Alyson Schwichtenberg – Physiotherapist | Oakville, ON

Alyson Schwichtenberg is a dedicated Physiotherapist. Practicing at The Massage Clinic Health Centres in Oakville, ON, Alyson Schwichtenberg is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with College of Physiotherapists of Ontario standards. Alyson Schwichtenberg's role involves addressing a wide range of muscle, joint, bone, tendon, and ligament conditions. This includes everything from acute injuries like sprains and strains, to chronic pain management, arthritis care, and comprehensive post-operative rehabilitation. Alyson Schwichtenberg also provides specialized assessment and treatment for conditions related to the pelvic floor and surrounding region for all genders. This includes issues such as incontinence, pelvic pain, pelvic organ prolapse, sexual dysfunction, and pre/post-natal concerns. Alyson Schwichtenberg serves patients of all ages, from infants to seniors.

Alyson Schwichtenberg completed their degree in Physiotherapy from University of Toronto (Graduating Class of 2018). With clinical experience, Alyson Schwichtenberg is committed to ongoing professional development and evidence-based physiotherapy practices. Alyson Schwichtenberg has a particular interest or further training in areas such as Pelvic Health Physiotherapy and Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy.

Alyson Schwichtenberg empowers patients through clear education about their condition and practical self-management strategies for lasting results. Alyson Schwichtenberg utilizes a patient-centered approach, actively involving individuals in their treatment planning and goal setting. Alyson Schwichtenberg employs a collaborative approach, working with patients to achieve their movement and functional goals. Alyson Schwichtenberg offers consultations in English.

Alyson Schwichtenberg provides skilled physiotherapist care for a variety of health concerns, including but not limited to:

Back Neck Pain

• Spinal Stenosis Symptoms: Nerve compression symptoms due to a narrowing (stenosis) of the spinal canal or the small openings where nerves exit the spine (foramina), most commonly in the lumbar (lower back) or cervical (neck) regions.
• Postural Back/Neck Pain: Muscular pain, trigger points, and tension headaches resulting from habitual poor posture, which can be addressed with postural re-education, exercises, and ergonomic advice.
• Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD): A range of neck and related symptoms including pain, stiffness, headaches, dizziness, and sometimes arm pain or cognitive difficulties, following a rapid acceleration-deceleration injury to the neck, most typically from a motor vehicle accident.
• Herniated Disc / Sciatica / Radiculopathy: Back or neck pain that often radiates into an arm or leg, potentially with numbness, tingling, weakness, or burning sensations, due to a spinal disc problem (herniation, protrusion, or bulge) compressing or irritating a nearby nerve root (radiculopathy). Sciatica specifically refers to radicular pain down the leg.

Common Musculoskeletal

• Muscle Strains and Tears: Injury to muscle tissue that limits your strength, range of motion, and ability to perform specific movements or activities, requiring careful rehabilitation.
• Musculoskeletal Injuries (General - Tendinitis, Bursitis, Capsulitis, Sprains, Strains): Common injuries related to physical activity, sports participation, accidental falls, or overuse from daily or work-related tasks.
• Wrist and Hand Pain (e.g., Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, De Quervain's Tenosynovitis, Strains): Pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, or stiffness in the wrist, hand, or fingers, often resulting from overuse, repetitive tasks, arthritis, or specific conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome or De Quervain's tenosynovitis.

This list offers examples of conditions commonly addressed. Diagnosis for physiotherapist is based on individual assessment, so if your specific concern isn't listed, please contact the clinic. Alyson Schwichtenberg can assess your needs.

• Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT): ESWT for chronic tendinopathies, heel spurs, and other musculoskeletal problems, aiming to break down scar tissue, increase blood flow, and trigger a healing response.
• Therapeutic Ultrasound Application: Ultrasound therapy as part of a comprehensive treatment plan, often used to prepare tissues for manual therapy or exercise, or to manage acute and chronic soft tissue injuries.
• Post-Natal (Postpartum) Rehabilitation: Helping you rebuild strength, stability, and confidence in your body during the postpartum period, addressing concerns like 'mummy tummy' or bladder leakage.
• Pre-Natal (Pregnancy) Physiotherapy: Physiotherapy support to help you stay active, comfortable, and strong throughout your pregnancy, addressing the physical challenges and changes your body undergoes.
• Interferential Current (IFC) / TENS Therapy: The use of specific electrical stimulation devices (IFC or TENS) by your Physiotherapist to provide pain relief, reduce muscle spasm, decrease swelling, or promote muscle activation and re-education.
• Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) / Photobiomodulation: A non-invasive light therapy used in physiotherapy to treat various musculoskeletal conditions, promote faster healing, reduce pain, and modulate inflammation without generating heat.

Note: This list highlights some key services. For a full list of therapies offered by Alyson Schwichtenberg, or to discuss your specific needs, please contact the clinic.

All services are provided in accordance with the scope of practice for Physiotherapists in ON and the standards set by The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario.

At The Massage Clinic Health Centres, physiotherapy is focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health and daily activities. Alyson Schwichtenberg frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• Struggling with the frustration of tendonitis pain flaring up in my shoulder, knee, elbow, or foot? Alyson Schwichtenberg develops individualized physiotherapy programs specifically aimed at achieving a renewed sense of vitality and enthusiasm for daily activities. This is key to helping you get back to doing comfortably cooking and meal prepping for their family with confidence and significantly reduced discomfort.
• Patients often come to Alyson Schwichtenberg feeling defeated by swelling in my arm or leg, possibly lymphedema, after surgery or treatment. With a supportive and targeted physiotherapy approach, achieving getting back to enjoying life's simple pleasures without physical limitations and resuming handling their job that involves frequent standing, walking, or bending becomes a realistic and attainable goal.
• With Alyson Schwichtenberg's help, managing my child walking on their toes most of the time to achieve getting back to hiking, running, or cycling pain-free and with renewed vigor becomes a clear journey, allowing patients to confidently re-engage with life and activities like playing a few sets of tennis without shoulder pain.
• Are you finding that hip pain when I walk, climb stairs, or try to sleep on my side stops you from enjoying maintaining an upright posture while working on their computer for hours? Alyson Schwichtenberg is dedicated to helping patients like you achieve feeling a substantial improvement in their mobility and range of motion for easier movement through a hands-on, active approach to physiotherapy.

Your personalized physiotherapy plan, developed with Alyson Schwichtenberg, will be designed to help you reach your specific functional and wellness objectives.

Alyson Schwichtenberg practices at The Massage Clinic Health Centres, situated in the River Oaks, College Park neighborhood of Oakville. The clinic is conveniently located near Sheridan College Trafalgar Campus and is accessible via Oakville Transit. Ample parking is generally accessible close to the clinic entrance.

What is physiotherapy and how can it help me?

Physiotherapy is a healthcare profession dedicated to helping people of all ages improve their movement, function, and overall well-being. A registered Physiotherapist uses evidence-based techniques like targeted exercise, hands-on manual therapy, and personalized education to assess, diagnose, and treat a wide range of injuries, pain conditions, and physical impairments affecting your muscles, bones, joints, nerves, and even your cardiorespiratory system. It can help you reduce pain, increase mobility and strength, recover from surgery, prevent future injuries, and enhance your quality of life.

Do I need a doctor's referral to see a Physiotherapist in ON?

In Ontario, you can typically see a Physiotherapist directly without a doctor's referral. This is known as direct access. However, some private/extended health insurance plans may require a referral for reimbursement of physiotherapy services. It is strongly recommended that you check with your insurance provider before your first appointment to understand their specific requirements.

Is physiotherapy covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) in ON?

OHIP generally does NOT cover physiotherapy services in private outpatient clinics for most Ontarians. Publicly funded physiotherapy is available in specific situations (e.g., post-hospitalization for certain conditions, for children/youth, seniors, or through Community Physiotherapy Clinics/Family Health Teams), but eligibility criteria are strict and there may be waitlists. It is strongly advised that you check your private/extended health insurance plan, as many offer significant coverage for physiotherapy services in private clinics.

What is manual therapy in physiotherapy?

In physiotherapy, manual therapy encompasses a range of 'hands-on' interventions. Your Physiotherapist may use these techniques to help reduce your pain, increase joint movement, relax tight muscles, or improve the mobility of your nerves. Common approaches include joint glides, sustained pressures, specific soft tissue massage, and, when indicated, joint manipulations. It's a key part of helping your body move better.

What should I expect during my first physiotherapy appointment?

Your initial physiotherapy appointment is a comprehensive assessment. Your Physiotherapist will start by discussing your medical history, the details of your current symptoms or injury, your concerns, and what you hope to achieve with physiotherapy (your functional goals). This is followed by a thorough physical examination, which may include evaluating your range of motion, strength, posture, balance, and specific movement patterns, as well as performing special tests relevant to your condition. Based on these findings, your therapist will provide a clinical impression or diagnosis, discuss a personalized treatment plan with you, and often begin some initial treatment or provide education and a home exercise program to get you started.

What are The Massage Clinic Health Centres's operating hours?

The Massage Clinic Health Centres is typically open Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM, and some practitioners offer Saturday appointments from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. However, hours can vary by practitioner and day, so please call the clinic or check their website for the most current hours and specific practitioner availability.

The Massage Clinic Health Centres
7-575 River Glen Blvd.
Oakville, ON, L6H 6X6

Phone: (905) 257-5888

Alyson Schwichtenberg is regulated by the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 and Physiotherapy Act, 1991 in ON and is a registered member of The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario.

Registration Number: XXX95

Verify registration with The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: https://portal.collegept.org/en-US/public-register/display-member-contact/?id=3a88b940-96b3-e811-8168-480fcfeae051

Always consult with your primary healthcare provider before starting any new treatment program.