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Our Optimal Therapies services are available to the Mount Royal community whether you are a student, faculty or employee member, or an alumnus. We also offer our service to members of the general public.
Our Live Well philosophy encourages a healthy learning environment for all students and a healthy working environment for faculty and employees of Mount Royal. Service fees for students are set at a reasonable rate, ensuring that cost is not a significant barrier to accessing our services.
Full-time students have mandatory coverage through the Students’ Association of Mount Royal University Benefit Plan. Please activate your card at the Student Benefits office located in the basement of Wyckham House.
Eligible members of the MRFA and MRSSA have the option to purchase shared cost extended benefits through the University's insurance plan. A generous Health Care Spending Account through Mount Royal's plan encourages individuals to make healthy choices for their general well-being. Please see Coverage for further details.
Our team of practitioners specialized in the following areas.
- Acupuncture
- Athletic Therapy
- Body-Mind Therapies
- Chiropractic Medicine
- Massage Therapy
- Physiotherapy
- Physiotherapy & Acupuncture
- Occupational Therapy
- Orthotics
Acupuncture is a therapeutic treatment used to promote the body's own natural healing process by reducing pain and inflammation leading to improved function of affected area(s) of the body. This physical stimulation may be in one of many different tissues such as a nerve, muscle, or vascular structure. Acupuncture helps to stimulate the body's circulation and production of its own pain relieving chemicals called endorphins. Acupuncture also helps to improve energy and restore biochemical balance in the body which can be affected by dysfunction or disease. The basic function of acupuncture is to maintain physiological balance in the body.
 | Click on the image to read about Motor Point Acupuncture. |
Athletic Therapy takes an active patient approach to complete rehabilitation of all muscle, bone, or joint injuries including:
- Sprains
- Strains
- Overuse injuries
- Chronic pain
- Pre and post surgery
- Post fractures
- Motor vehicle accidents (M.V.A.) rehabilitation.
Athletic Therapists Jim Davis, Jenelle McAllister and Susie MacPhee practice various combinations of exercise therapy, therapeutic modalities, soft tissue mobilization, massage and supportive strapping procedures. Their extensive experience with athletes of all levels (including professional cowboys, hockey players and recreational athletes), often provides a quick, cost effective recovery from injuries.
The prevailing premise of energy work is that the flow and balance of the body’s electromagnetic and more subtle energies are important for physical and emotional health and there are energy-based methods that help in fostering that well-being.
Your body’s energies include the electrical charge in every cell and organ, the electrical pathways in the nervous system, the electromagnetic fields surrounding every organ as well as the entire body. More 'subtle' energies often referred to as life force, chi, prana, meridians, chakras, biofields or auras are recognized in Body-Mind Therapies. These energies are called “subtle” because they are not easily detectable and scientists have not been able to develop instruments to reliably measure them. However, many people for centuries and across cultures have described seeing or feeling subtle energies to varying degrees.
In energy work, you heal the body by activating its natural healing energies or by restoring energies that have become weak, disturbed or out of balance. There are a number of ways to intervene in the energy centres of your body.
Drs. Allison Gross and Dr. David Opresnik practice conservative chiropractic care. Their focus is on the neuro-musculoskeletal system; a hands-on approach is taken to restore proper function to the spine, extremities and associated muscular system. The Diversified Chiropractic Technique encompasses a variety of treatments such as specific manual manipulation, trigger point therapy and soft tissue therapy. Active Release Therapy is a soft tissue system and movement based massage technique that treats problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves.
Chiropractic treatment at our Optimal Therapies may include the following:
- Spinal manipulation
- Stretching
- Soft tissue therapy
- Modalities
- Ice
- Heat
- Exercise and nutrition recommendations
If x-rays are necessary, we can refer you to a public x-ray facility near you.
Massage therapy is the mechanical manipulation of tissues through rhythmically applied pressure and stretching to muscles and joints. There are several different types of techniques used for massage therapy, the most common being Swedish Massage and Trigger Point Therapy. Therapists , Keith Mather, and Jessica Zelinsky are available for sessions throughout the week all day and during select times on the weekend.
Our registered massage therapist, Harlend Brisdon may also incorporate various energy balancing techniques with his clients. These complementary and alternative approaches to the healing arts fall under the scope of practice of many of our practitioners. Included in Harlend's healing practice is cranial-sacral therapy, postural re-integration (Rolfing), Quantum Touch and Reflexology.
Physiotherapists focus on evaluating, restoring and maintaining physical function and movement. To empower the patient, a physiotherapist will work jointly with their clients and other health care professionals to help achieve and maintain optimal health and well-being.
Physiotherapy assists with treatment that may:
- Alleviate pain
- Restore and increase movement and function
- Prevent and treat sports injuries
- Increase balance and coordination
Our therapists counsel and educate our clients on aspects of pre and post natal care, to assist in the speed of which individuals can return to activities of every day life.
In addition to the treatment, our therapists suggest, supervise and modify exercises to:
- Strengthen their client's muscles and endurance
- Improve cardiopulmonary fitness levels, and
- Restore mobility to those with such neurological disorders as stroke, spinal cord injuries or Parkinson's disease.
Our physiotherapists, Ursula Parkos, Melanie Jurewicz, Heather Haywood-Jirka and Heric Lopes are available throughout the weekdays and evenings.
Our physiotherapists provide acupuncture treatment to compliment their patient’s comprehensive care. These qualified practitioners offer acupuncture to treat musculo-skeletal and neurological conditions such as sciatica, tendonitis, arthritis, headaches, whiplash associated disorders, sprains and strains.
An orthotic is a device worn inside a shoe that is used to control the biomechanical movements of the foot and lower limb during movement. Used for reduction of load, motion control and alignment, immobilization and support, and to correct deformities, Orthotics may be prescribed to correct or aid with any or all of these possible conditions. People who experience symptoms of foot, lower limb and lower back problems may benefit from Orthotics.
Our athletic therapist, Jim Davis has been providing this service at the university for a number of years. His experience in building custom orthotics is much appreciated by his clients. Orthotics are available for both recreational/sport footwear and dress shoes. A physician referral is needed if you want to submit a claim to your insurance company.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada T3E 6K6
403.440.6111
