muscle function: The therapy addresses issues such as poor tongue posture, improper chewing and swallowing patterns, and weak or imbalanced facial muscles.
  4. Speech disorders: Myofunctional therapy can be beneficial for individuals with certain speech disorders, such as lisps, due to muscle dysfunction or improper oral habits.

The therapy typically involves a series of exercises and techniques that aim to retrain and strengthen the muscles involved in orofacial function. These exercises may include tongue exercises, lip exercises, swallowing exercises, and breathing exercises. Myofunctional therapy is carried out by Emilie Guy, Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist and Registered Dental Hygienist.

Conditions We Treat:

  • Concussion
  • TMJ
  • Headaches
    and neck pain
  • Rotator Cuff tears and shoulder pain

  • Disc herniations and low back pain

  • Degenerative disc disease

  • Arthritis including Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Psoriatic Arthritis

  • Ankle and knee sprains (ACL tear, MCL tear and Meniscus tear injuries)

  • Pulled Muscles and muscle tears

  • Tendinitis including tennis elbow, golfers elbow, rotator cuff, Achilles
  • Pre and post-surgical rehabilitation including ACL, Meniscus, Achilles, total hip and total knee replacements, back and neck surgery
  • Pinched nerves in the neck and low back
  • Sciatica
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Post Partum pelvic organ prolapse, diastasis

 

 

© 2022 Excite Physiotherapy, All Rights Reserved

Get in Touch

63 Mary St

Barrie, On

L4N 1T2

info@excitephysio.com

(705) 279-2759

Experience. Exceptional Skills. Results.

Whether you are experiencing back pain for the first or have been suffering with pain for years, we have the experience and the skills necessary to help you get relief quickly. Located downtown Barrie, Ontario.

Land Acknowledgement 

We acknowledge that we are on the traditional territory of Anishinaabeg people, which include the Odawa, Ojibwe, and Pottawatomi Nations collectively known as the Three Fires Confederacy. We are dedicated to moving forward in the spirit of respect and reconciliation by honoring the history and culture of Indigenous people. 

Safe Space 

At Excite physiotherapy we are committed to creating a safe space that serves a diverse community. In a culture of connectedness, we can empower each other to thrive and grow. 

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