IMS has been proven to be effective in the treatment of chronic injuries as well as injuries which have not responded to conventional physiotherapy treatment. IMS involves an assessment of the injured area and determination of whether the pain has a neurologic source. The technique involves the insertion of a fine, flexible acupuncture needle into muscles which have become shortened due to abnormal stimulation from the nervous system. The needle causes the muscle to contract, which leads to a reciprocal relaxation and lengthening of the muscle. Nothing is injected into the tissues. Many clients find they are sore for about 24 hours following the treatment, and then report a decrease, or in some cases, complete resolution of their pain symptoms.

Conditions that may benefit from IMS treatment include:

• Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)
• Chronic Lower Back Pain
• Whiplash injuries of the neck
• Fibromyalgia
• Osteoarthritis of the hip
• Frozen Shoulder

Those who treat:

Chantelle Poon bills acupuncture under Physiotherapy as a adjunct.

Manbir Sandhu, Mike Wall, Jonathan Poon, Tony Cruz, Bryce Jay and Aart van Gorkum specialize in IMS.

Spinal decompression or traction is utilized to treat a variety of mostly chronic lower back and neck disorders. The decompression/traction unit is designed to create a traction force along the long axis of the spine resulting in decompression of certain pre-determined levels of the spine.

Decompression/traction may be used to treat the following:

• Low back pain
• Neck pain
• Sciatica or other nerve entrapments
• Disc herniation
• Disc protrusion
• Degenerative disc disease
• Osteoarthritis of the spine
• Spinal stenosis
• Decreased range of motion in the neck or low back
• Pain, numbness, tingling, pins and needles in the arms or legs

On your initial visit your physiotherapist will thoroughly assess you and determine whether spinal decompression/traction is suitable for you. Along with a specific spinal assessment your physiotherapist will also assess your core and other areas that may be relevant to your symptoms. If spinal decompression / traction is deemed appropriate, your treatment will also include education, core and postural exercises, as well as home exercises.

Main Street Physiotherapy offers a one on one active rehabilitation program for those people injured on the job or in a Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) catering to our ICBC, WCB and private insurance clients. Treatment is a combination of hands on manual treatment and gym based exercises in our on site gym facilities. Emphasis is on getting patients to move forward to a self directed independent exercise program.

Individual job requirements, sports, hobbies and activities of daily life are always taken into consideration during our treatment plan.

We work closely with the client's insurer, employer and all health care providers involved to facilitate a quick and safe return to work and daily activities.

Please make sure you have already called worksafe and have a claim number ready. If you need help with booking, you can give us a call during clinic hours.

We cannot guarantee that any of your visits will be covered by ICBC or WSBC until we receive confirmation. If, for any reason your claim is denied or your appointment not covered, you will be required to pay the private rates in effect at the time of your treatments. We will do our absolute best to keep you updated on your claim status and we ask that you do the same for us. If you talk to your Adjuster/Claim Owner or receive information relevant to your claim please inform us as soon as possible.

All of our physiotherapists have extensive experience working with amateur and elite level athletes; they understand the important roles sports and physical activities play in many of our client's lives. Each of our physiotherapists are personally involved in sports through participation, coaching and/or training.

After an injury occurs during or outside of sports, our physiotherapists will not only help you recover from your injury but also ensure that your rehabilitation gets you back to the level of sport that you were competing at. Treatment will include rehabilitative exercises as well as preventative exercises. Sport specific drills will be included along with core stabilization and strengthening exercises.

Assessing and screening athletes' abilities prior to the upcoming season is also offered. Research has clearly proven that this is a great way to prevent injuries and to enhance performance. Your physiotherapist will look for any muscle imbalances and/or weaknesses that may affect your ability to perform, and set up a sport specific exercise routine. Our physiotherapists work closely with trainers and coaches to ensure that everyone involved is on the right track in ensuring your safe and healthy return to sports and physical activities.