Patient Resources: Chiropractic, Physiotherapy, Acupuncture
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What Does the Scope of Physiotherapy Include?
The scope of services for physiotherapy encompasses a wide range of interventions aimed at promoting physical function, mobility, and overall well-being. Some of the key components of physiotherapy services include:
● Assessment and Diagnosis: Conducting thorough assessments to evaluate a patient’s physical condition, functional limitations, movement patterns, posture, strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination. This may involve using specialized tests and measurements to identify areas of impairment or dysfunction.
● Rehabilitation: Designing and implementing individualized rehabilitation programs to address musculoskeletal injuries, neurological disorders, orthopedic conditions, sports injuries, post-operative recovery, and other health concerns. Rehabilitation may include exercises, manual therapy techniques, therapeutic modalities, and functional training to restore mobility, strength, and function.
● Pain Management: Providing interventions to alleviate pain, discomfort, and inflammation associated withvarious musculoskeletal and neurological conditions. This may involve manual therapy techniques, therapeutic exercises, electrotherapy modalities, heat/cold therapy, and pain-relieving techniques to improve comfort and quality of life.
● Movement Restoration: Helping patients regain optimal movement patterns, range of motion, and motor control through targeted exercises, stretching techniques, joint mobilizations, and proprioceptive training. This aims to improve mobility, flexibility and functional capacity for daily activities and recreational pursuits.
● Education and Counseling: Educating patients about their condition, treatment options, self-management strategies, injury prevention techniques and ergonomics to empower them to take an active role in their recovery and maintain long-term health and wellness.
● Functional Training: Prescribing exercises and activities tailored to the individual’s specific goals, functional abilities, and lifestyle requirements. This may involve strength training, cardiovascular conditioning, balance exercises, agility drills, and task-specific training to enhance functional capacity and performance in activities of daily living.
● Prehabilitation: Providing preoperative or pre injury conditioning programs to optimize physical function, strength, and mobility before surgery or athletic events. Prehabilitation aims to minimize the risk of post-operative complications, enhance surgical outcomes, and expedite recovery.
● Home Exercise Programs: Developing customized home exercise programs that enable patients to continue their rehabilitation and self-care outside of the clinical setting. This promotes consistency, compliance and long-term maintenance of gains achieved during therapy sessions.
RENU’s physiotherapy services are designed to improve physical function, alleviate pain, restore mobility, prevent injuries, and enhance quality of life for individuals of all ages and abilities. Our physiotherapists Nicolaas Botha, works collaboratively with his patients to develop personalized treatment plans that address their unique needs, goals, and preferences, promoting optimal health and well being across the lifespan.
What Is Sports Chiropractic?
Sports chiropractic is a specialized field within chiropractic care that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of injuries related to sports and physical activity. Sports chiropractors like RENU’s Dr. Janine McKay, typically have advanced training in sports medicine and biomechanics, allowing them to assess and address musculoskeletal issues specific to athletes and active individuals.
They may use a variety of techniques such as spinal adjustments, soft tissue therapy, rehabilitation exercises, acupuncture, nutrition, exercise programming and ergonomic advice to help athletes optimize their performance, recover from injuries, and prevent future problems. Dr. Janine McKay is highly experiences, and works closely with other healthcare professionals, coaches, and trainers to provide comprehensive care for athletes of all levels.
What to Expect for Your First Chiropractic Session with Dr. Janine McKay or Physiotherapy Session with Nicolaas Botha?
1. Patient History: Before your appointment, one of our RENU team members willsend you a Chiropractic Intake form that will include questions related to yourmedical history, current symptoms, and any past treatments or surgeries.
2. Physical Examination: Our chiropractor will conduct a physical examination,which mayinvolve assessing your posture, range of motion, flexibility, andstrength. They may alsoperform specific tests related to your symptoms that aremore functional related to your sport.
3. Diagnostic Tests: Depending on your condition, your RENU practitioner may recommend diagnostic tests such as X-rays, MRI, or CT scans to get a clearer picture of your musculoskeletal system complaint.
4. Treatment Plan: After evaluating your condition, our chiropractor or physiotherapist will discuss the findings with you and propose a treatment plan. This plan may include manual adjustments/manipulations, exercises, stretches and lifestyle recommendations.
5. Education: You will be provided with some education about your condition/injury, including what may have caused it, how the recommended treatment will help, and what you can do to aid your recovery or manage your symptoms at home.
6. Follow-up: Depending on the severity of your condition, the diagnosis, contributing factors you may be advised to schedule follow-up sessions. These sessions are important for monitoring your progress, adjusting the treatment plan if necessary, and providing ongoing support and guidance.
Your first Chiropractic Session at RENU is focused on gathering information, assessing your condition, and designing a personalized treatment plan to help you achieve your goals and improve your musculoskeletal health. Remember to communicate openly with your practitioner about any concerns or preferences you have regarding your treatment.
What Do I Need to Do to Prepare for My First Sports Chiropractic Appointment with
Dr. Janine McKay?
Please complete the intake form before your appointment. The form will be emailed to you on the registeredemail you provided or can be downloaded at the top of this page. For the visit, bring or wear comfortable clothing. Tank top, shorts, leggings, etc. – depending on the area getting treated.
After my Chiropractic or Physio Session, Why Are My Home Exercises Important?
Home exercises are crucial after a chiropractic session with Dr. Janine McKay or a
physiotherapy session with Nicolaas Both for several reasons:
1. Continued Progress: The exercises prescribed by your RENU practitioner are designed to complement the treatments you will receive during your sessions. By performing these exercises at home, you reinforce the progress made during your appointments and promote ongoing improvement in your condition. In addition, by staying compliant with your home care, you will likely get better faster and return to your sport or activity faster than someone who does not follow home care recommendations.
2. Muscle Strengthening and Flexibility: Many home exercises focus on strengthening specific muscles, improving flexibility, and enhancing overall joint function. Consistently performing these exercises helps build strength and stability, reducing the risk of future injuries and enhancing your body’s ability to support proper alignment and stability required for your day-to-day activities and/or sport.
3. Long-Term Management: Chiropractic and physiotherapy treatments can provide immediate relief from pain and discomfort, but long-term management often requires active participation in your own care. Home exercises empower you to take control of your health and manage your condition effectively between appointments.
4. Faster Recovery: Regularly practicing home exercises can accelerate the healing process by promoting circulation, reducing inflammation, and preventing stiffness. This can lead to faster recovery times and improved overall outcomes.
5. Prevention of Recurrence: Many musculoskeletal conditions have a tendency to recur if not properly managed. Home exercises and exercise modification are tailored to your specific needs and can help address underlying issues, correct imbalances, and prevent future flare-ups or injuries.
6. Patient Engagement and Empowerment: Engaging in home exercises fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility for your own well-being. By actively participating in your treatment plan, you become an empowered partner in your healthcare journey, which can lead to better long-term results.
Remember to follow your RENU practitioner’s instructions closely when performing home exercises. If you experience any discomfort or have questions about your exercises, don’t hesitate to communicate with one of the RENU team members. We can provide guidance, modifications, or additional exercises as needed to support your recovery and overall wellness.
How Often Should I Have a Session with a Physiotherapist or Chiropractor?
The frequency of sessions with one of our manual therapists depends on several factors, including the nature and severity of your condition, your treatment goals, your sport, activity or job and your RENU healthcare provider’s recommendations. Here are some general guidelines:
1. Initial Assessment: You may start with more frequent sessions initially, particularly if you’re experiencing acute pain or have recently sustained an injury. This allows our RENU practitioner to assess your condition thoroughly, develop a personalized treatment plan and provide immediate relief and support.
2. Treatment Phase: During the active treatment phase, sessions may occur more frequently, typically ranging from once to twice a week. This frequency allows for consistent monitoring of your progress, adjustment of treatment techniques as needed, and reinforcement of home exercises and self-care strategies.
3. Maintenance Phase: As your condition improves and your symptoms stabilize, the frequency of sessions may decrease. You may transition to a maintenance phase where sessions occur less frequently, such as once every few weeks or once a month. These sessions focus on preventing relapses, optimizing function, and addressing any residual issues or imbalances.
4. Individualized Approach: Your RENU healthcare provider will tailor the frequency of sessions to your specific needs and response to treatment. Factors such as your tolerance for treatment, lifestyle factors, sport/activity/job and goals for recovery will influence the scheduling of appointments.
5. Ongoing Monitoring: Even after your symptoms have improved or resolved, periodic follow-up sessions may be recommended for ongoing monitoring and support; especially if you are active in a particular sport or you have a sedentary job that requires a sustained sitting posture all day. This helps ensure that any underlying issues are addressed proactively and that you maintain the progress achieved through treatment.
It’s important to communicate openly with your RENU physiotherapist Nicolaas Botha, or
chiropractor, Dr. Janine McKay, about your progress, any changes in your symptoms and about any concerns or preferences you have regarding the frequency of sessions. Together, we can determine the optimal schedule to support your recovery and overall musculoskeletal health.
What Should I Wear to My First Chiropractic or Physiotherapy Session?
For your first chiropractic session with Dr. Janine McKay or physiotherapy session with
Nicolaas Botha, it’s best to wear comfortable clothing that allows the practitioner to assess your range of motion and perform any necessary physical examinations easily. Here are some guidelines:
1. Loose, Flexible Clothing: Wear clothing that allows you to move freely and comfortably. Avoid tight or restrictive clothing that may impede your range of motion or make it difficult for the practitioner to access the areas of your body that need attention. Examples: for women with shoulder pain, bring a tank top or sports bra, for lower extremity injuries, shorts or leggings that go above the knee, low back pain- shorts or leggings are suitable.
2. For Women – Minimal Jewellery: Remove any excessive jewellery or accessories that may interfere with the examination or treatment. This includes necklaces, bracelets, and large earrings.
3. Closed-toe Shoes: If you’re receiving physiotherapy or sports chiropractic care and anticipate doing exercises or activities that require footwear, wear closed-toe shoes with good support and traction.
4. Comfortable Undergarments: Wear comfortable undergarments that you feel at ease moving around in, especially if the practitioner needs to assess your spine or perform manual therapies.
5. Avoid Strong Scents: Refrain from wearing strong perfumes, colognes, or heavily scented lotions as they may bother others or trigger sensitivities.
By wearing appropriate attire, you’ll ensure that your session goes smoothly and that our RENU practitioner can effectively assess and treat your condition. If you have any specific concerns or questions about what to wear, feel free to ask the RENU team when scheduling your appointment.
Does a Sports Specialist Chiropractor Only Treat Backs and Necks?
No, RENU’s sports specialist chiropractor, Dr. Janine McKay, also specializes in the treatment of the extremities and head injuries.
Here is some information to help you better understand the value of Sports Chiropractic services, and what it can do for your athletic performance:
Sports chiropractic is a specialty of chiropractic that focuses on the diagnosis, management and prevention of any injury related to physical activity. They are proficient in:
● Preventative management of injuries
● Recognition and evaluation of sport-related injuries
● On/off field care and first responder at sporting events
● Management and treatment of spine/extremity injuries
● Exercise science and prescription/rehabilitation
● Proper referral to another specialist specific to your needs
● Acute/immediate injury care
● Concussion assessment
● Return-to-play protocols for sport-related injuries
● Active and passive recovery
What Is Medical Acupuncture?
Contemporary medical acupuncture strives to bridge the gap between traditional acupuncture practices and contemporary medicine, pulling techniques and principles from both to achieve the ultimate integrative practice.
Uniting the concepts of neurophysiology, neuroanatomy, and pathophysiology, medical acupuncture uses small disposable needles to manually or electrically stimulate peripheral nerves for therapeutic purposes of regulating the nervous system, exocrine, endocrine immune systems in order to eradicate abnormal activity. As a proven practice, medical acupuncture significantly reduces pain in syndromes like arthritis, back pain, migraines, nerve damage, fibromyalgia. It can also improve functional problems like muscle weakness.
Contemporary medical acupuncture is a mechanism – rather than disease-based approach to treatment. After reviewing the patient’s history and performing a physical exam, the RENU Practitioner – being Dr. Janine McKay – carefully selects the points to needle based on her extensive knowledge of neuromuscular anatomy, allowing the treatment to promote nerve flow and/or improve muscle tone. By stimulating the body’s innate healing abilities, as well as restoring energetic and biochemical balance, medical acupuncture is an effective treatment for a variety of conditions.
What Is Dry Needling?
Similar to contemporary medical acupuncture, dry needling is an invasive technique whereby acupuncture needles are inserted into muscles, ligaments, tendons, subcutaneous fascia, and scar tissue to target myofascial pain (‘myo’ = muscle, and ‘fascia’ = the tissue that connects muscles).
Dry needling is directed at myofascial trigger points (MTrP), hyperirritable spots in skeletal muscle – more commonly known as ‘knots’ – that are often the cause of referred pain, muscle weakness, and restricted range of motion (ROM).
Trigger points are formed when our muscles release excessive amounts of the neurotransmitter called acetylcholine, a protective mechanism produced in response to actual (or even potential!) muscle damage. When we perform new movements, hold uncomfortable postures or subject ourselves to repetitive stress, trigger points develop in the muscle. Because these points receive decreased blood flow, if left untreated, they can cause sustained pain.
Trigger point dry needling can be done on both a superficial (skin) or deep (muscle) level, depending on the needs of the individual. At RENU, we generally integrate dry needling into a treatment plan that includes exercise, manual therapy, heat therapy, and patient education.