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FOR OUR PATIENTS
PREPARATION
There is little preparation required for your appointment.
Before you attend your first appointment, please send us the completed questionnaire and consent forms.
For your appointment, bring shorts and a t-shirt that allow for a full body assessment.
AFTER CARE
The do's and don'ts after your session:
Stretch/move around every 15-20 minutes
Do not stay in one position (sitting or standing) for long periods of time
Avoid massage, physiotherapy, or vigorous exercise for 5 days
RESOURCES
Helping adolescents learn about chronic pain and taking steps towards managing it
Helping families across the province navigate the mental health system, connect with peer support, and access resources and tools to support wellbeing
A powerful online self-management tool designed to help adults take charge of their life and their pain
A collaborative nonprofit organization made up of people in pain, healthcare providers, and industry leaders. They provide tools, support, community, and education for people living with pain and their friends and family on their website
ARTICLE: myoActivation: A Structured Process for Chronic Pain Resolution
ARTICLE: myoActivation®, a Structured Assessment and Therapeutic Process for Adolescents With Myofascial Dysfunction and Chronic Low Back Pain: A Case Series
Supplements to Help in Myofascial Dysfunction
FAQ
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I don’t have provincial health care coverage, or I am from out of the country.If you do not have health care coverage or are from out of the country, you will need to pay for these services directly. Please contact us to discuss this further, as pricing will vary depending on the treatment provided.
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Is this service free?As long as you have valid health care coverage, issued from a province of Canada, this service will be billed directly to your provincial government.
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What will my experience be like during a myoActivation appointment?Pain can be subjective, so some people may find it painful and others do not feel anything during the procedure. Most of our patients have described the feeling similar to “being pinched”. If you feel you are more sensitive to pain, we can apply a topical spray or offer distraction techniques which can reduce the pain.
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How many appointments will I need to see the benefits, and how often?Generally, 4 sessions, usually 1 to 2 weeks apart depending on availability. Pain is a very subjective sense so it is not guaranteed that myoActivation will help, but your family doctor can advise if this an appropriate treatment for you.
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Help! I’ve lost my supplements order sheet!Not to worry. Just go to our Resources page under the “Patient” tab, and you will find all the documents you may need throughout your care with us. If you are still having trouble, feel free to send us an email and we’ll be happy to help you.
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What is the difference between myoActivation and intramuscular stimulation (IMS)?IMS consists of dry needling conducted by a trained physiotherapist and focuses on releasing muscles in the area where you are experiencing pain. myoActivation consists of trigger point injections done by a trained physician to release muscles in sustained contraction, but also targets fascia and scars. This may not be where you are experiencing pain. Very often the needling site is not where pain is felt.
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I have pain in a new location. What should I do?Please speak with your primary care provider regarding sending us a new referral. If they feel you will benefit from seeing us again, they are welcome to send us another referral. If it is severe, please contact your primary care provider or go to your nearest emergency department first. As our clinic is only open limited times, we are unable to provide urgent or long-term care.
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How long will I have to wait before my first appointment?This timing will change, but we currently anticipate seeing all new patients within one month of receiving their referral and completed forms.
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What do I do after the procedure?There are specific aftercare instructions which will be provided to you after your appointment. Alternatively, this information is also available on our resources page.
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What does a “myoActivation session” mean?A myoActivation session is an appointment will include a physical exam and ask you where it hurts in different positions. The physician will insert the needle into points where they identify as the cause of pain. Each session can take between 30 minutes to 1 hour, and may require up to 4 sessions to experience the full benefits.
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What is myoActivation?myoActivation is a procedure originally founded by Dr. Greg Siren. It uses a set of structured tests to determine specific muscles and scars which are affecting your pain. The physician then uses a needling technique to release these muscles and scars. 2 to 4 sessions are required to see results.
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Help! I’ve lost my after care instructions!Not to worry. Just go to our Resources page under the “Patient” tab, and you will find all the documents you may need throughout your care with us. If you are still having trouble, feel free to send us an email and we’ll be happy to help you.
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What is the difference between myoActivation and intramuscular acupuncture?Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese Medicine practice and is commonly used as a complementary therapy. Accupuncture focuses on rebalancing the body’s energy, also known as “Qi”. When the energy flow is disrupted, the practitioner inserts very thin needles into specific areas of the body, to “unblock” the flow. myoActivation consists of trigger point injections done by a trained physician to release muscles in sustained contraction, but also targets fascia and scars. This may not be where you are experiencing pain. Very often the needling site is not where pain is felt.
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What is your current waitlist?Our waitlist time is variable. Currently, we anticipate seeing any new patient within one month of the date of referral.
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What will my patient expect from the myoA for YOUth clinic?Resolution to myofascial dysfunction usually occurs after 2 to 4 myoActivation sessions. Due to the nature of our service, we do not provide long-term care and will offer a maximum of 4 myoActivation sessions to your patient. After the 4 sessions, continued care will remain with the primary care provider or referring practitioner.
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Does your clinic provide urgent care services?Due to our limited hours we are unable to provide urgent care services. Please direct your patient to their nearest emergency department if this is required.
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My patient would benefit from myoActivation, what can they do if they do not live in Vancouver?There are several practitioners within the Lower Mainland and rural areas of British Columbia that are certified to provide this service. Please visit Anatomic Medicine to see if there is a practitioner closer to your patient’s residence.
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Does my patient meet the criteria for myofascial dysfunction?Please contact us and we will schedule a time for you to speak with our practitioner about your patient’s eligibility for our clinic.
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My patient reports a new pain. What can they do?Patients can be seen with a re-referral if myofascial dysfunction returns due to re-injury or subsequent surgery.
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