FAQs
What is PsA Coach all about?
PsA Coach is an individualized approach to help improve mobility & comfort, targeted at anyone with less movement capability than desired - from someone who knows first-hand what its like.
This could include those with psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, or anyone working through injury recovery or long periods of immobility.
It could be that one part of your body doesn’t move or feel the way you’d like, or maybe you’re experiencing discomfort all over.
A lot of understanding has changed in the past 10-20 years in regard to introducing targeted movement as a way to reduce inflammation & expand physical capability.
While I have personally experienced and can demonstrate these benefits, I’m not yet seeing the concepts included in more traditional programs designed to manage degenerative joint disease, or other causes of low mobility & discomfort.
The goal of individualized sessions is to tailor the right starting point and progressions for each person. We’re all working towards the same thing, but everyone needs a personalized path to get there.
I needed a coach to get started - and now I can be your coach too. The methodology can be appropriate for just about anyone, if you’re unsure if its a fit for you - please inquire!
What happens in the first consult?
We’ll schedule an online call that typically lasts 60-90 minutes. The time is yours to decide what to focus on, but usually it looks like this:
Q&A - a chance to ask whatever questions you’d like about my experience, or what you’re feeling and how it relates to movement capability.
Your history & goals - we’ll talk about your situation, the experience you’ve had to date, and your goals for the future.
Assess your movement capability - we’ll examine and discuss the way certain parts of your body can demonstrate movement. We’ll focus on the areas most of interest to you, or most important to movement in general.
Discussion - how your current capability plays into your goals.
Learn - we’ll walk through the first movement skills you'll be starting with, and I’ll provide specific cues for you based on your starting point.
Programming - I’ll provide a list of suggestions & reminders to add to your daily routine, so you can begin practicing on your own.
Topics also include: understanding inflammation & joint health, how range of motion gets restored incrementally, what’s happening inside the joint, injury mitigation & mobility, things to watch out for and learning how to start CARs = controlled articular rotations in a way that fits for you.
What happens in the ongoing consults?
During follow-up consults, we’ll re-evaluate specific movements and determine what progressions or variations are appropriate. This is generally accomplished by observing the skill with which you can demonstrate isolated joint movement using CARs.
We can also discuss new goals, or assessing/programming for additional priorities or ways to get you back doing the things you like to do.
Do I have to book ongoing consults?
No. After your first consult, you can decide to book or not book consults on any frequency that works for you.
The initial programming provided after the 1st consult is typically most useful for 1-4 weeks, at which time it would be of higher value to understand where to progress the challenge.
There’s no requirement to do so however, and you can continue with the original information in whatever way it works for you.
What is the cost?
Consults are $125 per hour.
The 1st consult usually runs 60-90 mins and is currently the same fee.
What if I need a lot of help, or want to meet frequently?
If you’d like extra or more frequent help, 1-1 sessions are usually available as much as you’d prefer. That might mean a more frequent sequence at first, and less often as you start to further develop your own routine.
Let me know what you’re looking for and we can arrange a plan. If you’d like to book a series of consults in advance, discounted rates are available.
If you are interested but unable to budget for this expense, please let me know - we can see if there are options to help make it come together.
What will I need to get started?
PsA Coach sessions will be conducted over Zoom or similar web meeting services, so you’ll need a device + webcam + Internet access to connect.
At your location, very little is needed to begin. Typically we’d need things like a regular chair, a desk or table, a yoga block or larger book, a couch cushion or pillow. If you have hard floors, it can be helpful to have a cushioned mat. (but its never required to get on the floor)
Every setup will be accommodated individually to allow for seated, standing or positions on the floor, as capability allows.
How hard is it, what is the movement like?
CARs = controlled articular rotations are the primary movement skill taught as part of PsA Coach
These movements are generally isolated to one part of your body at a time, and can be setup so they are less demanding than your current daily activities.
There is typically a suitable starting point for everyone.
Can you help if I already have a coach/trainer?
Absolutely! I can help coordinate a plan with you and your existing coach for managing inflammation, assessing current capability, and acquiring more articular function in those places where it is most needed.