Our Blog

Virtual Physiotherapy Links
If you have a virtual appointment booked with one of our physiotherapists, you will find their individual links below. Please copy and paste the link into your browser at your scheduled appointment time to enter their online waiting room. Merrylee: [https://doxy.me/merrylee] Sarah: [https://doxy.me/bonavistaphysiosarah] Audrey: [https://doxy.me/bonavistaaudrey] Gord: [https://doxy.me/bonavistagord] Kari: [https://doxy.me/bonavistaphysio] Julian: [https://doxy.me/julianquaglia] Saniya: [https://doxy.me/ptsdang] Yogesh: [https://doxy.me/yogi] for…

Physiotherapy is Open for In Person Visits
We want to thank all of our clients and staff for their support and trust since closing the doors at the end of March. Never in the past 26 years have we faced such challenging times and we are truly grateful you continued to see us on – line. The doors may have been closed…

Virtual Physiotherapy – Covered By Insurance!
We want to make sure you continue to have access to physiotherapy services while social distancing! Are you wondering what you can do about your pain while you’re at home? What is the cause of your pain? Am I doing the right thing for my pain? (ie. rest, ice, heat, walking???) Should I risk going…

Corona Virus – What are we doing?
OUR BUSINESS REMAINS OPEN AND WE ARE HERE TO HELP AS OF MAY 4th, WE ARE ABLE TO SEE A LIMITED NUMBER OF PATIENTS IN-CLINIC FOR PHYSIOTHERAPY. IN ADDITION, PHYSIOTHERAPY REMAINS OPEN FOR VIRTUAL CARE. WE HAVE TELEHEALTH APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO REMAIN AT HOME BUT STILL ACCESS PHYSIOTHERAPY. Over the past…

Recover from a Motor Vehicle Accident with Early Treatment
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):…

Low Back Pain – A Frustrating and Painful Struggle
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…

Top 5 Arthritis Myths
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…

Direct Billing for Physiotherapy
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…

Hip and Knee Replacement Testimonial
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…

2 New Testimonials this week THANK YOU!!
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…

Chronic Hip Pain – McKenzie works!!!
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…

Extended Health Benefits Do Not Carry Over
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…

Check out our latest newsletter on Staying Active in Winterand Thoracic disc injuries
http://www.calgarybackandneckpain.ca/email_print.php?email=35113

Running Injury Specialist
Our clinical specialist, Audrey Long BScPT, dip MDT, has recently become a running specialist with www.therunningclinic.ca. She has been a recreational runner for decades. Her goal is to not let her age stop her from enjoying her morning jogs. She enjoys helping runners overcome current injuries and /or prevent those recurrent problems that some runners…

THANK YOU! $500.00 For the Humane Society
We want to thank all our great clients, we had a campaign going for the past few months – for every review or referral, we donated $10.00 to the humane society and last week we donated $500.00! We appreciate all the great feedback and client referrals and so do our furry friends.

We are Born to Move – thanks PT Alberta for this awesome video
Way to go PT Alberta!! We love this video. So true!

Our best advertising is word of mouth – THANK YOU!!
Hi Friends, If you have been a patient at our clinic, and were happy with the results, staff, or anything else let us know! Our best advertising is word of mouth. We have been here a long time (over 21 years with our current owners) and growing steadily. THANK YOU!!! We have only 1 month…

Our Latest Newsletter: read about Group Workouts and Tennis
http://www.calgarybackandneckpain.ca/email_print.php?email=28668

On Line Appointment Booking for Existing Patients
We apologize! Our appointment booking was not working for the past few weeks but it is officially up and running – all the bugs have been worked out and we are able to take your appointment request. One button is for NEW PATIENTS and the other is for EXISTING CLIENTS already in our system. If…

Low Back, Buttock, Hip Pain or Sciatica?
Low Back Pain is the most common ailment we see in physiotherapy. It often masquerades as pain in the hip, buttock or “sciatica”. Mechanical low back pain affects nearly everyone at some stage of life. 60 -75% of patients that have back pain once will experience recurring problems. The majority of back pain is MECHANICAL….

Car Accident? Your treatment can be direct billed
In Alberta, protocols have been established for the diagnosis and treatment of injuries associated with motor vehicle collisions. These protocols ensure that individuals with minor injuries including WAD (whiplash associated disorder), sprains and strains do not have to wait for approval from their insurance company before starting treatment. Physiotherapists as primary care practitioners can notify…

Massage Therapy Gift Certificates
What a wonderful gift option for those who deserve a great massage. Available now!

Extended Health Benefits
The health care year end is fast approaching, if you’ve had a nagging injury why not come in and get it looked at and use up your benefits before its too late! Massage therapy is a great way to relax leading up to the busy Christmas season. Call today and book your appointment

Chronic Achilles 80% better in one visit
We recently had a client with a 2 year history of Achilles pain, aching and inability to maintain her fitness routine. She had tried various things for her Achilles including stretching, rest, active release, IMS, and even a walking boot. No matter what she tried, nothing seemed to work in fact the pain had started…

Thank you!
A huge thank you to all our clients new and returning for making this past year a huge success. We have had our busiest year ever! We have a great team of therapists and support staff and will hopefully be hiring again in the new year. To accommodate this increase in business, we have expanded…

Compressed Nerve in Neck – Rapidly Resolved
I was off work in September 2013 for 3 weeks with a compressed nerve in my neck which affected my entire right arm – I can honestly say I have never been in such pain in my life – even childbirth did not compare. I could not sleep at night, could not read or watch…

Elbow/Forearm Pain 60% better in 1 visit
Hi Kari, I want you to put this on your website so that others can benefit the same way that I am. I’ve had pain in my left forearm for about 3 months. It started from carrying my work bag everyday. I filed a workers compensation claim and began physio at another clinic closer to…


KINESIOTAPE, K-TAPE
Gord Routledge has just completed training in kinesiotaping. This multi colored “stretchy” tape is used to improve muscle function, improve circulation, reduce pain and support joint function. It is a wonderful adjuct to physiotherapy and can ease the transition of getting back in action, or allow you to continue with your activity while experiencing less…

NEW MASSAGE THERAPIST
We are so lucky to have such a great team of therapists and support staff here at Bonavista Physiotherapy. We would like to welcome new team member: Carly who is a registered massage therapist. Carly is an enthusiastic, kind and empathetic person who is skilled in neuromuscular techniques, deep tissue and Swedish massage. She is…

It HURTS!!! Should I do it?
This is a question we hear every day in the clinic. It is human nature to avoid things that hurt but sometimes the avoidance of a movement or activity can exacerbate the problem. The rule of thumb we use is this: If it hurts when you do it but is NO WORSE after you are…

One Patient’s Experience at Bonavista Physiotherapy
I just went for my 12 week post knee replacement appointment at the Hip and Knee Clinic. They asked where I went for my physiotherapy. I told them I saw Merrylee at Bonavista Physical Therapy, and that I thought she did a great job. (They were very impressed with the change in my measurement of…

Motor Vehicle Accident?
Slippery roads this time of year unfortunately result in car accidents. Often times, people think they are not injured but within a few days start noticing some stiffness or pain in the neck or back. This is a minor form of whiplash and should be assessed and treated. The Alberta Government introduced the minor injury…

Clinical Specialist
CONGRATULATIONS TO AUDREY LONG! Audrey Long, physical therapist at Bonavista Physical Therapy has just been officially recognized by the Canadian Physiotherapy Association as a Clinicial Specialist in MSK (Musculoskeletal). She is among the first group in Canada to receive this designation. Audrey is also qualified to order X-Ray, MRI and Ultrasound studies for her clients…

DIRECT BILLING FOR PHYSIOTHERAPY
Good news for Alberta Blue Cross policy holders! We are able to bill your insurance company directly for your physiotherapy treatments. Depending on your policy, this means minimal or no out of pocket expenses for you. If you have extended health benefits through Great West Life, Sun Life, or Green Shield we are able to…

Beware of Temporary Feel Goods!
Remember that we usually have pain because of an injury of some kind; i.e. tissue damage. In order for the injury to heal, our tissue needs to repair itself. We can influence the repair process in many ways such as: ice in the early stages (day 1-5 post injury) to reduce swelling, movement/stretching (to “organize…

Shoulder Impingement, hip bursitis, knee osteoarthritis, golfer’s elbow, tennis elbow patients needed
Bonavista Physical Therapy in Calgary is hosting a continuing education course for physiotherapists on June 23rd and 24th 2012. This course is a McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Treatment (MDT) course for advanced practitioners of this method. An essential feature of this educational program is the demonstration of assessment and treatment principles on symptomatic…

Waiting for an MRI or to see a Specialist in Calgary, Alberta?
Just because you are waiting for tests does not mean you can’t be treated for your pain or lack of function. Physiotherapists are trained to make a FUNCTIONAL diagnosis, we don’t rely solely on these tests in order to treat our patients. For example, it has been well documented that patients with ADVANCED degeneration in…

Free On line assessment for anyone experiencing back pain or sciatica
Are you suffering with acute or chronic back pain? Have you already tried everything? Maybe you’ve already tried medication, traditional physiotherapy, chiropactic, or massage……Are you looking for advice & guidance on what next steps you should take to address your back pain or sciatica? Take this free on line assessment to see if MDT (Mechanincal…

Should I use heat or ice?
A question I am often asked is: “Do I use heat or ice after an injury?“. The answer is simple. During the first 24-48 hours following an acute injury, always remember this rule of thumb: “R.I.C.E” –Rest – Ice – Compression – Elevation. This rule goes for ALL injuries – even back or neck injuries…

Thanks for treating my ankle sprain!
I used to be a good soccer player. Now as a “mature player”, I carry all of the damage, joint weakness and pains with me. After my latest rolled ankle I was fortunate enough to be seen by Kari at the Performance Physical Therapy clinic at NSD. After assessing my injury, Kari shared with me…

We are hiring!!
Bonavista Physical Therapy is looking for a part time or full time physiotherapist. Interest in MDT (McKenzie Method) would be an asset. Become part of our dyamic team! New grads welcome to apply. Please email or fax us your resume attention to: Kari Lambden

testimonial/e-mail from happy client
Audrey: Have you been able to keep up with the house work for a few weeks now and still keep your pain under control? Client reply: This is a coincidence because I just finished vacuuming the whole house today. I did my arching stretch during the process when I felt the pain, and again at…

Thoracic or “upper back” pain responds quickly!
Oct 20/10 Since a bad fall down the stairs in college, this 36 year old has experienced recurrent episodes of severe “bra area” pain that radiates around the right side of her chest. It will “go out” with a bad cough and is aggravated by taking a deep breath. She had a reoccurrence 4 days…

Seven Steps to a Healthy Neck and Back
Oct 20/10 Today we saw a woman who has been troubled by right neck and shoulder blade area pain for about 25 years. This was further aggravated by a car accident in September 2010. She has seen two different chiropractors and was frustrated by the very temporary relief from these treatments (laser, manipulation, active release)….

Arthritis!
Arthritis of the KNEE We recently had a 68 yr old male patient who had been complaining of knee pain since a fall 6 months ago. He saw his family doctor who recommended X-Rays that showed he had some arthritis in his knee. Over the past 6 months he had tried two kinds of anti…

Physio for a Fractured Ankle
A patient arrived to physio for a fractured ankle after seeing his surgeon and having his cast removed. Rehabilitating a post fracture typically requires a standard assessment and treatment. However, upon first observation of the unusual swelling in his calf, I probed further and discovered he had occasional discoloration, tenderness in the calf muscle and…

McKenzie Method at Work :: Neck Pain Casestudy
I recently had a client (50 yrs old) who came to the clinic complaining of a stiff neck of over 6 months duration. She said the pain was not too bad and that it tended to come and go. She could not remember any particular incident where she injured it. She delayed coming in because…

Back Pain
Over 80% of adults suffer from back pain at some point in their lifetime. Audrey Long, a Calgary researcher is gaining international attention for her innovative study on a proven and effective way to treat back pain. Answers for Back Pain Found in New Study Calgary, AB – Eighty percent of adults will experience back…

Headaches
Checklist – Could your headaches be coming from your neck? Do you tend to have headaches that start from the base of your skull? Do you spend more than four hours a day reading, computer, driving, fine hand work? Do you have stiffness/pain with shoulder checking? Do you have bifocals/trifocals? Are you prone to aching…

Posture and Pain
Have you ever linked posture with pain? For example, does your back or neck hurt after a long drive? Do yousuffer frequent headaches? Do you have rotator cuff problems or frequent tendonitis? Do you have tennis elbow even though you don’t play tennis? All of the aboveproblems can be caused or aggravated by poor posture. Although there are many causes…