PHYSIOTHERAPY

A chiropractic adjustment is when a chiropractor manually manipulates various areas of the spine, neck, and the body.  In doing so, various parts of the body are shifted back into alignment. This relieves pain by removing the subluxation, nerve impingement, or any other issues that may be obstructing your peak wellness. With consistent treatment, adjustments can restore mobility and range of motion, alleviate stiffness, and decrease pain. Our clinic chiropractor would be happy to assist you with your health goals at our Bridgeland clinic in Calgary!

Non-surgical spinal decompression is an effective and pain-free way of treating chronic back and neck pain caused by degenerative disease, disc bulging/herniations, facet syndrome, and osteoarthritis. 

Your spine is composed of 24 vertebrae, stacked on top of one another with discs in between to provide cushioning and allow movement. Think of a disc as a jelly doughnut - the outside of the disc is made of fibrous rings called the annulus fibrosis. The inner gel is like the jelly inside the doughnut, called the nucleus pulposis. 

When the outer part of the disc is injured or has worn down (degenerated), the inner jelly can be squished through the tears in the disc - like jelly leaking out of your jelly doughnut. Pain is caused by tears in the disc itself or from the pinching or irritation of nerves that rub against the bulging/herniated disc.

Decompression works by gently stretching and opening the disc space, creating a negative pressure in the disc. This negative pressure acts to reduce the bulging and irritation. 

It draws fluids (water, oxygen, and nutrients) into the disc, thereby relieving the pain and stimulating healing in the disc. 

By relieving the compression/irritation of the nerves and healing disc tears, pain relief is achieved. Most people find decompression treatment relaxing and comfortable. In fact, some people fall asleep during treatment. Most people will need between 15-20 treatments to heal the disc and achieve lasting pain relief. 

Headaches, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, shin splints, shoulder pain, knee problems, and tennis elbow are just a few of the many conditions that can be resolved quickly and permanently with Active Release Therapy. 

Problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and nerves often develop from postural strain, repetitive strain, trauma, and/or chronic inflammation. 

This can lead to the formation of scar tissue or adhesions within and between the muscles, fascia, and other surrounding structures. This prevents proper function, loss of strength, and causes pain. ART serves to break these adhesions, thereby restoring proper function to the associated structures. 

Shockwave therapy uses sound waves to promote healing and break down adhesions in the muscles. These pulses of sound occur for short periods of time, creating micro-cavitation bubbles that expand and burst. The force created by these bubbles penetrate the tissue and stimulates cells in the body that are responsible for bone and connective tissue healing.  In many instances, shockwave therapy is most effective in cases where the human body has not been able to heal itself on its own. 

According to the Journal of Orthopedic Research and the Journal of the American Medical Association, shockwave therapy has a success rate of 90% for plantar fasciitis and 91% for calcific tendonitis of the shoulder. Most conditions only require 3-6 treatments once a week. 

At our Calgary clinic, we most commonly use Shockwave therapy for:

plantar fasciitis/heel spurs, achilles tendonitis, Morton's neuroma, rotator cuff injuries, golfer's elbow, tennis elbow, jumper's knee, ligament injuries to the knee, shin splints, and hip bursitis. 

Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) uses red light therapy emissions to treat various musculoskeletal conditions.

It is a non-invasive light source treatment that generates a single wavelength of light. It emits no heat, sound, or vibration. 

It is also called photobiology or bio stimulation. 

LLT is believed to affect the function of connective tissues (fibroblasts), and accelerate connective tissue repair.  It also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. Through low-level laser, we can stimulate healing in damaged tissue, and reduce pain caused by inflammation. 

The MedX Lumbar extension machines have been clinically proven to be extremely effective in the treatment of chronic back... until MedX developed their patented restraint systems. Before this, there was no effective way to isolate and strengthen the muscles of the spine. A large portion of back pain can be attributed to a weak back. Not many clinics utilize the MedX machine but YYC Sport and Spine recognizes the results that the MedX can do for your overall wellness and reduce back pain.

Many companies have "Low Back" exercise machines that claim to strengthen this area; however, clinical research has proven that these machines are actually more effective in strengthening the hamstrings and gluteus muscles. A controlled study done by the University of Florida showed that people who worked out on two difference "low back machines" for 12 weeks, actually gained no strength at all in their lumbar extensor muscles. Although, their hamstring and gluteus muscles did improve significantly. 

Rehabilitation providers worldwide have seen excellent outcomes using the MedX Lumbar machine. This is attributed to medical evidence that shows that the majority of patients with chronic spinal pain are significantly "deconditioned". Weakness of the musculature of the spine can lead to many conditions, such as herniated discs, facet syndrome, and degenerative joint disease. A strong spine provides a strong foundation that allows for healthy spaces between the vertebrae, which helps prevent spinal compression.

If you have done other treatments in the past for low back pain, only to get temporary relief - it is likely due to instability and muscle weakness, resulting in the pain returning.  Through strengthening and stabilizing your lower back, you are far less likely to have a recurrence of pain.

Custom orthotics fit comfortable in your shoes to correct how your feet carry your weight through your gait cycle (how you walk). This balances abnormalities in your feet, your stride, and throughout your lower body, which can alleviate foot pain, ankle pain, knee pain, hip pain, and lower back pain. 

At YYC Sport & Spine, we use the innovative technology utilized by Ontario Orthotics Lab (OOLAB). We take scans of your foot using 3D volumetric scanning (similar to facial recognition systems). Your orthotics are then made in the lab and sent directly to our Bridgeland clinic in Calgary once completed. From golf shoe orthotics to sport forms, OOLAB is able to create podiatric support that corrects your gait so you can function at your best.