Good Physio Clinic?

[Draug]

I injured a lower abdominal muscle (Dr called it the Rectus muscle) while playing hockey. I think it occurred mostly out of fatigue (played 3 games in 3 nights) and being mostly out of shape...

Anyway, my Doctor suggested I visit a physio clinic for them to assess and possibly treat my possible muscle tear. At the very least, I'd like to learn the optimal excercises to ensure damage doesnt get any worse and/or doesnt happen again.

Does anyone have any great Physio experiences, and can recommend a good clinic? In the NW is ideal. Right now, I booked an appointment at Beacon Hill Physiotherapy, simply because it is really close to my home.

[VladtheImpaler]

I deal with physiotherapy clinic constantly, given my line of work. Here are some general guidelines, but keep in mind individual clinics and individual therapists may not fall in to this categorization. Also, make sure that the individual physiotherapist is in fact employed by the clinic, and not just renting space, and is covered by liability insurance...

1) Stay away from CBI (Canadian Back Institute) - this a WCB meat shop
2) In general, stay away from Panther clinics - they tend to be insurance shops, much like CBI
3) LifeMark clinics are generally good
4) McKnight Physio (Falconridge) seems to be good

[zuluking]

Lower abdominal muscle? Are you sure it wasn't the Erectus muscle? In which case, a physio is not what you need.

[Swayze11]

I heard good things from the place in the crowchild twin arena.

http://www.crowchildtwinarena.net/Physio.htm

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by Swayze11

I heard good things from the place in the crowchild twin arena.

http://www.crowchildtwinarena.net/Physio.htm

I'll second this - I've had good feedback about it from a couple of clients.

[The Goon]

I've gone to the LifeMark in the Westside Rec Centre for a couple of issues and found them excellent to deal with.

[djwazzy]

I have to recommend Dr. Michael Westaway been going to this guy for years. He also works a lot with the Flames and Team Canada as well. He works for LifeMark both in WestSide Rec and Village Square Mall

http://www.ratemds.com/doctor-rating...lgary/Westaway

[Acid Rush]

I went to Lifemark before in the Village Square area but the physio who was treating me moved to another location (in Riverbend). I know there are other good therapists in the clinic but if ever I would go back, I'd rather go to my old physio therapist than a new one.

[kipperfan]

Mcknight Physio...good? I hope that is a joke Vlad. The only people that benefit from Mcknight and its awesome care are the cities personal injury lawyers. If you are looking to treat your injury for 3-4 times longer then needed then I would definitely advise Mcknight. One of the best clinics I have dealt with (and I deal with almost all of them) in terms of proper care and treatment would be the Winterclub, but I am unsure if non members can attend. Lifemark clinics can be good, for the record, they do more Insurance (MVA) treatment then any other chain in this city. I have never heard a bad thing about the Crowchild location. Advantage Health are also really good clinics - quite a few locations too.

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by kipperfan

Mcknight Physio...good? I hope that is a joke Vlad. The only people that benefit from Mcknight and its awesome care are the cities personal injury lawyers. If you are looking to treat your injury for 3-4 times longer then needed then I would definitely advise Mcknight. One of the best clinics I have dealt with (and I deal with almost all of them) in terms of proper care and treatment would be the Winterclub, but I am unsure if non members can attend. Lifemark clinics can be good, for the record, they do more Insurance (MVA) treatment then any other chain in this city. I have never heard a bad thing about the Crowchild location. Advantage Health are also really good clinics - quite a few locations too.

People seem to like them. I have never been for any physio in my life, so I cannot comment first-hand. Actually, Westbrook Physio is far more notorious (allegedly) for over-treating than McKnight...

[kipperfan]

Originally Posted by djwazzy

I have to recommend Dr. Michael Westaway been going to this guy for years. He also works a lot with the Flames and Team Canada as well. He works for LifeMark both in WestSide Rec and Village Square Mall

http://www.ratemds.com/doctor-rating...lgary/Westaway

And one of the very, very few PT's in the city that is also a medical doctor - I would second the above post, this guy is very good and a very nice fellow as well.

[kipperfan]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

People seem to like them. I have never been for any physio in my life, so I cannot comment first-hand. Actually, Westbrook Physio is far more notorious (allegedly) for over-treating than McKnight...

Well, kind of. Westbrook doesn't over-treat, as much as they do over prescribe IMO. A certain personal injury lawyer and a certain M.D. also seem to have some very curious connections to what goes on at Westbrook. One day that place will get shut down.

[Finny61]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

I deal with physiotherapy clinic constantly, given my line of work. Here are some general guidelines, but keep in mind individual clinics and individual therapists may not fall in to this categorization. Also, make sure that the individual physiotherapist is in fact employed by the clinic, and not just renting space, and is covered by liability insurance...

1) Stay away from CBI (Canadian Back Institute) - this a WCB meat shop
2) In general, stay away from Panther clinics - they tend to be insurance shops, much like CBI
3) LifeMark clinics are generally good
4) McKnight Physio (Falconridge) seems to be good

Are you in the trades then?

[Finny61]

Just an FYI since I know a lot of physios in Calgary, CBI is a meat shop for WCBs but as an athlete you likely wouldn't be anywhere near them anyways. Look around so to speak though, a lot of clinics charge a kings ransom for treatment.

[Titan]

May not be right for the op but Mount Royal College has Optimal Therapies which is an integrated clinic open to the public with physio, athletic therapy, massage, accupuncture and chiro. They also have access to MDs. My wife is one of the chiros there.

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by Finny61

Are you in the trades then?

Yeah, the meat trade...

[Drury18]

I highly recommend Bowmont Physio Therapy (now called Optimum Wellness Centre, but same staff) in Bowness. I worked there for a year training to be a Physio Assistant/Sports Med Assisant. Not anything like Panther or chain places and very patient oriented. They will treat the problem and then educate the patient in preventive exercises and stretching. More interested in the wellbeing of the person then the amount of treatments they can get out of them.

If you do go, see Don Sorenson. He's got certificates in just about every type of therapy and is experienced with athletic injuries, especially hockey ones.

[GrrlGoalie33]

Originally Posted by Acid Rush

I went to Lifemark before in the Village Square area but the physio who was treating me moved to another location (in Riverbend). I know there are other good therapists in the clinic but if ever I would go back, I'd rather go to my old physio therapist than a new one.

This must be Karen. She is the best physiotherapist I have ever worked with, hands down.

As long as she is still practicing, I will follow her all over this city. (in a very non-stalker sense)

[Draug]

Because of the multiple positive recommendations for Lifemark - Spring Hill Sports Physiotherapy in the Crowchild Twin Arena I went there.

It was a good experience, and I have nothing bad to say after the initial assessment. I was given a bunch of stretches and excercises to do which should help the overworking of the torn muscles. I'll reserve final judgement for a few weeks to see exactly how I heal

[algernon]

What's an insurance meat shop?
Google yields this thread at the top when searching 'meat shop physio'.