• Gary enjoys the challenge of getting people better and the satisfaction of seeing people learn to self-manage their condition. Often, patients are referred to him for his thoroughness and willingness to take on complex problems.

• He expands on his extensive experience by constantly striving to learn more: applying this knowledge and skill to provide the best therapy possible. He does this through one-on-one sessions and by using clinically sound, evidence-based assessment and treatment techniques.

• Gary will do his best to improve any problem to as full a recovery as possible. Though the reality may be that in some cases, little can be done from a treatment perspective or in helping to "fix" a problem. However, there are always ways to learn how to manage the problem and pain more effectively.

• All visits include a full evaluation: history and behaviour of the problem, physical examination, and review of diagnostic imaging and medical reports as necessary. Ongoing reassessments are done to ensure progress and to monitor for any issues that may hinder improvement.

• This process is critical in achieving accurate diagnoses and resolving complex problems with multiple possible causes.

• Gary enjoys rising to the challenge of diagnosing and treating conditions that may involve overlapping problems, confusing signs and symptoms, and/or any problem where someone has said: “nothing can be done”, “I have tried everything,” “you just have to live with it,” and “it is part of aging.”

• He likes to see every problem solved. If progress cannot be made with physiotherapy, Gary will work with the general practitioner/specialist to support continued, appropriate medical intervention.

• For optimal results, Gary educates on self-management of your condition. The best, long lasting treatments are self-administered as preventative measures or when the problem first occurs. Delaying care will increase the difficulty and time to manage and recover from a problem.

• Education also includes care, precautions, exercises, and activity progression. Fundamentals of pain, including sources, types, and management, are also taught.

• To eliminate dependency on treatment, Gary’s goal is to have you control the problem - not let it control you.

• There is no quick fix and most problems cannot be truly “fixed”. Many problems will get better temporarily, and often they will gradually get worse over time.  The best way to manage them is through education which will also lessen the need for ongoing dependency on the practitioner.

• As with education, it important to learn proper exercises to improve mobility and strength to help the injured area recover to as normal as possible. Exercises need to be specific for the problem, but also need to gradually progress in difficulty and functionality to help the person return to their usual activities. 

• Most people need some form of stretching and limbering exercises to help minimize the pain that comes from tight or overprotective muscles; or from the coexisting tightness of associated fascia and joints. Awareness and efforts to increase mobility will reduce or eliminate the stiffness and soreness that comes from over-exertion, injuries, and - unfortunately - the aging process.

• Many injuries require some form of strengthening to enable the problem area to better support or stabilize itself. This will allow the area to handle more loading and being able to work/play more and at higher intensity.

• Having better strength, posture, and body mechanics lessens the stress on joints and the spine. This makes day-to-day work and physical activity easier and safer to do.

• Our clinic has a small gym with basic exercise equipment suitable for demonstrations, teaching, and starting exercise programs. The goal is to get patients to do their exercises at home and/or progress to a fuller reconditioning and rehabilitation programs at a local gym.

• Many acute or chronic injuries require manual therapy to improve or help restore mobility. This may include stretching, massage, mobilizations, traction, etc. applied to muscles, joints, fascia, discs, nerves, ligaments, tendons, scar tissue and other soft tissue.

• Techniques can also help with stimulating tissue repair, increasing circulation or decreasing swelling/lymphedema.

• Gary will combine multiple methods on varied tissues to treat your specific condition(s). Therapy is always complimented with personalized exercises and education. 

• There are numerous modalities, machines, devices, and methods available to assist in the treatment of injuries. Many individual factors determine suitability, including injury type, injury severity, and the stage of recovery. Everyone is different, and responses to treatment vary widely.

• What works well for one person may not work for the next. Modalities can be very useful tools, but they should not be the only form of treatment.

• Most problems need a combination of modalities, exercises, education and/or manual therapy. At Go West Physiotherapy Clinic you may receive the following:

     - For pain control and decreasing muscle spasm: Interferential Currents (IFC), Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), Electro-acupuncture or Electrotherapeutic Point Stimulation (ETPS), ice, Laser, and/or Ultrasound (US). (Although not used at this Clinic, other similar methods include acupuncture, and IMS)
     -  To stimulate tissue repair, decrease scar tissue, and/or in some cases decrease swelling: US, Laser, some manual therapy techniques and to a small extent, IFC.
     - For muscle re-education and strengthening, Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) may be used for normal or denervated muscle weakness.

• Vestibular, balance, and concussion problems may occur together or separately. They are often misunderstood, mis-diagnosed, or missed altogether. Gary has been treating these types of problems for many years: increasing his knowledge through several courses and workshops to better assess and manage the variety of conditions that can occur.

• These types of problems can persist for years before proper treatment is sought or found. Solutions can be simple as teaching balance exercises or performing specific manoeuvres for Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). When there are complex, co-existing, and/or long-term problems, or when a significant head injury/concussion has occurred, the solutions are much more involved.

• It is important to know that these problems are often interconnected, and one problem can mimic another. A thorough assessment is required, which is followed up with appropriate therapy, exercises and education.

• Gary will complete an evaluation, provide the necessary treatment, and establish a thorough home program. Important areas to assess are: the eyes, ears, neck, spine, hip, feet; specific tolerances to exercise, light, and sound; and cognitive issues that can occur with head injuries.

• Physiotherapy is often able to significantly improve and resolve these problems. In many cases, other health practitioners are required such as occupational therapists, psychologists, and/or medical specialists.

• Physiotherapy treatment is very important before and after a joint replacement. Prior to surgery, strengthening exercises, mobility exercises, and proper care and precautions will contribute to lessening pain and minimizing complications. After surgery there is added post-surgery precautions and protocols along with recovering strength and mobility. It is critical to get thorough treatment and adhere to a good home program to achieve maximum results.

• Post-surgery problems occur when people try to progress too quickly or without proper guidance. Lack of mobility, weakness, and increased adhesions of scar tissue are easily avoided with a thorough physiotherapy and home program but are often overlooked.

• Gary has extensive knowledge of the rehabilitation required for joint replacement through his work experience at the Gorge Road Rehabilitation Centre. At one time, this facility was where most joint replacement patients on Vancouver Island were sent to following surgery.

• Gary has spent many hours at courses, workshops, and self-directed studies to address the treatment and management of neck (cervical - including whiplash), mid back (thoracic) and low back (lumbar/pelvic) problems. Courses include methods of Cyriax, Maitland, McKenzie, Mulligan, Muscle Energy Techniques, Feldenkrais, and the Canadian Physiotherapy Association Orthopaedic Division Syllabus (Level 3) and numerous others.

• Most importantly, he has applied these techniques through many years treating spinal problems with sound clinical reasoning and scientific evidence.

• He is comfortable to work on any spinal problem within his scope of practice - including disc, facet, scoliosis, stenosis, degenerative changes, spondylolisthesis, sacral iliac and myofascial problems.

• He also treats the temporal mandibular joint (TMJT) that can occur with neck problems or on its own.

• Gary has been involved with Athletic and Sports Therapy for over 40 years - achieving his Certificate in Sports Therapy in 1989. He has worked with athletes at International, National, Provincial, University, Local, and School levels in a number of sports including rugby, basketball, field hockey, soccer, track and field, wrestling, figure skating, curling, ice hockey, lacrosse, and baseball/softball. Gary has worked at the BC Games, Canada Games, and the Commonwealth Games.

• Although Gary continues to treat sport injuries, he presently does not travel with teams as much as he used to: focussing instead on his clinical work.

• He has been the team therapist for the Cowichan Secondary School senior boys’ basketball team for over 10 years and occasionally helps out with other sporting events when he is able.

• Gary is available to treat any leg or arm problem within his scope of practice. Conditions involving muscle, tendon, ligament, fascia, and joints; post-fracture problems; and post surgery situations are just some of the challenges he enjoys undertaking.

• He also has many years’ experience with a wide variety of problems that may occur with the hip, thigh, knee, calf, ankle, foot, shoulder, arm, elbow and hand. He is ready to take on any problem - from acute to chronic, sudden to repetitive, and localized to complex!

• Hand therapy and foot problems are welcome, although any required bracing or splinting will be referred to the appropriate institutions or clinics that are equipped to do that.

• Gary has experience treating non-spinal numbness and tingling such as thoracic outlet, piriformis syndrome, nerve tensioning/mobility problems, and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).

• Direct billing is available for many of the Extended Insurance Plans. The amount of payment is quite variable, depending on the type of Plan. Each person will need to check with their Plan to learn details such as their deductible, amount covered per session and per year. 

• Go West Physiotherapy Clinic accepts all patients under MSP Premium Assistance, ICBC, and Private payment options. There is a Clinic Fee added to Premium Assistance. 

• We presently are unable to bill directly to WorkSafeBC, however, with approval from WorkSafeBC, a person can pay for their visit, then be reimbursed by WorkSafe.

• We accept all Credit Cards, Interact, Tap/Apple Pay, Cheque or Cash.