Custom
Medical
Bracing

Brackish is equipped with a full custom fabrication workshop and a comfortable, spacious, and accessible patient area. Patient assessment, shape capture (casting), device fabrication, fitting, and device maintenance (repairs and adjustments) are done on-site. Satellite clinic services are available in Yarmouth, pending demand and availability.

About Us

Jenna Holz

Jenna Holz is a Certified Orthotist – CO(c). After earning her BSc in Honours Biomedical Science from the University of Waterloo, she enrolled in the Clinical Methods in Orthotics and Prosthetics program and George Brown College. Her work in the public sector in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick immersed her in interprofessional practice, care for complex populations, and treating complex and/or rare pathologies. Jenna is extensively involved in volunteer roles with Orthotics Prosthetics Canada. She looks forward to the challenge of serving a complex patient population in a rural setting.

Robert Giles

Robert Giles is an orthotics technician who is in charge of all technical duties at Brackish, including fabrication of orthoses, shoe modifications, and workshop management. He enjoys thinking outside the box to find creative, beautiful, and functional solutions for each patient’s needs.

Our Services

We see clients with a multitude of conditions, including:

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Cerebral palsy

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CVA / stroke

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Acquired brain injury

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Spinal cord injury

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Spina bifida

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ALS

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Multiple Sclerosis

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Charcot

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Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease

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Diabetic neuropathy

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Vascular disease

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Osteogenesis imperfecta

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Positional plagiocephaly

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Rheumatoid and osteo arthritis

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Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

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Structural deformity

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Carpal tunnel syndrome

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Complex traumatic injury – crush, laceration, tendon rupture, etc

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Complex fractures (ie: non-union)

We provide a wide range of orthotic devices.

All devices can be made custom, from a cast of the client. When appropriate, off-the-shelf versions of some of these devices may be used, and modified as needed.

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Ankle Foot Orthoses (AFOs)

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Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthoses (KAFOs)

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Knee Orthoses

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Foot Orthoses

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Reciprocating Gait Orthoses (RGOs)

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Wrist-Hand Orthoses (WHOs)

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Wrist-Hand-Finger Orthoses (WHFOs)

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Elbow Orthoses

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Shoulder and Postural Orthoses

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Spinal Orthoses (COs, CTOs, TLSOs, LSOs, SOs)

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Cranial Remodelling Orthoses (CROs)

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Protective Helmets

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Hand Orthoses (HOs)

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Shoulder-Elbow-Wrist-Hand Orthoses (SEWHOs)

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Finger Orthoses

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Hernia and pannus supports

Standards of Excellence

At the core of our clinic model are Standards of Excellence that are designed to improve our standard of patient care. Some of these Standards are required of us by Orthotics Prosthetics Canada, and others are beyond OPC’s requirements. They are:

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Turnaround time of two weeks between shape capture and fitting, for most devices

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Careful, thorough assessment and tailored treatment plans for all clients

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Use of outcome measures for every client, for stronger evidence-based practice

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Routine use of photos and gait video to augment record keeping and Evidence Based Practice

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Collaboration with other members of the client’s healthcare team, to ensure strong, appropriate treatment plans

Funding

MSI does not provide funding for orthoses. The following are some third parties that fund orthoses:

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Department of Community Services (DCS), Nova Scotia

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Worker’s Compensation Board, Nova Scotia

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NIHB

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Private Insurance plans – Blue Cross, Manulife, Sunlife, etc

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MS Society

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Muscular Dystrophy Association

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Veteran Affairs Canada

Accessibility

Entrances

Both the Webster Street entrance and the back entrance have accessibility ramps, but the Webster Street entrance has wider ramps and button-operated door openers.

Elevator

There is an elevator that can be found on the first floor, near AP Reid Insurance and Dr. Hewins / Dr. McPherson’s offices. The doorway to the elevator is 36” (91cm) wide.

Assessment Room

The assessment room at Brackish is spacious, measuring 11’x18’ (3.4m x 5.5m). There is a nursing rocker, children’s toys, and three high-backed chairs. One of the high-backed chairs has arms.

Washroom

There is a large accessible washroom located 45 feet (14 metres) down the hall from our reception. The washroom measures 9’x14’ (2.7m x 4.3m). There are grab bars next to the toilet, and the handwashing area is at an accessible height. It features a large format change table (72” x 24”) that sits at the height of an average wheelchair seat. There is no button-operated door opener at this time.

Parking

There is a two-hour parking lot behind the building that can be accessed via Webster Street or Main Street. This parking lot has two designated handicap parking spots. There is also free two-hour street parking on Webster Street. Overflow free parking is available behind Kentville Town Hall, off Main Street, and across from the Court House on Cornwallis Street.

Wheelchair Skills Training Spotter Straps

The Wheelchair Skills Program (WSP) is a Halifax-based program that provides resources for the assessment and training for the wheelchair skills of wheelchair users. Those who require Wheelchair Spotter Straps as part of their participation or involvement in WSP can order them through Brackish.

Canadian orders are made from our online store below.

International orders please contact us directly at rob@brackishbracing.ca to order

Cost is $45 plus applicable taxes and shipping.

Available colours: red, green, yellow, black.

OUR ONLINE SHOP

Wheelchair skills website

Get In Touch

Brackish is the only private clinic serving rural mainland Nova Scotia that offers services of a Certified Orthotist. Certified Orthotists are held to strict Canons of Ethical Conduct through Orthotics Prosthetics Canada (OPC), and they are considered the Gold Standard for head-to-toe bracing, nationwide.

Brackish Biomechanical Bracing - Contact Us

Schedule an appointment

Phone

1 (902) 365 7766

Fax

1 (902) 365 7767

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Address

204 -10 Webster St
Kentville, NS B4N 1H7

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Email

jenna@brackishbracing.ca

Opening hours

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Tuesday
11:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Weekends
Closed

Custom Medical Bracing