What to expect from a session
The consult is an opportunity for everyone to get to know each other. Your four-legged friends can explore the space while we talk about what I'm seeing in how he/she moves, what you or your vet have seen and what I'm finding in my examination. Everything is slow and gentle and is guided by the patient's comfort and preferences. In the consultation, I am working hard to gain the trust of my patient and to slowly introduce the type of exam and treatments that we will use going forward. I don't want to use heavy restraint or force a patient to do something they don't like. Depending on the patient's pain level and personality, it may take several sessions to gain enough trust to allow me to accomplish the treatment plan I set for the patient. If a patient doesn't feel comfortable with a particular treatment modality, I can always switch to a different modality or move on to another location and come back to what we were working on later.
Each follow up session is similar to the consult. I may watch patients move and have you complete some specific walking exercises or I may quietly watch what they do as they enter the gym. We will talk about expereiences after the previous session and I may palpate some specific areas if I think it will give me more information or if the patient will permit. Treatment plans will be adjusted if they are not resulting in outcomes related to our treatment goals or we may continue a specific treatment plan if we are happy with the results we are seeing. Most treatment plans consist of more than one modality. You are always a part of this process.
Treatment plans are based on my assessment, findings, experience and what I think is safe and effective for your buddy. My goal is to provide the safest and best possible outcome for my patients. Ultimately I am responsible for the care of my patients, so I will not perform treatments that I think could result in harm or worsening of a patient's condition.