What Is Integrative Manual Therapy?
Integrative manual therapy is hands-on (manual) techniques that treat all the anatomical layers of the body….The surface structures of skin, muscle, fascia and joints AND the tissues inside and around our skeleton and muscle including the organs, nerves, blood vessel and numerous connective tissues associated with all body structures (fascia, pleura, peritoneum, to name a few)
The human body is in a state of perpetual motion – the voluntary movement of day to day life, as well as, the involuntary, rhythmic movement of the heart, lungs and diaphragm.
For optimal wellness, movement and function, our body structures (muscles, bones, joints, organs, system of blood vessels, nervous system…all our tissues) MUST be able to slide and glide next to each other with ease.
However, life happens – illness, injury, infection, trauma, surgery, emotional stress, chemical stress. These events result in inflammation and / or scar tissue. The affected tissues, post inflammation, are drier, denser, and tighter, pulling on the structures around them. The ease of motion between body tissues changes, alignment changes, the mechanics of joint movement changes and how well your organs move changes. These changes can result in symptoms such as pain, fatigue, decreased mobility, movement dysfunction and less than optimal functioning of the organs.
Integrative manual therapy is a compilation of specific, precise hands-on techniques that release dysfunctional tissue restrictions, reduce pain, and restore optimal tissue motion, alignment and function.
ABOUT LORRIE AND INTEGRATIVE MAUNUAL THERAPY SESSIONS
I am a licensed physical therapist with 34 years of experience and a trained Pilates practitioner. I have extensive training in numerous manual therapy techniques: Visceral Manipulation, Neural Manipulation, New Manual Articular Approach, Visceral Vascular Manipulation, joint mobilization, myofascial release, strain-counter strain, massage, trigger point therapy, and craniosacral therapy, to name a few. I am a Certified Visceral Manipulation Technique practitioner and an instructor of Visceral Manipulation with the Barral Institute.
The foundation of my integrative manual therapy is based on the work and philosophy of the French osteopath Jean-Pierre Barral, D.O. I combine my extensive knowledge of detailed anatomy and practical training to provide specific, precise and gentle, hands-on techniques to release tissue restrictions resulting in decreased pain and improved tissue mobility and function.
Unique to my work, and the work of Jean Pierre Barral, are “Listening” techniques during evaluation and treatment. Listening involves using my hands to feel and identify what specific tissues (structures) are restricted. Very often the location of my patient’s pain and/or symptoms is not the same location that is causing the symptoms. For example, right shoulder pain can be driven by many things. It may be a problem with the shoulder’s tendons, muscles, or joint capsule. However, it may also be caused by a restriction of the diaphragm. The diaphragm is attached to the ribs. Rib restrictions can alter the motion of the shoulder blade and hence the shoulder joint. Now anything that restricts the mobility of the diaphragm could affect the shoulder. Attached to the diaphragm are the liver, pleura (lung), stomach, spleen, kidneys, the phrenic nerve, to name a few. So what is the most restricted structure that is driving the shoulder dysfunction? Muscle, tendon, ligament, organ, nerve, blood vessel?
Listening techniques guide me to the area (structure) of greatest restriction at the time of treatment, thus allowing me to follow the dysfunction of the tissue, instead of chasing symptoms. It also helps during the release process. Listening to the tissue with my hands during treatment, I follow the many possible directions of tension in a restricted tissue to achieve the release. This specificity allows tissues to release with minimal force and maximal effectiveness.
The initial evaluation session is 75 minutes and follow-up sessions 45-60 minutes based upon my findings. These sessions will vary from deep to very light hands-on techniques, and includes exercises as indicated. You will leave the session feeling balanced and potentially better than you have in years. Post-treatment instructions.
The number of sessions recommended varies based on the patient, the number of areas to be addressed and how long the areas have been problematic. Our bodies’ ability to adapt and compensate for tissue restrictions can result in an accumulation of restrictions in multiple structures. This accumulation means the initial restriction may have been present for months or years before it became symptomatic. Due to this process, it may take a few sessions to work through the layers of restrictions. However, if my techniques are helpful, expect to experience some change in symptoms after 3 sessions.
VISCERAL MANIPULATION (VM)
“Viscera” relates to the internal organs of the body, such as the heart, lungs, liver, stomach, kidneys, uterus, bladder and intestines. Our organs are closely packed together in the chest, abdomen and pelvic cavities; and as mentioned are in perpetual motion. For a body to move well the organs must glide easily against each other, and against the surrounding muscles and bones. In fact, optimum health relies on a harmonious and fluid relationship between tissues.
VM techniques restore optimal movement and function to the internal organs and increase proprioceptive communication within the body, thereby revitalizing a person and relieving symptoms of pain, dysfunction, and poor posture.
The deep release experienced with VM will have you moving with freedom you have not experienced for years.
Visceral Manipulation (VM) was developed by world-renowned French Osteopath and Physical Therapist Jean-Pierre Barral. Comparative studies found Visceral Manipulation beneficial for various disorders.
Acute Disorders
Whiplash
Seatbelt Injuries
Chest or Abdominal Sports Injuries
Concussion
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Digestive Disorders
Bloating and Constipation
Nausea and Acid Reflux
GERD
Swallowing Dysfunctions
Women’s and Men’s Health Issues
Chronic Pelvic Pain
Endometriosis
Fibroids and Cysts
Dysmenorrhea
Bladder Incontinence
Prostate Dysfunction
Effects of Menopause
Musculoskeletal Disorders
Somatic-Visceral Interactions
Chronic Spinal Dysfunction
Headaches and Migraines
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Peripheral Joint Pain
Sciatica
Neck Pain
Pain Related to
Post-operative Scar Tissue
Post-infection Scar Tissue
Autonomic Mechanisms
Pediatric Issues
Constipation and Gastritis
Persistent Vomiting
Vesicoureteral Reflux
Infant Colic
Emotional Issues
Anxiety and Depression
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
NEURAL MANIPULATION
Neural Manipulation identifies and releases local nerve restrictions. The releases can have positive effects on local, and whole body dysfunctional patterns.
Comparative studies found Neural Manipulation beneficial for various disorders such as:
- Lower Back Pain & Sciatica
- Headaches & Migraines
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Joint Pain
- Digestive Disorders
- Post-operative Scar Tissue Pain
- Swallowing Dysfunctions
- Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
- Whiplash Injuries
- Birth Injuries
- Neuralgia & Neuritis
- Tendinitis
- Sprains & Traumatic Lesions
- Concussion & Traumatic Brain Injuries
- And More
NEW MANUAL ARTICULAR APPROACH
“Articular” refers to the joints of the body, which are critical points of interconnectivity between all other structures within the body. Joints receive and emit messages with other parts of the body and are also connected to our emotions. New Manual Articular Approach is a manual therapy that applies a comprehensive approach to the treatment of joints. It integrates all aspects of the joint including the nerve, artery, bone, capsule, and ligaments, as well as visceral and emotional connections.
New Manual Articular Approach can benefit:
- Joint Pain
- Limited Mobility
- Joint Inflammation
- Concussion & Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Sprains
- Tendinitis
- Osteoarthrosis
- Rotator Cuff Injuries
- And more
VISCERAL VASCULAR MANIPULATION
Visceral refers to the organs and vascular the blood vessels. Visceral vascular manipulation addresses the movement of blood to and from the organs and all the body tissues. The osteopath A.T. Still stated “the rule of the artery is supreme and fundamental.” Blood vessels bring in nutrition and oxygen and remove metabolic waste. Optimal function and health to our tissues requires good circulation. Visceral vascular manipulation are effective maneuvers to restore optimal mobility and function to the vascular system.
SERVICE FEES FOR INTEGRATIVE MANUAL THERAPY SESSIONS
$200 for the initial evaluation and treatment
$160 for the follow-up treatment sessions
Venmo, cash or check preferred
Credit cards are accepted with a 3% fee