My Three Lenses

This is a brief, detailed summary of my three different types of health care service offerings.  These offerings include Physical Therapy, Massage Therapy and Comprehensive Pilates Instruction.  Each type of service is unique in its level of formal education, depth of analysis and price point.  A client can be seen by me in one, two or all three service lines, depending on their current health and wellness goals.

Just as a photographer changes lenses to capture the best focus for a photograph, I utilize different lenses to look through to provide different levels of health and wellness services.  My extensive educational background includes the following:

Masters in Physical Therapy/Bachelors of Science

Licensed Massage Therapist/Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCTMB)

Comprehensive Pilates Instructor Education

In addition to my formal education, I have achieved the expert level rating in John F. Barnes Myofascial Release, am a Full Instructor for the Myofascial Release treatment and training center and have presented on numerous occasions on the topics of Myofascial Release and Pilates Rehabilitation.

 Our left brain keeps analytical time, sequences processing, gathers and assimilates facts and has the capacity for rational problem solving.  Our right brain is creative, intuitive, processes feelings and non-verbal information.  In addition, our right brain has the understanding of metaphors and has global, holistic processing.   By a simplistic definition, our left brain looks at all the parts; our right brain looks at the whole picture.

As I work with a client, I utilize different “lenses”, my five senses and different parts of my brain.  When I’m looking through my “Physical Therapist Lens”, I evaluate a client’s history, posture, anatomy, body alignment, joint mobility, biomechanics and movement analysis utilizing my left brain.  In addition, I assess the different systems of the body which include the bones, joints, muscles, fascia, skin, nervous and lymphatic systems.  In further assessments I evaluate joint range of motion, mobility, muscular strength, flexibility and feel for Myofascial restrictions and rigidity.  In addition, I utilize my right brain to pick up the non-verbal information from the client’s “whole” mind, body, and spirit.  Once I assimilate and process all this information I can then organize and design an appropriate, individualized treatment plan.  This may include Myofascial Release, CranioSacral Therapy, muscle specific soft tissue mobilization, joint mobilization and manipulation.  I then design a specific exercise and movement re-education program.  This program design will include specific exercises unique to the needs of each individual I treat. From there, I create a home program designed for the client to progress in addition to our one-on-one sessions.   One-on-one sessions may include the Pilates Arc, Ladder Barrel, Step Barrel, Reformer, and Tower Apparatus.   Other clinical equipment may include Pilates mat, foam roller, discs, ring, BOSU, Triad Ball, Swiss Ball or Trigger Point Balls. In a Physical therapy session I will utilize all my knowledge, educational back ground, clinical experience and repertoire in my full scope of practice to meet the client’s intentions for optimum health.

When I’m working with a client utilizing my “Massage Therapist Lens” I view the client in a different way.  I assess posture, body alignment and movement.  In the scope of practice as a Licensed Massage Therapist, I utilize my left brain to take a history, assess the soft tissues of the body, specifically muscle, fascia.  In addition, I assess and the client’s bones in regards to postural alignment.  I utilize my right brain to pick up non-verbal information and look at the whole person.  From my assessment of the client, I utilized and assimilate all information into a treatment session to work with the mind/body/spirit through the “lens of the Massage Therapist” regarding the soft tissues of the body.  Treatment can include Myofascial Release, CranioSacral Therapy and muscle specific soft tissue mobilization. An individualized home stretching and self-treatment program may be designed for each client to achieve their unique self-care goals.

When I’m working with a client utilizing my “Pilates Instructor Lens” I view the body again through different eyes.  I take a brief medical history, assess posture and movement patterns.  From there, I will make selections from the 500 Pilates exercises, choreograph, instruct and facilitate a workout unique to each client’s needs.  I have the option of utilizing all the Pilates Apparatus listed above into a session to meet the clients’ health and wellness goals.

In conclusion, I hope that I have expanded your awareness of the different health care service options available to you.  I look forward to supporting and facilitating your journey towards optimum health and wellness.