Our practice offers a range of therapies. Click on the name of the therapy below to view a short description:
Physical Therapy including Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy,
Postural Restoration, Counterstrain, Sports Medicine, Connective Tissue
Massage, and Feldenkrais
Physical Therapy
Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy is effective in alleviating pain, reducing inflammation and enhancing flexibility. Dysfunction in joints, soft tissue and nerves results in retricted and compensatory movement patterns and in altered muscle tone. Evaluation seeks to identify the source of dysfunction. Once a structure is identified, manual techniques are utilized to restore normal mobility. Treatment techniques include mobilization of joints, soft tissue, and nerve. As normal tone and movement is restored, exercise programs retrain and maintain functional patterns.
Postural Restoration
views the neuro-musculo-skeletal complex as an interrelated and interdependent
asymmetrical structure. The pelvis, the ribcage and the cranium are key
components. Abnormal, compensatory movement patterns develop due to sedentary
lifestyles, repetitive motion, accidents and injuries. Muscles lose their
normal resting length and become overstretched or shortened. Changes in
postural alignment lead to inefficient motor patterns. Pain and dysfunction
result.
The diaphragm, our primary muscle of respiration, is often compromised,
and functions more as a postural muscle. Postural restoration manual techniques
and exercise regimens are remarkably effective in restoring and maintaing
balance in movement, normal muscle tone and improved breathing capacity.
Learn more about Postural
Restoration.
Counterstrain Counterstrain, also known as Positional Release, uses the position of greatest ease and comfort to release from pain. It is a non-traumatic technique that can be adapted to the individual to maximize comfort. Clients can be taught self-treatment positions to maintain and improve comfort at home.
Sports Medicine Sports Medicine is a generic term for treating athletes of any age, at any point in their career. A Sports Medicine specialist might teach athletes how to prevent injury, they may attend athletic events and most often, treat an athlete after an injury has occurred on or off the field. Functional progression is key in sports medicine, meaning treatment is related to the stage of the injury and the level of performance tolerated at that stage. Manual therapy, therapeutic exercise and functional activities are utilized to return the athlete to their desired activity. Postural restoration is a key component for enhancing performance and minimizing risk of injury.
Connective tissue massage Connective tissue massage, also known as Bindegeweb’s massage, is a technique that mobilizes the subcutaneous fascia in specific patterns, usually starting around the sacrum. Restoring mobility and circulation to the subcutaneous fascia improves the body’s ability to move and decreases pain, as well as having beneficial effects on the whole body through activation of the parasympathetic nervous system. Connective tissue massage is useful in the treatment of low back pain, headaches, and restrictions in mobility, such as frozen shoulder syndrome.
Feldenkrais People experience well-organized movement as easy, efficient, and elegant. Awareness Through Movement® and Functional Integration® facilitates the refinement of personal organization. Focusing on the skeleton in basic movements as well as the quality of movement, the student finds new options to replace patterns that are restrictive or uncomfortable and rediscovers a balanced and harmonious way of moving. Learn more about Feldenkrais at www.feldenkrais.com .
Our experienced therapists use these and other techniques to treat a wide variety of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular disorders including:
- back pain, neck pain, scoliosis, postural dysfunction
- arthritis, osteoporosis
- shoulder pain, tennis elbow, carpel tunnel, tendonitis, bursitis
- hip pain, sciatica, knee pain, ankle sprain
- fibromyalgia, chronic pain, stroke & postoperative rehab, multiple sclerosis
- deconditioning, loss of balance
Susan Henning, PT, Joe Belding, PT, Katie Lang, DPT, Chris Hagenberger, PT
BodyTalk System
This healing system was developed by Dr. John Veltheim, chiropractor, acupuncturist, and Reiki master, in the 1990s. The body, mind and spirit are interrelated and interdependent. Stresses disrupt inner communication resulting in poor health. BodyTalk seeks to restore wholeness by balancing physiological and biochemical functions, emotional and mental interactions, environmental influences and genetic restrictions. The BodyTalk practitioner uses kinesiology testing to access the innate wisdom of the body to determine what needs to be balanced and in what order. Toni Stevens. Learn more about BodyTalk System at www.bodytalksystems.com .
Reiki
Reiki, (pronounced Ray Key) is a gentle,
non-intrusive, hands on healing system. This technique
can be used on yourself or others to treat physical
ailments without pressure, manipulation or massage.
It is a holistic system harmonizing and balancing all
aspects of a person- body, mind and spirit and can be
used to encourage personal growth and spiritual awareness.
Toni Stevens.
Learn more about Reiki at www.reiki.7gen.com.
Massage Therapy
Massage is effective in relieving muscle tension and reducing stress. It is also a valuable tool in stimulating circulation and helping to restore normal muscle tone, thereby enhancing vitality. Nurturing & therapeutic massage is adapted to meet the needs of the client. Utilizing a variety of techniques, it can vary from gentle touch and to deep and penetrating connective tissue work. Jacquie Gilson.
Meditation
Meditation begins as a practice of quieting and calming the mind. Different means can be used to facilitate this effort including attention to breathing, vocalizaton, visualization, and awareness of sensation. As it becomes easier to achieve this state, a shift begins to occur which changes the practice to one of concentration. Further states of receptivity and consciousness can follow for a serious practitioner. Meditation is a valuable tool in healing because it is a powerful means of decreasing stress, neutralizing negative emotions and thoughts and promoting physical relaxation. Toni Stevens
Counseling/Healing
Offering individual sessions, Mary Whittle, M.S., will guide you in healing your heart, nourishing your spirit, finding your calling and opening you to the life you were meant to have. Each session is a profound experience where you heal a part of your heart, your spirit, unlocking the potential there. The process begins by focusing on areas of desired change or healing in your life. Using intuition and the journey method, Mary will guide you to heal that part of your heart or Soul. Oftentimes, this involves journeying back to an event in this life or a past life. Once the part of you is healed, then the blocks are removed. You will experience emotional release and know without doubt that you can act, think and feel differently the moment the session is completed. Your journey starts here…it’s time—you are ready. Initial Consultations are FREE of charge. Mary Whittle