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.
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.
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.
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.
IMS and dry needling are similar treatments that both involve the use of acupuncture needles to address muscle pain and tension. However, there are some key differences between the two techniques.
IMS is a treatment that is based on the principles of traditional Chinese acupuncture but differs in its application. It involves the insertion of acupuncture needles into the affected muscles and surrounding tissues to release tension, stimulate circulation, and promote tissue healing. IMS is typically performed by a licensed healthcare practitioner such as a physiotherapist or chiropractor who has completed specific training in the technique.
Dry needling, on the other hand, is a technique that is primarily focused on releasing trigger points or knots in muscles that can cause pain and dysfunction. It involves the insertion of acupuncture needles directly into the trigger point, causing a twitch response that helps release tension and promote healing. Dry needling is typically performed by a range of healthcare practitioners, including physiotherapists, chiropractors, and massage therapists.
While IMS and dry needling are both effective treatments for muscle pain and tension, they differ in their underlying principles and applications. Your healthcare practitioner can help determine which technique may be most appropriate for your specific needs.
Physiotherapy can play a significant role in improving sports ability and performance. Physiotherapists are skilled in assessing and addressing musculoskeletal imbalances, strength and flexibility issues, biomechanical problems, and injury prevention strategies. By providing tailored exercise programs, rehabilitation techniques, and sport-specific conditioning, physiotherapy can help enhance athletic performance, optimize movement patterns, prevent injuries, and support overall sports ability. It is important to work closely with a physiotherapist who understands your specific sport and goals to develop an individualized treatment plan.
This all depends on the severity of the injury, but most sprains require 2-6 weeks to heal. Our goals are to control inflammation, regain strength and range of motion, and restore muscle control and endurance levels before returning to sports or everyday life.
Physiotherapy can help to determine the source of your pain and provide appropriate treatment to help reduce pain.
Physiotherapy plays an important role in managing pelvic pain. Physiotherapists can help manage pain through techniques such as manual therapy, exercise, and electrical stimulation. They can also improve strength, flexibility, and stability in the pelvic region and manage pelvic floor muscle dysfunction that may contribute to pain. A physiotherapist can educate patients on proper posture, body mechanics, and activities to avoid, as well as ways to manage pain during daily activities, to improve their physical function and quality of life.
Pelvic floor physiotherapy is vital for women because of the unique physical challenges they may face, such as pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause. It aids in preparing the body for childbirth and supports postpartum recovery, helping to reduce potential complications like incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. It also provides strategies for managing conditions like stress and urge incontinence and various types of pelvic pain. Moreover, pelvic floor physiotherapy can enhance sexual health by addressing pelvic floor tension or weakness, and provide support during menopausal changes. Therefore, a tailored physiotherapy program can significantly contribute to a woman’s overall pelvic health and quality of life.
Yes, if you have sustained a workplace injury, you may be eligible to receive physiotherapy treatment through Alberta’s Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB). The WCB provides coverage for necessary medical treatment, including physiotherapy, for work-related injuries.
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