Physiocare Rimbey

02/01/2026

Don’t Be a V.O.M.I.T. (Victim of Medical Imaging Technology)

The term V.O.M.I.T. (Victim of Medical Imaging Technology) refers to situations where medical imaging—such as X-rays, ultrasounds, or MRIs—reveals findings that sound serious or alarming but are often normal, age-related changes with little or no impact on your actual health, pain, or function.

Thanks to insights shared by the Advanced Physical Therapy Education Institute (APTEI), here are some important facts that help put imaging results into perspective:
• Low back disc degeneration is seen in about 40% of people under 30, and in over 90% of adults aged 50–55.
o One study found that 48% of healthy adults aged 20–22 (with no back pain) had at least one degenerative disc, and 25% had a disc bulge.
• An MRI study showed that 98% of people without neck pain still had degenerative changes in their cervical (neck) discs.
• More than half of adults over 60 have MRI evidence of rotator cuff tears without experiencing shoulder pain or limitations.
• Up to 85% of pain-free adults show X-ray signs of knee arthritis.

What Does This Mean for You?
If your imaging report mentions terms like “degenerative changes,” “arthritis,” “disc bulge,” or “wear and tear,” there is usually no reason to panic. These findings are often a normal part of aging and do not automatically explain pain or disability. Similar age-related changes are seen throughout the body, even in people who feel perfectly fine.

Is Medical Imaging Still Important?
Absolutely. Medical imaging plays a crucial role when serious conditions are suspected. It is essential for diagnosing issues such as fractures, significant trauma, infections, tumors, blood clots, or when surgery may be required.
However, for many musculoskeletal conditions, imaging findings often do not match how a person feels or functions. Research shows that people who become overly focused on imaging results—so-called “V.O.M.I.T.s”—tend to have more healthcare visits, higher disability levels, longer-lasting pain, and reduced overall well-being.

What to Do If Your Imaging Report Is Confusing
• Ask a qualified healthcare provider, such as a physiotherapist, to explain the results in clear, understandable terms.
• Some findings may need attention, while others simply reflect normal age-related changes.
• Proper explanation can help reduce unnecessary fear, stress, and avoid unneeded treatments.

Take-Home Messages
1. Most musculoskeletal imaging findings are not serious enough to require aggressive treatment, surgery, or prolonged rest.
2. Always seek a clear explanation of your imaging results to rule out significant concerns and gain reassurance.
3. Imaging findings often do not predict pain or function—for example, “severe arthritis” on an X-ray does not necessarily mean severe pain or disability.
At physiotherapy, we focus on how you move, how you function, and what you can safely do to recover—not just what appears on an image.

Reference:
Advanced Physical Therapy Education Institute (2017). VOMIT – Victim of Medical Imaging Technology. Retrieved from http://www.aptei.ca/library-article/vomit-victim-of-medical-imaging-technology/.

01/18/2026

Is Physical Therapy as Effective as Surgery for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis?

Considering surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis? Emerging evidence suggests that a structured physical therapy program may provide outcomes comparable to surgery—without the associated surgical risks.
A landmark study published in the April 2015 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine found that patients with lumbar spinal stenosis experienced similar improvements whether they underwent decompression surgery or participated in a standardized, evidence-based physical therapy program.
The study was led by Anthony Delitto, PT, PhD, FAPTA, who highlighted the safety advantage of conservative care. In a Reuters report discussing the findings, Dr. Delitto noted that spinal surgery carries an approximate 15% complication rate, with a significant portion being serious in nature, whereas physical therapy does not pose the same life-threatening risks.
Notably, this was the first study to directly compare a clearly defined physical therapy protocol with surgical intervention, using randomized patient assignment. Earlier research had often compared surgery with broadly defined or inconsistent non-surgical treatments, limiting the strength of their conclusions.
An accompanying editorial emphasized that patients with lumbar spinal stenosis should be offered a comprehensive and standardized physical therapy program as a first-line treatment. For those who do not experience sufficient improvement and later consider surgery, it is important to understand that surgical benefits may decrease over time.

Takeaway: For many individuals with lumbar spinal stenosis, physiotherapy is a safe, effective, and evidence-supported option that may reduce or eliminate the need for surgery.

Reference:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25844995

01/16/2026

Do You Really Need to Immobilize an Ankle Sprain?

Ankle sprains are one of the most common injuries, often happening during sports, walking on uneven ground, or simple missteps. They can be painful and may limit your ability to work, exercise, or carry out daily activities.
If an ankle sprain does not involve a broken bone or serious ligament injury, keeping the ankle completely immobilized in a cast or rigid boot is usually not necessary. Research shows that using a supportive ankle brace and starting gentle movement early can help you recover faster.
Early movement, guided by a physiotherapist, helps reduce stiffness, restore strength and balance, and allows you to return to normal activities sooner. Physiotherapy also plays a key role in preventing future ankle sprains by improving stability and control.
For most simple ankle inversion sprains, a combination of functional bracing, early mobility, and physiotherapy-based rehabilitation leads to better and quicker recovery than rigid immobilization.

Reference:

Kerkhoffs GM, et al. Immobilisation for acute ankle sprain. A systematic review. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2001 Sep;121(8):462-71. PMID: 11550833.

Prado MP, et al. A comparative, prospective, and randomized study of two conservative treatment protocols for first-episode lateral ankle ligament injuries. Foot Ankle Int. 2014;35:201-6. PMID: 24419825.

Vuurberg G, et al. Diagnosis, treatment and prevention of ankle sprains: update of an evidence-based clinical guideline. Br J Sports Med. 2018 Aug;52(15):956. Epub 2018 Mar 7. PMID: 29514819.

01/01/2026

Happy New Year 2026! We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Rimbey community for your continued support and trust. Physiocare Rimbey is proud to care for you and your families. Here’s to a year filled with wellness, happiness, and success!

06/08/2023

What is Physiotherapy?

06/08/2023

If you have flat feet, please check how much compensation our body have to go through. Please consult with our Physiotherapist in Physiocare Rimbey for more information and treatment options. Call us today: 403-314-6175

06/08/2023

Soft tissue injuries need PEACE & LOVE

06/08/2023

Learn how to take control

05/31/2023

In the absence of red flags, most patients with acute low back pain will improve, and do not require imaging for diagnosis. Patients without red flags should be treated with at least a 4-6-week trial of conservative management. Red flags for low back pain include but are not limited to severe or progressive neurologic deficit, cauda equina syndrome, or suspected cancer, infection, compression fracture, epidural abscess, or hematoma.

Source:
Canadian Association of Radiologists. 2012 CAR Diagnostic Imaging Referral Guidelines [Internet]. 2012 [cited 2022 June 1]. https://car.ca/patient-care/referral-guidelines/

Chou R, Fu R, Carrino JA, Deyo RA. Imaging strategies for low-back pain: systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet. 2009 Feb 7;373(9662):463-72. PMID: 19200918. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19200918/

05/29/2023

Our practice philosophy is to help your recovery through comprehensive assessment, manual therapy, a customize exercise program. We keep you in the loop every step on the way to not only help you feel better, but also achieve your highest level of function possible, regardless of the complexity of injury and symptoms.
"We are accepting new clients"
Please call us today: 403-314-6175 or Please book online: https://physiocarerimbey.janeapp.com

05/29/2023