Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is a health care profession focused on evaluating, restoring and maintaining physical health. Physiotherapists are professionals with over 6 years of university education.

COSIC's physiotherapists apply their detailed knowledge of human anatomy and biomechanics to assess and rehabilitate movement impairments associated with athletic and everyday injuries.

All physiotherapists at COSIC have advanced training in manual therapy, exercise prescription, taping/bracing, acupuncture, neural mobilization, and electrotherapeutic modalities allowing them to identify and treat the underlying cause of your specific injury.

Chiropractic


Chiropractors are doctors with 8 years of university education. They specialize in rehabilitating biomechanical disorders related to joints, muscles, and the nervous system.

A thorough orthopaedic examination allows chiropractors to identify specific mobility dysfunctions of the spine and extremities. Chiropractors frequently use adjustments or manipulations as a treatment strategy to resolve these issues.

A spinal adjustment is a highly refined skill developed during 4 years of intensive chiropractic education. The chiropractor uses their hands to manipulate the joints of the body, particularly the spine, in order to reduce pain, and restore joint function.

In addition to joint dysfunctions, chiropractors isolate muscular imbalances and potential neural adhesions that may be contributing to your symptoms.

At COSIC your chiropractor will select from a variety of techniques including spinal or peripheral joint adjustments, active release techniques (ART), exercise therapy, acupuncture, and therapeutic modalities to suit your specific rehabilitative needs.

Massage Therapy

Massage Therapy is the manual mobilization of soft tissue (muscles, tendons, fascia, ligaments, and nerves) to decrease pain, reduce muscle tension, and to improve general mobility.

Additionally, massage therapy improves our body's circulation and lymphatic drainage, which increases the supply of oxygen and nutrients to our muscles, while facilitating the excretion of waste from soft tissue.

At COSIC massage therapists use specific techniques including trigger point therapy and therapeutic exercise to enhance the healing process. Massage therapy works well in conjunction with other types of treatment such as physiotherapy, acupuncture and chiropractic.

Chiropody


Chiropodists specialize in the assessment, treatment, and ongoing care of the foot. As an essential member of the health care team, a Chiropodist utilizes therapeutic, orthotic, surgical, and palliative means to help patients eliminate foot pain, gain mobility, and maintain healthy feet.

Chiropody is practiced by skilled professionals who in addition to their undergraduate degree, have completed three years of extensive post-graduate work to obtain their Advanced Diploma of Health Sciences in Chiropody.

A thorough gait analysis and biomechanical exam allows Chiropodists to select the most appropriate foot care intervention. These strategies may include orthotic fabrication, footwear education, gait correction, nail care, exercises, and surgical techniques.

Chiropodists commonly treat pain related to ankle, foot, and heel dysfunctions.  Additionally, they assist patients with foot deformities such as bunions, and hammer toes.  They also provide solutions for ingrown toenails, corns, warts, calluses, and diabetic neuropathy.

Naturopathic Medicine

Naturopathic doctors are healthcare professionals with 8 years of post-secondary education. Their focus is to optimize health by promoting prevention and treating the source of health concerns.

A naturopathic doctor will execute a comprehensive clinical assessment to diagnose and manage biochemical and/or physiological imbalances. A clinical assessment composes of a thorough health history, clinical exams, and possibly laboratory analyses. 

At COSIC your naturopathic doctor will create an individualized treatment plan based on your needs. They will select from a variety of therapies including clinical nutrition, supplementation, botanical medicine, acupuncture, physical therapies, and lifestyle counselling.

Custom Orthotics


Orthotics are medical devices that are custom-made to correct specific foot imbalances. Orthotic foot inserts are placed in patient's footwear to exert gentle, consistent support to align foot muscles, joints, and nerves for optimal function.

Restoring the proper support to our feet is a proven means of treating several foot conditions, as well as, reducing excessive strain on our low back, hips, and knees.

At COSIC our Chiropodist develops a plaster cast of the patient's foot to ensure that an effective custom orthotic is fabricated. Onsite orthotic modifications are performed to guarantee proper function and fit.

Medical Acupuncture


Medical acupuncture combines current scientific knowledge of anatomy, physiology and neurology with traditional holistic theories of wellness. Acupuncture involves the insertion of fine needles into the body to encourage the natural healing of our tissues.

More specifically, physiotherapists and chiropractors at COSIC, use acupuncture as a strategy to reduce pain, inflammation, and muscular tension related to various injuries. All of our acupuncturists are certified having completed rigorous training with accredited medical acupuncture programs in Canada.

Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave Therapy is an innovative technology that provides effective treatment of the pathological adaptations associated with various muscle, tendon, ligament, and bone injuries.

Shockwaves are intense high-energy sound waves, which are applied to damaged structures in order to stimulate metabolic activity and improve circulation.  Ultimately, this regenerates dysfunctional tissue leading to the resolution of patients’ symptoms.

Shockwave therapy promotes accelerated recovery from a spectrum of musculoskeletal conditions including plantar fasciitis, patellar tendonitis, lateral/medial epicondylitis, achilles tendonopathy, rotator cuff injuries, stress fractures, trigger points, and scar tissue.

Shockwave therapy is often combined with physiotherapy, chiropractic, and chiropody techniques when indicated to normalize joints in proximity to the affected tissue.

Active Release Techniques (ART®)

ART® is an advanced system of diagnosis and manual treatment for soft tissue disorders. ART® reduces pain and stiffness by restoring unimpeded movement of muscles, tendons, nerves and joints, thus allowing optimal flexibility, strength, and comfort.

Every ART® session is a combination of examination and treatment. The ART® provider uses their hands to evaluate the texture, tightness and movement of soft tissues. Abnormal tissues are treated by applying precisely directed tension during very specific patient movements. These protocols, over 500 specific moves, are unique to ART®

ART® often works best in combination with other therapies including chiropractic, physiotherapy, therapeutic exercises and acupuncture.

Graston Technique

Graston Technique® utilizes specially designed stainless steel instruments to help clinicians treat acute, chronic, and post-surgical soft tissue injuries.

As the instruments come into contact with affected areas, their manual pressure reduces scar tissue, fascial restrictions, muscular tightness, and chronically inflamed tissue.  Ultimately, Graston Technique® restores proper movement of muscles, tendons, nerves, and joints by creating optimal strength and flexibility.

Clinicians enhance the effectiveness of Graston Technique® by combining it with complimentary techniques including therapeutic exercise, taping strategies, and manual therapy.

Post-Surgical Rehabilitation

COSIC has earned a reputation for being the premier clinic for rehabilitating post-surgical conditions in Northumberland.  We have established strong relationships with surgeons in Northumberland, Peterborough, Belleville, and throughout the GTA.

Our clinicians have vast experience rehabilitating post-surgical knee and hip replacements, as well as ACL reconstructions, rotator cuff repairs, meniscal lesions, and traumatic fractures requiring surgery.

Our team also helps patients prepare for surgery by advising them on programs prior to their surgery to make their affected joints as strong and flexible as possible.

Pelvic Health Physiotherapy

Pelvic Health Physiotherapy is an emerging form of therapy that addresses conditions of pelvic dysfunction, by focusing on the treatment of the pelvic floor structures.

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles and ligaments that are anchored within the boney structure of the pelvis. Functions of the pelvic floor include proper bladder and bowel control, sexual health, core stability of the back and pelvis, and support of internal pelvic organs.

Pelvic Health Physiotherapists have advanced training enabling them to rehabilitate conditions in which the components of the pelvis may be weakened, tense, or painful.  A comprehensive orthopaedic assessment, as well as, an internal exam is performed to identify the specific problem.

Pelvic Health Physiotherapists commonly treat dysfunctions of both men and women in the pelvis that contribute to bladder, bowel, sexual dysfunction, and pelvic pain complaints. Treatment may include manual therapy, behavioral strategies, modalities, therapeutic exercise, education, and functional retraining. 

Concussion Rehabilitation

Concussions are a type of brain injury caused by a traumatic force to the head that alters the normal functioning of the brain.  Concussions can also be induced from a blow to the body that accelerates the head quickly.

People who have experienced a concussion report a wide spectrum of symptoms that significantly impact their daily function including headaches, dizziness, visual problems, confusion, and fatigue amongst others.

COSIC’s concussion program consists of a computerized test to establish a benchmark for cognitive function, balance testing, and a biomechanical exam of the neck.  In the event of a concussion a second assessment is compared to the initial findings to determine the concussion severity, treatment goals, and appropriate timelines for return to activity.

COSIC’s healthcare professionals provide an integrative approach to concussion rehabilitation realizing that each concussion is unique.  Our team of clinicians, work in conjunction with Physicians to develop the most appropriate rehabilitation program for each individual.

Advanced Manual Therapy

Physiotherapists who are members of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Therapy (CAMT) have completed extensive post-graduate education in "manual therapy", allowing them to treat complex movement disorders of the extremities and spine.

Physiotherapists with manual therapy expertise (CAMT) use hands-on treatment to restore joint range of motion, muscle function, and neural mobility. Manual therapy techniques include joint mobilization/manipulation, myofascial release, and neural mobilization among others.

A comprehensive manual therapy approach also relies heavily on physiotherapists' prescription of complimentary exercise to maintain the gains made during treatment.

COSIC is recognized as Northumberland's leader in advanced manual therapy. Our physiotherapists are qualified to teach and mentor in the Canadian Physiotherapy Association's post-graduate manual therapy program.

Bracing


COSIC offers a large selection of quality custom and off-the-shelf braces. Off-the-shelf braces come in a variety of sizes and materials, allowing numerous rehabilitative applications. Off-the-shelf braces are commonly used for ankle sprains, wrist sprains, elbow pain, and a spectrum of knee complaints.

Custom braces are frequently utilized to support post-surgical and osteoarthritic knee joints. A "custom fit" ensures the brace contours specifically to individuals' affected body part, guaranteeing maximal stability.

Practitioners at COSIC have extensive experience evaluating the most appropriate brace for your particular condition.

Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapy is a regulated health profession that focuses on facilitating people’s independence and participation in their desired activities related to occupational and personal interests.

COSIC’s Occupational Therapist assists people recovering from a wide spectrum of conditions including strokes, multiple sclerosis, brain injuries, Parkinson’s, pediatric disorders, and orthopaedic ailments.

Occupational therapists evaluate several factors when developing individualized treatment plans.  They focus on patient’s cognition, visual perception, sensory functioning, biomechanics, neuromuscular processes and mental health using varied assessment measures.

Common interventions utilized by our Occupational Therapist for these conditions include, assistive device prescription, energy conservation strategies, home accessibility assessments, daily living retraining, upper extremity orthosis, and wheelchair prescription.

Ergonomic Consultation

Ergonomic consultations are evaluations of an individual's physical work environment including their workstation, job tasks, and daily work cycles focusing on identifying and correcting specific factors that are creating occupational injuries.

Ergonomic assessments are a useful tool for employees and employers alike. They assist in the prevention of work related injuries, enable workers safe return to work, reduce compensation claims, and improve employee productivity.

In addition to ergonomic consultations, COSIC, provide educational seminars for employees in office and industrial work environments. This educational series enhances employees' workplace health by promoting ergonomic principles, injury prevention, fitness, and lifestyle counseling.