About
Denise Marlene McDermott is a dedicated Physiotherapist practicing at Elements Health Inc in Spruce Grove, AB. She is committed to providing high-quality, patient-centered care that aligns with the standards set by the College of Physical Therapists of Alberta (CPTA). Denise’s approach emphasizes thorough assessment and personalized treatment plans to address a broad spectrum of musculoskeletal injuries, pain conditions, and movement dysfunctions. Her goal is to help patients of all ages restore optimal function, manage pain effectively, and improve their overall quality of life.
With a solid educational background in Physiotherapy and extensive clinical experience, Denise continuously updates her skills through ongoing professional development and evidence-based practices. Her expertise allows her to serve a diverse range of patients, from those recovering from injury or surgery to individuals managing chronic pain or movement impairments. Denise values building trusting relationships with her patients, ensuring they feel supported and actively involved in their healing journey.
Denise’s practice philosophy centers on a strong commitment to evidence-based practice and lifelong learning. She adopts a patient-centered approach, actively involving individuals in their treatment planning and goal setting. Collaboration is key to her care, working closely with each patient to help them achieve their movement and functional goals. Denise offers her care in English, ensuring clear communication and understanding throughout the treatment process.
Denise Marlene McDermott provides skilled physiotherapy care for a variety of conditions, including but not limited to:
Sports Injury
- Muscle Strains (e.g., Hamstring, Calf, Groin, Quadriceps, Rotator Cuff): Common athletic injuries affecting major muscle groups such as the hamstrings, calves, groin (adductors), quadriceps, or rotator cuff muscles of the shoulder.
- Shin Splints (Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome): Pain and tenderness along the inner edge of the shinbone (tibia), often resulting from running, jumping, or other repetitive impact activities, especially with sudden increases in training intensity or volume.
Common Msk
- 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.
- Musculoskeletal Injuries (General - Tendinitis, Bursitis, Capsulitis, Sprains, Strains): A broad term for common injuries affecting muscles, tendons (tendinitis/tendinopathy), ligaments (sprains), joint capsules (capsulitis), and bursae (bursitis), leading to pain, inflammation, and functional limitations.
- Shoulder Pain (e.g., Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy, Impingement, Frozen Shoulder/Adhesive Capsulitis): Difficulty with activities like reaching for objects, dressing, personal care, or carrying items due to underlying shoulder issues, which physiotherapy can help diagnose and treat.
- Wrist and Hand Pain (e.g., Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, De Quervain's Tenosynovitis, Strains): Symptoms in your hand or wrist that impact your ability to perform your job, hobbies, or essential self-care tasks, addressed by specialized hand physiotherapy.
Back Neck Pain
- Herniated Disc / Sciatica / Radiculopathy: Back or neck pain that often radiates into an arm or leg, potentially with numbness, tingling, weakness, or burning sensations, due to a spinal disc problem (herniation, protrusion, or bulge) compressing or irritating a nearby nerve root (radiculopathy). Sciatica specifically refers to radicular pain down the leg.
- Postural Back/Neck Pain: A common cause of persistent back and neck pain due to the cumulative strain of prolonged sitting, standing, or performing tasks in non-ideal positions.
- Spinal Stenosis Symptoms: Back or neck pain accompanied by associated limb symptoms (pain, sensory changes, weakness) due to a constricted spinal canal, which physiotherapy can help manage conservatively.
- Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD): A range of neck and related symptoms including pain, stiffness, headaches, dizziness, and sometimes arm pain or cognitive difficulties, following a rapid acceleration-deceleration injury to the neck, most typically from a motor vehicle accident.
This list offers examples of conditions commonly addressed. If your specific concern isn't listed, please contact the clinic. Denise can assess your needs.
- 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.
- 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.
- Manual Therapy (Joint Mobilization & Manipulation): Application of precise, passive movements to joints to decrease stiffness, relieve pain, and facilitate easier, more comfortable movement.
- Stretching & Flexibility Programs: Specific stretches designed by your therapist to target tight muscle groups relevant to your condition, helping to improve your flexibility and reduce your risk of injury.
- 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.
- Strength & Conditioning for Rehabilitation and Performance: Targeted exercises using resistance (such as bodyweight, resistance bands, free weights, or gym equipment) to build muscle strength, power, and endurance, tailored to your specific rehabilitation needs or performance goals.
Note: This list highlights some key services offered by Denise. 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 Elements Health Inc, physiotherapy is focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health and daily activities. Denise frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:
- Denise believes that everyone deserves to move well and feel their best. If that 'pins and needles' feeling that won't go away is hindering your ability to peacefully paddling your kayak or canoe on the lake for hours, a personalized plan focusing on feeling more positive, capable, and optimistic about their physical health can make all the difference.
- Many find that difficulty moving one side of my body or walking easily after a stroke significantly impacts their ability to driving for longer periods without neck or back pain. Denise helps patients target enjoying family vacations and outings with more energy and less pain with physiotherapy, making a return to these activities possible.
- For those whose an old ankle sprain that never seems to fully heal and still feels weak has made painting or drawing for longer stretches without neck or shoulder ache seem like a distant memory, Denise's physiotherapy care offers a clear path toward better joint stability during movement and weight-bearing activities. Effective, evidence-based treatments can be instrumental in helping you get back to painting or drawing for longer stretches without neck or shoulder ache with greater comfort and renewed confidence.
Your personalized physiotherapy plan, developed with Denise, will be designed to help you reach your specific functional and wellness objectives.
Denise practices at Elements Health Inc, situated in the Spruce Grove City neighborhood of Spruce Grove. The clinic is conveniently located near Downtown Spruce Grove and is accessible via Spruce Grove Transit, including local and commuter routes to Edmonton. Our clinic is wheelchair accessible. Ample parking is generally accessible close to the clinic entrance.
- Will I be given exercises to do at home?
- Yes, a personalized home exercise program is a crucial and integral component of most physiotherapy treatment plans. Your Physiotherapist will prescribe specific exercises tailored to your condition, abilities, and goals. These exercises are designed to complement your in-clinic treatment, help you manage your symptoms effectively between sessions, accelerate your recovery, and empower you with tools for long-term self-management. Your active participation in your home program is key for optimal results.
- Do I need a doctor's referral to see a Physiotherapist in AB?
- In Alberta, patients can typically access a Physiotherapist directly without a physician's referral, known as direct access. However, it’s important to check with your private health insurance provider, as some plans may require a referral for reimbursement. While a doctor’s referral is not legally necessary to see a Physiotherapist, verifying your insurance requirements beforehand can ensure coverage.
- Is physiotherapy covered by the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) in AB?
- Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) provides limited coverage for certain physiotherapy services, generally after hospital discharge or for specific low-income individuals and seniors through targeted programs. Most outpatient physiotherapy services in private clinics are not directly covered by AHCIP for the general population. Patients are advised to review their current coverage and private insurance policies for comprehensive benefits.
- How long do physiotherapy appointments typically last?
- You can expect your initial physiotherapy visit to be around an hour long. This allows for a thorough assessment and discussion of your goals. Follow-up sessions usually last between 30 and 45 minutes, depending on your needs. Your Physiotherapist will advise on the appropriate duration for your individual care.
- What types of conditions do Physiotherapists at Elements Health Inc treat?
- Denise treats a wide range of musculoskeletal, neurological, and cardiorespiratory conditions. This includes, but is not limited to, issues like back and neck pain, joint problems such as arthritis or post-surgical recovery, sports injuries, nerve pain, and more. Her treatments often involve manual therapy, exercise prescription, and patient education tailored to your specific needs.
Elements Health Inc
1, 16 Nelson Drive
Spruce Grove, AB T7X 3X3
Denise Marlene McDermott is regulated by the Health Professions Act in AB and is a member of the College of Physical Therapists of Alberta (CPTA).
License #3407
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.