Clinic offers health and fitness services
[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/pool.jpg” caption=”The McMaster Sport Medicine and Rehabilitation Centre features a hydrotherapy pool. Below, Karen Belaire uses the Pilates equipment. “]Are aches and pains affecting your daily life and preventing you from enjoying sports, hobbies and recreational activities? If so, the McMaster Sport Medicine and Rehabilitation Centre offers a wide variety of services that can help you get back in the game.
With the construction of the 4,700 square foot, state of the art facility in the new David Braley Centre, McMaster faculty and staff don't need to search any further to get their health and fitness concerns addressed.
The multidisciplinary clinic is staffed with a highly-skilled team of health care professionals who are trained to assess, diagnose and treat musculoskeletal and orthopedic problems.
Private treatment rooms are available to ensure comfort and privacy. Each client is treated on an individual basis and is set up on a treatment plan that is designed to meet their specific needs.
Working closely together, the health care team and client set short- and long-term goals to help achieve full function and maximize quality of life. The clinic has a variety of treatment modalities and exercise machines that can be used by all clients.
Therapeutic ultrasound, laser and muscle stimulation can reduce inflammation and pain as well as speed up the healing process of injuries. Cardiovascular equipment, functional exercise and resistance machines can help to safely improve fitness levels and improve muscular strength and endurance. A Stott Pilates machine is also available for specialized training of the core muscles, which is key in injury prevention and maintenance.
The clinic's hydrotherapy pool, which opened last November, is one of the highlights of the new Centre. The custom designed, in ground, salt water pool is the first of it's kind in Canada. The pool is kept at a warm 96 F, which allows clients to undergo complete exercise and rehabilitation regimes in a comfortable setting.
The pool has been used to treat a variety of conditions, including sprains and strains, sport injuries, fractures, post surgical recovery, spinal cord injuries, osteoporosis, osteopenia, fibromyalgia, osteo- and rheumatoid arthritis as well as pre- and post-natal exercises.
Specific exercise programs have been designed for a diverse population of clients ranging in age from young children to seniors. For those who are self-conscious and prefer privacy, the pool area can be screened off from the clinic with privacy blinds for one-on-one sessions.
Wheelchair accessible shower facilities are located next to the pool area to allow staff and faculty to squeeze in a treatment before work hours or during lunch and get ready for the office.
A unique feature of the pool that has enhanced its use and popularity is the underwater treadmill, which allows clients to train and rehabilitate in a safe, buoyant environment.
Karen Belaire, vice-president administration, has experienced great success in the hydrotherapy pool.
“The underwater treadmill system has provided a fabulous adjunct to my rehabilitation plan,” said Belaire. “I have been able to build my cardiovascular fitness and muscle endurance in a non-weight bearing environment, which is safe and easy on my joints. The warm water is relaxing and relieves muscle tension.”
The clinic's other services include physiotherapy, massage therapy, athletic therapy, osteopathic techniques, custom and off the shelf bracing, custom orthotics and medical consults by sport medicine physicians and orthopedic surgeons. All services are covered by private insurance plans, including McMaster University's employee insurance plan and motor vehicle insurance plans.
For more information about the clinic, please call 905 525-9140, ext. 23575.
