Treatments & rehabilitation

I have been to a number of healthcare providers trying to manage chronic pain from a motor vehicle accident, and the toll pregnancies took on my body. I was even referred to a neurosurgeon at some point. Although over the years I did make progress from yoga and weight training, old injuries would flare up and I would be out of commission for months. I was in a constant yo-yo fear of injury, fear of being in my body, fear of doing things I love. I was told by various healthcare professionals that I should not lift anything more than 10 pounds for the foreseeable future. It was depressing, until I came to At Ease Physio.

Going to see the team at At Ease Physio is like visiting Ms. Frizzle! They are a beacon of reassurance, calm, and care. They take the time to listen, provide helpful education, and are very supportive of my strength training. The team are systems thinkers and able to explain what is happening with various parts of my body during movement. They understand my body when so many healthcare providers have failed. Their very gentle techniques are surprisingly effective. At Ease Physio has given me tools in terms of exercises, knowledge about anatomy and movement, so that I can be more independent in self-help, injury rehabilitation and prevention.

With their help, I am able to progress in my strength training. I am no longer afraid to be in my body, I feel strong and empowered, and optimistic that I have many years of strength and vitality in me.

I first went to At Ease Physio 7 years ago when my large and energetic dog knocked me over. My knee took most of the force and was hyperextended and bruised. I was in so much pain and could barely walk. When I called, they were able to get me in for an appointment quickly. Being seen so soon helped relieve my pain within a few weeks and prevented me from compensating.

I was keen to get back to walking, running and going to the gym and still had some pain with increased activity. Working with the team at At Ease Physio helped me completely resolve my knee pain within six weeks. They were thorough in their assessment and treatment throughout. They helped keep me calm and focused on what I needed to do to get my knee better. They taught me a lot of really great exercises to maintain good mobility and comfort with my joints. I felt fantastic and didn’t go back for a few years until my new dog got excited and pulled me over and I again injured my knee.

Since then I have continued to see them every few weeks for maintenance for my joint pain and digestive health. At Ease Physio takes a very holistic approach and found some very interesting links between my digestive health and the tension in my muscles. The team is often taking weekend courses to further build their skillset. After having visceral manipulation I have less trouble keeping my bowels regular and have less hip and back pain. At Ease Physio also uses clinical pilates to help me improve the movement of my body and build up core strength. I love working with them and am confident they will help keep me active as I age.

At Ease Physio takes a very unique approach to physiotherapy. I had multiple bad car accidents as a young person that I was able to recover from quite well. In my early 40s I began to be more active with my kids and my shoulder pain that had always been a bit tight with my computer work became unbearable. Prior to coming to At Ease, I had been to lots of physiotherapists and had been needled, given exercises and the like, but nothing had improved my shoulder pain. I had to give up playing with my kids, swimming and weight training because the pain got so bad. I was very depressed and would have pain at night if I tried to sleep on that shoulder.

I did not know if it could get better because I had already been to physio and it had not helped me. I decided to try one more physiotherapist before speaking to an orthopedic surgeon and I am so glad I did! The relationships between the different areas and systems of the body were clearly explained. The visceral and neural work they do is very gentle and relaxing. They held me responsible for my rehab as well and I had very specific exercises and stretches to do at home.

The team at At Ease Physio showed me a clear path to getting better and explained the steps needed to get back to playing with my 2 kids, swimming and going to the gym and I followed them through. We got me back to these activities in 3 months, with no pain and no tightness in my shoulder – I had not done these things for more than 2 years! I am grateful we met and admire that they are constantly studying and taking more courses to build their skillset and stay at the top of their field.

I want to thank At Ease Physio for helping me recover and return to exercise after having my third child. I was scared of returning to exercise as I tried after 3 months and had a lot of leakage and was noticing my abdominals doming outwards during my running and crossfit style workouts. I knew this wasn’t right and after speaking to another friend I was referred to At Ease Physio.

The team assessed my entire body, not just my pelvic floor and core muscles. I got a clear explanation of the changes that occur naturally during pregnancy and the post-partum phase very well. Hearing this helped me feel less anxious. We found that my pelvic floor was actually overactive and that I was using my obliques too much and not recruiting my transverse abdominis very well. By over-recruiting my obliques and breathing in a braced way I was putting a lot of pressure on my pelvic floor and this would cause leakage with lifting, coughing or sneezing. I had some separation of my abdominals and was very worried about this.

The team at At Ease Physio explained how the core needed to be retrained and loaded to assist in strengthening this separated area. They did a lot of gentle hands on work on my abdominal area that helped me use my core more effectively. Their support and assistance gave me the tools and confidence to return to exercise.

I suffered a bad concussion 3 years ago after a fall. At Ease Physio has been able to help get me back to school and soccer. Their approach addresses the bones, nerves and blood vessels in the skull, neck and rib cage area and this was a game changer for me!

Before seeing them I was not able to do my physio exercises for my eyes or my balance. Now these exercises are much easier and I have been able to overcome my plateau and make progress!

I have IBS and struggle with bloating and indigestion. My gut issues tend to flare up when life gets stressful. Prior to finding At Ease Physio I did not get much help from anyone, even my doctor.

Now, I see them for maintenance every 6 weeks. I love their gentle approach. Their techniques help me feel my body better and move better as a result. They have taught me a lot about my body and helped build up my awareness. At Ease Physio also referred me to a naturopath and this has helped me make some adjustments to my diet.