“For many people, getting to an appointment at a clinic adds extra stress to an already stressful time. Having a physiotherapist who will come to you can allow the patient to relax in their own space, and focus more fully on the rehab process.”
Shaun Neufeldt has been a physiotherapist for over a quarter century, including 19 years working within Southern Health. Having retired from the hospital system, he now works in the private sector. He recently opened his new business, Shaun Neufeldt Mobile Physiotherapy, where he strives to bring health and healing to residents in southeastern Manitoba.
“Every day I meet new people who are having a rough time and I can help them with that,” Neufeldt shares. “Every patient that I see has a different situation, different circumstances, different health issues that they’re going through, and I can walk through it with them.”
Shaun Neufeldt Mobile Physiotherapy is a completely mobile service. Neufeldt says that there aren’t many physiotherapy situations that can’t be addressed at a patient’s home, or in a personal care home, and reports that for many patients a home setting is preferable. Reasons may include advanced age, limited mobility, or even removing the need to find childcare during an appointment.
“Also, much of the rehab process happens between physiotherapy appointments, when the patient is working on their ‘homework’,” says Neufeldt. “Being in a person’s own space allows me to see the challenges they face on a daily basis, and guides me in making recommendations about what may or may not work as a home exercise program. If we want to have a person work on their goals at home between appointments, then we’d better be able to figure out a way to do that without fancy equipment.”
Neufeldt greatly appreciates the opportunity of seeing clients in their own environment, which he says gives him a sneak peek into the daily challenges they face.
“It’s a very personal service,” Neufeldt admits. “Also, it’s dedicated one-on-one time. Often, if you go to a clinic, that therapist is running back and forth between two or three patients. If I’m in a patient’s home, they know that I’m totally focused on them.”
Clients are not required to do any special preparations before their appointments beyond ensuring that there’s a little space for Neufeldt to set up the treatment table. Even then, if clients are not comfortable getting up onto the treatment table, they can choose to have treatments on their own beds, or even on the floor.
Neufeldt explains that almost any physiotherapy diagnosis can be treated within the home.
“In my career, there isn’t a lot I haven’t seen. Almost any medical condition affecting the physical body could benefit, in one way or another, from physiotherapy. I have seen folks recovering from strokes, joint replacements, other orthopedic surgeries, and countless other muscular or neurological conditions.”
Physiotherapists are recognized as direct service providers within the province of Manitoba, removing the need for a doctor’s referral in order to begin setting up appointments. Neufeldt notes that he will gladly coordinate as needed with the client’s doctor, surgeon, or specialist to create the most effective treatment plan, but an initial doctor’s referral is not necessary.
For more information, call 204-371-5548, email shaun@neufeldtphysio.ca, or visit his website.