D. Christine Gibner

D. Christine Gibner provides skilled physiotherapist care for a variety of health concerns, including but not limited to:

Vestibular Balance

• Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD / 3PD): A chronic functional dizziness disorder characterized by persistent sensations of dizziness, unsteadiness, or non-spinning vertigo (often lasting for 3 months or more), typically exacerbated by upright posture, active or passive motion, or exposure to complex or moving visual environments (e.g., busy supermarkets, scrolling on a screen). Often follows an acute vestibular event, medical illness, or period of psychological distress.
• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): Brief, often intense, episodes of dizziness or a spinning sensation (vertigo) triggered by specific changes in head position (e.g., rolling over in bed, looking up, bending down), caused by displaced inner ear crystals (otoconia).
• Vestibular Hypofunction (Unilateral or Bilateral): Individualized exercise programs including gaze stabilization exercises (e.g., VORx1, VORx2), habituation exercises (for motion sensitivity), and balance retraining to improve function when the vestibular system is impaired.
• General Balance Deficits and Increased Fall Risk: Difficulty maintaining stability during standing, walking, or changing positions, which may be due to various factors including age-related changes, neurological conditions, musculoskeletal weakness, sensory impairments, or medication side effects, often leading to an increased risk of falls.

Arthritis

• Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS): A physiotherapy approach to address the unique challenges of AS, aiming to keep you as mobile and active as possible and support your spinal health and overall well-being.
• Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA): Individualized exercise programs and pain management strategies tailored for psoriatic arthritis to help reduce symptoms and improve your quality of life.
• Gout (Management of Musculoskeletal Impairments): Exercises and advice to manage the impact of gout on your joints, improve mobility, and reduce the likelihood of long-term joint damage.

Back Neck Pain

• Spinal Stenosis Symptoms: Often age-related changes leading to pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots, causing pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs with walking (neurogenic claudication in lumbar stenosis) or in the arms/hands (cervical stenosis).
• Herniated Disc / Sciatica / Radiculopathy: Pain, pins and needles, numbness, or weakness in an arm or leg resulting from irritation or compression of a spinal nerve, often managed effectively with physiotherapy techniques like McKenzie method or neural mobilization.
• Postural Back/Neck Pain: Pain and muscle tension related to ergonomic factors at work or home, muscle imbalances, and suboptimal body mechanics or movement habits.

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. Christy can assess your needs.

• Rehabilitation for Age-Related Deconditioning & Loss of Autonomy: Rehabilitation focused on reversing the effects of deconditioning, combating frailty, and restoring autonomy for seniors, enabling them to live more fully.
• Neural Mobilization Techniques (Nerve Gliding): Improving the mobility and health of your nervous system to reduce pain, restore sensation, and enhance overall function.
• Muscle Energy Techniques (MET): Active patient participation through guided, gentle muscle contractions to restore normal joint play, reduce muscle guarding, and improve tissue length.
• Soft Tissue Mobilization & Release Techniques: Hands-on treatment focusing on your body's soft tissues to restore pliability, reduce discomfort, and optimize movement quality.
• Geriatric Physiotherapy & Seniors' Health: Helping older adults stay active, mobile, independent, and confident in their physical abilities through compassionate and evidence-based physiotherapy.
• Manual Therapy (Joint Mobilization & Manipulation): Manual treatments specifically designed to improve joint mechanics, alleviate discomfort, reduce stiffness, and enhance your range of motion in the spine or limbs.

Note: This list highlights some key services. For a full list of therapies offered by Christy, 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 Colhoun Family Chiropractic, physiotherapy is focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health and daily activities. Christy frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• For those whose recovering from a concussion and dealing with lingering symptoms like dizziness or headaches has made returning to dancing, whether it's ballet, salsa, or just for fun seem like a distant memory, Christy's physiotherapy care offers a clear path toward developing better body awareness and understanding of healthy movement patterns. Effective, evidence-based treatments can be instrumental in helping you get back to returning to dancing, whether it's ballet, salsa, or just for fun with greater comfort and renewed confidence.
• Patients struggling with feeling generally stiff, achy, and less mobile than I used to be can find dedicated and compassionate support from Christy. The therapeutic focus is squarely on achieving feeling more energetic and less weighed down by physical discomfort, using a range of physiotherapy services to facilitate a return to meaningful daily activities such as getting back to their regular, consistent gym workouts.
• With Christy's help, managing breathing difficulties and shortness of breath with COPD or asthma, especially during activity to achieve a renewed sense of vitality and enthusiasm for daily activities becomes a clear journey, allowing patients to confidently re-engage with life and activities like getting on and off the floor with ease.
• Rediscover your ability to attending and enjoying their children's or grandchildren's sporting events without the constant burden of trying to stay as mobile and active as possible while living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Christy focuses on evidence-based treatment plans that lead to less reliance on pain medication, trusting more in their body's ability to heal and function, integrating various therapeutic techniques for optimal and lasting results.

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

Christy practices at Colhoun Family Chiropractic, a physiotherapy clinic in the central Kincardine neighborhood of Kincardine. The clinic is conveniently located near nearby parks and community recreation facilities and is accessible via local public transit routes. Please inquire regarding specific accessibility needs for our clinic. Ample parking is generally accessible close to the clinic entrance.

What should I do if my condition seems to worsen after a physiotherapy session?

It's not uncommon to experience some temporary soreness or a mild increase in symptoms after certain physiotherapy treatments, especially in the initial stages or if you're starting new exercises. This usually subsides within 24-48 hours. However, if you experience a significant or sharp increase in pain, new or worsening neurological symptoms (like numbness, tingling, or weakness), or if your soreness lasts longer than expected, it's important to contact Colhoun Family Chiropractic or your physician directly. They can provide advice, adjust your treatment plan if necessary, or determine if you need to be reassessed.

Can physiotherapy help prevent injuries or recurring pain?

Yes, absolutely! Physiotherapy plays a significant role in injury prevention and managing recurring pain. Your Physiotherapist can identify underlying risk factors such as muscle imbalances, poor movement patterns, postural issues, or biomechanical inefficiencies. By addressing these through targeted exercises, education on proper body mechanics, ergonomic advice, and activity modification, physiotherapy can help reduce your risk of initial injury, prevent re-injury, and manage chronic conditions more effectively, keeping you active and healthy.

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

In Ontario, you can typically see a Physiotherapist directly without a physician's referral (direct access). However, some private/extended health insurance plans may require a referral for reimbursement. Check your insurance policy before your first appointment.

Is there anything specific I should bring to my first physiotherapy appointment?

Bring your health card, any relevant medical information (doctor's referral, imaging reports), a medication list, and your insurance card (if applicable). Wear comfortable clothing.

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

OHIP generally does NOT cover physiotherapy services in private outpatient clinics. Publicly funded physiotherapy is available in specific situations (e.g., post-hospitalization), but eligibility is strict. Check your private insurance for coverage.

Colhoun Family Chiropractic
996 Queen Street
Kincardine, ON, N2Z 2Y2

Phone: (519) 396-9515

D. Christine Gibner 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: XXX07

Verify registration with The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: https://portal.collegept.org/en-US/public-register/display-member-contact/?id=7926e69f-8e02-e811-8134-480fcff4f671

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