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CVB Wellness Services
Manual Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions:
Please choose a category and scroll down to read the Q & As
Location
Services
Pricing
Payment, Billing + Insurance
Athletic Therapy
CranioSacral Therapy
Visceral Release
Myofascial Release + Rebalancing
Nervous System Regulation + Stress Reduction
Chronic Pain Care
Movement Education
Reiki
What is Athletic Therapy? What do Athletic Therapists do?
In short, Athletic Therapists are considered musculoskeletal specialists. This makes ATs effective in assessing and treating any dysfunctions of, or injuries to, your muscles, bones, joints, connective tissues and nerves. I like to think of ATs as body mechanics. Just like we take our cars in when there is a problem (aka an injury), we also take our cars in for regular maintenance and preventative work.
Athletic Therapy is for everyone. Don't let the title fool you, Athletic Therapy is not focused only on athletes, but on anyone who moves. This encompasses daily tasks and the activities you enjoy, whether it is walking, hiking, skiing or any leisure, amateur or pro sports.
To read a full length article that I wrote on Athletic Therapy, please click here.
Athletic Therapists provide:
How is this different than other therapies?
Therapies can differentiated by:
> the schooling that the therapists go through
> the assessment, treatment and rehabilitation philosophies that they employ
> the scope of practice of each individual therapy
> and the continuing education that each individual therapist completes
To learn all about the Athletic Therapy scope of practice please check out my article here or ask any question via my Contact page.
Where did you study to become an Athletic Therapist?
I received my Bachelor's Degree in Kinesiology with Distinction from the University of Calgary.
I attended Mount Royal University to complete the Athletic Therapy Program.
Once I completed the program at MRU I was able to write the CATA Certification Exam in June of 2013.
What Continuing Education have you done?
For a full list of my Continuing Education courses, please head to the About page on this website and scroll down past my bio.
What is CranioSacral Therapy?
CranioSacral Therapy is a gentle, hands-on approach that releases tensions deep in the body to relieve pain and dysfunction, and improve whole-body health and vitality.
CranioSacral Therapy was pioneered by Osteopathic Physician John E. Upledger after years of clinical testing and research at Michigan State University where he served as a professor of biomechanics. He then founded the Upledger Institute, which provides continuing education for therapists around the world.
For a full description of CranioSacral Therapy and it's benefits, please check out this FAQ section of the Upledger website.
What can CranioSacral treatments help with?
The symptoms and conditions that I help my clients with the most often are:
> headaches and migraines
> neck pain, tension and spasms
> low back pain, tension and spasms
> SI joint pain and dysfunction
> abdominal discomfort
> nerve injury and pain
> TMJ pain and dysfunction
> trigeminal neuralgia
> post-dental care
> chronic pain and hypersensitivity
My clients often report back after their treatments with:
> reduced pain
> reduced tension
> reduced swelling
> improved sleep
> reduced stress
> reduced brain fog
> improved breathing
> greater emotional balance
> increased feelings of relaxation, balance and well-being
What training did you complete to be a CranioSacral Practitioner?
CranioSacral Therapy trainings are provided by the Upledger Institute. Courtney has taken 5 training courses with them and she has been a Teaching Assistant with the Upledger Institute for the Techniques classes since 2017.
> CranioSacral Therapy Techniques I
> CranioSacral Therapy Techniques II
> SomatoEmotional Release I
> SomatoEmotional Release II
> CST and Working with Chronic Depletion
What is Myofascial Release?
Myofascial release is a massage technique.
During myofascial release we are focused on improving the tension, mobility and vitality of our fascia. It also also works to release in and around our muscles, nerves and blood vessels.
Fascia is an extremely abundant connective tissue that gives our bodies structure and support. Fascia is literally what connects our bodies from our heads to our toes, enveloping and connecting every one of our bones, muscles and organs.
Myofascial work releases adhesions throughout our fascia that make us feel 'tight and stuck' and improves blood flow and nutrient delivery to the tissues that we are working with.
What is Myofascial Rebalancing?
Myofascial Rebalancing is a protocol used to release our fascial chains and balance them right to left and front to back. The protocol I use is completed over 4 - 6 sessions and helps:
> decrease pain
> improve blood flow
> restore better posture
> increase lymphatic drainage
> improve mobility and movement
> equalize whole body imbalances
> equalize joint-specific imbalances
> increase whole body health and vitality
> prevent against injury and strain on the body
The protocol is from MIPAwork, a structural integration framework.
MIPA stands for Myofascial Integration and Postural Alignment.
What is Reiki?
Reiki is a Japanese Healing Art founded by Mikao Usui in the early 20th century. It is a practice passed on from Master to student through teachings and initiation.
The word Reiki can be translated as 'universal life energy'. Usui Reiki is a way of working with reiki for the healing of self and others. The Reiki practice regards the person as whole on all physical, emotional, mental, spiritual and energetic levels. The intent is to regain harmony and wholeness.
During Reiki sessions we use this universal life energy and the healing power of touch to enhance well being, release blockages and bring balance to mind, body and spirit.
Reiki practitioners, or Masters, act as a conduit between you and the universal life force energy. This energy flows through the practitioner's hands to you. The patient's body determines the energy flow from the practitioner's hands by taking only what they need. This is done without conscious thought on the part of the client - it is an innate process. This helps the patient to know that we are only supporting them only in what they need, rather than what we think they need. We are only facilitators and the intention of Reiki is always positive and healing in nature.
What are the benefits of Reiki?
The benefits listed by this Cleveland Clinic article include that Reiki:
> promotes relaxation
> reduces stress and anxiety
> improves the flow and balance of energy to support healing
> brings on a meditative state
> fosters tissue and bone healing after injury or surgery
> stimulates your body's immune system
> promotes natural self-healing
> relieves pain and tension
> supports the well-being of people that receive traditional medical treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, surgery and kidney dialysis
> creates feelings of peace, relaxation, security and wellness
> works on the entire self - mind, body and emotions
> may help people with: cancer, chronic pain, infertility, digestive problems, psychological distress and stress-related illnesses
According to this Healthline article other benefits of Reiki include that it:
> relieves pain, anxiety and fatigue
> treats depression
> enhances quality of life
> boosts mood
> may improve some symptoms and conditions
- headache
- tension
- insomnia
- nausea
What methods of payment do you accept?
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cash, eTransfer, debit and credit card are all accepted
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cash and eTransfer are highly preferred, as this is a small, single practitioner business
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via Stripe we accept: debit, credit (MC, Visa, Amex) and Wallets (Apple Pay + Google Pay)
Do you direct bill?
I am currently unable to direct bill. Once I receive payment from the client, I provide an official office receipt that may be used to claim the therapy services.
Are you covered by insurance?
All services, except Reiki, are billed under Athletic Therapy.
Athletic Therapy is covered under many health benefits plans, including Manulife, CanadaLife (formerly Great West Life), Greenshield and more.
Please see this article from the Alberta Athletic Therapists Association for more information on which insurance companies cover Athletic Therapy.
Where are you located?
My home treatment space is in Tuscany NW, Calgary, on Tuscany Vista Rd NW.
The house number and directions are shared with each client as soon as they are scheduled for their first appointment.
I use my post office box as my business address only to maintain some privacy, as this is both my home space and business space.
If you would like to check your drive time, the nearest landmark is St. Basil's Elementary and Junior High.
Do you still provide Mobile Therapy?
Yes, there are a limited number of Mobile Therapy Sessions available within Calgary city limits for those that have had surgeries, illnesses, conditions or disabilities that prohibit the client from visiting my Tuscany location.
Is your Tuscany location handicap accessible?
No, unfortunately my current home is not handicap accessible.
The entrance to my space is at the back of the house and there are stairs that lead down to the backyard. This is why I continue to provide mobile services to those who require it.
What parking is available?
Monday to Friday, 10:30 - 4:30 there is parking available in the driveway.
Outside these hours, and when the driveway is full, there is free residential street parking available.
What services do you provide?
> Athletic Therapy
> CranioSacral Therapy
> Myofascial Release and Rebalancing
> Nervous System Regulation
> Movement Education
> Stress Reduction
> Visceral Release
> Reiki
Please see the individual tabs above for more information on each therapy provided, or contact Courtney via the Contact page to ask your questions.
Where do you provide your services?
I primarily work out my home treatment space in Tuscany NW Calgary. I do provide a limited number of Mobile Therapy Sessions, in the client's home, if required.
Please see the Location tab above for more information.
If you have any further questions about pricing or services, please head to the Contact page to ask any question you may have.
What is Nervous System Regulation?
Nervous system regulation is our ability to move flexibly between different states in response to stressors. When we are regulated, we can adapt more easily to changes in our environment and stressful situations without becoming overwhelmed. Regulation is not the absence of stress or emotions, but rather having the appropriate responses for the situation.
When we are dysregulated, we lack the flexibility in our reactions to what is currently going on in our environment. Our nervous system becomes chronically wired for stress and is unable to maintain the important functions for repair, restoration and health.
What are some of the signs of dysregulation?
> low threshold for stressful stimuli
> anxiety or depression
> chronic headaches and migraines, brain fog
> attention and concentration issues
> chronic pain and high tissue tension
> lack of body awareness
> lack of balance and coordination
> insomnia, sleep issues
> digestive issues, IBS
> high inflammation
> auto-immune presentations and neuro-inflammatory symptoms
> PTSD/C-PTSD presentations
> difficulty connecting to others, difficulty with expression
> out-of-context emotions, aggression or social behaviors
> cardiac symptoms, blood pressure changes
> hormonal imbalances
> hyperglycemia
How do we become more regulated?
In my practice I use various therapies and techniques to help clients with their stress and nervous system regulation. Some are passive, like the manual therapies I use to calm the body and work with the tissues, and some are techniques that I teach my clients to use themselves in their daily lives so that they have an active approach in regulating their own stressors.
Manual Therapies: CranioSacral Therapy, myofascial release, grounding, reiki
Co-regulation: body scans, developing awareness, dialoguing / conversations, coherent breathing, working within the window of tolerance
Self-regulation techniques: somatic awareness, grounding, breathwork, movement, shaking, dancing, drinking water, mindfulness, meditation, journaling, creative projects, walking, nature
What do you mean by Movement Education?
I am using Movement Education to cover a very broad spectrum of areas, including:
> mobility techniques
> exercise form correction
> movement assessment
> exercise programming
> rehabilitative programming
> somatic experiencing
> invitational movement practices
> yoga and stretching practices
With my Athletic Therapy background, my personal experiences, and my 8 years working in health and fitness, I am well-versed in exercise and movement. I spent those 8 years working as a personal trainer on top of seeing my Therapy clients. In that time-frame I also competed in powerlifting for 3 years and started teaching Continuing Education courses in:
> Movement Assessment
> Special Populations and Medical Exercise
> Post-Rehabilitation for Personal Trainers
I am no longer accepting personal training clients, but will always continue to use my movement and exercise knowledge to help my clients feel the best that they can.
What are visceral releases?
In my practice I use a combination of myofascial release, CranioSacral Therapy and visceral manipulation to work with our organs, also known as viscera.
Visceral release, also called visceral manipulation, is a gentle, hands-on therapy used to help your internal organs glide smoothly within your body. When our connective tissues are healthy, they move freely and allow us better movement throughout our body. When our connective tissues are tight, congested, inflamed, scarred or adhered, they can significantly restrict our movements and cause issues such as: reduced blood flow, restricted lung and ribcage expansion, restricted spinal and torso movement and can even impede the function of our organs.
Because our bodies are connected by our endless fascial pathways, working with our viscera can also have whole-body benefits.
What can visceral release help with?
> digestive difficulties (constipation, nausea, heartburn & GERD)
> abdominal pains and cramps
> low back, torso and hip mobility
> low back pain and dysfunction, including sciatica
> breathing restrictions
> headaches and migraines
> chronic neck pain and mobility
> whiplash, concussions and TBIs
> liver congestion and detoxification
> men's and women's health issues, including pelvic floor
> post-operative and post-infection scar tissue
> myofascial tension patterns throughout the body
> emotional issues (such as anxiety and depression)
For more information on visceral manipulation and it's benefits, please click here.
What do you mean by Chronic Pain Care?
When we think about chronic pain, our mind jumps to pain that is always there, ongoing. While that is true, there ARE chronic types of pain that are always there, it is also true that chronic pain can encompass the aches and pains that come and go over time. Never feeling 'quite right' or completely gone.
Being in chronic pain might mean that you have constant low back pain. Or maybe you have pain that happens 4+ times a year but disappears in-between and you think you are 'healed'... until next time. You could also have a diagnosed pain condition like fibromyalgia, tendinitis, sciatica or hypersensitivity disorder.
Each case of chronic pain is different. A different location, a different cause, a different onset, a different reason. It is very important to look at the whole picture of the person, their body and sometimes their life to discover the factors that contribute to their pain. Sometimes it is as easy as releasing a few tight muscles to rebalance the body, and other times it is a multi-disciplinary approach - body work, movement, nutrition, stress reduction, psychology. Chronic pain is like a puzzle, but first we need to find all the pieces.
How do you treat Chronic Pain?
In my practice I use various therapies and techniques to help clients with their chronic pain and the stress that comes along with it. Some are passive, like the manual therapies I use to calm the body and work with the tissues, and some are techniques that I teach my clients to use themselves in their daily lives so that they have an active approach in their own healing and recovery.
Manual Therapies
> CranioSacral Therapy
> positional tissue release + fascial unwinding
> myofascial release + rebalancing
> visceral release
Mind-body Approaches
> self-awareness practices
> Pain Reprocessing Therapy
> somatic tracking
> dialoging
> journaling
Movement
> micromovements and invitational movement
> gentle mobility and stretching
> daily pain-free activity
> rehabilitative activations and exercises
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