Deanne Christie-Coster

Deanne Christie-Coster provides skilled physiotherapy care for a variety of conditions, including but not limited to:

Chronic Pain

• Fibromyalgia: Physiotherapy approaches for managing the diffuse pain, stiffness, and tenderness associated with fibromyalgia, often involving gentle exercise (e.g., aquatic therapy, tai chi, graded aerobic activity), pain science education, activity pacing, and stress reduction strategies.
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome / Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) - Activity Management: Supporting individuals with CFS/ME to manage their symptoms, avoid PEM, and find sustainable ways to engage in activity, often in collaboration with other healthcare providers.
• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) - Supportive Care: A careful and specialized physiotherapy approach for CRPS, focusing on pain reduction, functional restoration, and supporting you through this complex condition.
• Persistent Post-Surgical Pain (Chronic): Addressing chronic pain syndromes that can unfortunately develop after surgery, focusing on reducing pain, improving movement, and restoring function.

Pelvic Health

• Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS - Men & Women): Helping to reduce chronic pain in the pelvis, improve muscle function, desensitize painful areas, and enhance your quality of life when dealing with persistent pelvic pain.
• Constipation / Bowel Dysfunction (Pelvic Floor Related): Difficulty with bowel movements, such as infrequent stools, straining, a sensation of incomplete emptying, or the need for manual maneuvers to defecate, which may be linked to pelvic floor muscle tension (hypertonicity), weakness, or incoordination (dyssynergic defecation).

Common Msk

• Wrist and Hand Pain (e.g., Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, De Quervain's Tenosynovitis, Strains): Pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, or stiffness in the wrist, hand, or fingers, often resulting from overuse, repetitive tasks, arthritis, or specific conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome or De Quervain's tenosynovitis.
• Knee Pain (e.g., Patellofemoral Syndrome, Meniscal Issues - conservative, Ligament Sprains): Aching, sharp pain, a feeling of the knee 'giving way', or difficulty fully bending or straightening your knee.
• Shoulder Pain (e.g., Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy, Impingement, Frozen Shoulder/Adhesive Capsulitis): Pain, weakness, or restricted movement in the shoulder joint, often experienced with overhead activities, lifting, reaching behind your back, or sleeping on the affected side.
• Neck Pain and Stiffness: Painful neck conditions that can make head movements difficult, sometimes leading to headaches or radiating pain into the shoulders.

This list offers examples of conditions commonly addressed. If your specific concern isn't listed, please contact the clinic. Deanne can assess your needs.

• Pre-Natal (Pregnancy) Physiotherapy: Addressing the unique physical demands of pregnancy with tailored physiotherapy interventions, helping you prevent issues and optimize your well-being.
• General Reconditioning & Fitness Programs: Graded exercise programs designed to improve your overall physical fitness, endurance, strength, and functional capacity, especially beneficial after illness, surgery, or periods of prolonged inactivity.
• Stretching & Flexibility Programs: Personalized programs incorporating various stretching techniques (e.g., static, dynamic, PNF) to alleviate stiffness, increase tissue extensibility, and promote better posture.
• Post-Natal (Postpartum) Rehabilitation: A personalized physiotherapy program to guide your physical recovery after having a baby, whether by vaginal delivery or C-section, focusing on your specific needs and goals.
• Core Stability & Strengthening Training: Targeted exercises focused on strengthening the deep abdominal, back, pelvic floor, and diaphragm muscles to provide better support for your spine, improve posture, enhance balance, and increase movement efficiency.
• Personalized Therapeutic Exercise Prescription: Evidence-based exercise programs designed by your physiotherapist, including instruction and progression, to optimize your recovery and enhance your physical well-being.

Note: This list highlights some key services offered by Deanne. For a full list or to discuss your specific needs, please contact the clinic.

All services are provided in accordance with standards set by the College of Physical Therapists of Alberta (CPTA).

At Excel Physical Therapy (Medicine Hat), physiotherapy is focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health and daily activities. Deanne frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• Discover how physiotherapy with Deanne can help you move beyond recurrent dislocations or a feeling of instability in my shoulder or knee. The focus is on successfully integrating safe movement strategies into their daily routines, enabling a joyful return to the activities you love, such as going on enjoyable fishing or camping trips again.
• Many find that my child walking on their toes most of the time significantly impacts their ability to cycling longer distances with your cycling club. Deanne helps patients target developing better body awareness and understanding of healthy movement patterns with physiotherapy, making a return to these activities possible.
• Many individuals seek help from Deanne, their physiotherapist, when aches and pains that I'm pretty sure are from my bad posture at my desk starts impacting daily life. Through a personalized physiotherapy plan, they often achieve better managing flare-ups with personalized strategies and feeling more in control of their symptoms, empowering them to joyfully return to activities like pushing a stroller or shopping cart without difficulty.

Your personalized physiotherapy plan, developed with Deanne, will be designed to help you reach your specific functional and wellness objectives.

Deanne practices at Excel Physical Therapy in the heart of Medicine Hat's Downtown, situated in the SE Hill, River Flats neighborhood. The clinic's convenient location near Saamis Teepee makes it easy for patients to access her services. The clinic is well-connected via Medicine Hat Transit, ensuring straightforward transportation options. Our clinic is wheelchair accessible. Street parking and nearby paid lots offer convenient options for visitors.

Can physiotherapy help prevent injuries or recurring pain?

Definitely. A key aspect of physiotherapy is not just treating current problems but also preventing future ones. A Physiotherapist can assess your movement, identify potential weaknesses or imbalances that could lead to injury, and provide you with a personalized program of exercises and strategies. This proactive approach is beneficial for athletes, individuals with physically demanding jobs, or anyone looking to maintain long-term musculoskeletal health and avoid recurring pain.

What is manual therapy in physiotherapy?

In physiotherapy, manual therapy encompasses a range of 'hands-on' interventions. Your Physiotherapist may use these techniques to help reduce your pain, increase joint movement, relax tight muscles, or improve the mobility of your nerves. Common approaches include joint glides, sustained pressures, specific soft tissue massage, and, when indicated, joint manipulations. It's a key part of helping your body move better.

Do I need a doctor's referral to see a Physiotherapist in AB?

In Alberta, patients can typically access physiotherapy services directly without a referral, known as 'direct access.' However, while a referral isn't legally required to see a Physiotherapist, some private and extended health insurance plans may require one for reimbursement. It’s advisable to check your insurance policy beforehand to confirm coverage.

Is there parking available at or near Excel Physical Therapy (Medicine Hat)?

Yes, there is ample free patient parking available directly in front of and beside the clinic. Look for the designated patient spots. Additional parking options include metered street parking on nearby streets and a paid public parkade located within a short walking distance. Always check local signage for any restrictions.

Is physiotherapy treatment supposed to be painful?

Physiotherapy should not be an ordeal of pain. While some discomfort or a stretching sensation might occur during certain treatments, especially early in recovery, it is rarely painful in a harmful way. Deanne guides her patients carefully, adjusting treatments to ensure comfort and safety with the goal of making you feel better, not worse.

What is physiotherapy and how can it help me?

Physiotherapy helps you move better, recover from injuries, and maintain physical performance. Whether you're dealing with acute injuries, chronic conditions, or post-surgical recovery, Deanne works with you to develop personalized exercise and treatment plans that promote strength, mobility, and resilience, enabling you to live an active and fulfilling life.

Is physiotherapy covered by the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) in AB?

In Alberta, AHCIP provides limited coverage for some physiotherapy services, typically after hospital discharge or for specific low-income individuals or seniors through particular programs. Most outpatient physiotherapy in private clinics is not directly covered by AHCIP. Patients are encouraged to verify their eligibility and check with their private insurance for coverage options.

Excel Physical Therapy (Medicine Hat)
3, 568 South Railway Street SE
Medicine Hat, AB T1A 2V6

Phone: (403) 504-1004

Deanne Christie-Coster is regulated by the Health Professions Act in AB and is a member of the College of Physical Therapists of Alberta (CPTA).

License #8543

Registration can be verified with the College of Physical Therapists of Alberta (CPTA).

Always consult with your primary healthcare provider before starting any new treatment program.