Our Patient Services — Physiotherapy

"Physiotherapy -- It'll keep you moving!" That's the motto of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association. We heartily agree.

What Is Physiotherapy?

As physiotherapists, we are important members of the healthcare team for patients of all ages. We assess, treat and educate our patients to help them improve mobility and regain maximum independent function.  

Physiotherapy focuses on: 

• drug-free elimination or reduction of pain, 
• strengthening musculoskeletal and cardiorespiratory systems 
• extending flexibility and range of motion. 
  

Movement disorders caused by injury, disease, aging and congenital conditions are all within the therapeutic scope of physiotherapy. 

Like other healthcare professionals, our university education includes the study of human anatomy and human development. Then our specialized university studies, in the classroom and in the clinic, include the biomechanics of movement, exercise physiology, posture and motor control, among many more subjects. Of course, we keep up to date through continuing education courses.

 

We are fully licensed by the province of Nova Scotia and are members of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association.

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How Can Physiotherapists Help?

Physiotherapists understand how our bodies move and how to keep us moving. On your first visit, your therapist will spend an hour with you. He or she will interview you to learn your medical history, examine you, make an objective assessment, arrive at a clinical diagnosis, and design a treatment plan based on your individual needs.

We employ many therapeutic modalities and approaches, all aimed at reducing pain and inflammation, enhancing the healing of injured tissues and restoring range of motion and strength. As your therapist, depending on your individual needs, we might suggest any combination of the following:

• hands-on manual therapy
  
• traction 
  
• soft-tissue stretches 
  
• ultrasound 
  
• interferential current electrical therapy 
  
• electrical muscle stimulation for strength improvement
  
• TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation)
  
• LED infra-red light therapy
  
• laser therapy for musculoskeletal conditions and injuries
  
• moist heat and cold packs
  
• acupuncture  
  

At Shelburne Physiotherapy, we take the time to explain our clinical diagnosis and how we arrived at it. Depending on your personal need, we might teach you:

• in-clinic and home exercises
  
• biofeedback techniques
  
• posture and gait adjustments
  
• techniques to improve coordination and balance 
  workplace, recreation and home activity adjustments