Have you suffered a whiplash, neck or back injury in Calgary as a result of a motor vehicle accident (MVA) or collision (MVC)? 

Research shows that an EARLY and active approach to recovery is the fastest, most effective way for healing to occur. 

Injuries following MVC’s can be complex and include (but not limited to): neck and upper back pain, TMJ or jaw pain, concussion, headaches, shoulder and lower back pain. 

Our team is committed to using the most up to date evidence-based approach in managing your injury. We thoroughly assess and diagnose the problem, what stage of healing you are at and what intervention is appropriate for that stage of healing. 

Whether this has happened recently or you’ve been dealing with neck or spinal pain from an accident in the past, there are some things you should know. 

What is Whiplash? 

Whiplash or WAD (Whiplash Associated Disorder) is a term used to describe a neck injury caused by the head suddenly accelerating and decelerating or “whipping” back and forth causing painful injury and damage to the joints, muscles, ligaments and other connecting tissues of the spine. 

Whiplash most commonly occurs in car accidents however any time there are sudden forces through the neck a whiplash injury can occur. Whiplash can occur in sports such as hockey, rugby, football and soccer or even a slip and fall! 

Depending on the severity of the injury, pain and symptoms can be felt immediately or even a few days later. WAD injuries are categorized in the following way: 

• WAD I: Neck pain, tenderness but normal movement
• WAD II: Neck pain and stiffness with point tenderness and loss of movement 
• WAD III: Neck pain, reduced mobility and neurological signs (weakness, sensory and or reflex changes) 
• WAD IV: Neck pain with fracture or dislocation 

Have your whiplash assessed, contact our clinic 

Should I get Treatment for my Whiplash? 

Research shows early intervention (even for minor symptoms) results in better long term outcomes and can prevent chronic pain. 

No matter how minor you may think your injury is, it is important that you be evaluated as soon as possible by a trained health professional like a physiotherapist. Even if you think your injury is minor and you are able to “ignore” it, we encourage you to get checked right away. Don’t make the mistake of letting it go for a week or two before you seek treatment because the longer you wait, the harder it becomes to treat. 

Your Path to Recovery Starts with an Assessment 

On your first appointment, your therapist will spend the time necessary to take a detailed history of your current and past medical history, perform a biomechanical, musculoskeletal and neurological assessment. 

Once a complete picture of your injury is understood, we will be able to guide you through the recovery process using up to date evidence-based treatment. 

There are many things YOU can do to improve your recovery and your therapist will make sure you have a good understanding so that you can get better as soon as possible. 

Return to activity is key to recovery. Our team has extensive experience in movement therapy and evidence shows the earlier you can start moving the better. The human body has an amazing capacity for healing and with appropriate management early on, most people recover fully and get back to their normal activities. 

Physiotherapists are movement specialists and can assist in getting you back to your important activities. We have multiple strategies of assisting you in pain reduction and helping you understand what activities are best suited to your stage of healing. We will assess where your limitations are and provide an appropriate rehabilitation and exercise program. 

You can expect to get ergonomic and postural advice so that unnecessary strain on your neck can be avoided. Targeted exercises for your exact condition will help reduce your pain and stiffness. We will provide you with a home program so that you can self-manage and optimize your healing. 

Who pays for treatment?

The Government of Alberta recognizes the research that supports the value of early treatment following motor vehicle collisions. Alberta government legislation requires an assessment by a primary care practitioner (Physiotherapist, medical doctor or chiropractor) within 10 days of the accident. 

This legislation stipulates that all whiplash injuries are entitled to an assessment. Minor injuries (WAD I and WAD II) are entitled to funded physiotherapy for up to 3 months following the accident. 

The intention is to get people to PT early, get moving and avoid chronic pain. If it has been more than 10 days, don’t worry, insurance companies will often still cover the costs of rehab. 

If you’re not sure, call us and ask

Where do I have to go for treatment? 

The Diagnostic and Treatment Protocol (DTPR) legislation in Alberta supports patient choice. Your minor injury will be fully paid for by your vehicle insurance at the clinic of your choice. 

Our legislation stipulates that minor injuries (WAD I and WADII) following MVC’s will be covered no matter where you choose to receive care. 

We believe in patient centred care – we work ONLY for you and therefore do not sign agreements with insurance companies as we don’t want to confuse who we are working for. 

In keeping with current legislation, we take care of starting your injury claim and direct billing your insurance company. For minor injuries reported within 10 days of accident there will be no out of pocket expense to you. This ensures no financial barriers to receiving necessary and early care. 

As a well established clinic with an excellent reputation in Calgary, we get many word-of-mouth referrals, family and friend referrals as well as referrals from local GP’s. 

As a local owner-operated clinic, we will not likely get any referrals from your insurance company who may be located outside the province. But rest assured, your minor injury will be fully paid for by your vehicle insurance at the clinic of your choice. 

Will I Recover? 

Any sudden forces to any part of our bodies can result in strains or sprains. Whiplash is a strain/sprain of the spinal structures and follows the same healing pathway as any other musculoskeletal injury we might experience. 

The number and severity of symptoms following a whiplash injury varies depending on multiple factors. The human body has an amazing ability to heal and with appropriate management early on, your neck pain should recover fully and you can expect to get back to all usual activities. 

Whiplash has a high recovery rate within 3 months of treatment but it is highly variable between individuals. 

What Can I Do to Speed Up my Recovery? 

Keep Calm! Even though at first, the pain and symptoms can be quite severe and debilitating, remember that this is normal and not something to panic about. 

Studies show that high fear, anxiety and panicky feelings can actually increase the sensation of pain so try and stay calm. It is normal to feel pain and discomfort during the healing process. 

Keep moving! 

Multiple studies have shown that people who try to resume normal activity as soon as possible recover much quicker than people who markedly alter or reduce their daily activities. Better recovery will occur in individuals who maintain a healthy, active routine. 

You may need to slightly modify your usual work or recreational activities during the first few weeks of the injury. Keep in mind that pain during this process is normal and does not necessarily mean further injury. 

Gradually increase your participation in activity and exercise levels as you are able so that you can return to your regular sports, hobbies and workload. 

Get Checked! 

It is important, no matter how minor you may think your injury is that you be evaluated as soon as possible by a properly trained health professional like a physiotherapist. Even if you think your injury is minor and you are able to “ignore” it, we encourage you to get checked right away. Don’t make the mistake of letting it go for a week or two before you seek treatment because the longer you wait, the harder it becomes to treat. 

Get Great Physiotherapy! 

1. Active not passive! 

There are many passive treatments at our disposal (heat, ice TENS, needles, manual therapy, ultrasound, laser, massage, ointments) but without a strong focus on active treatment (Movement, posture, stretching, strengthening) our injured tissues will not be able to cope with the daily load of our busy lives. The treatment should focus on the exercise component not the passive component. 

2. Measured progress! 

We use a number of measurable outcomes and key factors to monitor progress – not just a pain score. We are one of the few clinics in Alberta tracking your progress (and ours) against an international data base. We can tell you on day one what you can expect your recovery to look like based on over 15 million care episodes in the database. If progress is not as expected, we will be alerted and get you on the right track early on. 

3. Ease of billing

Our office staff are experienced in dealing with the paperwork and forms needed to file a claim for insurance following motor vehicle accident. We communicate directly with your insurance to alleviate some of the stress involved in filing a claim. 

We direct bill your insurance so you can avoid out of pocket expenses. 

When should I be concerned? 

It is not uncommon to experience headaches following a neck injury but severe and progressive headaches, blurred vision, dizziness, memory loss, ringing in the ears, or slurred speech will need to be carefully evaluated. 

If you hit your head or lost consciousness during the accident, you may be suffering from a concussion and your physiotherapist can assess you for this. Make sure you monitor your symptoms, if you have progressively worsening tingling, numbness or progressive weakness in your arms or legs you may have some nerve compression which will need to be properly assessed by a registered professional. 

Self Help 

1. Avoid slouching or prolonged positions. Inflamed tissues tend to tighten up quickly so changing positions frequently can help. Slouching puts unnecessary stress on already strained tissues. Support yourself properly with a cushion or lumbar roll. 

2. Rest: you will need more rest breaks initially (up to 7 days). Your head is heavy! Lie down for 15 min or so a few times a day to take the load off your spine. 

3. Ice for the first few days – 10-15 min while lying down with proper support on your neck. 

4. Heat or ice after day 3 following injury depending on personal preference. 15 min at a time as needed. 

5. Medication: be careful due to potential side effects but ask your pharmacist or doctor about Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or NSAIDS (advil, aleve, ibuprofen). Limited use of these medications early on may help with pain. 

6. Light exercise like a short walk can help loosen up your body. 

7. Relaxation or meditation can help calm your mind and your muscles. 

8. Avoid negative thoughts and try to stay positive, be patient: all injuries take some time to heal.

Take Home Message: 

Normally, following a whiplash injury, the damaged tissues have repaired themselves within 8 – 12 weeks of the injury. 

If you continue to experience neck pain, headaches or other symptoms beyond the 3 month point, it may be part of the normal recovery time depending on the nature and extent of your injury. 

The focus of the treatment in this case should be on active rehabilitation rather than being dependent on passive treatments. In a smaller percentage of the cases, however, ongoing pain and symptoms could indicate that your problem requires more advanced treatment.

Start your path to recovery, get in touch for an assessment 

Low back pain can be a very frustrating struggle, limiting our ability to work and inhibiting our day-to-day tasks. Even low back pain that lasts a short duration can cause anxiety, depression and fear — especially when you don’t know what to do about your pain.

Mechanical Low Back Pain is Extremely Common and Often Recurrent

Mechanical Low Back Pain is the most common ailment we see in physiotherapy. Over 80% of adults will experience LBP at some point throughout their life. Back pain is the second most common reason for Canadians to see their doctor. 60-75% of patients that have back pain once will experience recurring problems. With this in mind, we can think of back pain in humans as a “normal” part of life. It’s so prevalent that we’ve even seen it compared to a common cold! And, like a cold, back pain occurs and often runs its course and then is gone again. But when the pain doesn’t go away as expected or is very severe, most of us look to experts to get relief.

What Is Low Back Pain (LBP)?

The majority of back pain is mechanical, meaning there is a problem with the moving parts of the spine. The tissues affected may be the: discs, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, nerves, or cartilage. Mechanical pain arises when the soft tissue – between two joints of the spine, has been overstretched – gets locked up, or even torn. Inflammation may be part of the problem, but once the mechanics are corrected, the inflammation usually settles down. Back pain may start with an incident, injury, strain or for no apparent reason.

Low back or lumbar spine issues often masquerade as pain in the buttock or “sciatica.” Often, the pain is caused or affected by certain positions or movements. According to that logic, it will typically respond well (i.e. the pain will be relieved) to specific positions or movements. With physiotherapy, individuals with back pain can learn to do these maneuvers themselves, though some “hands-on” help by the therapist may be needed to get things started.

Factors that Contribute to LBP:

• Sedentary lifestyle
• Weight gain
• Age (most common in the 30-50 age group)
• Heredity
• Overtraining or training errors (too much too soon)
• Weekend warrior (after sitting all week at a desk)
• Pregnancy
• Anxiety/Depression
• Heavy job (lifting, bending, stooping, twisting) over a long period
• Working in awkward or bent postures
• Poor sleep quality
• Other illnesses (diabetes, systemic disease, etc.)

What Can I Do About My LBP?

Research has shown that staying active helps to provide pain relief and maintain function. If you are not sure which activities are safe for you, seek advice from a physiotherapist. A well-trained physiotherapist (hopefully trained in MDT – Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy) will be able to diagnose your type of back pain, educate you on the causes and aggravating/easing factors as well as provide a prognosis for your recovery.

Your therapist will help to alleviate any fears and anxiety you might experience regarding your pain and reassure you that it is safe to move and be active. You can expect to be given some specific exercises, movements, or postures that will help reduce the mechanical strain on your tissues and promote healing.

Most patients start noticing decreased pain and increased range of motion after the first visit. Our goal is that improvements should be evident by the third visit. Treatments for LBP focus on movement and exercise but may also include: core exercises, ergonomic and lifting advice, manual therapy, acupuncture or other modalities. The focus is to get you moving comfortably again and able to self-treat for the long-term. If we do our job well, you need us less over time, not more.

Learn more about physiotherapy.

Take the first step towards treating your low back pain – Book an appointment today!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Should I rest?

A: While you might need to modify your activities at first, for people with new-onset low back pain, staying active helps provide pain relief and maintain function. There is also evidence that people with long term back pain do better when they participate in exercise than they do with rest. People who have back pain with referred pain down their leg (also known as sciatica) tend to have about the same level of pain and function whether they stay in bed or not. However, given that bed rest also comes with the risk of complications, staying active is the better option. Keep moving to recover more quickly.

Q: Should I get an X-Ray, CT Scan or MRI to find out what’s going on before I start therapy?

A: A mechanic does not figure out what is wrong with a car by taking a picture of the engine, and a physiotherapist also does not depend on a picture (i.e. X-Ray, CT, MRI) to figure out what is wrong with your back. These diagnostic tests are one piece of the puzzle, but they are static and not as helpful as many believe them to be when diagnosing a problem that has to do with movement. Moreover, these tests do not alleviate your pain, they expose you to potentially harmful radiation and may lead to unnecessary treatment.

Research shows that findings on an MRI do not correlate well with back pain severity or the need for treatment. Many abnormal results occur in healthy people with no history of back pain, meaning these tests are not very useful to identify the cause of back pain. Unless we are trying to rule out a serious pathology (see below), diagnostic imaging does not help guide treatment, improve your care or outcomes, and is not recommended.

Q: Does the amount of pain = the amount of damage?

A: Pain is an individual experience that is processed in the brain. It is a warning signal we humans have developed, designed to trigger us to pay attention. Similar to the function of a smoke alarm in your house. The smoke alarm is the same no matter if your house is burning down or if you burn the toast. We can not always rely on solely our pain symptoms to determine how much damage there is at the tissue level.

Think of chronic pain or phantom limb pain. Both are situations where no acute tissue damage is present but severe pain still exists. Also, the intensity of pain can be highly influenced by other factors such as stress, fear, anxiety, family history, previous experiences with pain etc. Short answer: NO – the amount of pain does not = the amount of damage. It is only one piece of the puzzle.

Q: Should I see a surgeon about my back pain?

A: Unless there is a serious pathology (see below) most people with mechanical, musculoskeletal low back pain won’t benefit from surgery. The evidence suggests that physiotherapy rehabilitation is just as effective as surgery in most cases. Surgery also comes with the risk of complications, such as infection, further injury caused by the surgery itself and the need for repeat surgery. Moreover, rehabilitation needs to be done post surgery anyway. For these reasons, surgery should not be used as a first resort for treatment of back pain.

Q: What about massage, spinal manipulation, dry needling, acupuncture, traction, ultrasound, TNS?

A: Passive techniques listed above may provide short-term pain relief. However, an active approach that includes exercise will more effectively reduce pain and disability, while providing long term results. Without a strong focus on active treatment (movement, posture, stretching, strengthening) our injured tissues will not be able to cope with the daily load of our busy lives. The treatment should focus on the exercise component, not the passive component. Research shows movement and exercise reduces pain and disability better than any other intervention for back pain.

Causes for Concern

Get medical care immediately if you have severe back pain that:

• Is unrelenting and unchanging with different movements or positions
• Is associated with progressive weakness, numbness or tingling in both legs
• Is associated with new bowel or bladder problems
• Is accompanied by fever
• Is associated with pain or throbbing in the abdomen
• Is accompanied by unexplained weight loss

Make an appointment with your doctor if you have severe back pain that:

• Follows a fall, blow to your back or another injury
• Worsens during rest or at night

Also, see your doctor if you start having back pain for the first time after age 50, or if you have a history of cancer, osteoporosis, steroid use, or drug or alcohol abuse.

Low Back Pain is something most people experience at some point in their life. X-Rays or MRI scans do not help to inform treatment but instead should only be used if there is a high suspicion of serious pathology. The intensity of the pain depends on many components including emotional factors and does not necessarily correlate directly with the amount of “damage” that exists.

International best practise guidelines for back pain recommend exercise under the guidance of a clinician as the best treatment for back pain. It is acknowledged that education regarding back pain is also an influential factor in recovery. Treatment with medication is not recommended and should only be given briefly and with care. Learn what to do about your back pain – don’t wait!  See a physiotherapist.

Book an appointment online and one of our physical therapists will help you get back to your normal with and individualized treatment plan!

MYTH #1:

“Physio is not going to help – The X-RAY shows ‘bone-on-bone’”…

FACT:

It has been proven that X-Ray changes alone do not predict the pain or function of a joint.

Many people exhibiting advanced osteoarthritis in their X-Rays are not even aware that they have it, and some people with very minor X-Ray changes experience severe pain in their joints.

MYTH #2:

“… so there is nothing I can do to treat my arthritis!”

FACT:

Yes, there are some non-modifiable risk factors involved in osteoarthritis such as:

• Age
• Heredity
• Sex
• Previous injuries.

However, there are a variety of risk factors that we CAN CHANGE; these include:

• Physical inactivity
• Overuse
• Muscle weakness/imbalances and
• Excess weight

It is never too late to make changes to your lifestyle – sometimes just a small change can lead to a huge difference in arthritis pain and joint function.

MYTH #3:

“Osteoarthritis is a ‘wear and tear’ disease”.

FACT:

Osteoarthritis is a condition that occurs when there is an imbalance between the break down and rebuilding of cartilage. As cartilage breaks down, it allows the bones to rub together causing joint pain and dysfunction.

Arthritis can affect any joint that has cartilage around the end of the bones – it most commonly affects the hip, knee, and hand joints.

MYTH #4:

“I should protect my joint by using it less – especially when it hurts”

FACT:

Cartilage naturally breaks down and rebuilds, but in order for it to do this properly it needs the appropriate amount of load. This can be achieved through exercise.

Exercise loads and unloads the joint, which helps move synovial fluid around within the joint and provides nutrients to the cartilage (physiotherapists love science).

However; the appropriate amount of loading and unloading, along with proper movement technique are extremely important during exercise. If movements are performed properly, joint pain from arthritis can be reduced!

Book an appointment with one of our specially trained physical therapists who will teach you various exercises that, when performed as directed, will decrease your arthritis pain.

MYTH #5:

“I can’t exercise – it hurts”!

FACT:

When it comes to osteoarthritis, excessive inactivity is worse than activity. Limiting activity causes:

• Poor joint nutrition
• Muscle weakness
• Joint stiffness
• Increasing weight problems
• Withdrawal from fun activities
• Depression

All of the above can speed up the degeneration process!

The benefits of exercise:

• Reduced joint pain
• Endorphin release so less pain and improved mood
• Improved strength and range of motion therefore better function
• Better quality sleep
• Weight loss
• Improved bone density
• Lower blood pressure
• Improved energy levels

You do not get MORE arthritis by being physically active – being physically active in the right way usually DECREASES THE PAIN associated with osteoarthritis. Exercise can also prolong the life of your joints!

Book an appointment online and one of our physical therapists will get you started with and individualized exercise program!

GREAT NEWS!!!!

At Bonavista Physiotherapy, we can Direct Bill your extended health benefits through Blue Cross, and Green Shield.  If you have: Great West Life, Sun Life, Manulife, Chamber of Commerce, Cowan, Desjardins, Industrial Alliance, Johnson, Maximum Benefit, Johnson Group, Standard Life, First Canadian, or CINUP, we can Electronically Submit your claim to expedite your reimbursement and save you the hassle of submitting yourself.

Thank you for all the great help. I got excellent results and am moving better and my knee is back to normal and I’m still working on my balance , I’ve improved greatly all around. The discomfort in my hip has improved. Thanks again. By the way, this is the fifth post-surgical therapy I’ve had at Bonavista Therapy! Best wishes Reri

I am extremely happy with service @ your clinic …. over many years that I have been coming.   I absolutely do refer you to friends.   Kudos to Rachelle for her latest treatments and good advice.   Thanks, Barbara B.

I just wanted to thank John and Marissa for helping me to recover quickly from my shoulder pain.The pains are gone but I still do my exercises they taught me every day. Should I need more physio I certainly will be back at your place. Thanks once again for your care. I.G

Latest from our online Patient survey:

I have had four years of hip pain, with many visits to Chiro, doctor, physio, etc. and no real relief. Trying the McKenzie method was the last attempt before thinking surgery was the only option. Within a day of being assessed and given exercises from Audrey, I am walking normally again with little to no hip pain at all.
Amazing!

With year end approaching, now might be a good time to come in to get that nagging injury looked at – especially if you still have some benefits left over in your plan. We are able to direct bill with many insurance companies to reduce your out of pocket expenses. November and December can be busy but don’t forget to take care of yourself! Why not come in for a therapeutic or relaxation massage? Don’t delay! We have the expertise to help you.