Overview
Integrative physical therapists help improve the way you move by providing a total-body evaluation looking at the musculoskeletal, neurologic and somatovisceral systems to deliver whole-person care.
Integrative physical therapists help improve the way you move by providing a total-body evaluation looking at the musculoskeletal, neurologic and somatovisceral systems to deliver whole-person care.
Techniques:
Conditions Treated:
Myofascial Release
Visceral Manipulation/Mobilization
Therapeutic Exercises
Sciatica
Pelvic Pain
Pain Explained
Pain is the brain’s protective response to perceived danger in the body, whether or not danger is actually present. Pain is an output mechanism from the brain. Pain is often associated with an emotion and can even be triggered by the memory associated with the pain.
Chronic pain | Acute pain | |
· Persistent pain lasting more than 12 weeks |
· Initial 4-6 weeks following an injury | |
· Amount of pain does not necessarily correlate with amount of tissue damage |
· Correlates with tissue “damage” and acute inflammation | |
· The brain’s normal response to protect itself from a perceived danger |
· Responds to “RICE” treatment of rest, ice, compression, elevation | |
· Fear, memory, and context of the pain are very important |
Reference: Butler DS, Moseley GL. Explain Pain. Adelaide, Australia. Noigroup Publications. 2003.
What Is Physical Therapy?
Evaluation and treatment to help improve the way you move, improve function, and decrease pain through the use of hands-on techniques, patient education and therapeutic exercises.
Can Physical Therapy Help Me?
Yes! We treat conditions affecting the whole body orthopedically and neurologically and we treat patients of all ages. Physical therapy can help you prepare for surgery, rehabilitate post operatively, prevent future injuries, and recover from chronic or persistent pain.
But I’ve tried other physical therapy before and it didn’t help.
We specialize in helping patients get better who perhaps didn’t find as much relief from traditional techniques. We also work alongside with the integrative health team at SSIHI and can collaborate with other practitioners such as naturopaths, osteopaths, massage therapists and acupuncturists to help you reach your goals.
Why is a holistic approach useful?
With pain and injury, the musculoskeletal and nervous systems are in a protective state. Taking a holistic approach allows us to really evaluate what your body is protecting and address it. The goal is to restore homeostasis which means to restore balance in your nervous system and ultimately improve your function.
What does it mean to work on the viscera?
Visceral manipulation or mobilization is a light touch manual therapy technique during which we work on the fascial connections surrounding the organ and help facilitate the organ’s natural movement within the body. This may be an important piece to helping your body heal and to restore balance within the nervous system.
April Reilly, PT, DPT
For any questions regarding our courses, please email ssihi@hs.uci.edu.