Physical Therapy

• Faulty movement pattern
• Hypermobility
• Tightness and dysfunction in one area causing stress and injury in another
• Poor postural habits
• Muscle imbalance
• Chronic inflammation

• Joint Mobilization (show details)
  Every joint in the body-whether it be large joints such as the hip or shoulder or small joints such as those in the spine-need to be able to slide and glide and rotate to create a motion that allows you to raise your arm, bend forward or straighten your knee. These small joint movements, called accessory movements, are crucial for healthy joint function. Without these movements, faulty mechanics occur that often lead to injury. When correcting these movements, passive mobilization techniques applied in specific directions can be very beneficial in restoring previously painful and restricted movement.
• Soft Tissue Mobilization (show details)
  The term "soft tissue" refers to any musculoskeletal tissue in the body that's not bone or joint. These include: muscle belly, musculo-tendonis junction, muscle trigger points, fascia, tendon or ligament. Any of these structures can be tight, scarred, inflamed or painful resulting in restricted and/or painful movement. Specific soft tissue mobilization techniques vary depending on the exact tissue being treated. Used gently they are aimed at more superficial structures such as skin or fascia. Used vigorously they are aimed at deeper muscle and their surrounding fascia. In general, regardless of the technique, the aim is to increase circulation to an area, improve tissue extensibility and decrease pain.
• Myofascial Release (show details)
  Myo refers to muscle and fascia refers to the thin connective tissue layer that surrounds all muscles as well as arteries, veins, nerves and all the organs of the body. It forms a network that literally mirrors the full human form and is connected throughout. When one area of restriction develops in the fascial network, it can create an abnormal force throughout the system. This myofascial release uses sustained gentle pressure in the restricted area to encourage the fascial system to return to a relaxed position and allow for normal movement. It's often effective in treating pain and/or movement restrictions that have been a problem for a long time.
• Cranio-sacral therapy (show details)
  The craniosacral system includes the soft tissue and bones of the head (cranium), the spine and the pelvis in addition to the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. This system has an inherent movement that can become disrupted from disease, trauma or injury. This movement can be assessed by a trained therapist and treated via gentle mobilization of the cranial bones, sacrum and pelvis. It can be effective for problems including headaches, back and neck pain and can help in stress reduction and immune system support.
• Visceral Mobilization (show details)
  When we think about movement, we often only consider the participation by muscles, bones, ligaments and joints. However, many of these musculoskeletal structures attach to or have a direct relationship with the body's internal organs, referred to as viscera. At optimal health, this relationship allows the body's endless varieties of motion. But when one organ can't move in harmony with its surrounding structures due to abnormal tone, adhesions or displacement, it creates fixed, abnormal points of tension that the body is forced to move around. Using visceral mobilization, the therapist gently works through the body's organ system to locate and alleviate these abnormal points of tension and helps to restore optimal movement.
• Core and Dynamic Stability Training (show details)
  "Core training" is a term that is being widely used in the fitness industry. It usually refers to bracing the trunk, in neutral, during weight training or doing various exercises on a gym ball or some other unsteady object to encourage action of abdominal and back muscles. This is definitely part of creating a stable spine with good core control but it is not the whole picture. One element of core assessment and training that is often overlooked is recruitment of muscles needed to accomplish "low load" activities such as getting in an out of the car, bending forward, moving from a sitting to standing position or standing in one place for a long time. Often during these types of activities people display poor movement patterns and instability and are susceptible to injury or re-injury. All levels of core stability control from low load to heavy through range demand need to be addressed in both the pelvis and shoulder girdles for complete core and dynamic stability training.
• Therapeutic exercise including full access to the Pilates and Gyrotonic repertoire (show details)
  This refers to an exercise program designed specifically to address rehabilitation of injury, whether it is a shoulder, knee, hip, spine or pelvis. Exercises address specific needs such as strengthening weakened muscles, stretching tight structures, restoring normal movement patterns or increasing endurance. Many exercises we use derive from the Pilates and Gyrotonic repertoires and equipment to facilitate return to normal function.