WHAT IS INVOLVED IN PHYSICAL REHABILITATION?
Physical rehabilitation is conducted under my Chiropractic License. This involves the assessment, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of conditions related to the spine, nervous system as well as extremity joints.
The first session will take an hour. An in-depth history, orthopedic & physical testing is conducted to arrive at a Diagnosis and determine a course of optimal treatment (approximately 15-30 min depending on the number of areas assessed and the nature of the complaint). This is followed by a minimum of 30 minutes of treatment what remains of the hour.
MY PRACTICE STYLE
My practice is quite similar to a physiotherapy practice such that I make appropriate use of modalities (e.g. therapeutic ultrasound, electrical currents, decompression traction, shockwave, heat and cold therapy) to decrease pain, inflammatory response and swelling. Unlike typical physical therapy practices which take the patients from machine to machine and are quite 'hands-off', I also incorporate lots of manual therapy (hands-on soft tissue work) to loosen and break up scar tissue and gentle joint movements (not the same as manipulation) to decrease stiffness and increase joint motion.
Patients often relay that they like my approach including a combination of treatments from machines combined with manual therapy and exercises, which have proven to be very effective for their care. I also take a very functional and comprehensive approach to treatment. For example, I do not only treatment the area that hurts. This means that if your knee hurts I will also likely investigate and treat your low back and/or ankle since these areas are common areas of compensation with altered gait and may be sore as well. Comprehensive treatments ensure faster recovery times, expedited return to pre-injury status, and prevention of future occurrences.
WHAT DURATION DO I NEED?
In follow-up/subsequent sessions, typically if you only need one area to be addressed (e.g. neck and shoulder muscle tightness and joint stiffness due to desk work), then 30 minutes is usually sufficient. However, if you have more than one area of complaint to be addressed, it is best to book either a 45 minutes or 60 minutes session.
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING A TREATMENT SESSION
For each session, I will utilize either any machines and advice (e.g. ultrasound, electrical currents, and exercise advice, etc.) you may require for physical rehabilitation.
Quality time is spent with you. You are billed by duration per session (e.g. 30, 45 or 60 minutes), NOT only by adjustments which are typically no longer than 5-10 minutes duration in typical chiropractic visits.
A multi-therapy approach to manage your complaint(s), which typically includes:
*Soft tissue massage using a targeted Muscle Release Therapy (MRT) and/or a percussive massager machine:
-->reduce muscle tension & increase stretch
*Electrical therapy/therapeutic ultrasound:
-->decrease pain, spasm & swelling
*Gentle joint mobilization:
-->increase mobility & flexibility;
Manipulation is only proposed if patient is comfortable & no contraindications exist
*Prescribed exercises:
-->stretching/strengthening the affected areas
*Athletic taping:
-->provides structural support to the problem areas in between treatment sessions to facilitate healing, to prevent re-aggravation between office sessions, and to correct postural faults.
