Innovative Health & Rehabilitation

IHR, established in 2004, is privately owned by physical therapists.  IHR offers a high quality option to outpatient orthopedic physical therapy, athletic training and massage therapy services. A true alternative to the large, impersonal, corporate or chain physical therapy centers that are often found in this region, patients working with the IHR team will notice a superior quality of care in a more professional, patient friendly, and intimate rehabilitation setting.

The treatment setting at IHR includes individually focused, one-on-one service from skilled clinicians that have established their expertise through specialized academic degree programs, ongoing continuing education, and over 60 years of combined experience.

Above all, the clinicians at IHR seek to return their patients to the highest level of function possible using the safest and most effective methods possible.  Patient satisfaction and well being are top priorities.

SInce 1998 members of the IHR staff have provided athletic training services to several local high schools.  Currently, IHR is proud to be contracted to provide full time athletic training services with 5 local high schools, Norwalk HS, Brien McMahon HS, Stamford HS, Westhill HS, and Trinity Catholic HS.  In addition, the IHR team provides athletic training services to recreational youth sports, charity events, and at the  collegiate, semi-professional and international levels.

Our Norwalk office offers two private massage therapy rooms.  Massage therapists Gaile and Nick offer a wide variety of massage techniques to suit your needs.

Ralph, a founding partner in IHR, is a 1994 graduate of Boston University's prestegious Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences where he earned a Master's Degree in Physical Therapy and a Board Cer

Ralph has taken extensive continuing education seminars over the years and has trained in notable techniques such as Kinesio Taping, The McKenzie Method, The Mulligan Concept, and Gary Gray's Chain Reaction for Functional Training.  

One of Ralph's proudest professional accomplishments was being selected as a Physical Therapist for the boxing venue at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens Greece.

Chris, a founding partner in IHR, is a 2002 graduate of the University of Vermont where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Physical Therapy and a Board Certification in Athletic Training.  He is also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist.

Chris, a founding partner in IHR, is a 2002 graduate of the University of Vermont where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Physical Therapy and a Board Certification in Athletic Training.  He is also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist.

Chris played varsity baseball at UV and has been an assistant baseball coach at Westhill High School for over 10 years.  He has helped the program win league and state titles and has helped numerous athletes achieve their college and professional aspirations.

 J.R. received his Bachelor's Degree from the University of Florida. He went on to achieve his Doctorate Degree in physical therapy at Creighton University. Creighton led the way in being the first University to offer a doctorate program in this field that today has become the standard.

 J.R. received his Bachelor's Degree from the University of Florida. He went on to achieve his Doctorate Degree in physical therapy at Creighton University. Creighton led the way in being the first University to offer a doctorate program in this field that today has become the standard.

 J.R. has worked at IHR since 2006. His living and growing up in Stamford as well as working in Norwalk for all these years has allowed him to become familiar with our local community. 

JR has specialized in treating all outpatient orthopedic and spine conditions from non-operative, pre-operative and post-operative care.  He has worked with patients as young as 6 to 104. 

J.R. also specializes in treating concussions as well as all other vestibular conditions, and he has extensive experience in treating gait and balance disorders. 

J.R. has three children. Two little girls who irish dance at Anam Cara and play in the Stamford girls softball league.  His son plays hockey out of Sono Ice House for the Connecticut Junior Whalers, Stamford Peace basketball, and Stamford American little league. 

A lifelong Stamford resident and graduate of Westhill High School, Jordan traded in his purple and gold colors for black and orange after graduating from Sou

A lifelong Stamford resident and graduate of Westhill High School, Jordan traded in his purple and gold colors for black and orange after graduating from Southern Connecticut State University's Athletic Training Education Program. 

Jordan has focused his continuing education on manual therapy and rehabilitation and training techniques. Jordan enjoys being part of the Stamford High School community, and assists in teaching taping and wrapping techniques for the sports medicine classes at both Stamford and Westhill high schools. 

Ashley Labrador is a licensed and certified Athletic Trainer and has been a member of the Innovative Team since 2012.  She is a graduate of Southern CT State University, where she earned a Bachelor's of Science degree in Athletic Training with Cum La

Ashley Labrador is a licensed and certified Athletic Trainer and has been a member of the Innovative Team since 2012.  She is a graduate of Southern CT State University, where she earned a Bachelor's of Science degree in Athletic Training with Cum Laude honors.  

During her time at Southern CT, she gained clinical experience and exposure working with the Owls’ gymnastic, swimming & diving, and football teams as well as the University of New Haven’s softball team and student-athletes at Hopkins Day School.  Ashley also had the opportunity to develop her skills and knowledge within the growing industrial setting while interning with Progressive Health Services, who provided health  safety and rehabilitation for Delta Airline employees out of the Hartsfield-Jackson Airport in Atlanta, GA. 

Ashley is presently the Head Athletic Trainer at Brien McMahon High School, where she is responsible for ensuring the health and safety of the student-athletes.  She is no stranger to CT high school athletics, growing up in New Haven County and being a three sport athlete at Lyman Hall; a member of the Southern CT Conference League.  

 Ali Czescik has been a member of the Innovative team since 2012 upon graduating from the University of Vermont.  While at UVM, she had the opportunity to work with Division I Men's and Women’s Ice Hockey, Men’s Basketball, and Men’s Lacrosse.  The Athletic Training education program gave Ali 

 Ali Czescik has been a member of the Innovative team since 2012 upon graduating from the University of Vermont.  While at UVM, she had the opportunity to work with Division I Men's and Women’s Ice Hockey, Men’s Basketball, and Men’s Lacrosse.  The Athletic Training education program gave Ali the opportunity to work with the Burlington Fire Departments Emergency Medical Services. She also did research at the only level one trauma center in the state of Vermont at the Fletcher Allen Health Care Emergency Department.  

Ali started her career with Innovative as the Athletic Trainer for Westhill High School for five years.  Now she works full time in the clinic seeing patients, works with the billing department, and covers at the contracted high schools as needed.  

Gaile graduated from the University of Connecticut with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1995. After a career in graphic design, she joined IHR in 2011 during her transition into physical therapy. In 2012, she graduated from the Clinical Massage Therapy program at the CT Center for Massage T

Gaile graduated from the University of Connecticut with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1995. After a career in graphic design, she joined IHR in 2011 during her transition into physical therapy. In 2012, she graduated from the Clinical Massage Therapy program at the CT Center for Massage Therapy and is a Board Certified Licensed Massage Therapist since 2013.

 Inspired and encouraged by the team at IHR, she graduated with honors in academic and clinical excellence from the Physical Therapist Assistant Associate Degree program from Naugatuck Valley Community College in 2018.

Gaile incorporates her clinical massage therapy experience and holistic mindset into her treatment approach as a PTA by integrating a variety of orthopedic and neuromuscular manual therapy techniques including cupping therapy, IASTM, myofascial release, and trigger point therapy. She continues her education in manual therapy, corrective exercise, and rehabilitation techniques to further enhance the patient-centered care at IHR.

 Steve Guzinski has been a part of the Innovative team since 2018.  Steve holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sport Management from Syracuse University.  In 2020 he earned his Associate Degree in Physical Therapy at Norwalk Community College, giving him the title of Physical Therapist Assist

 Steve Guzinski has been a part of the Innovative team since 2018.  Steve holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sport Management from Syracuse University.  In 2020 he earned his Associate Degree in Physical Therapy at Norwalk Community College, giving him the title of Physical Therapist Assistant.  

It is Steve’s passion for fitness and working these populations that led him to a career in physical therapy.  His background allows him to tap his knowledge and experience to develop treatment plans focused on functional exercises that mimic everyday movements.  

Steve likes to spend his free time staying active.  He is currently an active member of the Fairfield Yankees Rugby Club.  He also enjoys a good work out at home, being outdoors, and even attempts to “golf”.