The therapists at Inner Bridges Therapeutic Practices specialize in an area of physical therapy called manual therapy. Wikipedia defines manual therapy in the following way:
“Manual therapy, manipulative therapy, or manual & manipulative therapy encompasses the treatment of health ailments of various etiologies through 'hands-on', physical intervention. Physical treatments includes massage, soft tissue mobilization, various connective tissue techniques, myofascial release, craniosacral techniques, mobilization of joints, joint manipulation, mobilization of neural tissue, visceral mobilization, and strain and counterstrain.”
A basic introduction to the field of manual therapy is included in a traditional physical therapy education. Building on that base, our therapists combine a myriad of manual therapy techniques learned in physical therapy continuing education coursework and manual therapy certification programs to diagnose and treat your condition.
Making a Diagnosis...
A treatment diagnosis is essential and core to the development of a physical therapy plan of care and ultimately to recovery of your presenting condition. Our goal is to get to the root of the problem and correct it rather than focusing on the management of symptoms. To do this, we will assess what body systems are contributing to your complaints and in what order these systems will need to be addressed. Our diagnostic process focuses on assessment of functional limitations and symptoms stemming from 4 areas of possible problems: anatomy, mechanics, physiology and process. Anatomy means the tissues themselves. This could include a muscle tear, neural tissue adhesion, poorly healed fractures etc. Mechanics means how the tissues move on one another. We say ‘mechanics’ rather than ‘joints’ because joints tend to indicate musculoskeletal joints which is limiting. When we say mechanics we mean how tissues move on the neighboring tissues. This can mean the movement that occurs at a hip joint or a shoulder joint but it can also mean the movement of an organ within a body cavity or a nerve within it’s neural sheath. Physiology means the function of the cells. This could include inflammation, infection or toxicity. Process means how we process information emotionally and cognitively. This could include stress, anxiety, worry, loss etc. It is not uncommon that ‘stuck’ or stagnant emotional process is responsible for or contributing to a physical complaint.
During your Initial Evaluation and as an ongoing part of your care, your therapist will determine which of these four areas is responsible for your presenting complaints. In most cases its a combination of two or more of the above systems producing the problem though generally one area will be primary. Determining the primary, secondary and tertiary problem sites and systems is essential to an effective and efficient course of care.
Developing a Treatment Plan...
As manual physical therapists our primary focus is on correction of anatomical, mechanical and physiological problems to achieve symptom correction and attain optimal function utilizing a combination of hands-on manual therapy techniques, neuromuscular re-education, and therapeutic exercise. If it is determined that a significant component of your problems stem from an emotional or cognitive origin, or that you would benefit from a course of emotional and/or cognitive therapy to increase efficiency of your care, we will make a referral to an excellent professional whom we will work closely with to provide you with a comprehensive course of care. These therapies may include: body centered psychotherapy, homeopathy, self regulation therapy, psychopharmacology, etc. Clients needing comprehensive nutracutical care to support their physiology will also be referred to an appropriate professional.
It Takes a Village...
Recovering from injury or illness often takes a team approach. At Inner Bridges we encourage communication between all members of your team including physicians, psychotherapeutic professionals, nutrition specialists, personal trainers, family members and you the patient. You are the most important member of your team and a comprehensive, multidisciplinary program can be tailored to help you best meet your therapy goals.