Georgian Sports Medicine & Physiotherapy opened in July 2017
Midland’s newest sports medicine and physiotherapy clinic is one of two regional practices where patients can receive ultrasound-guided injections.
Georgian Sports Medicine & Physiotherapy, at Peak Health & Performance, 371 Yonge St., is providing the unique image-guided treatment to help with injuries, such as labrum tears, and osteoarthritis.
“From a sports-medicine perspective, there are very few people who use this method,” said Dr. Andrea Jones, the lone sports-medicine physician at the practice.
A diagnostic ultrasound machine is used to take a look at the injury. The imaging is then used to help guide the injection, which often needs to be placed in an exact location. The majority of these injections are done for hip or shoulder injuries.
“This service is the only one in Simcoe County,” said Jones, noting that one doctor in Barrie is also using this method.
Jones is very interested in the latest musculoskeletal interventions. She has been learning about new techniques and methods, and bringing that knowledge back to the community.
“The process of information dissemination is difficult. It takes a lot of time for knowledge to get out into the community,” said Jones. “Clinics like this can act as a bridge for that.”
Jones started the clinic in July 2017, alongside Erica Reynolds, a registered physiotherapist.
Reynolds used to babysit for Jones when she was in high school. After completing her schooling, she sought out Jones, and they quickly decided to launch a new clinic.
“Peripheral joints are our specialty — shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee and ankle,” said Reynolds. “I do a lot of physiotherapy on core strengthening, but I prefer to treat people with peripheral injuries."
Reynolds is one of two physiotherapists at the clinic. They also have a chiropractor, massage therapist, dietitian, kinesiologist, and they're set to welcome another kinesiologist in March. As well, they have two therapy dogs that are used to help people afraid of needles.
“We have been growing based on demand. I started out seeing six people a day, and now I am seeing 30 people a day,” said Reynolds.
When the practice launched, the two of them were seeing a combined 40 to 50 people per day. Now the office is dealing with anywhere from 110 to 130 people each day.
The practice accepts walk-ins and is able to provide follow-up consultations with patients who go to the hospital’s emergency department with an injury.
Having so many different specialties all in one building gives patients the opportunity of a better continuity of care and the chance to have their injury dealt with a little more quickly.
“The difference between us and our competition is that we have a physician on-site,” said Reynolds.
Jones is at the clinic for 10 to 12 hours, three days a week. She also works six to eight shifts a month at the hospital’s emergency department.
A patient who has been referred to Reynolds and is undergoing physiotherapy at the clinic could also be referred to Jones.
For more information, visit georgiansportmedphysio.com.