Sports & Orthopedic Clinic
We’ll help you get back in action after an injury or surgery. We use a variety of techniques to expedite your recovery and reduce future injury.
Why Choose Bentall Physiotherapy?
The Bentall Physiotherapy Difference
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We focus on the source of the problem and not the symptoms…
We want you to get back to a normal and active life as quickly and safely as possible. Instead of treating your symptoms for temporary pain relief, we focus on identifying the source of the problem and treat that for long lasting results.
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We focus on education and habit / movement pattern modification…
We want you to see lasting results. Our team members will assess a variety of movement patterns and postures while empowering you with education and exercises so that you can reduce the risk of re-injury and prevent new injuries from occurring.
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We take a holistic approach to treatment…
We understand that the human body is incredibly interconnected. We use a variety of technology and techniques to detect and treat not only the underlying cause of your problem but also other areas of your body that might be contributing to the problem.
We treat the entire musculoskeletal system to ensure a quick recovery and a safe return to sports and your every day life.
Most injuries (from sports or work) affect the musculoskeletal system (ie your skeleton, muscles, joints, ligament and tendons). “Orthopaedics” is the medical term used to encompass this system. Given their rigorous training in anatomy and biomechanics (the science of human movement), physiotherapists are uniquely suited to help when your musculoskeletal system is affected by injury, surgery or chronic disease.
Therapeutic Exercise Prescription is one of the main ways physiotherapists help to retrain your body to move correctly. Core strengthening is usually a component in this program and cross training is encouraged.
For individuals requiring surgery, a rehabilitation program is critical for a good outcome.
Treatment Techniques
Spiral Stabilization
Spiral Stabilization is an unique exercise method effective in prevention and treatment of spinal disorders, muscle imbalance and mechanical problems of peripheral joints(shoulders, hips, keens and feet). This unconventional movement approach relies on the concept of spiral muscle chains producing traction of the spine that relieves pressure in the intervertebral discs and joints and allows for the proper nutrition and regeneration. Muscle spirals also allow for optimal spinal mobility while aligning the spine into a centralized axis.
The exercises are performed with an elastic cord and incorporate all important elements of strengthening, stabilization, stretching, relaxation, coordination and balance in every exercise.
They are easy to learn as they are based on the natural movement patterns of the body regularly used during walking and running.
How does it work?
Initially the focus goes to reducing muscle imbalances in the shoulder. We continue by correcting the muscle imbalance in the pelvis and later in the abdominal region. We stretch the muscles compressing the spine – long muscles located along the spine. We renew the activity of the short muscles that coordinate the mutual alignment of the vertebrae. We exercise the muscle spirals through body’s main section – the external, internal oblique and transverse abdominal muscles, which contract the area of the waist and create an upward force. After correctly performing the exercises with an excellent technique standing on both feet, we continue by exercising on only one foot. Exercising on one foot develops a sense of balance and increases the effect of spiral stabilization (intensively strengthens the abdominal muscles) and supports the arch of the foot.
Who can benefit from Spiral Stabilization Exercises?
Spiral Stabilization is especially for those who suffer from:
- Disc degeneration/prolapse/herniation – with the help of muscle chains the body develops upward strength that relieves pressure on the intervertebral discs and joints and allows for their regeneration and treatment.
- Scoliosis (kyphosis, lordosis) – exercises will change the insufficient activity of the muscle spirals to its correct functioning and create a dynamic stabilizing muscle corset, which will cause upward traction force, bringing the spine to the central axis.
- Failed back surgery syndrome – treatment and prevention of complications after unsuccessful spinal surgeries.
- Hip and knee surgery – treatment and prevention of unstable walking after hip or knee surgery or as a preparation for surgery.
- Children/Youth – the exercise is aimed at regeneration focusing on reversing poor posture, which is frequently caused by long periods of sitting at a desk at school, also kyphosis, lordosis, scoliosis and Scheuermann’s disease.
- Middle aged/General pain sufferers – the exercises will be aimed at rectifying muscle imbalances caused by a sedentary job and asymmetric loading such as overworking or overusing. We concentrate on renewing muscle balance, releasing painful muscle tension and optimizing movement coordination
Core Strengthening
What are Core Muscles?
The core muscles are much more than just your abdominal muscles. In fact, collectively your core muscle group is the largest mass of muscle in your entire body. Its purpose is to stabilize your body, from your hips to your armpits and it includes muscle groups such as your abdominal wall, your back extensors, your diaphragm (main breathing muscle), your pelvic floor,the muscles around your hip joints and the muscles that stabilize your scapulae (shoulder blades). For the purposes of core strengthening, your legs, arms and neck are considered extensions from this core.
Why do I Need a Strong Core?
While your limbs can provide you with mobility, strength, reach and some degree of flexibility, it is your core muscles that provide the stability, balance and internal strength for each movement. The closer the muscle is to the centre of the body, the greater impact it will have on stability and balance and ultimately on the performance of your body.
The benefits of core strengthening include:
- Greater efficiency of movement (in sport as well as in everyday living) which leads to increased energy and vitality
- Superior body control, stability and balance
- Increased power available to the peripheral muscles – such as the shoulders, arms, legs
- Reduced risk of injury – the core acts as a shock absorber during walking, running, jumping, lifting
- Improved athletic performance – making you better, faster, fitter and stronger!
How do I Strengthen My Core?
The goal of core strengthening is to make the whole body work in synergy, as a solid and balanced unit. Given the variety of muscles involved that are of different sizes, locations and actions, this can be a long process. A systematic approach with a focus on technique and gradual progressions is how we help you strengthen your core. Below are a few key principles we use in our core strengthening programs:
- The first step is learning how to isolate the contraction of individual muscles. If you can’t turn a muscle on, you can’t make it stronger. Furthermore, if a weak muscle is left unattended, the body will compensate by using other muscles.
- Once you can isolate your muscles, you will work on balancing muscle strength between multiple muscles groups in more complex exercises.
- At the beginning, you will strengthen your muscle in its shortest position, since this is usually its weakest point. Initially, you will contract the muscle without moving for six seconds. As you gain strength, you will gradually add movement in increments until you work up to full physiological range.
- Effective and coordinated use of your diaphragm muscle throughout any core strengthening exercise is critical.
- Once movement competency is established, an endurance component of the training should be also introduced by gradually extending the time an exercise is performed (e.g. plank). This is because core muscles are postural muscles. In order to support our body against gravity, they are working any time we are not lying down. Because they essentially work all the time, you should train them at a low degree of effort (about 30% of a muscle’s maximum contraction).
- Once you have built up your core strength in exercises, the goal is to incorporate these movements and your new muscle awareness into your activities of daily leaving and sports activities.
Therapeutic Exercise Prescription
We hear it all the time: exercise is good for us (if you need convincing, watch this short video). But what is the best way to start exercising safely and effectively?
A consultation with a physiotherapist is a great place to start. With our extensive knowledge of human anatomy, physiology and pathology, we are body experts. We start any therapeutic exercise program with a thorough assessment to learn the specifics of your body and your goals. In order to ensure you start your program safely (ie with good mobility and strength) you may require some treatment sessions before embarking on your program.
Your therapeutic exercise program will be tailored to your specific goals. It may involve specific muscle conditioning to improve a movement impairment or it could consist of vigorous exercises designed to push your limits in your sport. For all programs, emphasis is placed on superb technique, postural awareness, precise and conscious control over specific muscles as well as the gradual progression of your program.
Therapeutic exercise programs can address goals such as:
- Independent walking
- Relief from tight muscles, tendons, and fascia
- Better joint mobility
- Improved circulation
- Increased breathing efficacy
- Better coordination
- Reduced stiffness
- Improved balance
- Relaxation
- Increased muscle strength
- Better exercise performance and functional capacity (endurance)
We truly believe that the right exercises done correctly can give results with a small time commitment. So, regardless of how busy you are, we can create a therapeutic exercise program that will fit with both your schedule and your goals.
Cross Training
What is Cross Training?
Cross training is a training routine that involves several different forms of exercise. It is a great way to condition different muscle groups, prevent muscle imbalance, develop a new set of skills and bring your workout regimen to a higher level.
Why is it Important?
If you follow a set weekly routine that includes only 1-2 types of activities, your body eventually becomes more efficient performing those movements. In other words, instead of continually improving, you simply maintain a certain level of fitness with this type of program. Our bodies need to be stimulated and challenged in order to build strength, speed or flexibility. A good cross training program can help achieve this.
Cross training limits the stress on specific muscle groups because different activities use muscles in slightly different ways. This can prevent overuse injuries.
Different types of exercise also challenge your cardiovascular system in different ways. So a cross training program is good for your heart and lungs too.
Being familiar with variety of physical activities gives you options to stay active even if you become injured. This will help you keep your fitness during your recovery as well as help you heal faster.
Variety can help you stay motivated to stick to your exercise routine. Boredom is a common reason why people give up on exercise goals but if you keep it interesting, it stays fun.
Post-Surgical Rehabilitation
It is highly recommended that following even minor surgery to your musculo-skeletal system, you seek professional guidance from a physiotherapist to ensure fast, risk free recovery and successful return to activity. At Bentall Physiotherapy, we provide post-surgical rehabilitation programs for the following surgeries:
- Spine: Discectomy, Laminectomy and Fusions
- Hip: Total Hip Replacements and Hip Arthroscopy
- Knee: ACL Reconstruction, Total Knee Replacements and Meniscal Tear Repairs
- Ankle: Fractures and Ankle Reconstructions
- Shoulder:Rotator Cuff Repairs, Sub-Acromial Decompression, Labrum Repair and Stabilization (Bankart Lesion Repair and SLAP Tear Repair), Reduction of Dislocation
- Elbow: Fractures and Extensor Tendon Repairs
- Wrist: Colles’ Fracture, Scaphoid Fracture, Thumb and Finger Fractures, Flexor Tendon Injuries
Testimonials
For over 20 years we’ve had the privilege of helping Vancouverites stay active and healthy. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for all of the testimonials, referrals and for putting your health and wellbeing in our hands.
New
Patients
Welcome
We always warmly welcome new patients to our office and direct bill all major insurance companies. To book an appointment please feel free to call us or book online. If you have a question, please feel free to fill out the form or give us a call.
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