Our Approach & Practice .
At Omni, our therapists focus on optimizing movement, as opposed to solely treating the source of the pain. In the traditional physical therapy approach, the focus is more on the isolated symptoms, rather than starting at the foundation of the problem. This approach is incomplete, when examining the cause of tissue irritation. Vladimir Janda, the great medicine man of rehabilitation, said “The motor system functions as an entity.”
Like many systems in this world, everything is interconnected, especially when considering the functions of the body. Testing mobility can assist with assessing any instability that may be causing the issue with your tissue. Mobility without stability results in vulnerability. By looking for the cause of dysfunction, and training movements of the muscle, it will develop. When the foundation is not in place, the patient suffers. Over time, other issues may begin to occur, like a domino effect. The term for this is called Regional Interdependence, which was first coined by Dr. Robert Wainner in 2001.
What Is Regional Interdependence?
In the 2007 Journal of Orthopedic & Sports Physical Therapy’s guest editorial, he explains how Regional Interdependence works and how it is helping several physical therapists treat patients with Musculoskeletal disorders. In the traditional models, treatment of a patient can only proceed when a diagnosis has been identified. However, this old model has not been well suited for the more common disorders that PTs so often encounter. For example, when patients come in with lower back pain or knee osteoarthritis, PTs have found that these issues were connected to the hips. Another example is if a patient comes in expressing issues with their neck and shoulder. Treatment of the spine and ribs have been shown to improve neck and shoulder dysfunctions.
From Unconscious to Conscious Living .
Today, in this technology era, many of us have become unconscious of our bodies. The way we carry ourselves can affect our confidence, posture, and overall feeling of vitality. A lot of us are hunched over a computer desk, or phone. Some of us have jobs where we are constantly sitting, standing, and carrying heavy loads. Imbalanced walking habits, or even keeping your head down when walking can take a toll over time. By optimizing the proper movement of your body, it will improve your overall human experience, and your body will continue to thank you.
If you listen to your body when it whispers, you won’t have to hear it scream. With the proper rehabilitation and physical therapy, you will have an improved and enriched life filled with abundant health and a refreshing, new alignment with your body. Consider this, if you don’t take care of your body, where will you live?