Therapeutic Services for the Tri-Cities
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an ancient, safe and effective treatment that involves inserting sterile, single-use needles into the body to reduce pain and inflammation, increase circulation and improve function. The treatments are relaxing and comfortable with minimal to no side effects.
Ideal for:
> Acute inflammation and swelling after injuries
> Acute lower back strains and sciatica
> Various inflammatory conditions
> Osteoarthritis
Mechanical Neck Traction
After a thorough assessment to ensure it is safe and suitable, we use a machine to provide gentle decompression for the neck. Typically the process involves alternating on/off phases of traction to the neck while resting your head comfortably in the unit.
Ideal for:
> Chronic neck pain
> Osteo-arthritis of the neck
> Nerve root impingement
Pre & Post Surgical Rehabilitation
Post-surgical rehab involves a combination of hands-on techniques, exercises and modalities, such as electrical stimulation, to maximize your recovery potential and achieve your short-term and long-term goals.
Ideal for:
> Patients that are 6-8 weeks away from surgery
> Knee and hip replacements, rotator cuff and labral repairs
> ACL or other knee ligaments/meniscus repairs
Exercise Prescription
Exercise is one of the cornerstones of physiotherapy. If you are seeking to rehabilitate from an injury, maximize function, or deal with long-standing imbalance, chances are you will be receiving a home exercise program from our physiotherapists.
Ideal for:
> Weak, underused muscles
> Postural dysfunction
> Limited mobility from tight, shortened muscles
Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS)
A dry needling technique that uses thin acupuncture needles to directly release painful, high tone muscles. Muscles can get tight and sore over time, for example, if there are issues at an associated area of the spine, or simply because the muscle is used very repetitively.
Ideal for:
> Chronic, tight musculature causing dysfunction
> Nerve root compression, degenerative disc disease, osteoarthritis
> Neuropathic pain
Manual Therapy
Manual therapy is our main focus at Riverwood and there are many, many forms from massage techniques to joint mobilization. The type chosen is often dependent on what specific problem our patient is dealing with.
Ideal for:
> Tight muscles and joints
> Postural abnormalities
> Range of motion restrictions
Sports Rehabilitation
Whether you are dealing with repetitive stress brought on by your sport or a specific injury, it’s important that your rehab prepares your body for the specific demands that will be placed upon it. The end goal should be to become even stronger and more resilient than you were prior to the injury.
Ideal for:
> Athletes of all ages and skill levels
> Repetitive strain on muscles and joints
> Acute injuries limiting performance
Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD)
Just like many other joints and muscles in the body, some physiotherapists with specialized training can also treat the joint at our jaw and its surrounding muscles. Sometimes, pain at our face, head and neck can be arising from these structures and, if this is the case, various manual therapy techniques and exercises can be used to help. Assessment and treatment of this area often involves the upper neck as well.
Ideal for:
> Head and face pain that is not of dental origin.
> Headaches that seem to coincide with neck and jaw pain.
> Persistent clicking at the jaw.
Registered Massage Therapy
Massage Therapy is the treatment and prevention of dysfunction, injury and pain in the body through the use of hands-on manipulation of soft tissues and joints. Registered Massage Therapists (RMTs) in British Columbia are healthcare professionals committed to restoring and maintaining optimal health for their patients. There are several different massage techniques to help with a variety of conditions and your massage therapist at Riverwood will work with you to find techniques that are comfortable and effective for you.
Ideal for:
> Chronic pain
> Excessive muscular tone
> Stress/anxiety
> Reduced mobility
> Circulation
> Nerve impingement
> Pregnancy and postpartum
Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave or, more specifically, Radial Pressure Wave Therapy uses a device that transmits acoustic waves into the tissues in order to initiate a biochemical response in the area of treatment. Some of the desired effects at the tissue include an increase in vascularization and the initiation or enhancement of the body’s immune response. Because of its ability to promote this healing response, we often use the treatment for chronic muscle and tendon injury.
Ideal for:
> Tennis elbow
> Golfer’s elbow
> Rotator cuff tendinopathy
> Calcific tendonitis
> Plantar fasciitis
> Patellar and quadriceps tendinopathy
Active Rehabilitation Programs
The one-on-one guided exercise sessions, developed by our physiotherapists, are tailored to meet an individual’s specific needs. People looking to regain physical function and get back to prior level of physical activity after a motor vehicle accident. ICBC offers coverage for these programs if you have been involved in an accident but they are not limited to this situation alone. If you are looking for some exercise guidance to reach your goals – this program could be for you!
Ideal for:
> Motor vehicle accident recovery
> Guided fitness training
Women’s Pelvic Health
For treatment of various types of pelvic floor dysfunction. An initial assessment is customized to your needs with comprehensive history taking of bladder/bowel habits, sexual health, obstetric history, and pelvic floor awareness. If you are comfortable and it’s deemed appropriate, an internal exam may be performed to assess the functioning of your pelvic floor.
Ideal for:
> Urinary leakage
> Overactive bladder
> Pelvic Organ Prolapse
> SI joint, hip, low back pain