Too often people are in the habit of seeking treatment with the sole goal of decreasing pain. Pain is important insofar as it affects function: our ability to perform movements and activities. Functional Dry Needling (often referred to as IMS/Intramuscular Stimulation) aims to not only reduce pain, but to assist in improving function and movement. Fine filiform needles are inserted deep within muscle tissue to target injured, tight or distressed muscles.

Functional rehabilitation is an extension of the traditional elements of physical therapy, the purpose of which is to return the patient to complex movement patterns. As well as the traditional elements of physical therapy such as strength and flexibility, the functional rehabilitation program incorporates agility and proprioceptive/kinesthetic training, which enable the patient to participate at pre-injury levels of activity while reducing the risk of recurrent injury. The functional rehabilitation program is designed to progress the patient from simple activities, such as walking or jogging, to highly complex sport-specific or work-specific activities that require refined levels of proprioceptive acuity. The final phase of the functional rehabilitation program is determining when the patient is ready to resume participation in their respective sport or job.

The Kinesio Taping® Method is a rehabilitative taping technique that is designed to facilitate the body’s natural healing process. It provides support and stability to muscles and joints without restricting the body’s range of motion, providing extended soft tissue manipulation to prolong the benefits of manual therapy administered within the clinical setting. Latex-free and wearable for days at a time, Kinesio® Tape is safe for populations ranging from pediatric to geriatric, and successfully treats a variety of orthopedic, neuromuscular, neurological and other medical conditions. Athletic taping is a traditional taping technique that effectively wraps a joint to provide stability and support in cases of ligament and joint capsule sprains.

Manual Therapy is a clinical approach utilizing skilled, specific hands-on techniques to assess and treat injury and dysfunction in soft tissues and joints in the body. This can involve assisted stretches, deep tissue massage, myofascial release, mobilizations and manipulations. Mobilizations are gentle, rhythmic, passive movements and manipulations are skilled, passive, quick movements. Manual therapy is effective in achieving numerous treatment goals including: modulating pain, increasing range of motion (ROM), reducing or eliminating soft tissue inflammation, inducing relaxation, improving contractile and non-contractile tissue repair, extensibility, and/or stability, facilitating movement and improving function.

TENS (Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) – Electrical current applied through two or four electrodes. This stimulation is usually very comfortable for the patient and can provide immediate reduction of pain and muscle tension.

IFC (Interferential current) – Another form of electrical current, IFC provides deeper stimulation and can be utilized to provide longer term pain reduction. It can be used to reduce pain and/or swelling in both acute (ie; sprained ankle or knee) and sub-acute or chronic conditions (ie; ongoing back pain).

Ultrasound – Ultrasound is a sound wave that produces mechanical energy which is used to break down scar tissue and decrease pain. It can be an effective treatment for various tendinopathies and local inflammation.

Thermotherapy – Application of moist heat to improve blood circulation and relax soft tissues.

Cryotherapy – Application of ice packs to reduce swelling and control acute pain and inflammation.

Women undergo many musculoskeletal, physiological, and emotional changes during and after pregnancy. These changes can lead to neck pain, low back pain, pelvic pain, joint discomfort, and/or incontinence, creating a special need for therapeutic exercise and hand-on treatment. Teamworks has developed a program of gentle, safe manual therapy and exercise prescription to address and relieve these pregnancy-related changes. Our prenatal/postpartum exercise program starts with a comprehensive and thorough evaluation, after which an individualized treatment program will be developed by one of our trained practitioners.

This program may include:

• Postural awareness training that focuses on safe and proper body mechanics while caring for your newborn
• Flexibility and strength training to meet your specific musculoskeletal needs
• Treatment of orthopedic dysfunctions to alleviate any specific aches and pains related to your pregnancy or delivery
• Aerobic exercise for overall cardiovascular health and endurance, enabling you to keep up with the new demands of motherhood and regain your pre-pregnancy fitness level
• Bladder management techniques to address any incontinence and/or pelvic floor pain or weakness you may be experiencing

Teamworks plays a vital role when preparing for or recovering from surgery. Our team of experienced and highly qualified practitioners will ensure that you are in the best form possible to go into surgery and will carefully guide you through the postoperative period. We are committed to seeing you right through the process so that you can successfully return to all of your life and sport activities.

We are experienced at taking patients through various surgical procedures including:

• ACL reconstruction, total knee replacements, patella reconstruction
• Shoulder surgery
• Spinal surgery
• Hip replacement and hip arthroscopy
• Wrist fractures and carpal tunnel release
• Ankle fractures and reconstruction

We are equipped with a bright, spacious exercise gym where we will help you through the steps of the pre and post surgical rehabilitation process. Our practitioners will provide you with appropriate range of motion, stabilization, and strength exercises which will help you gain back independence and function.

We will obtain reports from your orthopaedic surgeon after your surgery and provide them with progress reports throughout your recovery to ensure that your progress is on track and that you have a successful outcome.

Sport injuries, whether you are an elite or recreational athlete, require specialized care. The spectrum of sport injury management at Teamworks ranges from injury risk screening and prevention programming to sport-specific movement training and performance enhancement. Our practitioners at Teamworks use the most effective treatment methods and have a vast array of experience working with athletes of all ages and ability. Moreover, our practitioners are active themselves and personal experience with sport-related injuries provides them with a deep understanding of the experiences of injured athletes.

• Vertigo (i.e. room is spinning)
• Dizziness
• Unsteadiness or falls
• Visual disturbances
• Hearing loss
• Tinnitus
• Pain and fullness in the ears
• Sensitivity to bustling environments

Active Rehabilitation (AR) is one-on-one guided exercise therapy with either a Registered Physiotherapist or a Registered Kinesiologist at Teamworks. The goal of AR is to successfully return participants back to work and daily activities after an injury, including normal physical activities and/or sport participation. The program is open to anyone that would benefit from an active approach to injury rehabilitation, including those that have sustained a motor vehicle accident (ICBC claim).  For ICBC patients, the full cost of the program is usually covered by ICBC.  You will be lead through a progressive, customized exercise program that is specifically designed to meet your needs and assist you in achieving your goals. The program will include some combination of core strengthening, postural training, work-specific exercises, education, cardiovascular training, balance, proprioception, strength, flexibility and endurance training.

This program has been uniquely created by Teamworks to address the needs of patients who are either unsure of which service(s) they would benefit from most or those who have a complex injury presentation. A thorough initial assessment is performed by one of our Chiropractors or Physiotherapists and then a customized treatment program is developed. This treatment plan includes a combination of services and treatment techniques that is specifically designed to meet each patient’s needs. We highly recommend this program for anyone that is interested in benefiting from our team approach to care.

Your initial appointment in the Collaborative Care Program will be booked with either a Chiropractor or a Physiotherapist (depending on your preference as well as practitioner availability). Your practitioner will perform a thorough exam, including both a subjective (injury/medical/activity history) and an objective (specific and functional movements, orthopedic and possible neurological tests) assessment. Once the practitioner has gotten to the root of the problem, they will recommend a custom management plan that includes some combination of our various services (chiropractic, ART®, physiotherapy, massage therapy, acupuncture, etc). You will be actively involved in the planning process to ensure that the management plan meets your preferences and your needs.

Teamworks hosts in-house educational sessions and workshops on various health related topics. Participation is open to all patients as well as friends, family and community members. If you are interested in attending, join our mailing list or like us on Facebook to stay connected and learn about upcoming educational sessions. In addition, if you would like to learn more about a particular topic, let one of our staff members know and we can arrange to include it in an upcoming session.

At Teamworks, we believe that your recovery occurs both inside and outside of the clinic. If you spend 8 to 10 hours a day sitting at a desk, you are likely to put a lot of strain on your upper back, lower back, neck and shoulders. The effects of any treatment program are only beneficial if your work or home environment is conducive to good posture and body mechanics.

Ergonomic assessments are beneficial following an injury. However, they are also beneficial in the prevention of injuries such as repetitive strains. Our practitioners have experience in conducting ergonomic assessments for individuals, small companies and large employers. These assessments are conducted on-site and personalized. A history is taken for each client, followed by an in-depth look at their regular work schedule, tasks and positions. At the completion of the assessment, recommendations can be made with respect to changing positions, changing furniture and/or other medical intervention. Follow up visits are optional, but recommended, in order to ensure that the changes are producing the desired results.

Ergonomic assessments can be billed to the client or to the employer. All assessments, reports and follow-up visits can be claimed through your insurance plan. If you feel that you or your staff would benefit from an ergonomic assessment or workplace health program, please contact us for more details.

In order to avoid injury we must be able to move efficiently. Joints need to be capable of providing adequate movement and muscles must generate enough force at the right time to be able to produce a smooth and efficient gait cycle. If joints are stiff and muscles are weak and/or tight, the body finds ways of compensating for the problem, leading to biomechanical abnormalities. Various injuries can result from these abnormalities including plantar fasciitis, patellofemoral pain syndrome, shin splints and other injuries at the ankle, knee and hip.

At Teamworks, a gait analysis can be performed as a part of your comprehensive initial assessment with a Physiotherapist or Chiropractor. This analysis involves walking on a treadmill or outside. Your practitioner will observe the way that you move, looking in particular at your technique as well as your feet, ankles, knees, hips and back. It will provide valuable information as to how your joints are moving and working together through the gait cycle, giving your practitioner insight into biomechanical abnormalities that may be contributing to your injury. Your practitioner will provide you with a summary of your findings and often prescribe exercises and/or make footwear or orthotic recommendations based on the assessment.

Teamworks practitioners are passionate about injury prevention. Utilizing standard (ie; FMS) as well as custom assessment screens (developed by Teamworks’ practitioners), we are able to identify risk factors for injury. Patients receive a summary report of their findings, including identification of key findings, potential implications of these findings and a list of recommendations. The results can then be utilized to develop a customized injury prevention program and/or guide practitioners in their treatment management plans.

Interested in learning more about workplace ergonomics, nutrition, postural re-training, injury prevention, or another health-related topic? Our practitioners are available to come to your workplace to do an educational workshop on the topic of your choice, and the best part is, it’s free! Just get a group of at least 5 co-workers to attend the workshop and we will take care of the rest.

Postural Analysis is the process of evaluating the body positioning of a patient. When one’s posture is “off”, the body may experience a range of problems including: restricted range of motion, pain and joint, tendon, ligament and muscle stress. Our practitioners utilize both the traditional plumbline method as well as a state of the art software program to assess your posture.

With your consent, two pictures will be taken to view your posture from the side and front. The results are privacy protected and sent directly to you by email. Your practitioner will review the findings with you and make recommendations for treatment and/or postural exercise correction.

Interested in exercising in small groups with like-minded people? Teamworks offers a variety of small group exercise programs including: core strengthening, postural retraining and perinatal fitness. Sign up with our receptionist or let one of our practitioners know at your next appointment.

The body has an ideal position, and our trained practitioners can evaluate your body’s positioning and movements to identify deviations that may be impacting the quality of your movement and/or your sport performance. Video analysis is a highly useful tool for assessing and revealing maladaptive patterns in functional movements.

Analysis can be performed during various activities and movements including cycling, overhead throwing and golf swinging. The analysis includes a written report summarizing the findings and their potential implications as well as treatment and exercise recommendations.

Do you want to run faster, safer and more energy efficient? Do you want to minimize your risk of encountering the multitude of injuries that are common in runners? Teamworks provides a comprehensive video run analysis program to achieve these goals. A frame-by-frame video analysis allows us to see specific biomechanical deviations and breakdowns in the kinetic chains of the lower body.

The analysis involves a comprehensive assessment of your training regime and goals, footwear, alignment, muscle balance, biomechanics and dynamic stability. You will be filmed running on the treadmill from various angles. Your practitioner will then analyze the footage and prepare a report summarizing your findings and recommendations for training, exercises, treatment and/or footwear.

We are committed to ensuring that our athletes not only maximize their skill and performance development, but also minimize their risk of injury, so that they may enjoy a long and healthy career in their chosen sport. These programs aim to: minimize an athlete’s risk to injury, improve their athletic performance, and enhance their sport-specific skill development.

Individual injury risk screens are performed on the players and the results are utilized to develop customized team training programs and provide individual recommendations. Early identification of risk factors for injury allows us to implement risk reduction strategies and set a solid foundation for skill and performance development.