Don't Let Minor Aches Become Major Pains
About Me
Hi there, I'm Brian!
After a decade in the healthcare and fitness industries and leading as the head occupational therapist at an orthopedic rehab clinic, I founded FITREHAB to address the limitations of the traditional healthcare system.
FITREHAB bridges preventative, restorative, and adaptive approaches to physical wellness, offering clients the tools to manage minor aches before they escalate and strengthening their bodies for greater resilience. Whether dealing with musculoskeletal or neurological challenges, I merge my diverse experiences to help clients overcome physical and emotional hurdles, guiding them towards better health and wellness.
What sets me apart from other coaches is my extensive and specialized expertise in upper limb rehabilitation, underpinned by thousands of hours of hands-on experience and the prestigious Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) credential. This certification, highly esteemed among surgeons and rehabilitation professionals, highlights my advanced skills in providing accurate assessments, immediate care, and effective treatment, ensuring faster recovery times and reduced medical expenses for patients.
My background also encompasses a master's degree in occupational therapy and a bachelor's degree in Sport and Exercise Science, along with certification as a personal trainer, allowing me to blend healthcare and fitness knowledge to deliver holistic, research-backed solutions.
Let's work together to overcome obstacles and reach your full potential!
Best Wishes,
Brian Ivy, MOT, CHT, CPT
My "Why"
I get it.
The traditional system is often impractical.
Access to effective care is increasingly limited by high prices and tight schedules.
Meanwhile, your minor aches and pains worsen as you patiently wait for your turn to see a specialist. Or worse, as you're passed from provider to provider.
Then, you're left wondering "what if" you were equipped with the resources to nip common aches and pains in the bud before they blossomed into an injury that requires use of the traditional system.
That's why I'm here.
After a decade working within the healthcare and fitness industries, I launched FitRehab to further bridge the gap between preventative, restorative, and compensatory/adaptive approaches to overall physical wellness.
Whether you're hoping to resolve a minor ache, strengthen your body for greater resiliency, and/or simply increase your overall physical activity, I'm here to guide you on your journey.
Testimonials
I LOVE it. I was showing people how I can actually fully reach above my head with my right arm today. I’m surprised to see how much improvement in so little time so I’m excited to keep going! The summary of each exercise is so helpful since it shows which muscles should be engaging or where you should feel the stretches.
Gabby
Frequently Asked Questions
How am I different from other coaches?
What sets me apart from other coaches is not just my extensive experience, but the depth of expertise I bring to the table, particularly in the realm of upper limb rehabilitation. With thousands of hours experience guiding clients through their recovery journeys—whether it's pre-operatively, post-operatively, or non-operatively—I possess a nuanced understanding of the body's healing processes. Moreover, my commitment to excellence is underscored by my attainment of the most respected board-certification in upper limb rehabilitation (CHT), a credential that is highly esteemed among surgeons and rehabilitation professionals. This extensive blend of hands-on experience and specialized knowledge ensures that I make informed decisions to achieve optimal outcomes for my clients, distinguishing me in a field where understanding and expertise are key.
How is occupational therapy different from physical therapy?
Physical therapy primarily focuses on improving a person's movement, strength, and overall physical abilities through exercises, stretches, and various treatments. This form of therapy aims to alleviate pain, enhance mobility, and rehabilitate individuals following injuries, surgeries, or dealing with chronic conditions. Its core objective is to enable patients to perform day-to-day physical activities with greater ease and less discomfort.
On the other hand, occupational therapists not only address physical barriers through exercise and pain-relieving modalities, but also uniquely delve into mental and cognitive barriers to wellness. Occupational therapists are specially trained to devise holistic treatment plans that address all factors that hinder an individual's ability to perform daily activities, ranging from personal care to job-related tasks.
By analyzing the tasks that make up an individual’s day, occupational therapists can customize interventions that promote independence across all areas of life. This includes precribing exercises, adapting environments, modifying tasks, teaching new skills, and providing assistive devices, all aimed at enabling individuals to live more fully.
Thus, while both disciplines aim to improve quality of life, occupational therapy distinctively bridges the gap between physical capacity and the practical execution of daily activities, considering both the body and the mind.
What is a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT)?
A Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) is a specialized occupational or physical therapist who has gained advanced certification in the treatment of hand and upper extremity conditions.
To qualify as a CHT, a therapist must have at least three years of professional experience and complete 4,000 hours of specialized practice in hand and upper extremity therapy. Additionally, they must pass a comprehensive certification examination to demonstrate their expertise in this area.
The role of a CHT encompasses providing accurate assessments, immediate care, and effective treatment to ensure a quick and cost-effective recovery. They offer a continuum of care that reduces the need for multiple medical providers, leading to faster recovery times, decreased medical expenses, and a quicker return to work and normal activities for patients. CHTs work in close collaboration with surgeons specializing in upper limb conditions to deliver the most comprehensive care possible.
CHTs are highly skilled in managing treatments for hand and upper extremity disorders, ensuring the best functional outcomes for their patients. Their advanced certification signifies a commitment to excellence in their field, requiring continuous professional development to adapt to changes and advancements in hand therapy.
CHTs are required to renew their certification every five years through ongoing education and practice to maintain their credential.
What is an Occupational Therapist (OT)?
Occupational therapists (OTs) serve a vital role in healthcare by helping individuals of all ages overcome challenges in performing everyday tasks. This can range from aiding children with disabilities to participate fully in school and social situations, to assisting adults recovering from injury to regain skills, and supporting older adults experiencing physical and cognitive changes.
The core of occupational therapy lies in its patient-centered approach, focusing on adapting the environment, modifying tasks, teaching skills, and using activities of daily living to increase participation and performance.
An OTs interventions are designed to improve a person's ability to perform daily activities, enhance their quality of life, and promote independence.
To become an occupational therapist, one must obtain a minimum of a master's degree in occupational therapy. This is followed by passing the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam. This rigorous educational and certification process ensures that occupational therapists are well-equipped with the knowledge, skills, and competencies necessary to meet the diverse needs of their clients in the healthcare and rehabilitation industries.