Our Services

Burquitlam Physiotherapy (PrecisionCare) offers one-on-one hands on manual treatment supported by medical exercise. We treat muscle strains, joint sprains, ICBC, WCB, sports injuries, whiplash, chronic pain, and hard to treat problems such as low back disc herniations, sciatica, SIJ, TMJ, headaches, frozen shoulder, jumpers knee, plantar fasciitis, incontinence, tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow to name a few.

• Manual Therapy (Joint Mobilization/manipulation)
• Active Rehabilitation (ICBC)
• Scientific Exercise
• Kinesiology
• Biomechanical & Postural Screening
• Custom Orthotics
• Custom Bracing (OSSUR, Donjoy, Breg, OrthoActive, MedSpec)
• Athletic Taping
• Kinesiotaping for Sports
• Capnometry
• Ergonomic Assessments
• IMS (Intramuscular Stimulation)

Custom Orthotics

We do custom orthotics!

Foot Orthoses is an orthopedic appliance or apparatus used to support, align, prevent, or correct foot deformities or to improve the function and mobility of the lower extremity including the low back, pelvis, hip, knee and ankle in addition to the foot.  It is comprised of a specially fitted insert or footbed to a shoe.

They are often used by athletes to relieve symptoms of a variety of soft tissue inflammatory conditions like plantar fasciitis.  Deformities such as pes planus (flat feet), pes cavus (abnormally high arch) and hallux valgus may be addressed with orthotics and may also be used in conjunction with properly fitted orthopedic footwear in the prevention of foot ulcers in the at-risk diabetic foot.

Custom-Made Prescription Orthotics can only be made after a thorough biomechanical assessment, gait analysis and accurate orthotic design (prescription) using true 3-dimensional impressions of your feet taken by an appropriately qualified foot healthcare professional such as a physiotherapist.

Please ask your physiotherapist about how you can get the custom orthotics that’s perfect for YOU!

Patient Intake/Consent Form

In order to save time processing your information, please download and pre-fill out our Patient Intake/Consent form and have it ready on your first visit.

You can download a copy here:

» BQ Intake Consent Form.pdf

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What is IMS?

Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS) is a dry needling technique that uses acupuncture needles to release shortened and tender muscle bands from neuro-musculoskeletal dysfunction. It is a diagnostic and treatment tool for myofascial pain of neuropathic origins. This treatment technique was first developed by Dr. Chan Gunn (C.M., O.B.C., M.D., PhD.), and bridges the gap between traditional Chinese acupuncture and western medicine.

How does IMS work?

Very often, the nerves throughout your body can get hypersensitive, stemming from trauma and/or repetitive strain. When irritated, nerves’ supply to your muscles becomes abnormal, which in turn causes the muscles to become super-reactive and shortened. This manifests itself as tightness and stiffness in your body. After a fine needle is inserted into a supersensitive muscle, the muscle will grasp it and create a cramping sensation. This will then stimulate a reaction that leads to the release of endorphins, resulting in relaxation. The tiny wound caused by the needle’s introduction into the muscle can further induce the healing process. Once the tension in your muscle has been reduced, it decreases stress and tendon slackening, and decreases the pressure that is being put on your joints, discs, and nerves. As a result, the pain signal is reduced and the muscle relaxation slowly returns the blood flow to the area. Furthermore, this allows the nerve and muscle to re-pattern to normal function. A diagnostic test such as an X-ray, CT scan, or MRI may not show any visible signs of your injury, making it impossible to detect supersensitive muscles through conventional means. However, an assessment by a trained Gunn IMS practitioner can help determine if this technique is suitable for you.

What conditions may benefit from IMS?

A wide range of neuro-musculoskeletal problems, such as the following:

• Tension and headaches
• Neck pain and whiplash
• Upper, mid, and low back pain
• Frozen shoulder and rotator cuff tendonopathy
• Tennis elbow
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Sciatica/piriformis syndrome
• Leg stiffness/numbness
• Plantar fasciitis
• Repetitive strain injuries

Does IMS hurt?

When a needle is inserted into a normal muscle, you will only feel the prick of the needle itself. However, if you have supersensitive muscles, you will feel a cramping, aching, or even grasping sensation. Some patients describe it simply as a pressure point, and some patients describe it as akin to a Charlie Horse. After your IMS treatment, you may experience increased soreness for a few days, followed by improvement in your overall pain state. Mild heat and resting may help to relieve post-treatment soreness.

How often is IMS needed?

Typically, treatments are once every 1-2 weeks in order to allow time for your body to recover. The number of treatments depends on the severity of the problem, the nature of the condition, your general health, your body’s healing ability, and the condition of your nerves. According to a published study on low back pain, the average number of treatments is 8.2 sessions.

What should I wear to my appointment?

Wear something that allows your physiotherapist to access the area of concern in order to perform a full examination of the spine and limbs, i.e., shorts and a bra instead of a tank top. Gowns are available if needed.

Who can practice IMS?

IMS is practiced in British Columbia by Certified Gunn IMS Practitioners (CGIMS), who are either registered physiotherapists or medical doctors. Currently, UBC Gunn IMS training operates under the British Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons and the BC College of Physical Therapists.

How can I access IMS treatment?

If you think you have a condition that may benefit from IMS, you can simply make an appointment with our Gunn IMS qualified physiotherapist, Agnes Ku, BScPT (Hons), BScKin, UBC CGIMS. IMS is included in the scope of physiotherapy practice. Agnes will assess your condition and advise you on the best approach for it. For further detailed information, please browse the following websites: http://ubcgunnims.com http://istop.org

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Urinary Incontinence (UI)

Urinary Incontinence (UI) is the inability to hold urine or control urination under normal circumstances.  Both men and women experience this but it is most common in women.

What are the common types of urinary incontinence?

Stress urinary incontinence: Incontinence after feeling a sudden urge to urinate with inability to control the bladder, such as while sleeping, drinking water or listening to water running. 

Urge urinary incontinence: It is the sudden need of voiding associated with involuntary loss of urine.  It can be due to the ineffective inhabitation from the brain and/or over-activity of the bladder muscle. 

What to expect from your physiotherapist

• Detailed assessment including an internal examination

• Work with you to develop a treatment program specifically tailored to your needs. 

Other facts

• UI is common and often dismissed as being a normal part of aging or after giving birth.  In fact 45% of people experiencing symptoms never mention them to their doctor or a professional. J. Hamilton. “Incontinence a Hidden Medical Problem, Study Finds,” Canadian Medical Association Journal, 157 (1997): 1501.  
• Incontinence is the 2nd most common reason for long term care admission. Mason D et al., Changing urinary incontinence practice, AJN 2003; 103(suppl): 2-3. 
• There is an increase of risk of falls and fracture in women with incontinence. Brown JS et al., falls and fractures? Study of osteoporotic Fractures Research Group, L Am Geriatric Soc, 2000; 48:721-5.
• 23% postpartum women said incontinence affects sexual relations. Hermansen IL et al., Women’s explanation for urinary incontinence, their management strategies and their quality of life during the postpartum period, J Wound, Ostomy & Continence Nursing 2010; 37(2); 187-9
• Average senior with incontinence spends $1000 – $1500 / year on incontinence supplies; adding 1.9 billion annually to Canadian health care cost Canadian Continence Foundation, Impacts of incontinence in Canada – a briefing document from the Canadian Continence Foundation, May 2009 

UI is common but very treatable and often curable, so why live with it? 

Treatment methods for Urinary Incontinence

• Education
• Diet Modification
• Frequency Retraining
• Habit training
• Electrical stimulation
• Bladder training
• Pelvic Floor muscle exercises
• Weighted vaginal cones
• Ergonomic/Positioning
• Behavioral modification
• Weight control
• Pessary
• Core stability training