Rachel Lee Stromsmoe

Rachel Lee Stromsmoe provides skilled physiotherapy care for a variety of conditions, including but not limited to:

Back Neck Pain

• Postural Back/Neck Pain: Muscular pain, trigger points, and tension headaches resulting from habitual poor posture, which can be addressed with postural re-education, exercises, and ergonomic advice.
• Spinal Stenosis Symptoms: Nerve compression symptoms due to a narrowing (stenosis) of the spinal canal or the small openings where nerves exit the spine (foramina), most commonly in the lumbar (lower back) or cervical (neck) regions.
• 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.
• Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD): Post-traumatic neck pain, restricted movement, and associated issues common after car accidents, which benefit from early and appropriate physiotherapy intervention.

Joint Pain

• Tendinopathy/Tendonitis (e.g., Achilles, Patellar, Rotator Cuff, Tennis/Golfer's Elbow): Persistent tendon pain that can interfere with your sports, work, or daily activities, often requiring specific loading programs and advice from a physiotherapist for effective management.
• Osteoarthritis (Knee, Hip, Spine, Hands, Other Joints): A degenerative joint disease characterized by the breakdown of cartilage and underlying bone, leading to pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced mobility in affected joints like the knees, hips, spine, or hands.

Common Msk

• Wrist and Hand Pain (e.g., Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, De Quervain's Tenosynovitis, Strains): Aching, burning, sharp pain, or a 'pins and needles' sensation in the wrist, thumb, or hand region, sometimes waking you at night.
• 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.

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

• Therapeutic Ultrasound Application: Using therapeutic ultrasound as an adjunct treatment to help reduce pain, decrease inflammation, break down scar tissue, and accelerate the repair of injured soft tissues.
• Therapeutic Heat Application: Application of therapeutic heat to prepare tissues for exercise, manual therapy, or stretching, or to manage chronic muscle soreness and joint stiffness.
• Cryotherapy Application (Cold Therapy): The application of cold packs, ice massage, or other cold modalities by your Physiotherapist to reduce swelling, inflammation, muscle spasm, and acute pain, particularly after an injury.
• Interferential Current (IFC) / TENS Therapy: Utilizing targeted electrical currents to help alleviate pain, manage discomfort, and support healing in conjunction with other physiotherapy interventions.
• Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) / Photobiomodulation: Utilizing therapeutic laser to enhance tissue regeneration, reduce pain signals, and manage inflammation as part of your comprehensive physiotherapy care.
• Other Electrotherapy Applications (e.g., NMES, FES): The therapeutic use of different electrical currents by your Physiotherapist to achieve specific physiological effects, such as improving muscle contraction, reducing atrophy, or enhancing functional movement.

Note: This list highlights some key services offered by Rachel. 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 Medicine Hat Regional Hospital, physiotherapy is focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health and daily activities. Rachel frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• The path to recovery from trouble with a constantly stiff and sore neck, making turning my head a pain and achieving getting their strength back after surgery or a period of inactivity for getting on and off the floor with ease often starts with expert guidance. Rachel, a skilled physiotherapist, provides just that.
• Are you finding that dealing with pelvic pain or bladder/bowel control issues (for both men and women) stops you from enjoying easily carrying groceries in from the car in one or two trips? Rachel is dedicated to helping patients like you achieve the ability to manage symptoms independently if they occasionally recur through a hands-on, active approach to physiotherapy.
• Patients struggling with pain or weakness that’s stopping me from enjoying my favorite hobbies can find dedicated and compassionate support from Rachel. The therapeutic focus is squarely on achieving learning specific exercises that provide ongoing relief and maintain their progress, using a range of physiotherapy services to facilitate a return to meaningful daily activities such as managing shopping trips and carrying bags without excessive fatigue or pain.

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

Rachel practices at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital, situated in the heart of Downtown Medicine Hat in the SE Hill and River Flats neighborhood. The clinic is conveniently located near the Tourism Medicine Hat Visitor Centre, making it easy for patients to find and access. The location is well-served by Medicine Hat Transit, providing accessible transportation options. Our clinic is wheelchair accessible. Free patient parking is typically available on-site or nearby.

Will I be given exercises to do at home?

Yes, in almost all cases, you will receive a customized home exercise program. These exercises are carefully chosen by your Physiotherapist to specifically target your issues and help you achieve your functional goals faster and more effectively. Performing them as recommended is very important for your progress and for maintaining the improvements you make during your clinic visits.

What types of conditions do Physiotherapists at Medicine Hat Regional Hospital treat?

Rachel treats a wide range of musculoskeletal, neurological, and cardiorespiratory conditions. This includes issues like back and neck pain (such as persistent postural-perceptual dizziness or PPPD), joint problems like arthritis or post-surgical recovery, sports injuries, and nerve pain. She also has expertise in specialized areas such as pelvic health and neurological rehabilitation. Treatments often involve manual therapy, therapeutic ultrasound, heat and cold therapy, and patient education to help you reach your functional goals.

What are Medicine Hat Regional Hospital's operating hours?

The hospital is typically open Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with some practitioners offering Saturday appointments from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Hours may vary depending on the practitioner and day. Please contact the clinic at (403) 555-1234 or visit the hospital's website for current hours and availability.

What should I expect during my first physiotherapy appointment?

The initial session involves a detailed assessment, where Rachel will discuss your medical history and current issues. She will perform physical tests to evaluate your movement, strength, and areas of concern. The goal is to understand your condition thoroughly to develop a tailored treatment plan. You may also receive your first set of home exercises or some initial hands-on care to facilitate recovery.

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

In Alberta, patients can typically see a Physiotherapist directly without a physician's referral, known as direct access. However, some private or extended health insurance plans may require a referral for reimbursement purposes. It is advisable to check your insurance policy before your appointment.

Approximately how many physiotherapy sessions will I need?

The number varies depending on your condition, severity, and personal goals. Your Physiotherapist will discuss an estimated treatment plan after your initial assessment and adjust it as needed based on your progress.

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

AHCIP provides limited coverage for some physiotherapy services, typically after hospital discharge or for specific low-income individuals and seniors through certain programs. Most outpatient physiotherapy in private clinics is not directly covered by AHCIP for the general population. It is recommended to verify your eligibility and coverage details with AHCIP and check your private insurance plans for extensive coverage options.

Medicine Hat Regional Hospital
666 5 Street SW
Medicine Hat, AB T1A 4H6

Rachel Lee Stromsmoe is regulated by the Health Professions Act in AB and is a member of the College of Physical Therapists of Alberta (CPTA).

License #8467

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.