VitalBalance Physio

by Ruby Arsenault, Employment Coach/Facilitator with the Tignish Employment Resources (ER) Centre

A new physiotherapy clinic has opened in Tignish. Physiotherapist Jennifer Bursey-Knox, Owner of VitalBalance Physio, is very excited about the newly renovated space in the former dental clinic at the Tignish Cooperative Health Centre.

“When I heard that the old dental clinic was being renovated and they were looking for healthcare professionals to fill the space, I leaped at the opportunity,” says Jennifer.

Jennifer is originally from Fredericton, New Brunswick and moved to PEI to attend UPEI, where she completed a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition.

She earned a MSc Physiotherapy degree from Dalhousie University in 2018. After graduation, she moved back to PEI and settled in Skinners Pond outside Tignish with her husband, Jordan Knox. She took a position in the public sector at Western Hospital and worked there for four years.

“Life progressed and we had a child. At that point, I wanted to stay at home more with my little boy. But I also wanted to continue to grow in the occupation that I enjoy so much and do what I love, which is helping people feel better and live with less pain and be able to participate in the activities they enjoy.

“I also saw a gap in overall healthcare services in the West Prince area and wanted to help fill that gap in the community I now call home. I decided to open a physiotherapy clinic in Tignish.

“I am the only Physiotherapist at the clinic for now,” says Jennifer. “But as the demand and knowledge about the clinic grows, there may be a need for another Physiotherapist in the future.”

What is a Physiotherapist?

Physiotherapists utilize diagnostic and assessment procedures and tools to develop and implement an appropriate intervention strategy. They apply a collaborative and reasoned approach to help clients achieve their health goals, focusing on the musculoskeletal, neurological, and cardiorespiratory systems.

Physiotherapists work with individuals throughout their lives and analyze the impact of injury, disease, and disorders on movement and function. They promote, restore, and prolong physical independence by enhancing a client’s functional capacity and activity participation.

Common treatment options a Physiotherapist may choose to incorporate into the intervention strategy include but are not limited to:

• manual therapy
• soft tissue mobilization
• exercise prescription
• modalities such as ultrasound, laser, interferential current, heat and cold therapy
• education
• gait aid prescription
• orthotic fitting
• taping

VitalBalance Physio offers initial physiotherapy assessment and follow-up appointments for the treatment of various musculoskeletal, neurological and cardiovascular conditions.

“I also have an interest in women’s pelvic health, which is a highly neglected service in this region. The area of pelvic floor physiotherapy requires specialized training to perform internal exams to help diagnose the condition and provide appropriate treatment strategies.

“I completed post-graduate courses in the treatment of female urinary incontinence, pelvic pain, and the role of physiotherapy in the pregnant population. I have also completed various other post-graduate courses in the areas of persistent pain, low back pain, shoulder issues, and knee and hip osteoarthritis.

“VitalBalance Physio is also a Workers Compensation Board Healthcare provider. Those who have been injured at work and are going through the WCB program can receive physiotherapy services at the clinic.”