Acupuncture services at Tottenham clinic
Contact UsHow Medical Acupuncture Works
Acupuncture Treatment by a Physiotherapist
Acupuncture is a treatment technique used by trained physiotherapists to help reduce pain, promote healing, and support recovery from injury. During an acupuncture session, fine, sterile needles are gently inserted through the skin into targeted muscles and tissues. All needles are single-use, individually packaged, and disposed of after treatment.
Before the procedure, your physiotherapist will clean the treatment area with an alcohol-based solution to ensure proper hygiene and patient safety. Needle size and length vary depending on the area being treated, the nature of the injury, and your individual treatment needs. Your physiotherapist will carefully select the appropriate needles to provide safe and effective acupuncture treatment as part of your rehabilitation plan.
Conditions Treated with Acupuncture
Our team manages many health conditions:
- Chronic back and neck pain
- Severe migraine headaches
- Knee osteoarthritis
- Painful tennis elbow
What to Expect at Your Visit:
Your comfort is our top priority:
- Sterile alcohol skin preparation
- Individually packaged fine needles
- Minimal insertion discomfort
- 10-30 minute session lengths
- Deep heavy muscle relaxation
Who Can Provide Acupuncture?
Acupuncture should only be performed by qualified healthcare professionals who have completed specialized training in safe and effective acupuncture techniques. Proper training ensures that treatments are delivered according to professional standards and tailored to each patient’s specific needs.
At South Simcoe Physiotherapy, our physiotherapists have received specialized acupuncture training and incorporate this treatment into comprehensive rehabilitation programs. Acupuncture may be used alongside other physiotherapy treatments to help manage pain, improve mobility, reduce muscle tension, and support recovery from injury. Our team is committed to providing safe, evidence-informed care to help you achieve your health and wellness goals.
MANUAL AND MANIPULATIVE THERAPY
Our therapists use a variety of hands-on techniques to both accurately assess and efficiently treat patients. Specialized training through the Orthopaedic Division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association (orthodiv.org) allows for accurate diagnosis and faster recovery. Fellows of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Physiotherapists (FCAMPT) have taken extensive post-graduate training and have received international recognition in hands-on techniques.
manippt.org
CONCUSSION MANAGEMENT
At South Simcoe Physiotherapy, we have training in the Shift Concussion Management Program (shiftconcussion.ca). Using this program as a basis, we thoroughly assess the individual systems often affected in a concussion using a variety of tests, as well as cognitive tools such as ImPACT. Once an accurate assessment has been performed, we develop a multifaceted rehabilitation strategy to return the individual to optimal function.
PELVIC HEALTH
massage therapy
Massage therapy is a form of hands-on treatment that affects the body’s soft tissues, such as the muscles, connective tissue, ligaments, tendons, and joints. Massage therapy can have therapeutic effects on the muscular, circulatory, and nervous systems. For more information on Registered massage therapy, please visit: www.rmtao.com
acupuncture
Acupuncture is rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine and uses tiny needles that are inserted into various points in the body. Acupuncture stimulates the body’s natural healing mechanisms and is effective in treating a variety of conditions, including headaches, back pain, neck pain, various overuse injuries, and sports injuries. Our therapists have training in acupuncture through Acupuncture Canada ( https://www.acupuncturecanada.org)
RUNNING ASSESSMENT / GAIT ANALYSIS
Gait analysis and Running Assessments can be useful in determining biomechanical irregularities during either walking or running that are either causing or are caused by a certain condition or injury. Gait analysis can also help to identify inefficiencies that may be reducing performance in runners and perhaps predisposing or contributing to injury.
We use multiple tools to analyze a person’s gait. First, we use our physiotherapy backgrounds and knowledge of biomechanics. By observing someone walking/running/using the treadmill (and perhaps recording them), we can often identify these major faults. A biomechanical exam can also aid in this process through identifying structural limitations, muscle weakness and tone, and a variety of other potential faults. Finally, using training from courses such as those taught at The Running Clinic https://therunningclinic.com/en can help to consolidate all of this information while allowing us to make recommendations on items such as footwear, training schedules, and other information relevant to your specific situation.
IMS/IDN
Intramuscular Stimulation and Integrated Dry Needling. Both IMS and IDN are forms of dry needling where an acupuncture needle is inserted into a taut band in a shortened muscle or near the nerve root in order to cause a reflex relaxation of the muscle, microtrauma to stimulate natural healing, and create an action potential to restore normal nerve conduction. This technique can be extremely useful to treat chronic pain, myofascial pain syndromes, many sports injuries, and overuse injuries. For more information, visit: www.istop.org
exercise prescription
Exercise is an essential part of all rehabilitation programs. In order to restore normal muscle length and strength, correct biomechanical faults, and return to function, exercises need to be specifically tailored to suit individual needs.
custom bracing
Our clinic is pleased to offer custom braces to aid in conditions such as ACL tears, meniscus injuries, knee osteoarthritis, and more.
shockwave therapy
Shockwave is a non-invasive way to treat many muscular, tendinous, ligamentous, and bone problems that lead to pain and loss of function. Briefly stated it uses strong energy pulses to stimulate increased blood flow and metabolism, allowing regeneration of damaged tissue. A phenomenon called “micro-cavitation” occurs where “bubbles’ expand and burst, creating a force that penetrates damaged tissue and stimulates cell reparation. Shockwave is especially effective in treating issues that have been unresponsive to other conservative methods.
VIDEO AND TELEPHONE CONSULTATIONS
At a time when social distancing is necessary, we are pleased to be able to offer our exceptional care in an alternative method. Video consultations (think FaceTime or Skype) can be an effective method to assess and treat musculoskeletal and other physiotherapy-appropriate impairments. A thorough analysis can be conducted by performing a detailed subjective, observing individual movements, performing simple tasks and special tests, and evaluating the environmental factors that aggravate the condition. From there, our therapist can devise an appropriate treatment plan including self-management strategies, modifications, and exercises appropriate to address your condition. The therapist is easily able to demonstrate the exercises and observe you performing them, and can even send you video demonstrations of the exercises. For those who are unable to access reliable internet or do not regularly use a computer, telephone consults are also an option.
No doctor's referral is necessary, and these sessions are covered by most insurers
NATUROPATHY
Naturopathic doctors are primary general health care practitioners, trained to handle a broad range of health issues and concerns. These health issues include (but are not limited to): Stress & Anxiety, Fatigue, Weight Management, Skin Health, Digestion, Pain, Cardiovascular, Immune Issues, Women's, Men's, and Children's Health.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is physiotherapy?
Simply stated, physiotherapy is the treatment of deficits and disease without the use of medications. Physiotherapy is useful for the majority of injuries and ailments one might suffer. The goal of our physiotherapists is to reduce your symptoms and allow you to return to function in a timely manner. If you are unsure if your condition is appropriate for physiotherapy, please feel free to contact us.
How do I pay for your services?
Does OHIP cover physiotherapy?
Do I need a doctor’s referral to come and see you?
What do I need to wear for my assessment?
Will my private insurance cover the cost of this treatment?
What if my injuries are as a result of a motor vehicle accident or workplace injury?
- Date of accident
- Claim number
- Adjuster’s name and contact information
- Private health insurance information (if applicable)
- Area of injury
We are able to direct bill your motor vehicle insurance, but please note that all of your private health insurance must be used prior to accessing your motor vehicle insurance. These rules are mandated by the Financial Services Commission of Ontario and not our clinic.
Workplace injury (WSIB): we often treat people as a result of a workplace injury, however, we do not bill WSIB directly. If your injury is part of a WSIB claim, you are expected to pay just as other clients and then submit your invoices to WSIB.