Sport & Spine Therapy of Marin - Physical Therapy & Hand Therapy in Novato

We provide quality, comprehensive treatment for patients who are injured or suffering from any type of movement or function disorder.

As a key member of today's dynamic health care team, we prescribe a goal-oriented program of evaluation, treatment, and prevention for our patient's specific needs. 

Conditions we treat include but are not limited to: 

• Orthopedic and sports injuries
• Pre/post surgical rehabilitation
• Back and neck injuries/pain
• Work injuries
• Auto accident injuries

The benefits of physical therapy include: 

• Relief of pain and muscle spasms
• Improved mobility and increased range of motion
• Increased or maintained strength and endurance
• Decreased swelling and inflammation of joints
• Decreased physical stresses

Vertigo, dizziness, and imbalance are commonly associated with a problem with the inner ear or vestibular system functioning. There are many causes of vertigo and dizziness that are treatable with the guidance of a physical therapist with specialized training in Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy.

Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy is a specialized form of physical therapy that uses specific exercises or activities to promote recovery of balance and a sense of stability. The type of therapeutic strategies your therapist implements will depend on the cause of your dizziness and the severity of your symptoms.

Your therapist will conduct a thorough evaluation to help determine if your dizziness will respond to Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy. Depending on the findings of the physical therapy evaluation, the therapist will then proceed with treatment and/or possibly a referral to another appropriate health care provider. Most often, you will respond quickly and favorably to the initial treatment. Our Physical Therapists have extensive training and expertise in Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy.

Causes of dizziness we treat

• BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo)
• Vestibular Hypofunction (often due to vestibular neuritis or labyrinthitis)
• Vestibular Migraine or Migraine Associated Dizziness
• Cervicogenic Dizziness or dizziness associated with neck problems
• Dizziness due to concussion/ traumatic brain injury
• Persistent Postural Perceptual Dizziness (formerly known as Chronic Subjective Dizziness)
• Mal de debarquement

Occupational therapy takes a holistic approach to care through addressing the clinical conditions of a patient and recommending habits and home adaptations to help them participate more fully in day-to-day life. Just like Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists develop a plan of care to help patients with specific goals.

Conditions we treat include but are not limited to: 

• Orthopedic and sports injuries
• Hand therapy
• Pre/post-surgical rehabilitation
• Neurologic conditions
• Work injuries
• Auto accident injuries
• Home safety evaluations

The benefits of occupational therapy include: 

• Relief of pain and muscle spasms
• Improved mobility and increased range of motion
• Improved function with Activities of Daily Living (ADL's)
• Improved visual integration
• Decreased physical stresses

Falls and fear of falling in our senior population are recognized public health crises.

According to the CDC, falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths in older adults by a wide margin. Each year, more than two million seniors experience a fall severe enough to necessitate emergency medical treatment. This number along with the associated personal and societal costs of falling is expected to rise as our population ages. Despite these grim statistics, many falls are preventable with professional interventions that address the causes of falling in older adults.

Our expert clinicians are trained in evidence-based interventions that are proven by controlled clinical trials to effectively reduce the number of falls in older adults.

There are other factors that also contribute to falls. Neurological conditions such as Parkinson's Disease, stroke, multiple sclerosis, brain injury, vestibular disorders, and neuropathy also increase fall risk. Our therapy team is well equipped to address the problems of falling and the fear of falling in individuals living with these conditions.

Rapid Recovery Options:

• Rapid Recovery Normatec/Game Ready/Kinesio Taping
• Tool-Assisted Manual Therapy
• Cupping

Tool-Assisted Manual Therapy

Tool-Assisted Manual Therapy is a type of physical therapy that promotes the regeneration of healthy soft tissues (muscles, tendons, etc.) and eliminates or decreases scar tissue that might be causing discomfort or movement limitations.

Astym therapy has been shown to be highly successful in restoring movement and alleviating pain from soft tissue injury/dysfunction, even when other techniques fail. One of the major reasons for this is that Astym was created to address the underlying source of a number of soft tissue issues rather than merely treating symptoms.

• IT band syndrome
• Patellar tendinosis, chronic patellar tendinitis/tendonitis (jumper’s knee)
• Achilles tendinosis and chronic Achilles tendinitis
• Shin splints
• Chronic hamstring strain
• Lateral epicondylosis, chronic lateral epicondylitis
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• DeQuervain’s tenosynovitis
• Wrist sprain
• Plantar fasciopathy/heel pain/chronic plantar fasciitis
• Joint contractures
• Overuse injuries
• Pain or loss of motion & function following surgery, trauma, or overuse injury

Game Ready

Game Ready provides a range of accessories to bring you comprehensive, integrated, and comfortable treatment options – including cold therapy, heat therapy, rapid contrast therapy, and intermittent compression therapy.

Kinesio Taping

Kinesio taping is a form of medical adhesive tape used to treat musculoskeletal problems. It's made of breathable, flexible material, usually cotton or a cotton blend, and is applied just below the skin's surface.

The benefits of kinesiology taping are to improve circulation, support muscles, encourage healing, and help prevent injury or further injury.

Please connect with our clinic to learn more about these rapid recovery options.