Considering Holistic Physical Therapy

As I set out to build a practice of physical therapy clients in my private office here in Collinsville, I realize that I have not really explained to many people what I mean when I say that I practice "holistic physical therapy".  In fact, as I ponder how to explain it, I wonder if that phrase is an oxymoron in and of itself.  The reason I say this is that the whole point is for this not to be only physical.  My aim in providing holistic physical therapy treatments is to provide physical therapy for a problem that a person would go to any physical therapist for, but to also help them further by incorporating stress management therapies, guided imagery, energy healing, and the teaching of skills that will support the smooth function of the whole being in addition to the painful area in question.  A typical session  includes hands-on work to the area of treatment including some or all of massage, stretching, joint mobilizations, myofascial release, craniosacral work, or positional release to name a few.  Then the client receives a period of energy healing work with guided visualizations for deep relaxation.  This serves to remind and teach the client how to get themselves back into a less stressful physical and mental state to promote their healing process.  The end of the session would be spent advising the client on how to proceed at home with exercises, stretches and life practices that will help them progress.  This may include consultation on diet, natural remedies, stress management approaches, even spiritual work if desired. The following are the ways in which this type of PT session varies greatly from a session at a typical clinic.  You are the only client in the room.  The therapist does not bounce around between patients, so all of your time at Nikki's Nature is either hands-on or educational, geared only to you.  You will not do a host of exercises during your session-  you will have hands-on work during your session, and then be given your exercises to do at home.  I would prefer the session be spent on pain management, stress reduction and client education.  If you feel that you need to have the therapist make you go through all of your exercises and you know you won't do them at home, then you don't really need PT, because you are not actually in a mindset to allow yourself to heal.  Unless you are going to therapy many times a week, you need to be ready to follow through with recommendations at home on your own if you want actual results.  I will never assess your problem and then say that you should come two times a week for six weeks.  My hope is to make a difference in your pain level during the first session.  If you go home and work on some of the approaches agreed upon, you may need nothing further.  If you go home and do the recommended exercises and approaches and then still feel stuck in the healing process, then we can think about scheduling something to address the shift in challenges. In the state of Connecticut you do not need a doctor's prescription to visit a physical therapist.  You will need one if you plan to submit a bill to your insurance company, but you don't need one to have the visit.  This means that if you would just like to have a good, personalized consultation and treatment session to address your pain, you can skip a step and just go right to the therapist.  Nikki's Nature does not take insurance due to the unconventional treatment approach and the holistic modalities offered, but payment options and other options such as lowering session time to lower cost are available as well.  To find out more about holistic PT sessions at Nikki's Nature, or other sessions available there such as hypnosis for weight loss or pain management, visit www.nikkisnature.com.  I am committed to creating a healthy and peaceful approach to client care in the Collinsville area.    Thanks for considering a fresh approach to health- Sincerely, Nikki Sleath MA, PT, RMT, Cht