Our Athletic Therapists are on a mission

to enhance your quality of health and activity
with superior care and treatment

IconWhat is Acumen
Reconditioning?

We are a team of specialists who are experts in injury assessment & reconditioning.

Our professionals effectively treat musculoskeletal injuries using a combination of manual therapy & active rehabilitation methods.

Athletic Therapists adhere to the Sports Medicine Model of care. They treat a wide range of patients. The treatment varies but the objective doesn’t: an Athletic Therapist’s goal is to help patients return to their usual activities, whether that means playing competitive sports or walking to the mailbox and back.

Strength and Conditioning Coaches of Acumen integrate with Athletic Therapists and the Orthopaedic Surgeon to provide essential and extended care for each individual and their goals.

IconATHLETIC THERAPY

WHAT IS AN ATHLETIC THERAPIST

Certified Athletic Therapists [CAT(C)] are healthcare (clinicians) and paramedical (emergency responders) professionals, with an expertise in musculoskeletal conditions that provide comprehensive and consistent care from injury to safe and full return to activity in all areas of life.  Athletic Therapists provide pre-hospital medical emergency management, immediate care and reconditioning of musculoskeletal injuries and illnesses, and provide an unbiased, objective perspective to help educate patients (and organizations) on minimizing the risk of further injuries/illnesses.  Athletic Therapists must have fulfilled academic and practical requirements as governed by the Canadian Athletic Therapists Association. They must also undergo stringent education and testing standards in order to certify at the national level.

Certified Athletic Therapist Specialize in:

  • Strength and conditioning programs
  • Musculoskeletal, postural, and ergonomic assessments
  • Manual therapy techniques
  • Progressive exercise rehabilitation
  • Prevention, assessment, and management of musculoskeletal injuries and medical emergencies
  • Recognition and management of acute traumatic neurological dysfunction
  • Return-to-play decisions using sport specific functional testing

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IconWhat we do

Athletic therapists have an in-depth knowledge of human anatomy and physiology and use that knowledge to assess injury whether it is chronic or acute. Their knowledge of injury timelines allows them to educate patients on the recovery process and expectations. They also understand how injuries can affect the whole body so when building a treatment and/or rehabilitation plan, this is taken into consideration.

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Athletic Therapists knowledge of injury timelines allows them to load various tissues progressively and safely in order to return to activities post surgery in a timely manner.

Our Athletic Therapists use science and evidence based methods to evaluate how rehabilitation is going post injury or surgery to ensure proper progression and return to play/sport confidently.

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Athletic Therapists have an in-depth understanding of human kinetics and biomechanics which allow them to pinpoint areas in posture and/or daily life that can make someone susceptible to injury. We believe in education and providing tools one may use for years to come.

Athletic Therapists are capable of doing preseason team testing to make sure that teams/athletes are physically ready and have no glaring asymmetries that may lead to injury. With baseline testing we can provide a sport specific program that is best for an athlete’s body and sport.

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Creating a plan that revolves around a patient’s goals and lifestyle is key as not every person, life and rehab is the same. We follow and guide patients closely and provide proper progressions to reach those goals.

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At Acumen, we have introduced a knee and hip OA program to provide this population with a rehabilitation option, in hopes to help get people back to activity and avoid or delay replacement.

This 6 week program will include:
● 1 hour session 2 times a week
● Expertise from a registered Kinesiologist or Athletic Therapist
● Education on OA, anatomy, pain management, exercise implements
● Movement screen
● A comprehensive program that gradually progresses and is tailored to ability/function
● Full body exercise program
● Treatment as needed (at a discounted cost)

Anticipated Outcomes:
● Improving range of motion and mobility
● Improving strength and function
● Decreasing pain
● Improving ability for ADL’s (activities of daily living)
● Return to sport

We provide you with an initial movement screen which will help us determine individual capabilities, so that we can tailor exercise to you. We will spend time educating you on osteoarthritis as well as ways to improve your pain and function. We will work closely with you during each session to ensure your technique is correct. More importantly, we will give you the knowledge and tools to continue to progress on your own.

$540 per person

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BFR is a safe and effective way to help assist your reconditioning journey! Acumen utilizes the Delfi Personalized Tourniquet System (PTS) by Owen’s Recovery Science.

Common applications:
1. Post-operatively
2. Hypertrophy training
3. Tendinopathies
4. In-season low impact training
5. Knee pain
6. Performance enhancement
7. V02 Max training

Blood flow restricted (BFR) rehabilitation is the brief and intermittent occlusion of venous (veins) blood flow using a tourniquet while exercising. Using this technique, you can exercise with significantly lighter weight while still creating a hypertrophy (growth) and strength response. Traditionally to get a hypertrophy and strength response in your muscles you would need to lift a heavy load.

Once your personalized pressure is determined you will begin specific exercises based on your rehabilitation plan. Even though you are lifting a light weight your muscle will begin to feel like it is working very hard. This feeling in your muscle is the buildup of lactate and is the desired response of this training.

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Motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) are unfortunately common and often leave people unable to perform basic activities or their favourite sports. While common approaches such as drugs, physical therapy, and chiropractic adjustments can be helpful, we focus on exercise as a means to fully return to the life of your choosing.

Our team of athletic therapists, kinesiologists and strength and conditioning specialists work together, often with your medical doctor or physical therapist, to evaluate your needs and form a plan of action! We also regularly test your physical abilities using cutting-edge techniques and track your progress to be sure optimal progress is made. Finally, many insurance companies cover athletic therapy and kinesiology services!

Through our program, you can expect:
– Personalized assessments to determine your needs and track progress
– Regular collaboration between you, your doctor/physical therapist, and our experts
– Attentive experts who will customize your training session based on how you feel each day

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Non-emergency sport related injury evaluation completed by a Certified Athletic Therapist. Let Acumen provide you with a diagnosis, and possible medical referral following an acute orthopedic injury.

  • No referral from a family physician necessary
  • 30 minute evaluation and diagnosis by a Certified Athletic Therapist
  • Private diagnostic imaging (MRI, Ultrasound and X-ray) options available

When should I utilize the Minor Injury Clinic?

  • Non-emergent care
  • Injuries to the knee, shoulder, elbow, foot, ankle, wrist, hand and spine
  • Musculoskeletal conditions: sprains, strains, tendinopathies and soft tissue injuries
  • Taping interventions
  • ACL, MCL, meniscus, Rotator Cuff, hip and shoulder labrum, lateral ankle sprains and much much more…

What is an Athletic Therapist?
Certified Athletic Therapists are healthcare (clinicians) and paramedical (emergency responder) professionals, with an expertise in musculoskeletal conditions. They can provide comprehensive and consistent care related to an injury. Athletic Therapists can work with you to achieve a safe return to activity or performance/sport.

Pricing
$70 for a 30 min session

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Physiotherapy involves assessment and treatment to restore and maintain an individual’s mobility, for the demands of day-to-day life and sport performance. Physiotherapists are trained and skilled in pinpointing the root causes of an injury. Each Physiotherapy session is unique and will vary depending on health issues and client needs. A visit to a physiotherapist will include review of patient’s medical history, assessing and diagnosing the  condition, setting physical goals as well as creation of a treatment plan prescribing movement and exercises that account for each persons health and performance goals.

Physiotherapists specialize in:

  • Musculoskeletal assessment and treatment
  • Manual therapy techniques to improve joint mobility
  • Progressive exercise
  • Prevention and manage of musculoskeletal injuries
  • Return to play guidance
  • Gait (walking), running analysis, postural assessment

What to expect during your appointment

  • 1 on 1 sessions
  • Longer duration appointments
  • Private treatment rooms
  • Orthopedic and Pelvic Health physiotherapy
  • Collaborative examination and treatment to help you reach your goals

Orthopedic Assessments for:

  • Sprains and strains
  • Sports injuries
  • Tendonitis and tendinopathy
  • Post-fracture and post-surgical rehabilitation
  • Pain, stiffness, weakness or other symptoms

Pelvic Health Assessment for women with concerns regarding

  • Incontinence (leaking)
  • Pelvic organ prolapse
  • Pelvic pain
  • Pain during sex
  • Bladder and bowel health
  • Return to exercise postpartum
  • Diastasis recti
  • Return to run postpartum

 

This is a private clinic that does not provide Workers compensation (WCB) covered services or funding for physiotherapy through Alberta Health Services (AHS)

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What Does This Chiropractor Do?

Chiropractors practice many different styles of patient care.  It can be daunting for a potential patient to choose the right one for them.  Rather than compare my approach to others, I thought it would be best to discuss how I personally treat.

I have tried to fill my toolbox with multiple techniques.  Just like many projects, one can get by with the basics.  However, when the right tool is applied to the right problem, everything goes much smoother.  I have trained and crafted my practice to include a few different modalities.  Here is a breakdown of each one.

Active Release Technique (ART)

This is the most common therapy I use.  It involves the use of my thumbs to apply some pressure and tension on a muscle, tendon, ligament, and/or fascia and take that tissue through a range of motion.  It can be uncomfortable but should be tolerable.  Typically, after holding a ‘pass’ of ART for a few seconds, a ‘release’ or relaxation of that structure is felt.

Functional Acupuncture

Needles can be scary for many people.  However, these needles are extremely thin compared to a needle used for injections/vaccines and usually are painless.  Functional acupuncture targets muscles, nerves, ligaments and/or fascia rather than focus on Meridian Lines like Traditional Acupuncture.  Needles are often hooked up to electrical stimulation to provide increased input to the area.

Graston Technique

Graston is much like ART but with the use of a stainless steel tool.  These tools are not sharp and should be tolerated well by the patient.  Light to moderate gliding pressure is applied with the tool to the skin.  Range of motion is sometimes also included to increase the effectiveness of Graston.

Manipulation

Call it what you want – manipulation, adjustments, cracking, etc.  There are many types of named techniques out there, such as Diversified, Gonstead, Drop, Activator (clicker gun), and more.  I use a diversified set of manipulations, meaning I don’t subscribe to any specific protocols or techniques but use a blend of many.  Manipulation remains one of, if not the most, instantaneous ways to feel relief.

I DO NOT PERFORM MANIPULATIONS ON EVERY SINGLE PATIENT!  Sometimes, patients should not receive this treatment due to specific injuries or conditions.  Other times, patients may not be comfortable having it performed on them.  And still other times it is not warranted.

Exercise prescription

Ultimately, research suggests that exercises are key in any successful long term treatment plan.  Combined with the therapies above, exercises help prevent pain from returning or reinjury.

Summary

The goals of each technique is to help decrease pain and increase function of the patient.  That’s the goal – treat an injury or problem so you can be as active as possible.

I will always discuss the pros and cons of any treatment before using them.  This is all part of informed consent.  You, as the patient, always have the final say in what happens during a visit.  There are lots of different ways to tackle problems and it’s what makes this job fun and challenging

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When making an appointment with our Reconditioning Specialist you can expect:

  • Clear Guidelines and Expectations.
  • Constant Communication.
  • Thorough Evaluation with Diagnosis.
  • Proper Education on Training and Performance.

We believe in being an advocate for your care, so you can take part and be engaged to live your fullest life. We like to open the door to this opportunity and make it available to you.

Call today to inquire about booking a session with your Athletic Therapist.

IconWhat is an Acumen
Evaluation

HOW IT WORKS

With the Acumen Clinic Reconditioning Program we strive to close the gaps between early diagnosis and integrating proper exercise to improve patient outcomes. Strength training is important and usually relevant for many clinical populations. We believe musculoskeletal reconditioning is an integral part of the Acumen Clinic experience.

After an injury, many patients must navigate back to a demanding job (Farming, construction, landscaping) while some patients need to get back to a competitive sport they love. Others  would like to get back to their healthy, active lifestyle (Traveling, biking, kayaking, skiing, hiking, etc) or simply want to find a way to live a pain free life. We are here to help find that path. It is all about the journey, finding what works for the patient and their lifestyle. It is about communicating, proper progression and integration of exercises that will help meet those goals set by patients.

It is important to us to set patients up with long term success. We want to give patients the education and tools needed to empower them and to continue for years to come for health benefits.

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15358-111 Avenue, Edmonton

Monday - Friday9:00AM - 4:00PM
SaturdayClosed
SundayClosed

#206 5126 126 avenue SE, Calgary

Monday - Friday9:00AM - 4:00PM
SaturdayClosed
SundayClosed

(587) 599-5345

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