Services Overview

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapists are primary health care professionals. Physiotherapy combines in-depth knowledge of how the body works with specialized hands-on skills to assess, diagnose and treat illness, injury or disability. Our goal is to restore, maintain and maximize your strength, function, movement and overall well-being.

You do not require a referral to visit a physiotherapist, however some insurance companies require referrals for reimbursement of our services.

Manipulative Therapy

Manipulative Physiotherapists are highly trained at using their hands to diagnose and treat restrictions in movement in the spine, arms and legs. Using gentle, hands-on techniques, the therapists at Scotia Physiotherapy can help reduce muscle tightness, improve movement in the joints, reduce pain and improve function.

Alison, Michael and Cynthia are Fellows of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Physical Therapists (CAMPT), CAMPT is a member of the International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipluative Physical Therapists(IFOMPT). IFOMPT is a subgroup of the World Confederation of Physical Therapists(WCPT), a member of the World Health Organization (WHO). We are connected to our international colleagues around the globe!

Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is an alternative health option that manipulates the soft tissues of the body for therapeutic purposes.

It helps alleviate soft tissue discomfort associated with everyday and occupational stresses, muscular overuse, and many chronic pain syndromes. Massage therapy can also greatly reduce the development of painful muscular patterning if begun early enough after accidents involving trauma and injury.

Book online @ https://scotiaphysio.janeapp.com/

TMJ Disorders (TMD)

Scotia Physiotherapy in Halifax, NS specializes in the treatment of disorders of the TMJ.

The TMJ and Neck Clinic of Nova Scotia is a division of Scotia Physiotherapy in Halifax, NS specializes in the treatment of disorders of the TMJ (jaw).

Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) is the term used to describe issues associated with TMJ and facial muscle problems.

Jennifer Wade has studied extensively in the management of TMD (Temporomandibular Disorders) nationally and internationally, she also regularly lectures for Dalhousie University School of Dentistry and continuing education for practicing dental professionals. She has collaborates with oral surgeons and TMD dental specialists.

TMJ and Neck Clinic of Nova Scotia Referral pad

Sports Injury Rehabilitation

Our physiotherapists manage athletes of all abilities, providing counseling and education before, during and after sport activity, and manage all aspects of sports injury rehabilitation.

Complete Concussion Management

Complete Concussion Management (https://completeconcussions.com) consists of evidence-based, best-practice, comprehensive care derived from published research.  The goal of this program is to provide concussed patients and those at risk of concussion with proper care and procedures.

Athletic Screening/Running Assessments

For young athletes or individuals beginning a new activity an assessment of how your body moves — your biomechanics — can be critical in preventing injuries and optimizing performance.

Injured runners or people looking to get into running for the first time (or the first time in a long time) can come in for an assessment of their running pattern and of the strength of muscles relevant to proper running form. General guidelines about training programs can be provided for those new to running and those trying to adjust their running due to an injury.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is used for the treatment of pain and other symptoms and to help improve muscle and joint health. Physiotherapists at Scotia Physiotherapy practice acupuncture for the management of a range of conditions, including headache, spinal pain, shoulder pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, osteoarthritis, and sporting injuries.

Trigger Point Dry Needling

Myofascial trigger points are one of the most common components of acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain conditions. Trigger points often cause referred pain – pain felt in a different region away from the source of pain. Dry needling is an effective tool used by physiotherapists at Scotia Physiotherapy for releasing trigger points.

One-on-One Exercise Sessions

One-on-one exercise sessions are usually booked for 30 minute blocks and are billed as a regular physiotherapy treatment. They aid in exposing you to a wider variety of exercises that can help your condition, give you further feedback regarding proper form for your home exercises, and make doing your exercises more motivating. Occasionally patients have chosen to be paired with another patient with a similar injury for a one hour, 2-person exercise session.

Sessions have been used to transition people back to workouts at the gym after an injury, to help private patients for a return to work, to give patients a safe fitness program for home, or to review a patient’s exercise program before discharge from physiotherapy.

There are many conditions that can be addressed with these sessions and if you are interested, you can ask your individual therapist if this might be helpful for you.

Posture Rehabilitation

At Scotia Physiotherapy therapists are skilled at identifying Movement System Imbalances and are able to identify faulty alignment, movement patterns and muscle imbalances that contribute to poor and painful posture. Through treatment focusing on optimizing alignment and movement patterns we can help prevent musculoskeletal pain.

Real Time Ultrasound

Real Time Ultrasound is a tool to enhance the assessment and treatment of patients with motor control deficits of their lumbo-pelvic ‘core’ muscles. It is helpful for athletes trying to optimize core stability and the retraining of abdominal and pelvic control in new mothers.

Modalities

Modalities are used to help alleviate pain and promote soft tissue healing. Your treatment may include ultrasound, laser, electrical currents (TENS and IFC), moist heat or ice.

Education

At Scotia we provide essential education to you about the body, what keeps it from moving well, how to restore mobility, and how to avoid or prevent bodily harm.

Student VIP Preferred Practitioner Network

We are pleased to announce we are a member of the Student VIP Preferred Practitioner Network Agreement through Medavie Blue Cross. Dalhousie University and Saint Mary’s University students receive preferential pricing and direct billing. Call 902 425 3065 for details.

Vocal Physiotherapy

Vocal physiotherapy encompasses the treatment of the myofascial, muscular and cartilaginous structures of the larynx and the surrounding perilaryngeal region to produce efficient vocal fold vibration and voice production.

Professional voice users (anyone who uses their voice for work) such as teachers, barristers, radio announcers, health care professionals, singers or musical theatre performers, often report an effortful voice production and fatigue.

Treatment and assessment is individualised to reflect each person’s individual vocal demands and goals.

Your assessment and treatment may include the following areas:
• Posture (jaw, head, neck, thorax, lumbopelvic)
• Cervical Spine
• Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD)
• Scapular kinematics
• Breathing patterns

Treatment is regularly in conjunction with a vocal coach, Ear, Nose & Throat Physician (ENT) or Speech Language Pathologist (SLP).

Book with or contact Cynthia Murphy, cynthia.murphy@scotiaphysiotherapy.ca, with questions.

French

Both Cynthia Murphy and Jennifer Wade are bilingual and able to serve patients in French.

Motor vehicle accident (MVA) / Injury Management Consultants

All physiotherapists at Scotia Physiotherapy are skilled and experienced at helping people recover from motor vehicle accidents (MVAs). Pain management and gentle exercises are important parts of the recovery process to help people get back to their work, sports, hobbies and everyday lives’ activities.

As well, Alison Beaton and Cynthia Murphy are part of the Nova Scotia Government’s Register of Injury Management Consultants. This means they are trained to give an expert second opinion in more complex cases. If you are having trouble recovering from an MVA and would like a second opinion appointment, one can be booked with the clinic and approval received from your insurance company.

http://www.novascotia.ca/finance/en/home/insurance/imcr.aspx