Patient Education
Education is a big part of my treatment plan. I will explain the anatomy and physiology that applies to your specific condition so that you understand how your body works and what may have contributed to the onset of your symptoms. Causes may include poor posture or inefficient movement patterns that can be changed with physical therapy intervention. In the process of improving your knowledge of how your body works and what you can do to recover from your current condition, you will be empowered to maintain your good health, manage any chronic conditions or symptoms, and prevent injury and illness in the future.
Neuromuscular Re-education
Physical therapists use various techniques to make movement easier and less painful. This involves training the nervous and muscular systems to work together to learn new patterns of movement. Techniques that fall under this category of treatment include Breathwork, Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF), Posture Correction, Body Mechanics Training, Core Muscle Strengthening and Lumbar Stabilization.
Manual Therapy
Manual therapy includes a variety of “hands on” techniques that are used by a physical therapist to increase movement by softening tense muscles, loosening tight joints, and releasing restrictions in the fascia that surrounds and connects all of our internal structures. Manual therapy helps to balance the muscle forces around the joints, which improves posture and alignment and allows our bodies to move with less effort. Improving posture and alignment and restoring muscle balance decreases tension or compression on nerves, which helps to decrease pain. The manual techniques I use include John F. Barnes Myofascial Release, Craniosacral Therapy, Soft Tissue Mobilization, Joint Mobilization, Trigger Point Release, Muscle Energy Technique, Positional Release, Strain Counterstrain and Visceral Manipulation.
Therapeutic Exercise
These are exercises that are designed by therapists to spot train specific muscles, work several muscle groups together for specific movement patterns, or integrate full body movement for improved performance of functional tasks or recreational activities and sports. I use both conventional and Pilates exercises in my treatment programs. Pilates exercises are learned both on a mat and on Pilates apparatus. Exercise programs emphasize Stretching, Strengthening, Endurance, Balance, Coordination, Kinesthetic Awareness, and Functional Performance.
