February 25, 2015 - Lethbridge Sun Times - page 29 BEST OF THE BEST Peak provides help to restore movement, function


Judy Westcott For the Sun Times


F


or the past 23 years, Elizabeth Sutton and her staff at Peak Physical Therapy have been helping clients restore mobility and rehabilitate from injuries.


Their expertise and hard work has earned them


the top spot in this year’s Best of the Best physiotherapy category, a first for the longtime Lethbridge business. “We are really honoured


to be named number one,” says Sutton. “We have many loyal, longtime patients who continue to use our services — our best referral source is our customer base.” Formerly with the


Lethbridge Regional Hospital’s Rehabilitation Medicine program, Sutton and co-worker Susan Malo ventured forth to start Peak Physical Therapy in 1992. A third partner — Wendy Takeda — was added in 1994. Originally located in the Noma Building on


Mayor Magrath Drive South, the partners moved the business to the former Roy Medical Building at 715 2 Ave. S. in 1997 where it is still located today. Sutton, who has been sole owner of the


company for the past 10 years, says the building required “extensive renovations” but that is now well suited to the business. She explains that physiotherapy promotes


PHOTO BY JUDY WESTCOTT


wellness, mobility and independent function. Physiotherapists have advanced understanding of how the body moves, what keeps it from moving well and how to restore mobility. Acupuncture is used to encourage healing, and reduce or


relieve pain. The needles are very fine and are inserted in points in the body that correspond to energy pathways


Elizabeth Sutton, owner of Peak Physical Therapy, has a long background in the physiotherapy field.


called meridians. Sutton says that physical exercises aid in the


rehabilitation of injuries, maintain a strong and healthy self and decrease the chance of future injuries. Some of the conditions patients require assistance with include sports injuries, joint or muscle injuries, neck or


back pain, whiplash, tendonitis, TMJ problems, arthritis, fibromyalgia, headaches and posture related pain. Sutton says the staff of nine at Peak Physical


Therapy keep up-to-date with the latest in medical and sports science research to help them select treatments that have been scientifically proven to speed the healing process. Some of the treatments that


physiotherapists at Peak Physical Therapy may use include mobilization of joints, therapeutic exercise in an on-site gym or electrotherapy such as ultrasound therapy and electrical stimulation. Doctor referrals are not always necessary


and a patient’s first visit will include a complete assessment by a physiotherapist to determine the nature and extent of the problem, she says. “We will do our best to educate you on the


causes of your issue, and how it can be resolved,” Sutton says. A customized treatment plan will then be


developed, which usually includes homework for the patient. “We want our patients to get better, not just


feel better,” Sutton says. “Our treatment plans focus on what is best for the client and includes homework for them to assist in their recovery.” Patients may be referred to other specialists


or for more medical tests. For convenience, massage therapists and chiropractic services are operated as separate businesses in the same location as Peak Physical Therapy. “It’s handy for our patients to have these


services available under the same roof,” Sutton says. Most conditions, excluding surgery


recovery, can be resolved in about eight weeks, she says, and direct billing is available for a variety of private health plans. More information about services, hours of operation and


products offered can be found on the company’s website at http://www.peakpt.ca.


Jennifer Brodoway 403.795.8783


jen@viewlethbridge.com


Devonshire Realty


41175949


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