Ed

Marilyn & Lindsay:

Sorry this testimonial took so long to send to you; but I have been crazy busy and so full of energy since I experience laser therapy.

Marilyn is a very kind and caring woman whose warm friendly personality welcomes you to the pain centre, which immediately enhances the atmosphere of relaxation present there.

Marilyn told me that I would not feel much change until after the third treatment.

After the third treatment, I began to feel less pain in my knee. As the treatments continued, I felt better and better overall, like I was being rejuvenated.

I received 8 treatments in all. I have more energy than I have had in a long, long time and much less pain to almost no pain at all.

The treatments I received on my knee made an awesome difference in my life. I would and have been recommending laser therapy to everyone I know who is experiencing pain of any kind.

I am writing this about a month after my last treatment and I still feel hardly any pain; mostly no pain at all. My energy level has returned ten-fold and I have much more mobility again.

Lindsay, the laser therapist, was very friendly and pleasant. Each visit was rewardingly relaxing and educational, as to the fact of how laser therapy works to stimulate the natural healing process of our bodies. I found my experience to be a very peaceful half-hour of absolutely painless therapy.

Thanks to laser therapy I have my life back!

Donna Relf

In 2003 working as a nurse I sustained a devastating lower back injury catching a falling patient. I was off work for many months of intense therapy getting just minimal pain relief.

My Doctor prescribed many different medications which allowed me to "function" in activities of daily living and at work. I had better days followed by intolerable days. Cycle of pain, some relief and back pain again.

My CT and MRI revealed herniated discs, degenerative changes, spinal stenosis and nerve root compression. Eventually the pain spread from my lower back to my legs and feet. Taking turns between one leg and then the other. Walking for any length of time was difficult. Always keeping narcotic analgesics with me.

Seven years have now passed, with the pain increasing in severity and frequency. Getting up in the morning required medication before getting out of bed! Medication to allow some sleep.

I tried all types of therapy, physio, acupuncture, and deep tissue massage, all of which afforded me a temporary reprieve from the pain that grew in severity. An Activator Chiropractor gave me a welcome decrease in muscle spasms, kept me in alignment so I could function and go to work.

In August of this year, while on holidays I was in excruciating pain from the right buttock, down the leg and foot. This also included numbness and tingling all down the leg. The buttock and right hip pain could only be described as "screwdrivers" boring into me.

Frustrated and feeling defeated I called The Winnipeg Pain Treatment Centre in my neighborhood. They treat pain issues involving many types of injuries, and degenerative afflictions with laser therapy.

I have just completed 8 treatments and my severe leg pain has gone! The numbness and tingling down the leg has improved greatly. What a relief! I am now off my very strong narcotic medication! After the fourth laser treatment I awakened expecting the pain to begin 10 to 15 seconds after standing .... but it did NOT happen. I was so thrilled I called the clinic to share my wonderful news.

I shall continue with twice a week laser treatments and I am completely hopeful that my new life without chronic pain will cease to exist. In summary, I only wish I knew about laser treatment much earlier, which would have saved me from years of pain.

It is my recommendation that anyone who may be suffering from some kind of debilitating injury and many other afflictions that cause one pain, please try laser therapy. I have hope now, and am looking forward to the future!

I am very grateful for these treatments and that I do not have to suffer any longer with the burning and itching.

Doreen Wanner
Stasis Dermatitis - Edema

Very Sincerely,
Donald R. Fullerton

Hot Stone Therapy

Hot stone massage is a variation from classic massage therapy. This therapy combines massage with the use of smooth, heated basalt stones, which are applied to the body at specific points on the back, in the palms of the hand, or between the toes. The stones also work as an extension of the therapists hands. The heat of the stones warms and relaxes the muscles, allowing the therapist to apply deeper pressure, if desired.

The stones are immersed in water and heated in an electric heating device until they are within a certain temperature range. This increases circulation and stimulates our metabolism. Hot Stone Massage allows you to reach a state of deep relaxation allowing the body, mind and spirit to heal.

There are tremendous benefits to be achieved through regular massage from a Registered Massage Therapist. Whether your need is to have a moment of relaxation, reduce muscle tension or attain relief, regular massage therapy can provide a sense of emotional and physical well-being as well as improve your quality of life.

Massage therapy benefits people of all ages. While it aids the injured, the ill and the stressed, the strength of massage therapy in preventing illness and conditions before they develop cannot be overlooked. Massage therapy can be used in the treatment of both acute and chronic stages of conditions.

The following is a list of some conditions for which massage therapy, provided by a Registered Massage Therapist, can prove beneficial:

Circulatory System - Blood and Lymph
• Increases circulation to all parts of the body
• Improves flow of nutrients to body tissues
• Promotes elimination of waste products

Muscular System
• Supports in healing from trauma and injury
• Reduces muscular tension
• Assists in maintaining proper body posture
• Stimulates the muscles of the stomach and intestines, thereby aiding digestion

Nervous System
• Relieves tension and promotes relaxation
• Relieves pain

Respiratory System
• Promotes deep breathing
• Assists respiration for persons with chronic Bronchitis or Emphysema

Overall Wellbeing
• Promotes relaxation
• Provides safe nurturing touch
• Improves body awareness

Massage Therapy supports patient compliance with rehabilitative programs. The Therapist can stress the importance of an individual's participation in stretch, exercise, and strength building programs that have been assigned by other health care professionals.

Massage Therapists use Different Designations to Identify Their Status
• Certified indicates that the therapist has received a certificate of completion within a course of studies through a Massage Therapy College. In the case of our therapists, this is a Diploma program.
• Licensed indicates that the Massage Therapist is certified and holds a Massage Therapist license to practice in the City of Winnipeg.
• Remedial indicates that the course of massage studies in massage therapy focuses on correcting deficiencies, in this case relative to the soft tissues of the body.

Graduates of registered massage therapy schools have knowledge in the fields of Anatomy, Physiology, Kinesiology, Pathology, Assessment & Treatment Techniques and Massage Theory. Often it is not realized that Massage Therapy is based upon studies in the Health Sciences. It is this foundation of Health Sciences studies that serves to validate and support Massage Therapy as a healthcare modality and a complementary therapy to other healthcare modalities that also possess a foundation in these studies.

These studies are important for a Massage Therapist, because adequate training provides:
• proper choice of treatment method;
• recognition of risks to massage treatment;
• recognition of the need to refer the patient to other healthcare practitioners;
• adequate measurement of treatment progress, and the need for proper treatment modifications.

Everyone can benefit from Massage Therapy, especially:
• athletes;
• pregnant mothers and infants;
• persons with whiplash injuries;
• persons receiving palliative care;
• persons in physically demanding jobs;
• partially disabled, or incapacitated persons;
• persons with neck, shoulder, head or low back pain;
• persons with arthritis, stiff joints, and/or myofascial pain;
• persons concerned about their overall health and well-being.

Some Conditions Treated with Massage Therapy
• headaches/migraines
• post-injury rehabilitation
• sprains and strains
• back pain
• tendonitis/bursitis, neuritis, neuralgia, tenosynovitis, adhesive capsulitis
• neck and shoulder tension
• muscle spasm & muscle hypertonicity
• myofascial trigger point syndrome
• shortened and hypertonic muscles related to abnormal spinal curvatures, ie., hyperlordosis, hyperkyphosis, scoliosis
• muscle and nerve lesions
• arthritis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis
• whiplash and whiplash associated disorder (WAD)
• sciatica
• stroke
• contusions (post acute )
• postural problems
• pain due to pregnancy, labour & delivery
• fibromyalgia
• torticollis
• degenerative disc disease
• Parkinson's disease
• MS
• Cerebral Palsy
• Muscular Dystrophies
• Parkinson's disease
• thoracic outlet syndrome (particularly where musculoskeletal elements are causing the problem)
• temporomandibular joint dysfunction
• carpal tunnel syndrome
• stress-related disorders

Where there is chronic muscle tension or injury, there are usually adhesions (bands of painful, rigid tissue) in muscles, tendons, and ligaments that block circulation, resulting in limited movement, pain and inflammation. Deep tissue massage works by physically breaking down these adhesions to relieve pain and restore normal movement, using direct, deep pressure or friction across the grain of the muscles.

Deep tissue massage is an excellent complement to LILT and can be used for anything from injury recovery to chronic pain and stress relief.

I saw an ad for the Winnipeg Pain Treatment Centre and thought should I? Truthfully, I was really skeptical. I began treatments in mid April of 2008. I didn't really notice big changes at first; family and friends noticed subtle changes. After a couple of weeks, I realized that I didn't need to grab onto something to get out of bed. Then I noticed I wasn't reaching for pain medication and a hot bag every morning. My pain medication has been reduced by half. I still can't believe the difference these treatments have made. For the first time in six years, I was able to go away for a few days. The treatments have made a marked difference in my daily living. I will continue treatments until all the problem areas have been treated. The Winnipeg Pain Treatment Centre is a clean, comfortable and relaxing facility. The owner and staff at the centre are incredible, skilled, caring and compassionate; just amazing.

Iris Granda

My left ankle and foot had been operated on in 1955 as a result of the paralysis due to the polio epidemic. The poor circulation in my foot caused it to be extremely cold and swollen limiting movement at times.

I met Merrilyn Irvine when I was at the center with a relative for his appointment. In conversation we discussed the problems I was having and she suggested I give the laser treatment a try. She set up a series of appointments for me.

After only a few treatments my ankle and foot started to give me more flexibility as I was able to walk for longer periods with less pain. As the treatments continued the swelling lessened and the foot was no longer prone to severe coldness.

Because of receiving these treatments I have more mobility now and enjoy a range of physical activity that only caused me pain previously.

Mrs. Annie Nimchuk