Yes! Massage therapy is safe and effective during all stages of pregnancy.
A pregnancy pillow is a foam pillow with cut outs in the foam to accommodate for your breasts and belly. We choose not to use a pregnancy pillow for a few different reasons. Firstly, everyone’s body shapes are different, and forcing your body to fit into the predetermined cut outs is not always comfortable. Secondly, being facedown puts additional gravitational pressure on the belly, causing it to be pulled downwards. To maximize comfort and safety, we choose to keep clients in side-lying during pregnancy, bolstered by lots of additional pillows, custom adjusted to fit your body.
Massage therapy around the breast tissue can be extremely effective for blocked ducts, painful letdown, lymphatic drainage, muscular tightness, and tension.
One of the best things about being post-partum is being able to lie on your stomach for a massage again! We recommend feeding or pumping before a massage session to ensure maximal breast comfort. If you are still uncomfortable lying on your stomach, lying on your back or side, bolstered by lots of pillows are both great options as well.
Please view our video on pre-natal massage here
Our Pelvic Floor Physiotherapists are able to treat and assess your pelvic floor even if you are on your period. Did you know that it can actually be beneficial to your treatment since the pelvic floor muscles and organs are influenced by hormonal fluctuations? If a condition you are experiencing changes based on your cycle, it could actually be a benefit to come in during your period.
Pelvic health concerns can be embarrassing and difficult to discuss. Assessment and treatment takes place in a private treatment room where you will discuss your current symptoms and detailed medical history. It includes an assessment of the low back, hips, bony pelvis, and an internal examination of the pelvic floor structures (where applicable). Internal assessment of the pelvic floor is the gold-standard method to determine an accurate clinical picture and for appropriate treatment planning.
Treatment programs are individually tailored to your specific goals, needs, and areas of concern. The number of sessions it may take you to get better will vary from person to person, but you can except to feel some improvement in symptoms in a few sessions. Weekly sessions are generally recommended at the onset of a treatment program.
Treatment will consist of a variety of home exercises, self-management strategies, and hands-on treatment. In some cases, additional therapeutic devices may be recommended to help augment your treatment. This is may include electrotherapeutic devices such as Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve stimulation (TENS), biofeedback, Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS), or devices such as vaginal accommodators/dilators.
Pelvic floor physiotherapists have specialized, post-graduate training in addition to their Physiotherapy degree, allowing us to assess each case from a different perspective. Additionally:
- We are the clinic of choice for many of Markham-Stouffville Hospital’s Urologists, Gynecologists, Obstetricians and family doctors.
- We have a great reputation and are well-known through the Markham area and among many community groups.
- We offer comprehensive and individualized assessments and treatments
- The world of pelvic health is continuing to expand rapidly. We are committed to continuing education to ensure current, evidence-based care.
Physiotherapy is a direct-access service. You do not need a doctor’s note to see a physiotherapist.
Coverage for Pelvic Physiotherapy is included in your regular Physiotherapy coverage. Please check with your individual extended healthcare insurance company to find out about your coverage.
Many people that come for pelvic health physiotherapy are embarrassed to discuss their concerns. Please rest assured that we will treat you with respect, compassion, and confidentiality. Private treatment rooms are used. Internal assessment and treatment may not be appropriate for you right away. Receipts for services do not include any indication that you received physiotherapy for pelvic concerns. Virtual appointments from the security and comfort of your home are available. And if needed, in-home visits can be arranged.
Psychotherapy, counselling, psychological services or social work is often covered by your insurance company. In some cases, they may indicate specific provider credentials that they cover. Our services are provided by a Registered Psychotherapist registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). We are also able to provide our services under the title of Social Work. Please check with your individual insurance carrier for your specific coverage policies
We have always taken sanitation and cleanliness very seriously. All clients complete a two-step Covid-Screening procedure before every visit. We continue to change all the linens and disinfect the treatment room after every client. This includes the laundry bin, any horizontal surfaces, door knobs, chairs, and desks. In addition to these measures, we allow 30 minutes of open-air time between appointments to ensure adequate ventilation between clients.
- You will need a reasonably good internet connection, especially if using video conferencing features
- You will need a telephone line to take part in telephone sessions
- You will need a web browser on either a phone, ipad, or computer to be able to connect with your therapist
- For new assessments, make sure that all online intake forms are filled in
- For Physiotherapy: Intake Form, Let Us Get to Know You Better, Telehealth Consent Form
- For Psychotherapy: Intake Form, Telehealth Consent Form
- For Dietetics: Intake Form, Telehealth Consent Form
- For clients who have previously been seen in clinic, the Telehealth Consent Form must be completed
- Credit care authorization form must also be completed and returned to the clinic (stored securely on our servers)
- For all sessions, the following environment would be best:
- Quiet room with access to a microphone headset if possible
- For physiotherapy sessions, space behind the camera to move around
- For physiotherapy sessions, somewhere to lie down comfortably may also be beneficial (ie. a couch, a mat on the floor, or a bed)
During the assessment, your provider will have a detailed discussion with you about your condition, previous medical history, and goals for seeking treatment.
For physiotherapy sessions, your provider may ask you to move around in front of the camera, demonstrate certain movements, and may visually assess posture and abdominal scars. You will never be asked to undress for a session if you are not comfortable with it.
Your therapist will go over clinical findings with you and based on your therapeutic goals, a treatment plan will be proposed. Your therapist will also provide you with education and some things to start trying at home.
At each session your therapist will check in on your progress from the previous session. If things have been progressing well, your therapist will likely review certain aspects of your program and provide you with suggestions for progression. If you have encountered difficulties with your program, need clarification, or need to review aspects of your program, this is the perfect time to work together with your therapist to troubleshoot these issues.
Insurance companies are increasingly covering Telehealth Sessions, especially given the rapid change in healthcare needs recently. We recommend always checking with your specific insurance provider to see if they cover telehealth sessions with your specific group plan.
As of March 23, 2020, we have heard from the Canadian Physiotherapy Association that the following companies have extended coverage to include virtual services:
- Sunlife Insurance
https://www.sunlife.ca/slf/Focus+Updates/covid19?vgnLocale=en_CA&/sponsorcovid19
As of March 23, 2020, we have received verbal confirmation from the following companies that they are also extending their coverage to virtual services:
- Green Shield
- Blue Cross
- Manulife
- Great West Life
Again, this list is not exhaustive and may be subject to change. We recommended that you do check with your specific insurer to verify if your specific plan will cover online services.