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 bio-mechanics and neuro-muscular 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 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 occur that restrict or hinder our ability to move as we are designed, the body develops musculoskeletal dysfunctions and compensations. This creates changes in the ways we stand, sit and move that in turn creates undue stress and strain on on the body. Over time, chronic tensions, pain and injury develop as a result of these longer terms stresses these imbalances bring about. Posture therapy the is designed to progressively restore body back 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 the way that our assessment and therapy does not focus on treating symptoms or the site of pain exclusively because of the important is insight that the site of the pain is usually not where the problem creating the symptom lies. Instead we focus on identifying the underlying root cause of the symptoms and or pain by looking at the whole body and how it deviates from its fundamental design and optimal movement patterns.
Posture Alignment Therapy approach is also unique because of our belief is that your past and current injuries/symptoms are somehow related to your present posture and movement patterns. because the body functions as an integrated whole, not as separate parts. This crucial understanding allows us to more effectively address the root causes of difficult pain, balance and movement challenges. We start by finding out and the problematic alignment and movement patterns throughout the body. By treating the whole body posture and movement patterns we can provide you with an effective solution to relieve the stresses that are at the root of the symptoms. It is the difference between short term and symptom or pain relief and long-term restoration of the body to a more fully functional and pain free status.
What kind of pain may be alleviated?
It is common for people to come to us with any number of physical pain issues or diagnosis they may have received. Even though these problems may be linked to what shows up in X-Rays, MRI’s 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 so many of the physical problems that are 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 are some of the issues that may be helped with Posture Alignment Therapy. We do not treat any disease or provide medical advice and work in conjunction with your medical doctors and other healthcare providers;
Do I have to be in pain to benefit from Posture Alignment Therapy?
Because we are working to improve overall function and movement in the body you don’t have to be in pain to gain value from this work. These may include improved athletic and artistic performance, day to day comfort and ease, overall balance, flexibility, increased strength, metabolic activity, stress relief, increased energy, more youthful posture and increased self-confidence.
How does Posture Alignment Therapy work?
Our method employs a series of gentle exercises and stretches to return musculoskeletal balance and symmetry to your body. It’s no secret that muscles move bones. If your body has lost its designed posture, it’s because muscles have moved your bones into a new, dysfunctional position. Pain is the body’s way of alerting you to the fact that your body isn’t aligned—and therefore isn’t moving—properly. Through our postural approach to sequencing the exercises and movements, your muscles will be reeducated and reminded how they need to function in order to maintain proper alignment.
How long will it take for me to see results and feel better?
Because everyone has a unique situation. everyone progresses at a different rate. However, in most cases clients feel different after their first visit. Aside from a positive impact on symptoms. better weight balance, feeling more relaxed or “looser”, feeling taller are common experiences that offer feedback 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 given the opportunity to get back to a more optimal posture and movement pattern. Most of us didn’t get into our present situation overnight and won’t get out of it overnight. Our Posture Alignment Therapy program can, by addressing the overall movement imbalance at the root of pain, be the missing part of your healing journey toward a pain free lifestyle. 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 are able to commit.
**Enhanced work includes more specialized Somatic-based neuro-musular re-patterning movement sequences and additional strengthening and balance exercises protocols as indicated to accelerate and enhance the therapy process.
**Instructions on how to perform the exercises with take home instructions, and access to videos and printable instructions,to support you as you practice the program on your own.
**Follow-up re-assessments and program adjustments to deepen the benefits and maximize progress.
How often do I have to do the exercises?
We ask that you do your exercises, what we call your “menu,” daily, although some clients will 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 of of a lifetime of habits is a process. That said, by doing your menu daily, you are giving your body the positive stimuli that it needs, restoring proper alignment, and eliminating 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 are beneficial for your body.
Is it normal to feel sore after doing my menu?
Some soreness may occur with the changes that come with 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 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, but we will offer supporting statements/explanation of your therapy in support of 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 to 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 Corrective 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 an hour 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 movments are generally not physically demanding as traditional workouts and protocols are determined to based on your present abilities. You are in control of the time commitment you make and you are asked the time commitment you wish to make to your therapist in the course of 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 either in person or via online 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 in conjunction with many different healing modalities. The therapy program is designed to bring your health back into your hands 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 empowers and educates you on what you need to do to fix yourself.
How is Posture Alignment Therapy different than Tai Chi, Qigong, Yoga or Pilates?
Through 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 to better moment health. This approach addresses the deeper muscle imbalances involved in chronic pain and movement challenges that have taken root overtime. Our therapy consists of specifically tailored set of exercises and moment sequences designed to eliminate your primary structural dysfunctions that are causing your pain.
In group classes everyone in the class is asked to do the same exercises, poses, or moves in ways that are often less directed to individual needs. Ours is a progressively client centered process where therapist and client work together to develop your exercise and movement protocols, building on what your body is able to functionally to do at in each session.
Do I need to purchase expensive equipment?
While specialized equipment is available to help perform some of the exercises, the vast majority 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 the need arises.
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.