Services

Specialized Programs

 


 

 

Concussion Base Line Testing

Concussions have become a hot topic in recent years and Momentum Health has identified a crucial need for increased education surrounding symptom recognition, appropriate intervention, and ongoing concussion management. We are pleased to offer complimentary concussion baseline testing and an interactive presentation on the signs and treatment of concussion for local amateur sports teams in order to manage any concussions sustained during the season.

Athletes will be given the opportunity to register for one group session of no more than 20 participants (plus 1 or 2 parents). Each session will be approximately 1-2 hours (dependant on the number of registrants). Sessions will occur during weekend hours, at a set time arranged between the team representative and the clinic director.

Each Session will consist of:

  • Presentation and handouts detailing the signs of concussion and basic concussion management
  • Q&A with the Momentum Health Clinical Team
  • Individual Complimentary Concussion Baseline testing.

Unlike a fracture (for example), where an x-ray is performed to diagnose the fracture and establish an effective treatment regime, there is no CT scan, MRI or laboratory test that can conclusively diagnose a concussion. A large number of concussions go unrecognized and undiagnosed. However, if mismanaged, a concussion can be very serious given the risk for irreversible brain damage.  In fact, 15%-20% of recreational athlete’s will sustain a concussion this year. Up to 20% of athletes who sustain a concussion will experience significant symptoms that persist beyond three months. Multiple mismanaged concussions can lead to long-term health impacts, especially in the developing brain.  A second concussion prior to recovering from the first may lead to a ‘Second-impact syndrome’, which can result in irreversible brain damage and permanent disability.

It’s for these reasons that Momentum Health made the decision to improve the education of concussions, and develop a unique evidence-based delivery model of concussion treatment.  Although many objective tests exist to help formulate a diagnosis, currently the gold standard is the SCAT 3 test. The SCAT 3 is a specialized 10-15 minute screen performed by our clinical team that can aid in the diagnosis of a concussion.  The SCAT is especially beneficial when the results are compared against a baseline test. No athlete should play a sport without a baseline test. Baseline testing enables objective evaluation of when an athlete’s post concussion level of function has returned to the pre injury level for safe return to activity and sport.

For more information, or to book your team in, please call any of our Momentum Health clinic locations.

 

 


 

 

GLA:DCanada

A specialized program for hip and knee osteoarthritis.


What is the GLA:DCanada™ Program?

Based on Good Life with OA in Denmark, the GLA:DCanada™ program is a nationwide evidence-based initiative that follows the current recommendations for the treatment of hip and knee osteoarthritis.  In Denmark, this program has been shown to have the potential to improve the quality of life of patients living with mild, moderate, and severe osteoarthritis, and may delay or prevent the need for surgical intervention.  The GLAD program is a neuromuscular exercise program that has been developed to offload the knee and hip joints thereby increasing the stability, reducing the pain and increasing function.

For more information, watch this video by Lead Danish researcher, Professor Ewa Roos on exercise and osteoarthritis:

 

 

What is the purpose of GLA:DCanada?

  • The program’s goal is to reduce symptoms so that you can do the things you want to do
  • The program has been shown to improve quality of life, reduce pain and use of pain medication, lead to less sick leave
  • This program is unique because it teaches you how to build the correct movement patterns into your everyday activities 

 

What does the program include?

  • Assessment by a registered Physiotherapist certified to administer the GLA:DCanada™ Program. 
  • Two educational sessions on the pathology of osteoarthritis (1.5 hours each).
  • Twelve sessions over 6 weeks of facilitated and progressed exercises that improve the muscle function (1 hour each). These group sessions will have a maximum of 6 participants.

 

Have there been positive results?

Results from the GLA:D® program in Denmark have shown:

  • 27% reduction in pain intensity at one year post program,
  • over 30% increase in self-reported physical activity levels,
  • reduced use of joint related pain killers at one year
  • reduced number of individuals on sick leave at one year post program[i]

The results from 2015 have shown:

  • Pain reduction averaged 23-28% within 3 months, maintained at 12 months
  • 22.5% of hip patients and 35% of knee pain patients were able to stop their pain relieving medications within 3 months of the program
  • Joint-related quality of life had improved by 10 and 13% at 3 months and 19 and 20% at 12 months
  • Excluding retirees and people on early retirement pension, there was a 39% reduction in people on sick leave from work due to their hip/knee during the year following GLA:D.


What does it cost?

The cost is $450 for the full 14 sessions over 7 weeks. You may be able to claim this as physiotherapy under your 3rd party insurance benefit plan.

 

Momentum Health is proud to deliver the GLA:D™ Canada program in Calgary. Our trained practitioners have expertise in the latest knowledge and research evidence on the pathology and management of OA, including how to manage the educational and exercise needs of individuals who have the signs and or symptoms of knee or hip OA.

 

For more information, or to book in to our next program, please call Momentum Health Westbrook at 403-454-1600

 

[i] Skou ST, Roos EM. GLA:D Annual Report 2015 Good Life with Arthritis in Denmark, 2015. Available at https://www.glaid.dk/pdf/Annual%20Report%202015%20GLAD.pdf