W
hen most think of people rehabilitating injuries, they might think of professional athletes working to get back to the diamond, pitch, field or the ice.
But in reality, a bulk of those rehabilitating are there for simple reasons; to get back to living the way they used to.
Since 2018, Guelph Performance Fitness & Therapy has been a local hub for sports rehabilitation and fitness. The genesis of the centre was serendipitous of sorts. Alana Gulka was looking to expand her Athletic Therapy practice, and the gym where she occupied a space just so happened to be closing.
Along with her husband, they took over the gym and transformed the space into a facility where people could both exercise and do their rehab work under the guidance and care of Athletic Therapists.
Having worked in the field, Gulka was all too familiar with how some clinics operated like a fast-food chain, to get as many people through the doors as possible.
With Guelph Performance, she took the antithesis to that approach; give each patient the care and attention they deserve, while helping them work towards their athletic goals.
“We’re working on building this environment where people are part of their rehab journey rather than having therapy done to them,” Gulka said. “We’re a unique mix of practitioners rooted in Athletic Therapy to help people get better on their terms.”
The clinic has a wide range of clientele, everyone from kids to grandparents. Guelph Performance Fitness & Therapy sees a lot of athletes, but it also may be someone working towards running their first marathon, or even being able to sit on the floor to play with their grandchildren.
Unlike other clinics, Gulka doesn’t believe in “block booking”, meaning you’re not locked into a long-term plan or commitment after your initial consultation. The active rehab approach of Athletic Therapy lends to constantly and rapidly evolving goals which might see you back in play sooner than you would think. Their average client injury is resolved after 4.7 visits, so it’s not always a long and arduous process to get back to normal.
While some of their services are covered by employer benefits, many patients at Guelph Performance Fitness & Therapy pay out of pocket for services. A doctor’s referral isn’t required to use their services, and most are happy to invest in their own health when they see how their quality of life might improve.
“We’re positioning ourselves less as: ‘Come see us because it’s covered by benefits,’ and more: ‘Come see us because it’s going to be a benefit to you,’ and it’s worth paying out of pocket,” Gulka said. “If you’re paying $1,000 to play football this season, maybe coming in a couple of times for your injury is worth it, even if you don’t get reimbursed.”
For some patients, they’ve lived with pain or discomfort for a long time, and they’ve already tried other things like traditional physiotherapy with no luck. But many find success with Athletic Therapy by targeting the specific injury, and they often wonder why they didn’t come to the clinic sooner.
“My favourite clients are people who thought that they were broken, but they aren’t,” Gulka said. “I thought I would have bad ankles for the rest of my life, but now I can walk without pain. I thought I’d never be able to put my ponytail in myself again. So many people think they’re broken.
“For me, my own personal favourite client is somebody who I’m able to help not feel broken.”
Regardless of your sport or situation, Guelph Performance Fitness & Therapy can help.
They can learn about the demands of your sport to help you return to action and feel better. To find out more, visit GuelphPerformance.com or visit their clinic at 175 Dawson Road, Guelph.
