Posture Alignment FAQ
Posture Alignment Therapy FAQ
What is Posture Alignment Therapy?
Posture Alignment Therapy is a non-medical, non-invasive approach to help those with difficult chronic pain, injury, movement limitations, and balance problems resolve these problems at their root cause. This work is grounded in the science of biomechanics and neuromuscular functioning, which addresses the relationship between the structure, function, and movement mechanics of the human body. Although short-term benefits on symptoms and comfort in movement may be striking, Posture Alignment Therapy is not a quick fix. Instead, it is a more comprehensive program designed to work with the deeper causes of musculoskeletal pain and other problems without drugs, surgery or manipulation.
Why is posture important?
As sedentary lifestyles, injuries, and other events in our lives restrict or hinder our ability to move as we are designed, the body develops musculoskeletal dysfunctions and compensations. This changes how we stand, sit and move, which in turn creates undue stress and strain on the body. Over time, chronic tensions, pain and injury develop due to the longer-term stresses these imbalances bring about.
Posture therapy is designed to progressively restore the body to its designed posture and movement patterns, addressing and alleviating these deeper causes of chronic pain so the natural healing process can assert itself to get you back to an active, pain-free lifestyle.
How is this approach different?
We are unique in that our assessment and therapy do not focus exclusively on treating symptoms or the site of pain. We understand that the site of pain is usually not where the problem creating the symptom lies. Instead, we focus on identifying the underlying root cause of the symptoms and pain by looking at the whole body and how it deviates from its fundamental design and optimal movement patterns.
Posture Alignment Therapy is also unique because we believe that your past and current injuries and symptoms somehow relate to your present posture and movement patterns. The body functions as an integrated whole, not as separate parts. This understanding allows us to address the root causes of difficult pain, balance, and movement challenges more effectively.
We start by identifying problematic alignment and movement patterns throughout the body. By treating the whole body posture and movement patterns, we can effectively relieve the stresses at the root of the symptoms. This is the difference between short-term symptom relief and long-term body restoration to a more fully functional and pain-free state.
What kind of pain may be alleviated?
It is common for people to come to us with any number of physical pain issues or diagnoses they may have received. Even though these problems may be linked to what shows up in X-rays, MRIs, and other compelling diagnostic evidence, we see these conditions as the effects of posture and movement imbalances that can benefit from our therapeutic movement and exercise protocols. Even as true medical disease is treated or ruled out by your doctor, we can work on the root causes of many physical problems often attributed to old injuries, genetics, "normal" aging, disease, and other factors.
Hip pain, neck and shoulder pain, bursitis, arthritis, back pain, vertigo, headaches, nerve pain, and other joint pain issues, including degenerative conditions, may be helped with Posture Alignment Therapy. We do not treat any disease or provide medical advice; we work with your medical doctors and other healthcare providers.
Do I have to be in pain to benefit from Posture Alignment Therapy?
No, you do not have to be in pain to benefit from Posture Alignment Therapy. Our therapy is designed to improve overall function and movement in the body and can provide various benefits, even for people who are not currently experiencing pain. These benefits may include:
- Improved athletic and artistic performance
- Increased day-to-day comfort and ease
- Improved overall balance and flexibility
- Increased strength and metabolic activity
- Reduced stress levels
- Increased energy levels
- More youthful posture
- Increased self-confidence
How does Posture Alignment Therapy work?
Posture Alignment Therapy is a gentle, non-invasive therapy that uses a series of exercises and stretches to return musculoskeletal balance and symmetry to the body. Muscles move bones, so if your body has lost its designed posture, muscles have moved your bones into a new, dysfunctional position and patterns. Pain is the body's way of alerting you that your body isn't aligned correctly and, therefore, isn't moving as well as it may. Through our postural approach to sequencing the exercises and movements, your muscles will be re-educated and reminded how they need to function to maintain proper alignment.
How long will it take for me to see results and feel better?
Everyone's situation is unique, so everyone progresses at a different rate. However, in most cases, clients feel different after their first visit. Aside from a positive impact on symptoms, clients often report feeling better weight balance, more relaxed or "looser," and taller. These experiences are a sign that improvements are occurring. Longer-lasting beneficial results are often experienced within 6-12 sessions, but results may vary.
The body has an amazing ability to heal itself if allowed to get back to a more optimal posture and movement pattern. Most of us didn't get into our current situation overnight, and we won't get out of it overnight. Our Posture Alignment Therapy program can be the missing piece of your healing journey toward a pain-free lifestyle by addressing the overall movement imbalance at the root of pain.
Within the testimonials section of the website are many varied stories of those who have taken this journey.
What is the Therapy process?
This client-centered program consists of:
**Individual posture and movement analysis: This may include photos and movement tests to help identify the posture and functional movement issues at the root of the presenting concerns.
**A plan that is developed based on the analysis and your goals: This includes a specific prescription of systematic sequences of “menus” of exercises and re-patterning movements to be done at home based on your goals and the time you can commit.
**Enhanced work: This includes more specialized Somatic-based neuro-muscular re-patterning movement sequences and additional strengthening and balance movement protocols as indicated to accelerate and enhance the therapy process.
**Instructions on performing the exercises include take-home instructions and recordings to support you as you practice the program independently.
**Follow-up re-assessments and program adjustments: This will deepen the benefits and maximize progress.
How often do I have to do the exercises?
We ask that you do your exercises, which we call your "menu," daily. Some clients may need to do their menu more than once per day. The therapy program is designed to systematically and methodically chip away at your dysfunctions and compensations. We have to remember that healthy change is a process that takes time. That said, by doing your menu daily, you give your body the positive stimuli it needs to restore proper alignment and eliminate pain!
Do I have to do all the exercises in my menu?
Yes, you need to do your full protocol at least once per day, in the given order. One exercise sets up the next, so sequencing is important. Outside of that time, you can do any exercises that you feel benefit your body.
Is it normal to feel sore after doing my menu?
Some soreness may occur with the changes that come with the therapy process, and can be a good thing as it can signal muscles awakening and beginning to become functional. In this case, it should diminish the more times you do your menu as your muscles adapt and adjust to the new work. Of course, some soreness is different from pain. If you are experiencing true pain or other symptoms, let us know so any necessary adjustments can be made.
Is Posture Alignment Therapy covered by insurance?
Being non-medical, this therapy is not directly covered by insurance. However, many of our clients have had success getting reimbursed from their insurance provider for at least some of what they pay. We do not file anything directly with your insurance provider. Still, we will offer supporting statements/explanations of your therapy to support any reimbursement for which you may be eligible. Many of our clientele have been able to use their health savings account or flexible spending accounts to pay for the therapy. Discuss this with your accountant to help you determine if that is possible for you.
What will I be required to do in this therapy?
Posture Alignment Therapy is an investment in terms of both time and finances. Your therapy menu will take 20 minutes to an hour and a half to complete. Twenty minutes to forty-five minutes are the most common time frames. Although most clients don’t need more than 30-45 minutes or so, those who do are in so much pain they will do their menu daily, regardless of how long it takes. The exercises and movements are generally not physically demanding, as traditional workouts and protocols are determined based on your present abilities. You are in control of the time commitment you make and are asked the time commitment you wish to make to your therapist during the sessions.
How much does it cost?
Because needs, capabilities, and therapy goals vary, we offer different therapy packages and experiences: You can work face-to-face with a therapist in person or via Skype/FaceTime/Zoom video options. We can work together to determine which option suits you best and get an idea of how many visits you may need. Group classes in our healing modalities can be another support and adjunct to individual sessions to improve your success.
Can I still see my chiropractor, physical therapist, massage therapist, or other health practitioner while doing Posture Alignment Therapy?
Yes, Posture Alignment Therapy can be used with many different healing modalities. The therapy program is designed to bring your health back into your hands and back to your hands over time so that, ultimately, you aren’t dependent on another person or machine to achieve your optimal state of health. Together, it empowers and educates you on what you must do to fix yourself.
How is Posture Alignment Therapy different than Tai Chi, Qigong, Yoga or Pilates?
Though my background is as a Yoga instructor and therapist, I have realized that with challenging pain and movement concerns, a different, more targeted approach is needed to help restore on better movement comfort and health. This approach addresses the deeper muscle imbalances in chronic pain and movement challenges that have taken root over time. Our therapy consists of a specifically tailored set of exercises and moment sequences designed to eliminate the primary movement pattern and postural dysfunctions that are causing your pain.
In group classes, everyone is asked to do the same exercises, poses, or moves in ways that are often less directed toward individual needs. Ours is a progressively client-centered process where therapist and client work together to develop exercise and movement protocols, building on what your body can do at each session functionally.
Do I need to purchase expensive equipment?
While specialized equipment is available to help perform some of the exercises, most of our exercises can be performed with items you have lying around your house. We can offer links to the more specialized props if you wish and as needed.
How do I find out more?
I invite you to explore this functionally based posture therapy and corrective movement re-patterning work. Read more about how this works to help you get back the life you love here.
You can also click here for a PDF of my brochure with more information about me and the program.
For more on this Posture Therapy, please contact me here, or call me at (203)488-1700.