Integrative Therapies offers a variety of services that can be utilized on a singular basis or can be explored in an integrated fashion with a treatment program designed to address your particular needs and interests.  Clients will often meet with the director and/or one of the physical therapists on their first visit to help devise a personalized treatment program.  Below is a list of services with a brief description of each offering.  If you would like to learn more, please contact our director for questions about clinical services or our insurance coordinator for questions about utilization of benefits.  For the fastest results, please contact us by phone at (336) 294-0910.

Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation

Physical therapy is an approach to the diagnosis and treatment of neuromusculoskeletal disorders, that is, problems concerning the nervous, muscular, and skeletal (bone and joint) systems by conservative measures.  There are no invasive interventions such as injections or surgery in physical therapy (PT) evaluation and treatment.  People may seek physical therapy services when experiencing pain or discomfort or when they are having difficulty engaging in every day activities or reaching their performance goals.  Individuals may also come to physical therapy for rehabilitation after an accident or injury.  Additionally, patients may pursue PT and rehabilitative services to assist in recovery or support of optimal functioning after a stroke or other medical condition has been diagnosed. 

Physical therapy services are generally divided into 2 categories, procedures and modalities.  Examples of these two types of physical therapy services are listed below. 

Procedures:

1. Manual therapy refers to techniques where the practitioner uses his or her hands to effect changes in the client’s muscles or connective tissue. These "hands-on" techniques may also have a direct or indirect influence on the neuromuscular, lymphatic or vascular systems. There are many different types of manual therapy. Some common terms or forms of intervention used in the manual therapy lexicon are soft tissue mobilization, joint mobilization, manual lymphatic drainage, and myofascial release.
2. Therapeutic exercise refers to interventions that aid in the development of strength and endurance or that help improve range of motion and flexibility. At Integrative Therapies, your therapist will guide you in exercises to reach your particular goals. Typically the interventions will be aimed at helping you function independently with tools that you can use at home, such as inexpensive therapy balls, Thera-bands or simply doing floor exercises. Our therapists are trained in the McKenzie Method, core stabilization and other progressive strategies to optimize your rehabilitation.  If you wish to transfer your personal therapeutic exercise program to the gym environment, your therapist will be happy to communicate with your personal trainer or other personnel to help you maintain your therapeutic gains.
3. Neuromuscular re-education (NRE) involves procedures that assist in the re-education of movement, balance, coordination and kinesthetic sense. NRE may also include interventions that aid in the re-education and improvement of posture and proprioception. Various techniques may be employed during neuromuscular re-education such as the utilization of touch or verbal cues or monitoring devices that help give visual or auditory feedback to guide the repatterning process. 
4. Therapeutic activities are very similar to therapeutic exercise; however, the emphasis tends to be facilitating improvement of functional activities and performance.  So rather than doing physical movements with the primary purpose of maintaining fitness, your therapist may guide you in therapeutic activities to help you feel better and to assist you in doing tasks that you may typically do at home or work. 

Modalities: These services usually involve the application of some type of instrumentation directly to the body. They often utilize a form of energy from the electromagnetic spectrum involving sound,    light or heat to support the healing process in the body.

1. Ultrasound – Therapeutic Ultrasound uses sound waves to create heat inside the body. It is different from diagnostic ultrasound because the sound waves do not create a "picture", only heat. This modality can be used in any situation that would benefit from heat’s effects of promoting circulation and healing and softening tissues in preparation for lengthening or stretching.
2. Electrical stimulation is a modality that involves applying a pad or pads on the surface of the skin through which an electrical current is passed. Various amplitudes, frequencies, polarities and patterns of electrical current may be used depending on the condition being treated. Some of the common clinical problems for which electrical stimulation may be used include pain, impaired joint mobility, protective muscle spasm and muscle disuse atrophy. 
3. Thermal therapy (hot or cold applications). The use of heat and cold to promote comfort and healing has been used for hundreds, perhaps thousands of years. In modern health care, hot packs from a hydrocollator or other heating device may be applied to a body region to promote relaxation and circulation. By contrast, the local temperature of tissues may be reduced by the application of various forms of ice or frozen gel packs.  Local cold therapy may be used to reduce pain, spasticity and muscle spasm.  It is also frequently used to reduce swelling, promote repair and on some occasions may be applied to provide excitatory stimulation when muscles are inhibited. At Integrative Therapies moist heat is often applied at the beginning of a therapy session to help tissues relax and lengthen and prepare them for treatment.  A form of cold therapy may then be used toward the close of a treatment session to help minimize inflammation and pain. 
4. Paraffin bath is a specific kind of heat treatment that involves submerging an affected extremity, typically a hand or foot, into a container of liquid paraffin.  The extremity is dipped briefly into the bath until the body part is completely coated with paraffin and then removed and covered with plastic wrap.  The paraffin coating typically stays warm for ten to twenty minutes. This form of heat treatment can be helpful for such conditions as arthritis, RSD and injuries to the hands or feet.
5. Infrared Light Therapy is used at Integrative Therapies as a treatment option for patients who suffer from pain and poor circulation. Our clinicians use the RevitaMedtm Pulsed Infrared/Red Light Therapy (PILT sm) system which is similar to Anodyne but utilizes advanced technology and is very safe to use. By increasing microcirculation, light therapy has been found to be clinically effective in the treatment of peripheral neuropathy. It is also used to speed up the healing process in musculoskeletal injuries and fractures. Additionally, light therapy is applied for the purpose of reducing the pain of inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, bursitis, tendonitis, RSD, and a number of other chronic conditions.
6. Alpha-Stim® uses microcurrent electrical therapy (MET) and has applications for the treatment of pain, anxiety, depression and insomnia.  Alpha-Stim® generates a unique proprietary electrical waveform using a 9 volt battery that is designed to support the natural electrical properties of the cells in our body.  The stimulation that is felt from this unit is very mild compared to the other types of electrotherapeutic devices, however, its effects may last a considerable time after the stimulation session has been completed. 
7. TENS application refers to the use of a Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator. These devices are usually small enough to fit in your pocket and are used primarily for pain control. The proposed mechanism by which the TENS unit works is by providing competing sensory (electrical) stimulation to inhibit the propagation of the pain conducting fibers to the central nervous system. Wearers of the unit will typically feel an electrical sensation where the application pads are placed and some muting of pain sensation in the area.
8. Iontophoresis is a modality that is typically used when inflammation is suspected as a major causative agent in a local pain problem. A physician’s prescription is required for this service as a pharmaceutical agent, Dexamethasone, is used.  Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid that can be applied to a pad and placed on the skin.  When the pad is electrically activated it helps "push" the medicine into the affected area with the objective of reducing swelling and pain. 
9. Mechanical Traction devices are typically used to help reduce compressive forces in the joints, particularly the articular structures in the spinal column.  Traction devices may employ cylinder pumps, weights, gravity and general principles of leverage to help decompress the targeted region.  During treatment, a person may feel a stretching sensation or slight discomfort. Mechanical traction is commonly used to treat osteoarthritis, headaches, disc herniations, muscular tightness, joint stiffness and cervical nerve root compression. 

Massage and Bodywork Therapies

There are many forms of massage and manual therapy or what is sometimes referred to as bodywork.  The various hands-on therapies may target different tissues in the body or may be focused on achieving different objectives, but overall, massage and related techniques are widely recognized to have considerable health benefits. 

Massage is known to promote physical and mental relaxation as well as reduce muscular tension and pain.  Bodywork therapies can also help to improve posture, mobility, circulation and the quality of sleep.  These are just a few of the many benefits that have been attributed to hands-on care.  The therapists at Integrative Therapies are skilled in a wide variety of bodywork disciplines.  Some of the massage and bodywork offerings are listed below along with a brief description.

1. Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT) is a highly effective technique for the elimination of pain caused by soft-tissue (muscular) injury of either an acute or chronic nature. In NMT, emphasis is placed on appreciating the role that ischemia (hypertonic tissues), trigger points and nerve entrapment play in    creating and intensifying pain in the body. NMT also acknowledges the role that biomechanics, posture, stress and nutrition play in the overall pain picture. Proper application of neuromuscular therapy techniques necessitates a detailed understanding of anatomy. Certification in this field requires course work and the passing of a written and practicum examination. 
2. Structural Bodywork refers to manual therapies that are aimed at improving postural alignment.     These therapies help the recipient oppose gravity more efficiently, thereby reducing the load on the muscles and ligaments. Some forms of structural bodywork such as Structural Integration (Rolfing) and myofascial release involve deep manipulation of the connective tissue (fascia) to promote structural alignment.  Dynamic Structural Learning (DSL) is another form of bodywork that places emphasis on postural balancing and is used more frequently at Integrative Therapies. It is considered to be a gentle form of manual therapy that promotes client awareness and facilitates independence through self-performed yoga-type exercises specific to the individual’s postural alignment. 
3. Swedish Massage is probably the most widely known massage technique as it is offered in many       spas across the U.S.  It involves five classifications of manipulation:  effleurage (stroking), pétrissage (kneading), friction, tapotement (percussion) and vibration.  Depending on the focus of the session, beneficial effects may be noted in terms of reduced adhesion, altered muscle tone and heightened circulation. 
4. Lymph Drainage Massage is typically employed for the purpose of increasing lymph flow through the lymph vessel system to bring about a reduction of fluid accumulation or edema. It consists of a series of gentle movements of light pressure usually applied in a circular pattern and following the general distribution of lymph vessel drainage regions. Because the lymphatic system is critical to our body’s ability to detoxify, regenerate tissue and maintain a healthy immune system, lymphatic drainage massage can be beneficially applied to a wide variety of health concerns.  In the field of physical therapy, the focus tends to be on the reduction of swelling and lymphedemas of various origins. 
5. Deep Friction Massage refers to specific techniques in which the hands remain in contact with the skin and the superficial tissues are moved with respect to deeper tissues. James Cyriax is the most widely known proponent of this technique, which is specific to the function of disrupting adhesions that have formed or may be in the process of forming.
6. Craniosacral Therapy is a gentle form of body therapy that is based on the principle that our bodies can remember how to heal themselves. The practitioner "listens" to the body through palpation and allows or introduces movement intended to release restrictions and reintroduce the natural flow ofhealth. This form of bodywork places special emphasis on optimizing the rhythm and flow of fluid which circulates within the cranium and up and down the spinal column. 
7. Trager® Psychophysical Integration or the Trager® Approach utilizes light, gentle, non-intrusive movements to release physical and mental patterns which inhibit movement and prevent relaxation and free range of motion. The Trager® technique uses the weight of the client’s own body to generate rhythmic, effortless movement through the body’s range of motion. A movement therapy is also incorporated into many Trager sessions and is called “mentastics”. 
8. Reflexology. This system proposes that there are zones in the body consisting of points that affect the vital energy traveling to various body parts.  They end in the feet and their end points can be manipulated to balance blocked energy pathways in the body. Although there are zones in the ear and other parts of the body, the primary focus of reflexology has been on the hands and feet.  Practitioners of reflexology use pressure or rubbing on the nerve endings in the soles of the feet with the intent of initiating a “reflex” reaction between these zones and associated organs and glands throughout the body.  
9. Bowen Therapy is based on the notion that the body has its own inner wisdom and as a consequence, only the slightest hints or cues are necessary to get it back on track when there is a problem. Bowen therapy is a gentle form of bodywork that employs subtle movements or “moves” to the muscles and connective tissue to promote a relaxed and balanced way of being. This unique method was developed in Australia but now many practitioners outside of the continent employ Bowen Therapy to help their clients access their “inner healing mechanisms”. 
10. Pregnancy and Prenatal Massage – Pregnancy is a time of great change, placing new demands on the physical body. Weight gain, added pressure on muscles and joints and fluid retention are just a few of the challenges that are likely to occur. A therapist that is specifically trained in pregnancy massage will be able to appreciate the important considerations that are needed to provide a safe, comfortable and effective massage experience. At Integrative Therapies, a team approach is available for pregnant women who have special needs. 
11. Aromatherapy in conjunction with massage.  Aromatherapy is defined as the use by inhalation or application of pure essential oils, distilled from plants to restore or enhance health and well-being.  Many essential oils are known to have sedating, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and other influential   properties. Essential oils can be combined with carrier oils to be used as a massage lubricant, thus supporting the beneficial effects of the massage. Biological and psychophysiological influences may take place via absorption through the skin or inhalation. 

Biofeedback

Biofeedback uses specialized electronic equipment to "feed back" information to the client about the level of muscle tension or other physical responses in the body. Combined with instruction in relaxation and other self-awareness skills, biofeedback can help a person ease the tension and stress that may accompany or cause pain and other symptoms. Biofeedback training involves three major steps: 1. Developing an awareness of body states. 2. Learning voluntary control over these states. 3.  Incorporating these new skills into everyday life. 

Biofeedback can also be used to assist in neuromuscular re-education after an injury or stroke. 

Dynamic Surface Electromyographic (EMG) Assessment

Electromyography quite literally means a recording (graph) of the electrical activity of the muscle (myo). A dynamic surface EMG assessment involves computerized monitoring of the muscles at several different sites simultaneously during movement or functional activities. This is a safe and fairly simple procedure that does not use needles, but sensors placed on the skin overlying the muscle groups to be assessed.  The information gathered can often help your therapist gain a better understanding of the patterns of neuromuscular functioning that may contribute to your pain problem and provide guidance for treatment planning and implementation. Findings from the EMG assessment may often be used to determine specific goals for biofeedback training.

Nutritional Counseling

Nutritional counseling at Integrative Therapies is offered from a holistic perspective taking into account not only your diet, lifestyle and environment, but your unique biology as well.  We offer genomic testing that will give you information about your gene variations.  This information along with guidance from our nutritional consultant will help you take the necessary steps to optimize your well-being through personalized supplementation and by making healthier diet and lifestyle choices. 

Acupuncture

Acupuncture at Integrative Therapies is practiced within the context of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Treatment is based on the concept that symptoms represent an imbalance in the flow of Chi (or vital force) in the body. Acupuncture involves the use of very fine needles placed on points along meridians (pathways of Chi) to help restore balance. Herbs or nutritional recommendations may be included to complement the treatment program. Acupuncture is commonly used in the treatment of pain, fatigue and numerous other health problems.   

Mental Health Counseling

Mental Health Counseling is offered at Integrative Therapies as a separate service or as part of a multidisciplinary program.  If you are experiencing anxiety, depression or other psychological symptoms due to an illness or another issue, counseling may be of benefit. Our professional counselor can also be of assistance to individuals who are dealing with grief, relationship issues, self-esteem problems, eating disorders or general concerns about stress and how to manage it.

Yoga

Yoga offers a way to bring balance to a person’s whole being:  Physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.  Some may think of yoga as a physical exercise that is executed with a profound inwardly directed awareness or focus.  Other characteristics that distinguish yoga from traditional exercise is that it is typically performed at a slower pace with an emphasis on quality, rather than quantity of movement.  Yoga tends to be process focused rather than goal-oriented and it is performed in a noncompetitive spirit.  Additionally, yoga emphasizes listening to your body and learning to pay attention to your feelings. 

Scientific studies reveal that practicing yoga not only increases flexibility, strength and stamina, but that it helps reduce stress and tension as well.  From a medical standpoint there are studies that show that yoga can reduce blood pressure, improve blood glucose in people with diabetes and that it can improve mood.  Other scientific investigations have found that yoga can lead to a reduction in the pain and discomfort associated with chemotherapy for cancer patients and that it helps reduce pain from back problems. 

At Integrative Therapies, you can enjoy yoga in a group setting or explore its benefits in one-on-one sessions.  For those who are attending the center for rehabilitation purposes, individual yoga may be included as part of the therapeutic exercise program or yoga classes may be recommended to help maintain therapeutic gains after the treatment program has been completed.  Please see our calendar for the dates and times of yoga classes. 

Wellness Classes

In addition to yoga, Integrative Therapies offers a number of other wellness classes.  Some are designed to provide a conceptual framework for embarking on a wellness or rehabilitation program; others are offered as skill building opportunities to guide you on your path to wellness.  For more detailed information, please see our section on yoga and wellness classes. 

Support Groups 

Integrative Therapies currently offers a monthly support group for individuals dealing with the challenges of Fibromyalgia.  Group meetings are designed not only to provide support but to serve as an educational and skill building opportunity.  More information is provided under classes and calendar section.

Integrative Therapies provides services for individuals that are dealing with a wide variety of health concerns.  We offer a non-pharmacological approach to patient care and work closely with the referring physician to assure appropriate treatment management.  Some of the conditions and health objectives for which people seek care at our facility are listed below: