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PhysioWorks and More takes physiotherapy to a new level

Relocating to the Creston and District Community Complex has allowed a local physical therapy practice to expand services and improve patient outcomes...
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The PhysioWorks and More team: (Back row

Relocating to the Creston and District Community Complex has allowed a local physical therapy practice to expand services and improve patient outcomes. Creston PhysioWorks and More occupies a large leased space in the complex, directly across from the fitness area on the second floor and just steps away from the aquatic centre.

“This move has given us the tools we always needed — this is how rehab should be,” said Michael Foy, a physiotherapist who co-owns the business with his wife, Candace.

“We inquired about leasing space in the building years ago, but there was none available,” Candace, also a physiotherapist, added. “Now we have the space we need and access to all the right equipment to help patients recover.”

Michael and Candace have lived and worked in the valley with their family since moving here in 2000. They operated PhysioWorks on 14th Avenue before renovations to the community complex opened up space to lease, available through a public bid process in the fall. Renovations were completed by Collin’s Carpentry in time for the opening on Feb. 14.

“We thought we did well with our old premises but this move has opened up a whole new world for patients as well as staff,” Michael said. “It’s a treat to be here.”

Patients requiring the use of exercise equipment or aquatic therapy can now be accompanied to the appropriate location in the community complex, where they get instruction on how to use exercise equipment or how to exercise in the water. An agreement with the Regional District of Central Kootenay allows PhysioWorks and More patients to use the facility under the supervision of a therapist while they are receiving treatment.

“People are loving the pool therapy and it’s been a huge hit,” Candace said. “We’ve seen patients with chronic back pain who are literally transformed. We see people’s quality of life improve dramatically.”

The aquatic centre’s hot tub and steam room are added bonuses for those who have completed their aquatic therapy session with the physiotherapist.

In addition to physical therapy, the clinic now offers registered massage therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and custom orthotics. These Foot Maxx custom fit foot supports come with a money back guarantee, and patients can be seen by Dr Michelle Mayer, D.C. Currently working out of the facility are physiotherapists Michael and Candace, Sumarie le Roux, Ron Miles and Robyn Skopac, registered massage therapist Aleesha Murdoch and speech therapist Stephen Pierson. More services will be added, such as acupuncture, as professionals become available.

“Our clinic has been able to dramatically increase occupational therapy (OT) services by bringing on Lindsey Adsett, from Calgary,” Candace said. “Occupation is defined as everything people do to occupy themselves — self-care, leisure and work. OT addresses the physical effects of an injury or disease, but also the psycho-social, community and environmental factors that influence the way a person functions.”

An OT will assess what a person can or cannot do physically and mentally, what materials they use in their occupation, the social and emotional supports available in their lives and the physical setup of their home, school, workplace, community or any other environment they spend time in.

Depending on the assessment, an OT can help in overcoming a disability, adapting material or equipment a person uses, fabricating splints or recommending changes to a person’s environment. Available for purchase at their new location are a variety of rehab supplies, including braces, therapy bags, exercise balls and exercise bands.

From a physiotherapist’s point of view, Candace said she is excited not only by the facilities available to patients, but by the fitness classes offered, too.

“I can try out one of the aerobics classes, for instance, so that I can tell people if the classes will work for them,” she said. “And I can help ensure that the workouts can be adapted to a patient’s needs.”

“Before the aquatic centre opened, when we recommended water exercise, patients might not have had access to a pool, or they might have said, ‘I don’t swim,’ ” Michael said. “Now, unless they have a genuine fear of water, the different parts of the aquatic facility offer tremendous opportunities.”

The Foys agree that the new location helps PhysioWorks and More to achieve its mission statement: “Our goal is to assist patients to recover from pain and injury, and return to the active lifestyles they enjoy here in the beautiful Creston Valley.

“We aim to enhance the overall physical health, fitness and quality of life of adults and children by treating them with high quality, comprehensive and individual rehabilitation services within a team based approach.”

“In our hearts, we don’t want people to suffer unnecessarily with pain,” Candace said. “The sooner they get treatment, the better the results are likely to be.”

For more information or to book an appointment with Creston PhysioWorks and More call 250-428-8962 or stop by the clinic, which is open Monday through Friday, with newly extended hours.