Therapeutic Exercises

Therapeutic exercises are those that rehabilitate you from chronic, acute or over-use injuries to full physical health. As an Athletic Trainer my goal -always- is to return you to pre-injury status as quickly and pain-free as possible.  All therapeutic exercise programs are tailor-made to your unique combination of symptoms and visits are always one-on-one.   The approach is holistic and functional, integrating traditional rehab exercises with other proven manual techniques, postural and bio-mechanical changes, taping techniques, and sports/life specific re-conditioning.

Before beginning your therapeutic exercise program, it is vital to correct any major muscle imbalances. Muscle imbalances create tension and weakness putting constant  stress on your joints impairing your overall function and mobility.  Specific manual techniques are used to correct muscle imbalances so you can strengthen in alignment, move with ease and heal quicker.

What types of individuals do you work with?

Although my original training was assisting athletes to restore and maintain their peak performance levels (Sports Medicine), I work now with a variety of  individuals from active business executives to stay-at-home parents to globe trotting retirees to college professors to recreational and professional athletes, dancers, singers and cirque performers.

What conditions can be helped by rehab exercises?

  • Acute trauma
  • Chronic injuries
  • Repetitive use injuries
  • Sports injury
  • Any skeletal muscular injury of the spine or extremities
  • Skeletal muscular or neuromuscular conditions

What will my rehabilitation program consist of?

Your individualized program could include any combination of the following:

Education- Understanding the basic concepts of the mechanism of injury and the structures involved can help speed up the recovery process.

Manual Therapy- Used to correct muscle imbalances. Manual therapy can consist of specific massage modalities, muscle energy techniques, muscle mobilization techniques or a combination of soft tissue release with active or passive range of motion.

Postural and Gait Analysis & Modifications- Assessing how you move, walk, stand and sit helps identify imbalances. Recommendations are given for movement modifications that you can implement into your daily routine and feel immediate improvements.

Neuromuscular Re-Education (NMR)- Various manual, muscle energy and exercise techniques used to improve balance, coordination, posture, kinesthetic sense and proprioception.

Infrared Therapy- Also known as light therapy or cold laser. Low levels of infrared light are used to increase collagen production, cell growth, and muscle-tendon strength while accelerating energy production, the inflammatory process, and decreasing pain.

A Home Exercise Program (HEP)- Consisting of specific stretches and strengthening exercises to restore balance and strength, as well as movement modifications and other modalities and techniques recommended to be done in between visits (ie: epsom salt baths).

Ergonomic & Biomechanics Changes- Standing, sitting or lying down should be comfortable.  Changing your workstation/bed/car seat position and other areas you sit/stand for prolonged periods of time can greatly reduce pain and discomfort.  Instructions are given for proper chair/desk height, computer screen, keyboard and mouse placement along with the placement of books, TVs, phones and other objects in relationship to your position.

Kinesio Tape- Elastic, latex-free tape lasting 3-5 days that re-educates the neuromuscular system, reduces pain, promotes healing, promotes lymph flow and decreases swelling.

Athletic Taping/Bracing- Used to prevent and manage sports and work injuries by immobilizing a joint and providing support during activity.

Paraffin- Used for increasing circulation in hands and feet to speed healing and soothe muscle and joint pain.

Custom Orthotics (insoles)- Prescription orthotics to correct imbalances in your feet that may be contributing to pain higher up in the kinetic chain (ankles, knees, hips, low back).

Sports/Life Specific Re-Conditioning- Exercises to bridge the gap between rehab and fitness allowing you to ease back into pain-free activities.