Dr. Andrew Blonski – Pulse Health
ABOUT US
Dr. Andrew Blonski
Dr. Andrew Blonski was born in Edmonton, Alberta. He completed a Bachelor’s degree in General Sciences from the University of Alberta. During his undergraduate years, he was rear-ended in a car accident and was introduced to the world of chiropractic. He was drawn to the holistic approach of healing that eventually weaned people off from medications. This led him to graduate with honors, from University of Western States in Portland, Oregon.
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Throughout his life, Dr. Blonski has promoted an active lifestyle and enjoys a variety of activities. As a former competitive hockey, soccer, football and rugby player; he understands the importance of proper body mechanics. He uses effective, hands-on chiropractic techniques to treat acute and physical injuries that may arise from chronic conditions involving the nervous, muscular, and skeletal systems.
As a chiropractor, Dr. Blonski constantly strives to provide appropriate care and proper rehabilitation for every patient that enters the clinic. His goal as a practitioner is to first help relieve pain and then focus on preventative measures to minimize or eliminate injury. He helps patients address the cause of their pain instead of just treating their symptoms. His approach to treatment emphasizes both a multi-disciplinary treatment plan and patient education, the latter giving the patient the knowledge and tools to be an active participant in their treatment and recovery to optimum health. He is looking forward to getting involved in assisting athletes with injury prevention through improved biomechanics, conditioning and rehabilitation as well as being involved in the community, volunteering at local events and activities.
Mika Ennis
Mika’s journey with acupuncture began during her previous career as a Environmental scientist, when she experienced the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating her anxiety. Having witnessed first-hand the immediate and sustained positive effects that acupuncture had on her health and state of mind, Mika was inspired to learn more about this time-honored treatment approach.
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Propelled by her passion to effect positive change, Mika completed her Diploma of Acupuncture at MacEwan University in 2016. At the end of her studies, Mika had the opportunity to travel to Zhengzhou, China for an internship at the Henan University of Chinese Medicine, where she completed 80 clinical and academic hours. Since graduating Mika has taken an interest in musculoskeletal injuries, pain, and chronic health conditions; including women’s health and autoimmune conditions. She has become known for her strong analytical problem solving, attention to detail and constant expansion of her knowledge base which allows her to develop fast and effective treatment plans.
As Registered Acupuncturist with the College and Association of Acupuncturists of Alberta (CAAA), one of Mika’s favorite things is having the opportunity to give people their first acupuncture experience. Whether you are looking to optimize yourself as a competitive athlete or improve the quality of your life by reducing pain or symptoms Mika can show you how acupuncture can benefit you.
Justin Webb
Over the past 7 years of practice as a massage therapist, Justin has focused on a blend of knowledge and practical application of skills meant to help achieve and maintain an active lifestyle. Focusing primarily on sports treatments and on rehabilitation, he has also found plenty of use from skills in treating his own injuries gained from pursuing said lifestyle; a good portion of the injuries that he sees  and treats on a regular basis are ones that he has personally experienced, and thankfully recovered from. Nothing like experience being the best teacher.
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A past in martial arts (Chuan Fa Kung Fu) and a passion for weightlifting and fitness has always helped guide and push forward through life, and the innate knowledge that comes from these passions regarding human motion and physiology is constantly integrated into every treatment he provides. Outside of work you can likely find Justin either listening to Punk music while working out, or in the middle of a mosh pit.
Dr. Lorraine McCarthy
Lorraine McCarthy is a doctor of naturopathic medicine, which means she can support you in a natural approach to your health. A fresh perspective and a dedicated partner in health can make all the difference!
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Lorraine’s greatest passion is in doing the detective work to determine what’s holding people back from feeling great – and then helping them fix it. Often, this begins with sorting out things like diet, stress management, sleep, energy, digestion, hormone rhythm, and recovery from injury and pain. It can also be helpful to get a view of the body’s functioning through testing.
Lorraine’s journey as a naturopathic doctor began when she saw the major difference it made for her own father’s health as he dealt with severe rheumatoid arthritis as she was completing her Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences from Queen’s University. Following that, she graduated from the four-year program at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto. She has practiced in Ottawa and Edmonton and currently sits on the board of the Alberta Association of Naturopathic Doctors. She has also worked in the regulation of natural health products at Health Canada and as a school health advisor and physiology instructor at the Guanacaste Waldorf School in Costa Rica.
Outside of naturopathic medicine, Lorraine loves to be on the move with her husband and three kids biking, hiking, jogging and doing anything on the water or in the wind. She loves to cook but always overdoes meat, so she nearly always serves vegetarian to guests! She has fun reading children’s books to her kids and hopes to write one some day.
Lorraine’s practice involves using whole foods, nutritional supplementation, herbal medicine, homeopathy, Bowen Technique, and hydrotherapy to:
- manage anxiety and nervousness
- evaluate adrenal function to improve energy levels and sleep issues
- regulate hormonal concerns in women
- improve the body’s ability to clear its toxins
- provide effective but lesser-know healing modalities for pain and injuries such as sprains, strains, fractures, bruises, concussions.
Lorraine also uses functional medicine to test for food sensitivity, environment toxins, metabolic and nutritional status, and in-depth stool analysis.
Lorraine treats the following conditions:
- Digestive system – IBS, constipation, acid reflux, food sensitivities, Crohn’s and colitis
- Mental health – anxiety and nervousness, stress, ‘burnout’, fatigue, insomnia
- Hormonal concerns – PMS (pre-menstrual syndrome), perimenopause, menopause, hypothyroidism, irregular periods
- Pain – arthritis, joint pain, bone health, headaches and migraines
- Skin – acne, eczema, psoriasis
- Injuries – bruising, sprains, strains, fractures, post-concussive syndrome
Common childhood ailments – eczema, digestion, ear infections, frequent colds or sore throats, asthma and allergies,
Rochelle Churchill
Rochelle Churchill is a Massage Therapist who specializes in Deep Tissue and facial release. She provides steady deep pressure to help release your problem areas. With 25 yrs experience, She loves the problem solving aspect of massage therapy. With modalities like therapeutic massage,prenatal massage, cupping and reflexology. She offers creativity and uniqueness to every single client’s treatment and individual needs, making them feel deeply unwound and relaxed.
SERVICES
COMMON TREATABLE CONDITIONS
ACL/MCL
issues
Shoulder
injuries
Muscle
strains
Tennis and
golfers elbow
Shin
splints
Back and
neck pain
Headaches
TMJ
syndrome
Knee
pain
Sprains
Carpal Tunnel
Syndrome
Achilles
tendonitits
Plantar
fasciitis
Women’s
Health
Autoimmune
Conditions
CHIROPRACTIC CARE
Chiropractors focus on treating problems of the spine, joints, muscles and nerves. They excel at treating patient problems such as back pain, neck pain, headaches, hip pain and pain in the joints of the arms and legs. Our approach aims to correct movement patterns and address the underlying cause of injury, while also providing symptom relief. We use a highly effective method to address injury and movement dysfunctions. Treatments include a combination of manipulation or mobilization to restore range of motion to the joints of the body, with soft tissue treatment techniques and individualized rehabilitation.
Chiropractors utilize a drug-free, hands-on approach to health care that includes patient examination, diagnosis and treatment. They have broad diagnostic skills and are also trained to recommend therapeutic and rehabilitative exercises, as well as to provide nutritional, dietary and lifestyle counseling to help you recover faster.
SPECIALIZED CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENTS
SOFT TISSUE MODALITY
Soft tissue modailty is a soft tissue (massage) technique that treats muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves and fascia. Soft tissue modality involves treating abnormal tissues with precise tension and specific patient movements. Basically, it breaks down muscle adhesions to relieve pain and restore function
IASTM
IASTM(instrument assisted soft tissue modality) is a manual therapy that uses stainless steel instruments to treat soft tissue conditions. Designed to help identify restricted areas, the technique aids in breaking up scar tissue, reducing fascial restrictions and stretching connective tissue to create an optimal healing environment.
Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment that involves creating a series of low energy acoustic wave pulsations that are directly applied to an injury through a person’s skin via a gel medium. This treatment increases blood flow, breaks down scar tissue and tissue adhesions, boosts cellular repair and microscopic tissue regeneration.
Shockwave therapy is an acoustic pressure wave transmitted to the body tissue and, consequently, to the painful area. A shockwave is an intense, but very short, energy wave travelling faster than the speed of sound. Because it is so powerful, most patients who undergo shockwave treatment recover faster than those treated by other methods.
Shockwave therapy accelerates the healing process in the body by stimulating the metabolism and enhancing blood circulation to regenerate damaged tissue. Strong energy pulses are applied to the affected area for short periods of time, creating micro-cavitation bubbles that expand and burst. The force created by these bubbles stimulates cells in the body that are responsible for bone and connective tissue healing. In many instances, shockwave therapy is most effective in cases where the human body has not been able to heal itself on its own.
Shockwave therapy sessions are usually 20 minutes long and provide successful relief and restore mobility painlessly. Permanent relief typically begins about 72 hours following treatment.
Most patients require three-to-six sessions. There is no downtime for recovery. There are no shockwave therapy side effects. Treatments are non-invasive and promote accelerated recovery of injured soft tissue, bone, and joint pain.”
Kinetisense
Are you interested in stepping your training game up?
Dr. Andrew Blonski is excited to offer our clients Kinetisense, the world’s first patented markerless motion capture analysis system.
Get real-time biofeedback for how you truly move. The toolbox of assessments includes 3D balance and posture testing, range-of-motion, and functional movement screen (FMS). These tools offer a range of therapeutic applications, from mobility and stability treatments to injury recovery in athletes. Use Kinetisense Advanced Movement Screening for informed training periodization and practices. 3D motion capture assessments will lead to enhanced recovery. and improved performance by reducing the risk of injury.
Kinetisense technology provides real-time video analysis and automatic reporting to allow you to better understand corrective exercises that are suggested by therapists and/or coaches.
Cost per session is $85.00, which can be claimed to your extended medical benefits under Chiropractic Care.Â
Book in for your analysis today!
Custom Orthotic
A custom orthotic is a device designed to align the foot and ankle into the most anatomically efficient position. They look like insoles, but are biomechanical medical appliances that are custom made to correct your specific foot imbalance.Â
Custom orthotics work on your feet much like glasses work on your eyes – they reduce stress and strain on your body by bringing your feet back into proper alignment. The plastic body of the custom orthotic helps to re-align the foot by redirecting and reducing certain motion that takes place during the gait cycle.
Custom orthotics fit into your shoes as comfortably as an insole – and they have the advantage of having been made from precise imprints of your feet.
More information is available at https://www.tog.com/PatientSite/Home.aspx
Do you think Orthotics may be right for you?
Inquire with Dr. Andrew Blonski today.
ACUPUNCTURE
Acupuncture can be successfully used with many acute or chronic conditions and all without unwanted side effects of medications.
Acupuncture can help you feel calmer, more energetic and resistant to stress even if you do not have any specific medical complaints.
Increases circulation
by stimulating nitric oxide, which enhances the flow of fresh blood and thus oxygen and nutrients to an area of injury to speed healing and to flush out waste products and stagnant blood.
Releases muscle tension & pain
by accessing trigger and motor points in your muscles. Trigger points are well-documented tender areas and motor points are areas located at neuromuscular junctions, which when stimulated release tension in muscle fiber. As the acupuncture needles release your muscles, the are simultaneously relieving pain and tension.
Produces endorphins
(the body’s natural opiate-like chemicals) that can help reduce pain, relieve stress, anxiety, and depression. Endorphins are what gives you the euphoric “acupuncture high†feeling post treatment.
Reduces stress
via nitric oxide and vasodilation. The activation of the parasympathetic nervous system reduces output of the stress hormone cortisol. Stress hormones, while necessary in small amounts, are released much too frequently in majority people and are responsible for damage at all cellular levels in your body. They age you, cause sleep disruption, weight gain, appetite disturbance, and emotional imbalances. Reducing this systemic response is hugely important in relieving health concerns.
Stimulates the parasympathetic system
which is our “rest and digest†system (in contrast to the sympathetic system which is our “fight or flight†mode). You may hear your belly start to gurgle when you receive an acupuncture treatment: strong evidence that your parasympathetic system has been activated. By taking you out of “fight or flight†and into “rest and digest†mode, acupuncture tells your body to stop using up resources on stress response and start rebuilding and healing the areas that need attention. We only heal in a parasympathetic state.
Regulates the immune system
through the activation of T-cells and nitric oxide. This fortifies you against colds and flu, allergies, autoimmune conditions, and inflammation. Acupuncture needles can stimulate both red and white blood cell production.
Reduces inflammationÂ
(through a combination of the mechanisms mentioned above)– but this benefit warrants special emphasis because inflammation is the root of all disease. Inflammation is a healthy response to tissue damage and it can stimulate our bodies’ self-healing mechanisms, but for many of us, poor diets and unrelieved stressors cause our inflammatory response to over-activate. Acupuncture needles stimulate histamine, increase nitric oxide and boost circulation while producing endorphins, and activating our parasympathetic (rest and digest) system. Through all of these mechanisms, acupuncture regulates the inflammatory response. Less inflammation can lead to a longer healthier life.
Regulates the central nervous system
Neuroacupuncture uses points on the head and scalp to inhibit or excite different regions of the brain. This contemporary acupuncture technique has an immediate and often profound impact on central nervous system function.
X-factor
We don’t know everything about how acupuncture works, just like we don’t everything about how the body works. The above mechanisms explain much of it, but acupuncture sometimes has seemingly miraculous results. There is so much we don’t yet know or understand about the human body.
CUPPING & GUASHA
Healthy tissue vs Unhealthy tissue
Ideally muscles and associated connective tissue are designed to contract and relax. They should feel strong and yet supple so that this pumping action can aid in blood returning through the venous system, but also support the constant flow of fluid between cells. This healthy drainage system from the capillaries to the lymphatic system is supposed to be in constant flow, but can stagnant and become unhealthy when muscle are chronically “tight†thus creating a barrier to flow.
What is Guasha?
Light repetitious strokes with a variety of edged tools on well lubricated skin to help relieve pain and tension as well as break up adhesions in the tissue. People often feel like it is itching a deep “scratch†they cant get and love the sense of relief this type of treatment leaves them with. During this process “petechiae†(tiny broken blood vessels) can form on or near chronically tense muscles or trigger points. This is a visual representation of what is going on below the skin: lack of nutrients, oxygen or the accumulation of metabolic wastes often cased by dysfunctional muscle patterns like poor posture. Petechiae does not appear with healthy tissue unless extreme force is used so the marks left behind can give you an indication of muscular tissue that is in need of further release and treatments.
What is Cupping?
Suction cups are placed on the skin and left for several or moved around the affected area. The patient feels a pleasant pulling sensation and then a subsequent release of tension. Cupping feels similar to massage and people love the feeling of the cups releasing deep-seated tension. . The cups often leave purple or red marks that can indicate areas of poor circulation and blood stagnation. These marks are not traditional bruises since there is no tissue damage. They mark generally fade within 1-7 days. Areas that take longer to fade indicate less blood flow to those tissues. Cupping is used primarily for muscular tightness and pain, circulatory dysfunction, and treatment of respiratory symptoms.
Benefits of Guasha and Cupping:
1. Â Breaking fibrous adhesions in tissue. Tissues that are tight and holding tension develop adhesions. Guasha and cupping help to promote blood flow and break up adhesions in tissue that has experienced stress to the fibres. With successive treatments this allows the area to return to healthy supple tissue. 2. Enhancing blood flow. While bringing in fresh new blood into an area, both of these techniques also flush metabolic wastes like lactic acid out of the area and promote healing. The petechiae present after Guasha, and the marks left after cupping represents the release of the blood into subcutaneous layers which then allows the tissue to become healthier and more supple.
MASSAGE
Massage Therapy is a traditional use of soft tissue manipulations used in preventative and remedial treatment of bodily stress, both physical and psychological. Using external pressure and anatomical knowledge, massage therapy is able to help in treatments of pain, mobility loss, circulatory issues, rehabilitation, chronic pain relief, and many other ailments related to the physical body. It also helps to passively relax the nervous system, to allow for a more tranquil mental state.
FAQ
CHIROPRACTIC FAQ
What to expect from a chiropractic adjustment
An adjustment is a highly-skilled and precise movement usually applied by a hand to a vertebrae of the spine or other joints of the body. Adjustments correct the joint to restore proper movement and improve function. Â When a joint is adjusted, an air bubble may escape causing a popping noise, similar to when you crack your knuckles. Depending on the nature of the problem, your chiropractor may also utilize joint mobilizations, active release techniques, graston techniques and therapeutic exercises to relieve your pain and get you moving again.
What are the lengths of treatment?
While treatment lengths vary somewhat from person to person and from condition to condition, there are some things to consider: Â 1. Newer injuries, if treated appropriately and immediately, tend to improve after fewer visits. Many of these first time injuries can be effectively managed in as little as 6 to 7 visits. 2. Conditions that have been present for greater than 3 months and recurring conditions are generally more stubborn and difficult to treat. Resolution may require 12 visits or more.
Is it painful during treatment?
The treatments themselves are generally not painful. Â In fact, most patients look forward to their treatments as many experience instantaneous relief. Individuals who already have moderate to severe pain associated with the injury or issue may experience some minor discomfort during treatment; however, care is always gentle, safe and non-invasive.
Is chiropractic covered by health insurance?
Chiropractic care is covered by most health care plans. At Pulse Health, we direct bill most major insurance companies making you’re out of pocket expense very low and sometimes zero.
SHOCKWAVE
What does shockwave treat?
It can treat a number of conditions including Plantar Fasciitis/Calcaneal Spurs, shoulder pain with or without calcifications, IT Band syndrome, Golfers/Tennis Elbow, muscle trigger points (deep and superficial), Tendonitis, chronic back and neck pain and Achilles Tendonitis. Â
Treatments required?
Research has shown that 3-6 treatments are necessary to maximize response and are typically done at weekly intervals. Treatments usually only take 10-15 minutes and patient tenderness during treatment is normal; however can be controlled by treatment settings. Â Relief can be felt immediately following treatment, but there may be some tenderness felt up to 48 hours after treatment. This is generally due to the inflammatory response.
Is shockwave covered by insurance?
At Pulse Health, shockwave therapy is covered by most extended health benefit plans as a chiropractor visit, because you will be treated by a chiropractor. We will also direct bill to your extended health insurance provider.
PULSE-HEALTH ACUPUNCTURE FAQ
How does acupuncture work?
View our section on Acupuncture here.
Are the needles painful?
It is important to know that acupuncture needles are 1/10 the size of a syringe needle. Acupuncture needling is completely different from any other experience you have had with needles in the past. Acupuncture needles are often not felt during insertion but can cause warmth, tingling, pressure or a small pinch that quickly dissipates. Sometimes bruising or discomfort result from needling, however significant side effects are extremely rare.
DIRECT BILLING
We direct bill to many insurance providers, including:
CONTACT
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