Dr. Gilliard provides individualized treatment plans using a variety of services, including manual techniques and modalities to decrease pain, improve mobility, and restore function quickly.
Chiropractic
Chiropractic therapy is a hands-on, non-surgical intervention often consisting of joint manipulation or mobilization, soft tissue therapy, exercise, modality use, and education. Dr. Gilliard develops individualized treatment plans for his patients based on their unique presentation, often combining services to generate the best patient outcomes possible in each treatment session.
For more information on Chiropractic therapy, visit my What is Chiropractic page, the Ontario Chiropractic Association, or the Canadian Chiropractic Association.
Contemporary Medical Acupuncture
Acupuncture has been used as a method of treatment for centuries, but in modern practice is just beginning to be recognized as a beneficial addition to chiropractic therapy. Dr. Gilliard uses fine, solid, sterile acupuncture needles to stimulate tissue healing, blood perfusion, reduce pain, and restore muscle activation. Depending on your presentation, he may also include electrical input — termed electroacupuncture — to enhance clinical effect.
To learn more about acupuncture, review my About Acupuncture page, or visit the Contemporary Acupuncture website.
Soft Tissue Release
Soft Tissue Release is a manual soft tissue technique used to relax tight muscles, improve functional mobility, and decrease pain. It is similar to other hands-on treatment methods, combining myofascial release, therapeutic massage, and active assisted stretching to provide fast, comfortable, and lasting pain relief and performance restoration.
Click here to learn more about Soft Tissue Release.
Low-Intensity Laser Therapy
The low-intensity laser therapy used in our clinic is a non-invasive, painless, easily administered modality used to decrease inflammation, manage painful symptoms, and stimulate recovery from injury. Dr. Gilliard may recommend laser therapy as a primary tool in your treatment plan, or as a supportive means to accelerate your recovery. A wide spectrum of conditions often respond well to laser treatment, including rotator cuff injury, knee osteoarthritis, repetitive strain injuries, and others.
Read more about Laser Therapy here, or follow the link to BioFlex Laser Therapy.
Rehabilitative Exercise
Exercise prescription often plays a significant role in restoring function, improving mobility, and decreasing pain. This active component of care (things you do for yourself) compliments the delivery of passive care (things your chiropractor does for you) extremely well, and when both types of care are being delivered, patient outcomes are improved significantly.
Postural, Performance, or Athletic Taping
Taping is often used as a temporary support, proprioceptive reminder, or postural cue. It can be applied in a variety of conditions, and may be effective when used in conjunction with other therapies. Athletic taping is typically single-use, and applied immediately before sport participation. Kinesiotape however, can sometimes be applied for 3-5 days at a time.
Referral for Advanced Imaging
In some cases, a patient’s history and physical examination may not distinguish a clear diagnosis, and gathering more information becomes necessary. When this occurs, referral for advanced imaging (such as an x-ray, ultrasound, or MRI) may be advised, and/or communication with your family medical doctor becomes necessary.
Orthotics
Dr. Gilliard’s services may occasionally include a recommendation for over the counter or custom orthotics as a form of treatment for foot and/or lower limb discomfort. Each patient’s case is unique, however some people find orthotics and supports provide relief from these types of complaints, and when used along-side other clinical interventions can be very effective.