Conditions that our methods have shown to have safe and effective benefits towards these goals include:
- Achilles Tendonitis
- Auto Injuries (Motor Vehicle Accidents – MVA)
- Back Pain
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Concussion Management
- Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD)
- Disc Bulges
- Frozen Shoulder / Adhesive Capsulitis
- Sports Focused for Elbow Pain
- Groin Strains
- Headaches/ Migraines
- Knee Pain
- Neck Pain
- Pinched Nerve
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Sciatica
- Shoulder Pain / Rotator Cuff Syndrome
- Soft Tissue Injuries
- Sports Injury
- Tendonitis
- TMJ Dysfunction
- Vertigo
- WCB injuries (Our facility is a WCB Authorized clinic in Alberta)
- Whiplash
- Personal Injury
Achilles Tendonitis
What are the symptoms?
Pain in the back of the heel and tightness in the calf. Symptoms are usually worse after a person is sedentary and then starts to bear weight or after long periods of being on your feet. This condition often results from calf tension becoming tighter and tighter in such activities like walking – running – hiking. This limits ankle mobility and causes excessive stress on the Achilles tendon resulting in pain.
How do we treat this condition?
After Achilles Tendonitis is confirmed via history & examination, treatment consisting of Active Release Techniques® (ART®) &/or Graston Technique® is utilized to increase calf mobility resulting in less tension and pulling at the Achilles insertion into the heel. After treatment, the application of Rocktape® can be very helpful to alleviate pain and promote healing. Specific therapeutic exercises are then prescribed to be performed between treatment sessions.
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DR. AMAN • DR. WALKER
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Auto Injuries (Motor Vehicle Accidents – MVA)
Please click the link to be taken to our information area on Auto Injuries/Motor Vehicle Accidents (MVA) that have taken place in Alberta.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE MVA GUIDE
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Back Pain
What are the symptoms?
85% of North Americans suffer episodes of back pain, especially lower back pain, that causes them to miss periods of work annually. Acute cases can become recurrent cases; Recurrent cases can become chronic cases. Classic lower back pain has short distance radiation of pain into the upper buttocks or towards the front of the pelvis only.
How do we treat this condition?
Our focus on acute back pain is providing treatment to increase mobility and reduce pain as fast as possible. Utilizing manipulation, ART®, massage, topical medication and targeted exercises we hope to halt the back pain as quickly as possible. Manipulation and movement-related treatments have been show to far surpass rest or medication in effectiveness and outcomes. After resolving acute stages of pain, or when assessing chronic back pain cases, it is our focus to assess your core, hips, and upper back for mobility and strength/stability. There is a high correlation between problems in these areas resulting in chronic, recurrent lower back pain.
Since back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide, it is vital to know how to prevent the cause of back pain. By maintaining a healthy diet and weight, remaining active and avoiding prolonged inactivity or bed rest are all important ways to avoid back pain. Before doing exercises or any physical activity, it is recommended to warm up and/or stretch.
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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
What are the symptoms?
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) symptoms are numbness and tingling in the thumb, index, middle, and a half of the ring fingers. Symptoms are often exacerbated at night-time or with the holding items like cellphone, tools, books/newspapers, or driving.
How do we treat this condition?
After CTS is confirmed via history & examination, treatment consisting of Active Release Techniques®(ART®) &/or Graston Technique®is utilized to release the nerve from adhered soft tissues in the forearm, wrist, and hand. Then specific therapeutic exercises are prescribed to be performed between treatment sessions.
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Concussions
What are the symptoms?
The most common symptom associated with concussions is headaches. Others include, but are not limited to, nausea, vomiting, balance problems, lightheadedness, blurry or double vision, confusion, tiredness, irritability, light sensitivity, memory and concentration problems, emotional changes, or feeling “off”or “not right”.
How do we treat this condition?
After a concussion diagnosis is made via history & examination, treatment consisting of rest, reassurance, and treatment to associated injured neck structures.
Active Release Techniques® (ART®) &/or Graston Technique® are utilized to release the injured nerves. Joint manipulations can be considered when restrictions present. Specific therapeutic exercises for neck mobility and neck strength – endurance are prescribed to help stabilize the neck and head.
Returning to activity -work or sport -would happen when symptoms have subsided and neck range of motion and stability have been normalized. Our clinic follows the guidelines on return to play as set by Hockey Canada and apply them to other sports and life scenarios. We stay current with the evolving concepts and concepts shown in medical and rehabilitation literature.
The biggest goal in concussion management is to avoid the reoccurrence of concussion symptoms when a clearance to return to activity has been achieved.
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Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD)
What are the symptoms?
Age-related changes take place in the spine naturally and cause the wearing down of the discs and joint cartilage between our vertebrae. This can be accelerated with back and neck injuries, overuse and repetition, and sedentary lifestyles. This can lead to neck pain, lower back pain and in sever cases Spinal Stenosis (see description of Spinal Stenosis below).
How do we treat this condition?
After DDD is confirmed via history & examination, and potential x-rays, treatment is focused on mobility of the middle back (Thoracic spine) plus mobility and strength of the hips and core. In essence, the goal is to improve function above & below the area of DDD to offset stress to that area. Specific therapeutic exercises are prescribed enhance the effects of treatment sessions.
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DR. AMAN • DR. WALKER
Hip Pain
What are the symptoms?
Hip pain can be on the side of the hip, in the buttock, or even reside in the front of the hip. Stiffness or sharpness will limit hip mobility. Often times, hip pain will involve joints above or below the hip: lower back, groin, knee pain all can accompany hip pain. Sciatica (see below) can result when the Sciatic Nerve gets compressed in the hip.
How do we treat this condition?
History & examination start the process to determine the hips rollin your symptoms. Is there a mobility problem? Is there a strength or stability problem? Often both problems are present. Treatment consisting of Active Release Techniques® (ART®) or massage to increased hip muscle mobility. Then specific therapeutic exercises are taught and to be performed between treatment sessions with the goal of re-enforcing hip mobility and returning stability and strength to your core and hips.
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Disc Bulges
What are the symptoms?
Disc bulges (and Disc Herniations) can happen throughout the spine, but most commonly happen in the lower neck or lower back. Disc bulges are like having a jelly donut deform on one side and have an asymmetric shape, causing compression on a neighboring nerve. Disc herniations have tear that causes the inside of the disc to leak out onto the neighboring nerve like jelly leaving the inside of a donut.
Neck disc bulges and herniations have neck pain and arm pain with numbness, loss of sensation, tingling and numbness, often into the hand and fingers.
Lower back disc bulges and herniations have lower back pain that coincides with significant leg pain. Often, the leg pain is as-or-more severe than the back pain. Many times the global word “sciatica”is used to describe the pain down the leg. Leg pain from a disc problem often travels past the ankle and into the foot & toes.
In both cases of neck or lower back disc bulges, coughing and sneezing can increase the arm or leg pain and tingling. Examinations to neck or lower back will include sensation, strength and reflex testing.
How do we treat this condition?
After a disc problem is identified via history & examination, treatment consisting of specific directed exercise is the safest effective choice. Shifting the bulged disc away from the compressed neighboring nerve is imperative. This can be accomplished thorough safe repeated motions that coach the disc in the right direction and avoidance of movement that stress the disc in the wrong direction. These home exercises are prescribed to be performed between treatment sessions.
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Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)
What are the symptoms?
Frozen shoulder is a condition in which severe pain in the shoulder is accompanied with significant loss of motion at the shoulder joint. Pain is typically present both with movement and at rest. Historically, is much more common in women than men.
How do we treat this condition?
After frozen shoulder is confirmed via history & examination, treatment consisting of Active Release Techniques® (ART®) &/or Graston Technique® is utilized with the intent of increasing mobility around the shoulder joint and relieving discomfort. Then, specific therapeutic exercises and stretches are prescribed to be performed between treatment sessions.
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Sports Focused for Elbow Pain
What are the symptoms?
Golfers and tennis elbow are painful elbow conditions felt at the forearm tendons on the inside and outside of the elbow, respectively. There is sharp pain at the inside or outside of the elbow and forearm with forceful forearm and hand movements such as screw-driving and gripping. There may also be a persistent ache at rest after an activity. Tennis elbow is globally more common than golfer’s elbow in sports and the workplace.
How do we treat this condition?
After either condition is confirmed via history & examination, treatment consisting of Active Release Techniques® (ART®) &/or Graston Technique® is utilized to improve mobility of the affected forearm tissues. Then specific therapeutic exercises are prescribed to be performed between treatment sessions to maintain mobility and increase forearm tolerance to activity.
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Groin Strain / Hip Flexor Strains
What are the symptoms?
These muscle strains result in sharp pain and tightness felt in the groin and upper inner thigh. They are aggravated by motion at the hip, specifically forceful hip flexion or thigh approximation. Hip rotation can also be an irritating motion and the pain may refer as an ache down the thigh in cases.
How do we treat this condition?
After a muscle strain is confirmed via history & examination, treatment consisting of Active Release Techniques® (ART®) and, in some cases, Graston Technique® is utilized to assist the strained tissue in healing effectively and maintain function. Specific therapeutic stretches and then exercises are prescribed to be performed between treatment sessions to maintain mobility and rebuild muscle strength.
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Headaches/ Migraines
What are the symptoms?
Headaches are categories into various types, migraine and tension being among the most common, and are often accompanied by a variety of other symptoms such as neck and jaw pain and stiffness, an aura, and sensitivity to sound or light. Headaches can also be a symptom of injuries to the neck (ex. whiplash), nerve entrapments within the neck muscles, or poor muscular control of the neck muscles.
How do we treat this condition?
After the type of headache is confirmed via history & examination, treatment options are provided and tailored to your comfort. This could include Active Release Techniques® (ART®), chiropractic adjustments &/or Graston Technique® is utilized to improve neck motion and nerve mobility. Stability exercises are utilized for headaches that result from poor muscular control of the neck.
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Sports Injury
What are the symptoms?
Competing in sports brings inherent risks of injury. These injuries can come during competition or during training. Injuries can strike any part of the musculoskeletal system including the brain.
Sports involve repetition. Repetition breeds skill improvement, but can also yield physical ailments.
Whether the injury happens in training or in competition, it is mandatory you obtain and accurate diagnosis to be followed by appropriate pin point accurate treatment. The goal is to get you back to your sport(s) efficiently & safely.
How do we treat this condition?
Trust the examination and treatment techniques that the pros trust. Our staff have been trained by the leaders Sports Medicine and Sports InjuryRehabilitation earning post-graduate certifications from:
- ART® (Active Release Techniques®)
- Graston Technique®
- Titleist Performance Institute
- Rocktape®
- Functional Movement Systems®
- Functional And Kinetic Rehabilitation®
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Knee Pain
What are the symptoms?
Knee pain can present in any or all areas of the knee. The side(s), top, bottom, behind, or inside the knee. IN a non-injured knee that experiences knee pain, we have to evaluate the joint above (hip) and joint below (ankle) as it’s often the case problems here result in compensating knee pain. Swelling inside the knee warrants knee x-rays.
How do we treat this condition?
History & examination starts the path to diagnosing where knee pain is coming from. Treatment of knee pain and knee related problems, almost always, involves treatment to the hip and/or calf/ankle. We utilize Active Release Techniques® (ART®) &/or Graston Technique® to the hip-knee-ankle and therapeutic exercise to these areas to take stress and pain away from the knee.
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Neck Pain
What are the symptoms?
Neck pain has always been a common complaint but prevalence is increasing with more and more time logged with computer /phone/gaming usage. Posture of the upper back, shoulder blades and neck are taxed. This leads to neck stiffness and tightness. Headaches very often coincide with neck pain. As cases get more severe, numbness and tingling down the arm(s) can start.
How do we treat this condition?
History & examination of the neck and shoulders initiate the evaluation. Treatment starts using Active Release Techniques® (ART®), Graston Technique®, or Massage Therapy for increasing range of motion in soft tissues of the neck and shoulder blades. When joint restrictions are present in the upper spine, manipulation can be utilized to restore motion. We prescribe therapeutic exercises to be performed in between treatment sessions to re-enforce neck – shoulder blade mobility and stability.
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Pinched Nerve
What are the symptoms?
Pinched nerves are nerves that get stuck or pinched in between tight or scarred soft tissues. These nerve entrapments can produce pain, numbness, tingling, loss of sensation along the path of the nerve. These entrapments can result from repetitious overuse (sport, occupational), sprains or strains, crush injuries, or chronic soft tissue tension. Nerves love to slide & glide through and between soft tissues. When this movement is compromised, compression and entrapment are the result.
How do we treat this condition?
After confirming the problem is a nerve entrapment via history & examination, treatment consisting of Active Release Techniques® (ART®) &/or Graston Technique® is utilized to release the nerve from the adhered soft tissues and improve it’s ability to slide & glide. Then specific therapeutic exercises are prescribed to be performed between treatment sessions
Examples include: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, some forms of Headaches, Sciatic Nerve entrapments, Funny Bone (Ulnar Nerve) entrapments.
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Sciatica
What are the symptoms?
Sciatica has been a term utilized for nervy pain that travels from your buttock region down the back of your leg, sometimes past your knee towards the ankle. If this pain travels past your ankle into your foot, please read Disc Bulges above and compare. In Piriformis Syndrome, leg pain is often worse with sitting or traveling. Hip stiffness and range of motion losses heighten the chance of Piriformis related sciatica.
How do we treat this condition?
A through history & examination to differentiate between Sciatica and Disc Bulges is required. Treatment consisting of Active Release Techniques® (ART®) is utilized to release the Sciatic nerve (and its branches) from adhered and immobile soft tissues in the buttock, hamstring, and calf. Specific therapeutic exercises are then prescribed to be performed between treatment sessions.
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Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain is a very common condition and affects almost half of the U.S. Most patients feel some sort of pain, limited range of motion, an inability to engage in activities of daily living (ADL) or something more serious as a permanent disability.
Soft Tissues Injuries
What are the symptoms?
Soft tissue injuries include injuries to muscles, ligaments, nerves, and fascia. This can happen to any region of the body. Sports injuries, work injuries, car accidents all can cause sprains, strains, pulls, tears to these tissues. How these tissues heal has a commonality: they heal with adhesive scar tissue. When injured tissues become scarred their relative motion to their neighboring tissues becomes impaired. Scarred tissue sticks and glues, losing the ability to slide past its neighbor when required to stretch, lift, move a bone or joint. This impaired and altered movement results in PAIN.
How do we treat this condition?
The ‘gold standard’ in soft tissue injury assessment and treatment is Active Release Techniques® (ART®). Graston Technique® is the pioneer in instrument assisted assessing and treating of soft tissue injuries and conditions. Exercise will be a major factor in the speed of your recovery and the avoidance of reoccurrences
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Tendonitis
What are the symptoms?
Pain, tenderness, potential swelling, or a grating sensation as the irritated tendon moves through its limited ROM of an affected shoulder, elbow, wrist, knee, or ankle. Often the result of acute repetition, strain, or overuse.
How do we treat this condition?
Active Release Techniques® (ART®) &/or Graston Technique® were developed for this primary type of soft tissue injury. Identifying and treating motion restrictions between individual soft tissues is the goal of treatment. The result is decreased pain, improved movement, and improved function in work and sport.
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Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ)
What are the symptoms?
Jaw pain, clicking, deviations of the jaw, limited opening and or closing are symptoms of Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD). This can cause headaches and/or radiating of the pain into the ear(s).
How do we treat this condition?
At The Ridge Spine & Sport Centre, we believe in a very conservative approach to TMD. Utilizing specific soft tissue protocols by Active Release Techniques® (ART®) & Graston Technique® adhesions and restrictions in the muscles of the jaw are identified and treated. We will not administer high velocity manipulations or adjustments to the TM joints, providing soft tissue care only to this complex structure. We aim to work with your Dentist to help alleviate this condition.
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Vertigo
What are the symptoms?
Although symptoms may vary from person to person, spinning, dizziness, lightheadedness, loss of balance (and in extreme cases, nausea and vomiting) that coincide with neck dysfunction and/or irritation to the inner ear. Simply, your world is spinning even when you’re not moving.
How do we treat this condition?
Your neck plays an important role in balance and coordination. Evaluation and examination of your neck mobility and balance system is the first step. Once determined this is the cause of your vertigo, directed exercise is often the pathway to resolving this aliment. Specific exercises are taught to you to be performed to help reduce and resolve the vertigo.
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Workers Compensation Injuries (WCB)
Please click the link to be taken to our information area on Work Injuries.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE WCB GUIDE
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Whiplash
What are the symptoms?
Neck pain and limited range motion with the potential of headaches and numbness and tingling in the arms following a car accident (MVA). This diagnosis is used for specific sprains and strains to the neck resulting from trauma caused from a car accident. It is globally agreed upon that there are five categories of whiplash (I the least severe, V the most severe). Each category of whiplash has different signs and symptoms, but have the commonality that neck trauma resulted from an MVA.
How do we treat this condition?
History & examination will determine your diagnosis of whiplash category. Each category of whiplash has different goals for treatment and different time lines for recovery. Injuries to soft tissues, joints and nerves are all taken into account in our treatment plans. Treatment at our facility consists of a team approach between Chiropractic, Massage Therapy and physical therapy & therapeutic exercise. This team approach makes for throughout rehabilitation to the neck following your car accident.
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Plantar Fasciitis
What are the symptoms?
Inflammation and pain at the heel, usually the bottom where your arch and heel meet. The pain is of sharp – stabbing nature, most common when taking the first few steps after sitting or sleeping. Long periods of walking or exercise are not tolerated with this condition due to the reoccurrence of heel pain
How do we treat this condition?
After Plantar Fasciitis is confirmed via history & examination, treatment consisting of Active Release Techniques® (ART®) &/or Graston Technique® is utilized to release the nerve from adhered soft tissues in the arch of the foot, the ankle and calf. Then specific therapeutic exercises are prescribed to be performed between treatment sessions
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Rotator Cuff Syndrome // Shoulder Pain
What are the symptoms?
Rotator cuff issues are common causes of pain around the shoulder joint, but other muscles around the shoulder girdle can also contribute to pain or dysfunction. Rotator cuff related shoulder pain often has sharp pain with elevated and resisted shoulder activity early. It may develop over time to a more persistent shoulder ache that can be painful at rest and disrupt sleep
How do we treat this condition?
Once an area of injury or dysfunction is confirmed via history & examination, treatment consisting of Active Release Techniques® (ART®) &/or Graston Technique® is utilized to improve any loses in mobility around the shoulder girdle. Rocktape® or Dynamic Tape® can be used to help stabilize the joint during activity or painful acute stages. Specific therapeutic stretches are prescribed to be performed between treatment sessions to maintain mobility and improve function.
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Spinal Stenosis
What are the symptoms?
Cervical Spinal Stenosis symptoms consists of neck pain, numbness & tingling in the extremities, potential balance or walking problems. Lumbar Spinal Stenosis causes lower back pain, burning pain and numbness and tingling in the leg(s), plus loss of sensation and strength in the leg(s). Often times, patients speak to weakness and loss of power with walking any distances of length.
Note: If there is any presence of bowel or bladder problems coinciding with Cervical or Lumbar SpinalStenosis, you should seek immediate medial attention.
How do we treat this condition?
Spinal stenosis in both the neck and the back is diagnosed after a thorough history & examination, plus x-rays. Effective treatment can consist of specific exercises plus activity modification. Management of this chronic condition can be very successful with the right interventions put into practice.
If there is any presence of bowel or bladder problems coinciding with Cervical or Lumbar Spinal Stenosis, an immediate medial referral would be a necessity.
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Osgood–Schlatter’s Disease
What are the symptoms?
Acute knee pain located just below the kneecap at the ‘bump’ at the top of the shin. This most often occurs in later junior high and high schoolboys that play explosive jumping and/or running sports (basketball, volleyball, track).
How do we treat this condition?
After Osgood-Schlatter’s Disease is confirmed via history & examination and probably x-rays, treatment consisting of Active Release Techniques® (ART®) &/or Graston Technique® is utilized to release tension and scar tissue from adhered soft tissues in the thigh and knee cap tendons. Core stability exercise is often prescribed and taught as well and to be performed between treatment sessions.
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Personal Injury
Our goal is to help you receive the proper care after a personal injury, auto accident or fall. Our staff is devoted to helping you obtain the most comprehensive treatments and the care you deserve, so you may maintain your quality of life after an injury and can begin to feel like yourself again.
Too often, individuals involved in an auto injury or wreck have minimal or no symptoms until several weeks after the auto accident. That is where the professionals at The Ridge Spine & Sport Centre come in, and can assist you with all aspects of auto accident personal injury recovery.
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