Holistic Physiotherapy
Holistic physiotherapy looks at the whole body
for the source of the pain. A pain may have a
totally physical component or be more complex, affected
by the mental state of a person. A headache, for example,
may be due to an imbalance in the skull, neck, or upper
back. Through the use of body scans the source
of the imbalance can be located. Once treated
the headache resolves. The headache may also be
caused by the effects of stress from a variety of causes. The
physiotherapist may need to help the client identify
the stressors and teach some stress management strategies
such as learning to relax, etc.
Types of Treatment
The physiotherapy treatment used will depend on what the
client needs, client preference and stage of healing. They
can include:
Manual
Therapy
 Manual
Therapy can be defined as a clinical approach utilizing
skilled, specific hands-on techniques, including but
not limited to manipulation/mobilization, used by the
physical therapist to diagnose and treat soft tissues
and joint structures for the purpose of modulating pain;
increasing range of motion (ROM); reducing or eliminating
soft tissue inflammation; inducing relaxation; improving
contractile and non-contractile tissue repair, extensibility,
and/or stability; facilitating movement; and improving
function. (Definition from American Academy of Orthopedic
Manual Physical Therapy (AAOMPT) and American Physical
Therapy Association (APTA).
Connective
Tissue Therapies
Fascia, also called connective tissue, is very
densely woven, covering and interpenetrating every muscle,
bone, nerve, artery and vein as well as all of our internal
organs. There are a total of nine layers of fascia as
it covers everything from the front of the body to the
back and from the top to the bottom. The whole interconnected
covering of fascia or connective tissue is called the
fascial system. The most interesting aspect of the fascial
system is that it is not just a system of separate coverings.
It is actually one structure that exists from head to
foot without interruption. If you were able to place a
very small person about a millimeter high or so on a bit
of the fascia, like in the movie “Inner Space”(1987),
you could travel all around the body without ever getting
off the fascia system.
Fascia connects and supports all other structures in
the body as it surrounds and attaches to all structures.
These structures would not be able to provide the stability
without the constant pull of the fascial system.
In the normal healthy state, the fascia has the ability
to stretch and move without restriction. When there is
a physical trauma, scarring, or inflammation, however,
the connective tissue loses its pliability. It becomes
tight, restricted and becomes a source of tension that
the rest of the body has to compensate for. Trauma, such
as a fall, whiplash, surgery or just habitual poor posture
over time and repetitive stress injuries has a cumulative
effect. The connective tissues slowly lose their ability
to compensate to the amount of tension on them. The body
becomes under excessive pressure producing pain or restriction
of motion. They tensions affect our flexibility and stability
and become a determining factor in our ability to withstand
stress and strain.
Craniosacral
Therapy
 Craniosacral
therapy is a gentle, non-invasive technique which
manipulates the bones of the skull, spine, and pelvis.
This gentle technique includes light stretches and specific
movements to help clear the pathways for the cerebrospinal
fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
The therapy, developed by osteopaths over 50 years ago,
is used to treat conditions ranging from headaches, ear
infections, spinal cord injuries, and cerebral palsy.
This therapy is now being used by other health professionals
around the world.
Craniosacral therapy uses non-intrusive and indirect
methods for treatment the majority of the time. The indirect
techniques encourage movement in the direction of ease
whereas the direct technique assists movement through
the relaxation of an abnormal restriction barrier.
A restriction in the craniosacral system is defined as
an impairment to normal physiological motion within the
body. A release occurs when there is a softening of the
restriction. Normal motion is able to return. A resistance
barrier is a perceptible point of resistance to normal
motion. The body has a hesitation or has to exert more
effort to pass by the barrier. The barriers can be rigid
or elastic. Rigid barriers result when bones are jammed
together whereas elastic barriers result from abnormal
membrane tension which prevent normal motion.
When a person's craniosacral system is assessed, a therapist
will palpate for the rhythm at several key points: the
feet, thighs, pelvis, ribs, shoulders, and head. From
observations based on the rate, quality, symmetry, and
amplitude of the movement, areas of restriction can be
identified and located. Specific treatment can then begin.
Advanced Cranial Work
 Advanced
Cranial Work is
a manual technique to help release specific restrictions
in the structures of the skull, including its membranes, bony
structure, and brain parenchyma, grey and white matter,
cranial and spinal nerves and vascular structures.
Visceral Manipulation
The treatment used to improve the organ movement and
decrease the adhesions between the connective tissue layer
is visceral manipulation.
When the adhesions and organ movement is restored, proper
function is available with the diaphragm. Lateral costal
expansion increases and CO2 levels rise to normal levels.
Visceral Manipuation consists of light, gentle,
specifically placed manual forces that encourage normal
mobility, tone, and inherent tissue motion of the viscera
and their connective tissues. These gentle forces can
potentially assist the body into a better state of harmony.
The body is freer to move with less effort to do activities
due to the reduction of the restrictions in the connective
tissues. The body is then able to achieve better state
of health.
Trained practitioners use the rhythmic motions of the
visceral system to evaluate how abnormal forces interplay,
overlap and affect the normal body forces at work. These
gentle manipulations can potentially improve the functioning
of individual organs, the systems the organs function
within, and the structural integrity of the entire body.
Mechanical
Link
 Mechanical
Link is a gentle manual therapy that locates and
releases the tensions in the fascial system. The fascial
system is that complex web of tissue that interconnects
and affects all other body systems. It spreads throughout
the body uninterrupted, providing physical stability
while also allowing flexibility and mobility.
Think of the fascial network as a spider web. It covers
all structures in the body. If an area of the web is pinched
or tightened then everything else becomes distorted. The
distortions are called lesions. They produced by the body
as it compensates for physiological or traumatic stress.
These patterns are intended to relieve pain and disability
and protect the body from further stresses. Yet the long-term
effects of such compensation can prove debilitating.
Myofascial
Release
Myofascial Release is a very effective hands-on technique
that provides sustained pressure into myofascial restrictions
to eliminate pain and restore motion. Myofascia is the
connective tissue that surrounds and enfolds the muscle
tissue.
Scar Mobilization
 Scars form as layers of fascia become adhered to each
other. This is a normal process for healing wounds. If
the scar tissue is a result of surgery, the scars are
called adhesions as they are found inside the body. The
body will also form adhesions as a result of trauma, infection,
or surgery. The adhesions are formed due to inflammation.
This is a normal process to injury. The adhesions and
scars do not allow for full freedom of movement. Scar
tissue mobilization is a method of re-establishing proper
movement of the tissues around the scar.
Vascular
Therapy
Vascular Therapy is an assessment and manual treatment
technique for clearing the vascular system of blockages.
It was first developed by Colin Lambert of New Zealand
(Magnetic Therapy).
Janice has added her information on the connective tissue
system of the body to assist in clearing the extremities
of the connective tissue restrictions around the vascular
system.
This therapy works on an energetic and physical level.
Fibrous
Tissue Release
As fascia becomes less and less pliable, it thickens.
The thickened tissue loses its elastic ability to stretch
and adapt to tensions on it and has fibrosed. This is
a compensatory mechanism for the body but the area that
has the fibrosed tissue cannot move as freely. Through
her years of studying the connective tissue and how it
releases, Janice has developed a means of releasing the
fibrous tissues. The tissues become less thickened over
time and more movement is available.
Acupuncture
 Acupuncture
is an ancient Chinese medical system over 5000 years old,
recently revived in China and becoming increasing popular
in the West since the 1970’s.
It deals with subtle energy flows (chi) in the body related
to the cosmic principles of Yin and Yang. The balance
of these energies in the human body affects health and
disease. Acupuncture therapy alters these energy flows
by inserting fine needles at key pressure points, for
varying periods of time.
Stimulation of acupuncture points is believed to stimulate
the brain and spinal cord to release chemicals that change
the experience of pain or cause biochemical changes that
may stimulate healing and promote general well-being.
Janice is certified by the Acupuncture Foundation of
Canada Institute (CAFCI).
Intramuscular Stimulation
IMS – intramuscular stimulation – is
a total system for the diagnosis and treatment of myofascial
pain syndromes. It uses a type of acupuncture needle
for the treatment.
Myofascial pain syndrome is a chronic pain condition
that occurs in the musculoskeletal system where there
is no obvious injury or inflammation. The chronic pain
that occurs is often due to disturbed function in the
nerves which leads to supersensitivity. This is called
neuropathic pain.
IMS was developed by Dr. C. Chan Gunn from Vancouver,
Canada.
Spinal Care Education
There are a number of different things that clients
can learn to help them take care of their back and neck.
They may need education on pillows, mattresses, or exercise.
This is something that Janice can assist you with so
that you can keep your spine healthier.
Muscle Balancing and
Postural Reeducation Exercises
Sometimes clients have been doing activities that
over use some muscles and under use others. This leads
to a problem of muscle imbalance. It can occur with
over use and after injuries such broken bones when they
have been in a cast. If muscles get over used, there
can be pain and altered postures developed to compensate
for the weaker area. If the area has been immobilized
in a cast, the client needs to learn how to strengthen
the weakened area.
Clients can learn how to strengthen
the muscles that are weaker and learn how to improve
their postures. This is often the case when Janice sees
clients with repetitive strain injuries in their wrists
or forearms with computer use. The client has head forward
posture like they are “launching
their head into the computer” and have a slumped
upper body. They may have developed pain in their wrists
or forearms as well.
Stretch and Strengthening Exercises
Janice is well
versed in the exercises that a client can use to either
help improve range with stretching or to strengthen
the muscles to support the joint or spine. She can assist
you with developing an individual or group exercise
program so that you have full rehabilitation recovery
from your injury or accident.
Client Specific
Exercise Programs
All clients coming for physiotherapy treatments will
be assessed and set up on an exercise program that will
assist in the recovery of function and strength of injured
area. The client may do this with an individualized program
or if there is a generalized need for overall conditioning,
the client may join a class that can address the issues.
This choice is made by the client with the physiotherapist
doing an assessment to determine how to best achieve recovery.
Breathing Retraining
When a person has been in an accident, the body goes
into “flight or fight”mode. This is a stress
response that happens automatically. The breathing pattern
alters and overtime a person can be left in the stress
response mode of breathing. This is called hyperventilation
syndrome. Hyperventilation is a complex breathing pattern
which involves upper chest breathing, irregular breathing
cycles, sighing, interrupted breathing, spasmodic gasps,
and others. I have found that many clients with chronic
pain present with hyperventilation syndrome. |
