Like any medical treatment, IMS has potential side effects and risks. However, IMS is generally considered safe when performed by a qualified healthcare practitioner. Common side effects of IMS may include mild soreness or bruising at the needle insertion sites, temporary muscle weakness or fatigue, and minor bleeding or infection at the needle insertion site.
Patients with certain medical conditions, such as bleeding disorders, infections, or allergies to certain metals, may not be suitable candidates for IMS. It’s important to discuss any pre-existing medical conditions or concerns with your healthcare practitioner before beginning IMS treatment.
Overall, IMS is generally considered a safe and effective treatment option for many people with chronic pain and muscle tension. However, it’s important to work with a qualified healthcare practitioner who has experience in performing IMS and to follow all post-treatment instructions to minimize the risk of complications.
Strengthening your pelvic floor muscles can be done by doing specific exercises called ‘Kegels’. Your physiotherapist will discuss the best techniques and provide you with easy-to-follow information that you can do in the comfort of your own home. If you are experiencing issues with your pelvic floor, it’s important that you seek help and address the issues with a professional. Pelvic floor dysfunction can have negative effects on the quality of life for both men and women. A weak pelvic floor can impact home and work activities, personal relationships, social lives, and mental well-being.
Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is a non-invasive treatment that involves the delivery of shock waves to injured soft tissue to decrease pain and promote healing. It has been used in the treatment of many musculoskeletal conditions, primarily those involving connective tissues such as ligaments and tendons.Â
A ligament is a band of tough, fibrous tissue that connects bones to other bones or to cartilage. Ligaments attach at one end to a bone and at the other end to another structure, such as a tendon or joint capsule. Ligaments prevent excessive movement and help stabilize joints.
Physiotherapy is a valuable treatment option for a variety of musculoskeletal health conditions that can help to improve the quality of life for people affected by pain and discomfort. It is beneficial for athletes, workers, and seniors’ health.
IMS can be used to treat headaches and migraines, especially if they are caused by tension and tightness in the neck, shoulders, and upper back muscles. By targeting these areas with acupuncture needles, IMS can help release tension and promote circulation, which may alleviate headache symptoms.
In some cases, headaches and migraines may also be caused by trigger points or knots in the muscles of the neck and shoulders. IMS can be used to release these trigger points, which may provide relief from headache symptoms.
It is important to note that IMS may not be effective for all types of headaches and migraines. Your healthcare practitioner can help determine if IMS is a suitable treatment option for your specific condition, and may recommend other treatments or therapies in addition to IMS. It is also important to consult with a healthcare practitioner if you experience frequent or severe headaches, as they may be a symptom of an underlying medical condition.
Shoulder impingement is a chronic compression injury to the soft-tissue structures of the shoulder joint. When you move your arm overhead, the space between your humerus (arm bone) and the acromion (pointy end) of your shoulder blade shrinks, and the tendons running through that area from your rotator cuff can get irritated. Normally, this temporary compression does not lead to any injury, but consistently repeating overhead motions can lead to irritation and pain. If left untreated, the constant compression of the structures in the shoulder joint can lead to more debilitating effects and chronic shoulder pain.
In Alberta, physiotherapists are considered primary care providers, so you can see a private one without requiring your doctor’s referral.
However, your physician will likely refer you to a physiotherapist for post-surgery recovery or an extended medical issue needing specialized attention. It is common for physiotherapists to collaborate with other healthcare professionals such as a doctor, occupational therapists and massage therapists to develop an individualized treatment plan for you.
In addition, if your private health insurance covers physiotherapy, you may need to provide a doctor’s referral for the insurer to cover the cost of your treatment.
Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy can be effective in helping with incontinence. Our Physiotherapists will help create a treatment plan that is tailored specifically for you. With their help, you can start making progress and achieve your goals!
At Human Integrated Performance, our Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy sessions typically last between 30 and 60 minutes. During your session, our physiotherapists will assess your pelvic floor strength and evaluate any issues that may be causing pain or dysfunction. Then they will create a customized treatment plan designed specifically for you. This plan may include exercises, manual therapy techniques, and breathing strategies to help you improve your performance and prevent injury.
The timeline for improvement in physiotherapy varies and can depend on several factors such as the condition, severity, frequency, consistency of therapy, and overall health. Typically, some improvement can be seen in a few weeks to a few months, with more significant improvements potentially taking several months to a year or more. Gradual improvement is common, and temporary worsening or plateauing of symptoms can occur. A personalized timeline can be discussed with a physiotherapist.
